Transmission support brace question

[81GrandPrix383]

Hi,
I am putting a 200-4R and my 383 stroker into my 81 Grand Prix that originally came with a V6 and who knows what transmission. The guy who had the car before me had a 383 in it with a TH350 transmission. He gave me the support brace for the transmission with the car but it doesn't line up with the bolts on the transmission.
I also have an 87 Grand Prix in my driveway that I am parting out. It came with a 305 and the 200-4R transmission but the bar is different at the outsides and doesn't line up with the outside mounts on the car.
Can anyone tell me where to get the proper brace? (and what it is called if there is a specific name for it)
With so many variations in transmissions, frames, motors, etc this is turning into a pain.

I have other questions that I am posting as well about steering and drive shafts.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Possumz]

Sounds like you need the extension brace that goes on the drivers side. I think Jeggs sales it and some of the others as well. The year you have did not come with the extension as it wasnt added until the 200-4r came out whatever year that was. Hopefully someone will chime in with more info. Let us know how it turns out as I am wanting to do the same in the future. 🙂

 

[81GrandPrix383]

Thanks,

I saw what you are talking about on summit.
That should work with the brace that is on my 87 donor car but I can't get the damn brace out as the bolts are rusted and seized.
If I decide that replacing the entire brace is in my future, is there a brand that is good and also less expensive?

Thanks again.

 

[81GrandPrix383]

Also, I have dual exhaust so the aftermarket brace may be my best option.
Any tips on where to buy the brace and the extension would be great.

Thanks

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Brace = cross member

You'll find more information when referring to it as a cross member/crossmember.

Most of the time old crossmember bolts just shear off when trying to remove them. They're easily replaced at a hardware store. Just wedge a wrench against the frame on the bolt head and use a 1/2" breaker bar/ratchet or impact on the nut. It will break off. Use a 6 point socket, not a 12 point or you'll round them off. If you're really trying to save them, spray them down with PB Blaster, Liquid wrench or Kroil first.

Frame extension:
http://www.crossmembers.com/shop/produc ... ucts_id=97

Crossmember:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Jegster/550/41053/10002/-1
It says TH400, but it shares the same mount location with the 200-4R. I haven't read of anyone trying to use it yet, especially with the extensions. Theoretically I believe it will work. It's about the cheapest alternative I've found at $129

 

[Longroof79]

I'm assuming you mean the transmission cross member. You'll need a cross member for the 200-4R trans. They're different from the the TH350 type cross member. Having the frame extension is a good thing, especially with your car being an earlier G-body that did not have the built in frame extension on the left side.
As for x-members, you can try Iceman. He makes a quality product. The type he makes now is a tubular unit compared to the old G-force type member. http://www.maliburacing.com/iceman/
Or you can take the one out of your parts car and modify it to accommodate duals.

I see that G-body-vet has got it covered.. and is absolutely correct. The TH400 unit can be used with the 200-4R. So the Jeg's x-member might be a good choice.

 

[81GrandPrix383]

Does Jegs have the frame extension too?

 

[G-Body_Vet]

Does Jegs have the frame extension too?

Not that I know of. I asked their tech support about 200-4R applications at one time and they couldn't give me an answer because "they didn't research it for that trans". I see what you're getting at too. I'm wondering if it will work without the extension or if it was designed for an '83/84 & newer frame. Something else that they couldn't answer although it's listed for '78 & up.

 

[Longroof79]

It's possible that the Jeg's X-member for the TH400/ 200-4R was designed to be used without the frame extension. It kind of looks like it has similar mounting points to the TH350 member. ..unless the one that's shown is the TH350 type...

* Correction* I meant to say "without" the frame extension.

 

[81GrandPrix383]

Does Jegs have the frame extension too?

Not that I know of. I asked their tech support about 200-4R applications at one time and they couldn't give me an answer because "they didn't research it for that trans". I see what you're getting at too. I'm wondering if it will work without the extension or if it was designed for an '83/84 & newer frame. Something else that they couldn't answer although it's listed for '78 & up.

I'm willing to bet it only fits the latter years but it is much less expensive than others I have found.
I was hoping they would have the extension as well because the 2 parts together would cost less than just the crossmember anywhere else.
I hate to pay for shipping twice and get the crossmember from Jegs and the Extension from summit.
Summit wants like $170 for shipping for the two parts. OUCH!!