Who can you trust?

[Ribbedroof]

I think I want to put an OD trans (either 2004R 0r 700R4) in my coupe. Question becomes who can you trust? I only have experience with a couple local shops, not impressed by them. Facebook/CL "rebuilders" seem a little sketchy. Jegs/Summit...probably just a local trans shop doing them cheap. Monster, TCI, and a myriad of other supposed "performance" builders., all with various promises/complaints.

Like most of you, dropping $2000+ for a trans/convertor is not chump change. I just don't know which way to turn.

Looking for actual experiences with successful outcomes for guidance.

 

[64nailhead]

200-4R guys 'in the know' are not common, and I don't know any of them that I would trust that are less than 55 years old.

All 200's need a sun gear, servo, governor, 7 or 10 vane pump and possibly an input shaft. Ask whomever you intervew about line pressure requirements and testing, and depending on the answers of what parts are needed and the line pressure requirements - run Forrest run.

I'll about guarantee that you have someone local that can meet all of your needs - it will just be difficult to find him.

Not being an OK and TX geography wizard, how far are you from Abilene? Micheal at Freakshow Performance is an honest standup guy in Abilene.

 

[motorheadmike]

Used 80E over a built 200-4R all day, everyday.

You can find a good unit, add a basic shift kit, and a killer converter for $2K.

 

[houston_t]

Us GN guys in the Midwest area like Vince Janice out in Ohio for our 2004r builds. I run his stage 1 in my GN and have zero complaints. I got my converter from Dave Husek ( New York area I believe ) he’s also a go to transmission guy in the GN world. I went with Janice because I had my car towed to him for the job and he was only 3 hrs away from me. Either one would be a solid choice for someone east coast/ Midwest area.

 

[64nailhead]

Very hard to argue with an 80E plan other than it's not cheap. Less than 500hp though, it will be a one and done forever in stock form.

 

[melloelky]

i bought my 200r4 from Lonnie from extreme transmission.i had a problem and he stood behind it without hesitation.he sent the bill of lading and got it back to me pretty quick.i ended up going with him because he's got a good following with the GN crowd.I've been running it for a few years now without issue.i wish i could've found someone in new england but no luck.it feels like the days of ''bench builds"aren't a thing anymore.I too didn't know where to turn.if i had a PG or 400 i would've had some luck

 

[Ribbedroof]

Used 80E over a built 200-4R all day, everyday.

You can find a good unit, add a basic shift kit, and a killer converter for $2K.

Locally, a 4l80E from a reputable salvage is over $1000 (most are well over 1K), and most are 150-200K+ on miles. Then you'll still need to buy a controller. AND it's still a junkyard trans....might go 100K, might go 100 feet. Trying to buy one from a part-out puts me right back to the original problem of unknown quality/longevity, and the few that do turn up advertised by private parties are still close to the $1000 mark, because that's what the yards get.

Additionally, it is way overkill for the powerplant in this car, and more than it is going to need in my ownership.

 

[ck80]

Locally, a 4l80E from a reputable salvage is over $1000 (most are well over 1K), and most are 150-200K+ on miles. Then you'll still need to buy a controller. AND it's still a junkyard trans....might go 100K, might go 100 feet. Trying to buy one from a part-out puts me right back to the original problem of unknown quality/longevity, and the few that do turn up advertised by private parties are still close to the $1000 mark, because that's what the yards get.

Additionally, it is way overkill for the powerplant in this car, and more than it is going to need in my ownership.

The dilemma you list is EXACTLY why I've kept the g3500 carcass around, although, with used car prices as nuts as they are I'm debating just having the minor body damage fixed and selling it. In 2018 it wasn't worth much and total lossed by an insurance. But, it had a known good 80e-hd that had been driven before and after the minor fender bender. I figure I'll need one, eventually, and at least this way I know what I'm starting with

 

[Mac442]

Not sure how far you’d travel, but I heard good things about Precision Transmission in Amarillo TX (I’m guessing a 3-4 hour drive from you). Their videos on YouTube are awesome btw. Check them out, even just to see someone who knows these transmissions.

 

[Jakefromstatefarm]

Got a solid connection to a 40 year trans tech in Kansas. That's gonna be who builds mine once I snag a cheap core.