Hi everyone, first post, been reading the forum for a bit decided to join. So my car is 86 cutlass, I built a 72 olds 350 for it last winter. It's 9.6:1 comp 7a heads, schneider cam ([email protected], 270adv) headers 2.5" exhaust and edl 600 and rpm intake. I put a 4 spd in it also it's a super t10 with the 2.43 1st gear. My issue is the trans with the high 1st gear and my 3.23 rear end is a dog off the line with my engine. My 60' time was a 2.21 dumping the clutch at 4500rpm(also that was with the old worn out q jet better now with the edelbrock) same as the year before with a th350 and 8:1 olds 350. The 4spd is tired and no od sucks even with 3.23 gears, 3 grand at 70. I'm debating whether to put a 200-4r in, mild built with say 3000 stall, or just put a tko500 in. Car sees the track maybe 1 or 2 times a year but I do beat on it a bit in between. Having never driven a car with a decent converter in it, what can I expect? Or is the tko my best bet already having a blow proof bell and 26 spline clutch with the st10? All suggestions, info and experiences with either trans much apreciated, awesome forum, thanks
Transmission dilema
- Thread starter 86rocket
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What sort of comparison info are you looking for? I also run a cammed BOP 350, and I'm running a 200-4R with a 2500RPM stall from PATC, a shift kit from TransGo, and 3.73 gears.
I'd probably go TKO and taylor a close ratio 10:1 compound first and a deep overdrive.
Probably the 2.87 1st, .64OD, 3.55 rear combo.
Just my opinion -- which ain't worth much.
Probably the 2.87 1st, .64OD, 3.55 rear combo.
Just my opinion -- which ain't worth much.
Thanks for the replies. The tko for sure is the easier swap, I do love the 4spd now, but I also miss the launch of the auto and the ratchet shift with the th350. Driven, my 1st now is 7.8:1 total and it's kinda lame, I can imagine the 10:1 would be perfect, plus od rules, I've driven a couple foxbodys with 3.73 and 3.27 (? I believe) 1st gear t5 and they rip out of the hole but 1st is almost useless it's so quick. Regal 307 I guess I'm wondering does that 200-4r shift nice like a shift kitted th350? The th350 I had behind a worn out 8:1 smogger olds 350 would bark the tires every shift, kinda miss that, but would never go back to the 3 spd because although it's not my daily, I do drive a lot on the highway and plan to drive to georgia, from mass next summer. Thanks guys keep em coming!
A good stall will launch better and still be fine for low speed driving but you would spend the same for a good durable 2004R with a quality converter. Get the TKO600 with .64 OD gear and run 3.73 or 3.90 gears. I am running slightly less compression and cam, now 9 to 1 and 214 at .050". With 9.6 to 1 and a 204/214 cam in the Olds 350, 2300 stall and 3.42 open with slicks with 2.1 60 foot, mid 14's in my 88 Cutlass. A 800 cfm Qjet, mine is custom tuned and runs great with 214 cam. A 750 Street Demon or Quickfuel Slayer 750 is also much better than the too small Edelbrock 600 which usually runs like garbage.
I had a tuned q jet 800 myself, the day before the track I went to tighten the secondary air flap spring and it broke of course, so I put a return spring on the secondaries, as a band aid, just to make a few passes, the edelbrock is much more responsive. I haven't had a chance to really rev it out yet so I can't speak for top end. Also I actually just took a peek at my timeslips, my best 60' was a 2.13, and 14.3@98mph, in a 3320lb car, w/o driver. As for the cost of the 200-4r id be building it myself, just basic stuff, new clutches, bands, .500 boost valve, 10 vane pump, and shift kit, I'm just wondering how they shift compared to like a th350 with shift kit? Basically I'd like to know for the money which trans is the best all around, is the tko worth the money?
The 2004R shifts fine with shift kit AND servo. You also need trial and error grinding a stock governor to raise shift points, 3000 to 4000 sucks or spend $100+ on a Monte SS/GN governor. Mine was set up like you are planning on. The reverse was getting slow, my daughter ran it low on fluid and finished off the direct clutch pack. You need a $200+ deep pan and bottom feed filter. Plus hard launches and 400 ft/lbs means the foward drum is on borrowed time.
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I've driven a TH350 with a B&M kit (paired with a 305ci V8 and a 3.73 rear) and it did bark the tires.
The kit I have in my 200-4R is by Transgo. Tires don't usually chirp unless I'm cornering or on black top, but the shifts are quick and firm. And that's not to say it isn't still comfortable enough for the street either! I think it's a good kit.
I autocross my car though, so when it shifts during a corner it'll throw the back end loose if I don't get off the gas first. It's certainly a "bang shift."
I've had the car since 2008 and the only thing I've ever replaced on the trans due to wear was the stator shaft. My only mods were the trans cooler, shift kit, and converter, and it's always treated me very well whether I was racing or traveling.
(All that said, I'm looking to switch to a manual trans in the future so I still like the TKO option. "Grass is always greener on the other side.")
The kit I have in my 200-4R is by Transgo. Tires don't usually chirp unless I'm cornering or on black top, but the shifts are quick and firm. And that's not to say it isn't still comfortable enough for the street either! I think it's a good kit.
I autocross my car though, so when it shifts during a corner it'll throw the back end loose if I don't get off the gas first. It's certainly a "bang shift."
I've had the car since 2008 and the only thing I've ever replaced on the trans due to wear was the stator shaft. My only mods were the trans cooler, shift kit, and converter, and it's always treated me very well whether I was racing or traveling.
(All that said, I'm looking to switch to a manual trans in the future so I still like the TKO option. "Grass is always greener on the other side.")
Right, forgot the bigger servo in my post, pretty weak without that. So it's looking like best for the money is the tko 600/ 3.73 or 3.55 gears. As for the governor though, id use a hurst ratchet like with the th350 so id just manually hold it to desired points. Thanks to all who posted so far, I'm so indecisive with big purchases haha, I guess the rarity of a stick shift g body is luring me into keeping it manual.
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