700r4 opinions and facts

[khan0165]

the lockup really isn't quote a gear thing unquote .... it's the converter that is locking up and yes this usually occurs in 4th gear cruising down the highway. Several companies make lockup kits for the 200-4r/700-r4. B&M, TCI, Painless. Just look on Summt. They'll probably have 5 or 6 to choose from. A TCC lock up can be as simple as a toggle switch to more complex devices that lockup as soon as it shifts to 4th and unlocks on downshift ... to some that have a built in delay. Honestly, you don't even have to hook up the TCC, but you'll have better highway manners and mileage. Installing into a G-body. The negatives are ... well a G-body was never designed for the 700, so custom crossmember, tailshaft and size (I've heard a few people say some massaging of the transmission tunnel with a hammer is needed (2nd hand info). They weigh more and aren't gearred like the 200-4r (as previously stated) .... where as a 200-4r uses the same driveshaft as your th350 and a factory crossmember is easy to find. Not really trying to sway you away (there will be no revisiting the SBC/SBO thing), if you got a deal great - go that way and be happy with it.

DrRansom, this is all cool info I didn't know about the 2004R,
too bad they're not as common up here in Canada Land, or atleast not around my parts...

What do you know about the 200R4... I've heard it's a garbage transmission... true?

 

[FE3X CLONE]

What do you know about the 200R4... I've heard it's a garbage transmission... true?

First off, its a TH-200-4R not R4. 😉

Nope. Just look at all the Buick guys in the 11's and 10's that are running one. The TH-200-4R can be built just as strong if not stronger than the TH-700-R4.

I did find the majority of shops around here would tell me the TH-200-4R was junk and that I needed to go with a TH-700-R4 instead. But I attributed it to the same "you have to have a Chevy to go fast" mentality. Nothing against you guys with Chevy's.
They couldn't tell me WHY the TH-200-4R was bad, just that I should go with a TH-700-R4.

I'm glad I didn't listen to them because it would have a royal pain in the butt to swap in the TH-700-R4 compared to the TH-200-4R that the car was already setup for.

 

[jrm81bu]

Both are good trann's capable of handling plenty of power, when built right. I used me 700r4 cause I already had it(from bowtie overdrives). I don't feel the 1-2 shift drop is that big of deal, however with 3.73's, I could stand to be in first a lil longer than what I am. And I would say the 700 is also more available, f-bodies, s10's, fullsize trucks, that's a lot of vehicles in those groups.

FE3X CLONE, i'm curious to what extra problems you would have ran into with 700? I assume(ya I know, lol), that with the t56 you used a custom crossmember? And I see the problem you have with you're driveshaft, so kind of a pain either way. Although I would rather have the t56, or a tko 600 myself.

 

[FE3X CLONE]

FE3X CLONE, i'm curious to what extra problems you would have ran into with 700? I assume(ya I know, lol), that with the t56 you used a custom crossmember? And I see the problem you have with you're driveshaft, so kind of a pain either way. Although I would rather have the t56, or a tko 600 myself.

I guess I should have been more clear. This was back when I was in college and still had the stock 307, TH-200-4R, etc. The torque converter had grenaded around the 104,000 mile mark and took out the transmission as well.
When I was having it rebuilt, the trans shop tried to tell me I need a TH-700-R4 behind my 307 because "it's a much better trans..."
My comment about being glad I didn't listen to them was that for one, at the time I didn't know anything about cars. At least not as much as I do now, and I'm sure they didn't either. The fact that to put a TH-700-R4 behind an Olds engine requires and adapter plate would have been one hurdle. Then a crossmember and driveshaft mods, etc.
In my opinion that's a lot of extra work to put a trans into a car that would do just fine with a stock rebuilt TH-200-4R. But I have a feeling they didn't know there would be that extra work and I'm sure it would have shown up on the bill at the end!

 

[jrm81bu]

Oh okay. 100% agree with that.

 

[patmckinneyracing]

Well the guy I'm getting it from had it in his 81' malibu. The driveshaft he has is made to fit a 7.5 or 7.625 rear end. He was telling me he was having problems with it cause he did not have a switch ran to the transmission. That's why I was asking.

My rear end is a 86' monte ss 7.625 rear end with limited slip 3.73 gears. With my th350, I shot through first gear pretty quick and I had to pay attention for it too.

Do remember I no longer have a driveshaft. As far as the crossmember, can't you just drill an extra set of holes and slide the crossmember back?

 

[DrRansom442]

Ask what he did for the xmember your car will likely need to have a frame extension added to the drivers side. My 81 needed one for the 200-4r swap

 

[hotrod87]

I would have to agree the 200 4r is a stouter transmission(and can be made to handle way more hp) then the 700r4...just got a bad wrap somewhere along the way, pretty sure why there is more written and parts available for the 700 is there are just more of them(just like those damn sbc's....rt ransom) make sure you read or get someone to help you get the kickdown cable set right, nothing will kill a 700r4 quicker then that setting being wrong....i know this for a fact!!!!! :?

 

[FE3X CLONE]

I would have to agree the 200 4r is a stouter transmission(and can be made to handle way more hp) then the 700r4...just got a bad wrap somewhere along the way...

I think it has to do with people thinking the the TH-200-4R is just a TH-200 with a 4th gear attached. The TH-200 3 speed trans didn't have the greatest reputation for strength.

 

[jrm81bu]

As far as the crossmember goes, I just cut the mount pad off and moved it over a lil. Still had it bolted to the factory spot. it had a th350 in it before.