200-4r transmission questions/opinions

[ChadW]

I am looking at putting a 200-4r trans in my 66...Its still a very big project but am gathering up parts and pieces as i can...I was leaning towards a 700r4 but with my 3.73 rear gear and the large gearing diference in 1st and 2nd on the 700, it looks like id be better off with a 200-4r tranny...Does anyone run one of these? I have a dual bolt pattern 200-4r near me that i can pick up for $150...No clue on its history so will probably be rebuilt...Is that a decent price for a core and what are the pros/cons over a 700r4.

I will be running a mild 327 with aluminum heads and a 260h comp cam

[The Rocknrod]

Yes that's a decent price, cores usually run $200 so you should be set.
There are some benefits to the 200R4 that are misunderstood, slightly lower first gear and a taller 4th gear.
The 2004R has closer gear ratios 1st 2.74:1,2nd 1.57:1,3rd 1.00:1,4th 0.67:1, Rev.2.06:1 2.
The input/turbine shaft while smaller only has one oil circuit only going halfway through it. While the 700R4 has a larger input/turbine shaft it has 4 oil circuits going all the way through it. It could be said that the 700R4 input shaft is more hollowed than the 2004R input shaft. That's probably the biggest misunderstanding about the two.

[ChadW]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Yes that's a decent price, cores usually run $200 so you should be set.
There are some benefits to the 200R4 that are misunderstood, slightly lower first gear and a taller 4th gear.
The 2004R has closer gear ratios 1st 2.74:1,2nd 1.57:1,3rd 1.00:1,4th 0.67:1, Rev.2.06:1 2.
The input/turbine shaft while smaller only has one oil circuit only going halfway through it. While the 700R4 has a larger input/turbine shaft it has 4 oil circuits going all the way through it. It could be said that the 700R4 input shaft is more hollowed than the 2004R input shaft. That's probably the biggest misunderstanding about the two.

so with my mild 327 and 3.73 gears i should be fine with the 200 over the 700, right? I like the closer gear ratios of the 200 but keep reading they are not as strong as the 700

[The Rocknrod]

What I explained was what people misunderstand concerning strength in the 200. You will be just fine.

[andyh1956]

My son's Type T Buick had a 200. I don't know how much power that little V6 cranked out but the trans never failed! That car was scary fast!

[The Rocknrod]

Any OD Trans (700R4 or 2004R) will fail if the transmission throttle valve (TV) cable is not properly adjusted.

[Tom]

I ran a 200-4R behind a vortec 350 I had pulled from a 99 and put in my 79. They work as good as you can expect an automatic to work.

[Jrainman]

I run a upgraded rebuilt 200r4 /gm L31 crate engine /3.08 rear . and like everything the trans has to offer ,I drive it daily, and the MPG is a added bounus for me , the gear ratios are a really nice addition .

I like it so much I plan on getting another one in my 69 project truck, Im sold on the 200 4rs but that is just my opinion.

[mattfranklin]

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Yes that's a decent price, cores usually run $200 so you should be set.
There are some benefits to the 200R4 that are misunderstood, slightly lower first gear and a taller 4th gear.
The 2004R has closer gear ratios 1st 2.74:1,2nd 1.57:1,3rd 1.00:1,4th 0.67:1, Rev.2.06:1 2.
The input/turbine shaft while smaller only has one oil circuit only going halfway through it. While the 700R4 has a larger input/turbine shaft it has 4 oil circuits going all the way through it. It could be said that the 700R4 input shaft is more hollowed than the 2004R input shaft. That's probably the biggest misunderstanding about the two.

Really interesting. I never knew that. My only impression of the 200 was based in the problems it had when first rolled out. The explanation at the time was that the tolerances were not as consistent in the early models, but they said they fixed it. I never quite bought the story, but your explanation and the experiences of the other guys are helping to persuade me.

[YoungPup1977]

Sort a makes me wonder why they did not make a 4x4 200r4 since they "appear" to be strong.....

[Killer Bee]

Bigdav160 splained it here, one piece case doesn't provide for adapters..

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...67#post8257767

[The Rocknrod]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

Bigdav160 splained it here, one piece case doesn't provide for adapters..
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...67#post8257767

Interesting, never considered that's the reason.

[SJLenz1340]

If the intent (which In my opinion is wise) is to rebuild the core, work with your rebuilder and find one that is reliable. I did the same and spoke with the rebuilder for about half an hour before we came to a conclusion regarding our path. Perhaps an interview if you will to ascertain if you wish to work with this individual.
The change out is rather straightforward depending on what you are starting with. I agree the TV cable is key, and depending on what carb you have it can be either real easy or a royal pain with no outside support. Next is the speedo drive bullet, finding the ratio is easy online (they are all color coded) but the 2004R has a larger bullet than 350, 400, or powerslide. Replace the seals on the bullet, don’t screw around. Then you have to reconfigure you trans cooler lines. I chose to replace mine entirely. And while on that subject my rebuilder recommended an additional trans cooler, he stated that transmissions of that era all died from heat. We still have to lock up the TC electrically, if you have the external plug great, if not the easiest place I found was Amazon.
Good luck with your project!

[DLW]

Some Good info.
I would not worry to much about the difference in first gear ratio for making the choice, either will work fine in a 3.73 driver, just my opinion having had a 4l60 and 3.73 and 4.10 gears.

I would see what is the easiest to swap for you, for example the 200R4 is shorter than the 700R4 by about 3 inches (its a direct swap for a TH350) so maybe driveshaft will not need shortened, not sure, just an example.

Both trans are good, either can be made quite strong. I would think building and parts prices might favor the 700R4. I would not hesitate to use a 200R4 though.

[GASoline71]

I think the 200-4R's get a bad rap because there is also a "Metric" TH200 that came behind the V-6's in the 3rd Gen F-bodies and also G-bodies... and they were absolute junk.

Gary

[tdangle]

I just finished a TH350 to 200-4R swap in my 70 C20. I had to move the cross member back to the TH400 mounting holes, the driveshaft fit perfect. I made my own TC lockup wiring, by wiring bringing the TC lockup solenoid ground to a NO 4th gear pressure switch and then running ign switched 12V thru a newer brake light switch to the solenoid. Only locks in 4th and disconnects when I hit the brakes

Trans cooler lines were easy, they are switched (in/out) from the TH350. I was able to just reroute them a little and hooked right up. (I do have an aux cooler which is highly recommended)

Also needed metric bolts for the flywheel to TC mounting, metric bolts for the trans mount (used my mount from the TH350). Bought new drive and driven speedo gears. The speedo cable hooked up no problem

For the TV cable I used the cable that came on the donor trans. I still have the stock quadrajet 4BBL. I bought a bracket from TCI that mounts on the back studs of the carb. I picked up a TV stud assembly made by holly and was able to use the forward lower hole on the carb linkage. It was just about perfect per the diagrams I found on the internet. Everything seems to work fine so far. Dropped the RPM at just over 60 from around 3000 to 2000 with my 4.11 gear ratio

[YoungPup1977]

The difference between the 200 and 200r4 can be identified by the pan, the metric 200 has a square pan with one corner cut off.....the 200r4 has a shallower sump area in the rear, so the 200r4 is worth replacing the existing T350, toss the metric 200 into the lake for a anchor...

[The Rocknrod]

Originally Posted by GASoline71

I think the 200-4R's get a bad rap because there is also a "Metric" TH200 that came behind the V-6's in the 3rd Gen F-bodies and also G-bodies... and they were absolute junk.
Gary

I think your right, I never thought of that.

[Jrainman]

I agree a lot of people get the 2 confused even thought the 200 was a 3 speed , but it was the platform the 200 4r was built on because GM needed a smaller compact trans to fit in the cars they were building after they relized the faults in the metalolgy of the 200 they corrected them while engineering the 200 4r thats why in the late 80s the 2004 r4 was installed in a vast number of GM cars such as the buick grand national , monticarlo SS , caddilac and even the corvette just to name a few . Every tranmission has faults (week points) and most can be corrected and made better with the proper rebuild .

[TexasT]

Originally Posted by Jrainman

the 2004 r4 was installed in a vast number of GM cars such as the Buick grand national , monte carlo SS , Cadillac and even the corvette just to name a few . Every transmission has faults (week points) and most can be corrected and made better with the proper rebuild .

Never installed in a corvette from the factory.
To the oP get the latest model year core you can find. It will have to factory hardened parts if it hasn't been goofed with. The last factory unit that was put in a car is almost thirty yrs old . Be sure your builder understands and has prior experience with the 2004r. If he is the local "race' trans builder without some happy 2004r customers I would recommend you run away.

These units have a matched vb and governor. They aren't "All the same" and a builder that thinks so will be nothing but head aches for you. Once they get goofed with getting the unit to shift is difficult and dropping the pan is only so much fun.

I would definitely read up on the TV cable and its operation. It is CRUCIAL that it get setup and function properly. http://tvmadeez.com/article/article/index.php
At the top there are some links to the articles click the TV 101 article and the others if it interests you to learn.

The best cores are also the hardest to find and most expensive to obtain. The Turbo Buick, MC SS , 442/Hurst Olds, and Turbo Trans Am.
I like the AA code from a mid eighties Cadillac. If you can locate one in the wrecking yard you can get it and the other things you will need, like the TV cable and brackets, and the torque converter to use as a core.


This will help you identify the core you might find.


What to look under at the wrecking yard. Not every one will have the 2004r but it might.

If you need more 2004r info I have some stuff I send to people who have interest and have assembled one for them self. Let me know and I can sent it.