Transmission Swap question

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88cutlass

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Sep 3, 2015
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What's up guys I have an 88 cutlass with the 307 engine and th200 trans. What would be the best replacement for the transmission and a good place to get one?
 

V8 Rumble

Royal Smart Person
Jan 7, 2010
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If you want over drive a 200-4R would be a good choice. You would need the crossmember with frame extension if your frame doesn't already have one. They can be had with or without lock up and since it's the same length as the 3 speed 200 and 350 you can use your drive shaft.

Extreme automatics, CK performance dave husek at turbo buick performance.

If you're staying stock a reputable local transmission rebuild should work for you.

If you want a three speed the th350 will drop right in.
 

pencero

Royal Smart Person
Feb 20, 2008
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^ I second that, having basically the same car as you but with the 200r4 btw. One thing to be aware of is that the r4's that came in 442 / GN / GNX have additional improvements for crisper shifting. You want to try to acquire the better version of the transmission, if possible. If you get a 200r4 that's not shifting you can have it rebuilt to the higher specs. A 700r4 is also good, but only if you are going to do a chevy 350 swap. It requires an 'iceman' crossmember, which is different than the 200r4 factory crossmember. If you do install the iceman crossmember, it also accomadates the 4l60e (which is basically the same thing as the 700r4 but requires a computer and mounts slightly differently) The 200r4 won't connect to the chevy 350 without a converter, it is for olds buick pontiac motors. It requires no computer
 

88cutlass

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Sep 3, 2015
14
0
1
^ I second that, having basically the same car as you but with the 200r4 btw. One thing to be aware of is that the r4's that came in 442 / GN / GNX have additional improvements for crisper shifting. You want to try to acquire the better version of the transmission, if possible. If you get a 200r4 that's not shifting you can have it rebuilt to the higher specs. A 700r4 is also good, but only if you are going to do a chevy 350 swap. It requires an 'iceman' crossmember, which is different than the 200r4 factory crossmember. If you do install the iceman crossmember, it also accomadates the 4l60e (which is basically the same thing as the 700r4 but requires a computer and mounts slightly differently) The 200r4 won't connect to the chevy 350 without a converter, it is for olds buick pontiac motors. It requires no computer
Cool I am thinking of putting a 350 engine in the cutlass so a 700r4 would be a good fit for the 307 now and the 350 in the future? Will the 700r4 require additional parts to fit in the 307 or the 350? Thanks
 

chophead

Greasemonkey
Apr 25, 2015
167
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pa hill billy hell
Stay away from the 700r4. If you want a overdrive find the 200 4r and go with that. Much easier to install and requires no cutting the driveshaft. Plus 700r4 compared to the 200 4r built to handle power the 200 4r comes out on top. The 700 is heavy as well. This is ultimately going to be your decision in the end and many people here will have their own opinion but I like the fact the 200 is a bolt in and less work to install. Where the 700 is known to break behind a engine with some horse power.
 
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88cutlass

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Sep 3, 2015
14
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1
I think I'll be going with the 200r4? where is a good place to get one? So the 200r4 will do good behind a 350 engine.
 

Longroof79

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
G-Body of the Month
Oct 14, 2008
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Being that your car is an '88 model, they usually came standard with a 200-4R...and the later frame would already have the frame extension in place from the factory.

Are you sure it's a TH200 metric, and not a 200-4R? Your shift indicator on the column would indicate if it's a 4-spd or 3-spd. It would show 1-2-3-and 4 with a circle around it indicating overdrive.

If you find that it is in fact a 200-4R, it might not be a bad idea to have the trans gone over.
I also think the 200-4R is a better choice than the 700-R4....just my opinion.
 
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88cutlass

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Sep 3, 2015
14
0
1
Being that your car is an '88 model, they usually came standard with a 200-4R...and the later frame would already have the frame extension in place from the factory.

Are you sure it's a TH200 metric, and not a 200-4R? Your shift indicator on the column would indicate if it's a 4-spd or 3-spd. It would show 1-2-3-and 4 with a circle around it indicating overdrive.

If you find that it is in fact a 200-4R, it might not be a bad idea to have the trans gone over.
I also think the 200-4R is a better choice than the 700-R4....just my opinion.



ya it is a 200 4R I think I'm just going to rebuild it stronger. Any advice on how to rebuild it stronger?
 

gbodytoys

G-Body Guru
May 1, 2014
501
646
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Detroit, MI
Definitely go with the 200-4R.

Where to get one depends on how much hp/tq your engine puts out at the crank. Putting a "350" doesn't mean much, that's just the cubic inches. That can range from a 290HP to whatever...

I would suggest, as mentioned:

CPT
http://www.cpttransmission.com/2004R_trans_400hp.htm

CK Performance
http://www.ckperformance.com/

Extreme Automatics
http://www.extremeautomatics.com/th2004R.php

I have no experience with any of those, but during my months of research around the net, those are the three that kept popping up.
 
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