Can a 200-4R survive a worked Pontiac 400?

[Bonnewagon]

Help me settle this. Can a 200-4R live behind a SERIOUS Pontiac 400? It has an S&S balanced bottom with forged rods and pistons, Nunzi worked heads, crazy cam, Torker intake, BG Street Demon carb, headers, PIPES exhaust, and is very unruly below 2000 rpm, after that, stand back. Right now it has a much worked T-350 w/high stall converter and 3:73 rear w/posi. He wants overdrive to be able to do highway without cluttering up the slow lane. I say it won't live without a lot of very expensive upgrades, he says guys say differently, but I say they are small block Chevy guys and don't understand Pontiac type torque. I also say he is too cheap to get it built properly. What say yee?

 

[pontiacgp]

If he drives it gently it will last but if he does he's wasted his money on the engine. Like you said Pontiac 400's have the torque to hold you in your seat and a 200 4r will not last without an upgrade to handle the torque. The 74 GP I had with a 400 Pontiac and Pontiac put a TH 400 behind it.

 

[Bonnewagon]

That's what I told him. He is a lead foot and loves tearing up the road. I advised against the 3:73 gears just for the reason he can't go on the highway. Now he's perplexed because he can only go a short distance very quickly, and that's it. I even suggested a manual trans with overdrive, like a Tremec or Doug Nash. At least those are fun to drive and should survive a 400.

 

[olds307 and 403]

The forward drum is a big weak link. A sheet metal pan is also a must. Dr Dan on ROP is an Olds racer and was a GM tech for 25 years. He has built them to survive behind big power motors. His own 83 Hurst is knocking on 11's with a very impressive 403. There are a lot of failures with these trans, I just lost reverse. Line pressure and clearances are also key in survival.

 

[Bonnewagon]

Can you give a ball-park figure what it costs to make it as strong as possible?

 

[olds307 and 403]

With a decent converter, $2000 plus.

 

[MeanBuicks]

Contact CK Performance there in NY. They specialize in 2004R transmissions.

http://www.ckperformance.com/resources/GM2004RCATALOG.html

 

[Bonnewagon]

Hey, so CK is right here in LI City, Queens. Thank's Greg! Thank's 307/403. He won't spend that much, he's a cheapola.

 

[jetsetw31]

Actually, knowing the guys at CK, Your looking at closer to $3000. The converter alone would be about $500+. bringing in a core will help. But those guys are good. There's a few 9 sec Buicks, Caddys, and Olds' I know running CK's 200R4s around that area.
T

 

[G-Body_Vet]

I've been having the 2004-R, 4L80E, TH400 dilemma myself. With gas prices and the fact that I'd like to drive the car further than around the block, overdrive is a must. 4L80E is an option but I believe it takes a dedicated controlled, not to mention extra weight and adapting it to fit a BOP pattern. I've heard good things about these guys too http://www.extremeautomatics.com/transTypes.php#th200QA.