Transmission swap

[Curlz]

Hi all, I hate to bring this topic up again as there are many threads of this but it seems i get a bunch of different answers from everyone. I'm swapping my TH350 to a 200R4 in my 81 malibu. The TH350 is slipping gears and on borrowed time so im looking to get prepared and do this swap as painless as possible with no surprises.. I need to know what will need to be done to swap the transmissions. I have the trans, driveshaft and shifter linkages all out of an 86' monte carlo but what's worrying me is the trans crossmember and and mount placement. If anyone could put me straight, it'd be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[seawolf18]

the 200-4r and the th350 short tail are pretty much the same length, so your stock drive shaft will work. The crossmember will be different. Your frame should already have the second set of holes drilled in it. If your frame doesn't, mock up the the new crossmember then drill new ones. If you don't have the crossmember, summit sells a double hump one, so you can put true dual exhaust on the car. I have included a pic of trans lenghs. It comes in handy more than you think.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Don't you need the frame extentions for an 81?

 

[Curlz]

Awesome, thanks seawolf18, thats exactly what i needed to know!!!

 

[clean8485]

Just being curious. What engine is in the car? Are you using a column shift linkage? Could you keep us up to date with your progress? I'd like to see & hear how your swap works out. With the price of gas going the way it is, having the overdrive will be helpful.

 

[Curlz]

It's a 305 HO I've swapped into it. Stock column shifter. The trans has been built with B and M shift kit, going to a rebuilt 7.5" axle with a 3.42 positrac.

 

[darbysan]

X2 on needing the driver's side frame extender. Summit sells them.

 

[oldmansmonte]

Be VERY careful when testing out the 200-4r transmission. The d-tent cable setup is very touchy and if you have that thing setup wrong you literally burn up that transmission driving around the block. If you go to drive it and it shifts quickly and softly into second and then third. STOP driving immediately.