what trans in 1987?

ttwinsupra

Not-quite-so-new-guy
Oct 28, 2024
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HI im a Gbody noob, I have a 1987 el camino, it had the 5.0 v8 originally, and I believe it still has the original transmission. also im not sure if this matters but its one of the floor shift models, not column shift like most... I always thought the car had a t400 in it but after doing some google research this morning I read the t400s in these didn't have over drive... my car has over drive... I always thought the t200s were for v6 models only... is this a t700? how can I tell what trans I have?? I need to get a new transmission filter and gasket and when trying to order for my year and specs there's like 4 different types and styles to choose from that all say they "fit" my car... what do I order?? please help
 
TH 200 is a three speed automatic was used behind V8 and V6 And was available with or without lock up. TH 700 R4 was never factory installed in a G body. If it indeed has overdrive it would be a TH 200–4 . It could also be a lock up either TH350c or TH 250c if it’s a three speed. Sometimes people feel the lock up and assume it’s a fourth gear. Does the shift indicator show it to have overdrive?
 
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The above post all assumes it is in fact the original to the vehicle transmission

I’m on my phone so I can’t really post the link but if you Google “GM transmission pan identification “ it’ll pull up a bunch of choices that you can verify by pan shape which transmission is in your vehicle

253E4FF9-FF02-4EFD-A516-B71074E0519F.jpeg
 
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TH 200 is a three speed automatic was used behind V8 and V6 And was available with or without lock up. TH 700 R4 was never factory installed in a G body. If it indeed has overdrive it would be a TH 200–4 . It could also be a lock up either TH350c or TH 250c if it’s a three speed. Sometimes people feel the lock up and assume it’s a fourth gear. Does the shift indicator show it to have overdrive?

oh damn, ya it def has overdrive, it shows 1, 2, D, OD on the shift selector indicator, and also says "automatic overdrive" at the bottom of the speedo... should be original.. the car does have an original Tachometer as well idk if that has anything to do with anything, I know it was an option. I believe the same drivetrain as the SS? ill try more google
 
Sounds like it's a 200-4R. Best way to tell is jack it up and take a pic of the trans pan and post it here. We'll let you know almost immediately.😆
 
oh damn, ya it def has overdrive, it shows 1, 2, D, OD on the shift selector indicator, and also says "automatic overdrive" at the bottom of the speedo... should be original.. the car does have an original Tachometer as well idk if that has anything to do with anything, I know it was an option. I believe the same drivetrain as the SS? ill try more google
I'll help you out here. With the original 305 (LG4) You have the optional TH200 4R (MX0) which would include a 2.56 rear being it has Cali emissions (YF5). It could have the optionial 3.08 rear, RPO G92 on the SPID sticker tag that has all the RPO codes on it. Sadly with the El Camino SS, it all used the same engines as the regular the El Camino unlike the Monte Carlo SS. As for the 3 speed auto that you don't have it would of been the TH200C. No other transmissions were avalible for the El Camino or Monte Carlo that year.
 
If you have the 200-4R that is a very respectable transmission and if you need a rebuild, it can easily support an engine upgrade.
 
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I'll help you out here. With the original 305 (LG4) You have the optional TH200 4R (MX0) which would include a 2.56 rear being it has Cali emissions (YF5). It could have the optionial 3.08 rear, RPO G92 on the SPID sticker tag that has all the RPO codes on it. Sadly with the El Camino SS, it all used the same engines as the regular the El Camino unlike the Monte Carlo SS. As for the 3 speed auto that you don't have it would of been the TH200C. No other transmissions were avalible for the El Camino or Monte Carlo that year.
yes, thank you. I actually came back to say I just crawled under the car and confirmed, using that chart, that is is the th2004r thanks to the one person who told me what to search for and thank you for all that sweet info, its actually good to know.
 
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Found some bad news.... The Crankshaft Coalition site that had a very good transmission section is no more. It had a wealth of info, manual and automatic, and many of the GM photos pertinent to the 80's were photos of units of mine.

It had a section specific to the 2004R and the photo posted (2015) was one I had just finished for an 86 S-10
 
HI im a Gbody noob, I have a 1987 el camino, it had the 5.0 v8 originally, and I believe it still has the original transmission. also im not sure if this matters but its one of the floor shift models, not column shift like most... I always thought the car had a t400 in it but after doing some google research this morning I read the t400s in these didn't have over drive... my car has over drive... I always thought the t200s were for v6 models only... is this a t700? how can I tell what trans I have?? I need to get a new transmission filter and gasket and when trying to order for my year and specs there's like 4 different types and styles to choose from that all say they "fit" my car... what do I order?? please help
im not a elky expert BUT if got OD high chances are you got a 2004 r, NOT A BAD THING IF THE CASE! for reference ONLY, there should be a tag on the trans that should have a series of #s & letters. ex 85 monte ss will have 2 letters of CQ, 86 will have CZ (not sure bout 87/88) and buick GN would be BRF, caddys i heard are AA...

find that tag & search the # pay attn to the letters most guess could say.
 
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