[PiperDavid14]

I have a 1986 Monte ss with a 357 in it. The stock tranny th2004r went. Reverse doesn't work any more. i was lookin to put a new different transmission. I was told a 7004r would be the best upgrade for it. The car is used for street/strip. I do some but little highway travel. Any thoughts if i should get a different transmission?. As well as i was going to get a used one and have it rebuilt or if it has low miles on it ill just throw it in. i dont have alot of money, just trying to get this car goin again.

[LATECH]

You should freshen up the 200r4. They are a good trans for the street.
I personnaly like it better than the 700 .The gear ratio between first and second isnt as wide as the 700, at least as a stock unit, makes for better street manners. At least as a comparison of both transmissions in stock form.
A turbo 350 auto would be a pretty easy swap, I had an 87 LS Monte' with a 305 carbureted 4 barrel. That thing was awesome with the 200r4.I prefer the 200r4 over the t 350 and will be putting a 200 r4 in my 64. I have locted several in a local yard to rebuild.
The only thing is upgrades are costy for the 200 but if you are under 350 horse I wouldnt worry about it.

[trees]

Second The Tech. In the rebuild, would request upgrade to 87 parts since that was the year that GM finally got all of the weak points of the relative new OD series worked out. In 88, they started their weight reduction program and started using as many composite parts as possible.

The more evenly spaced gear ratios are better in the 200R vice the 700R. I thought the 200R was not as strong as the 700R for a long time, but finally learned the errors of my thinking.

Trees

[PiperDavid14]

Hi, I have a 1986 Monte Carlo SS. I recently put a new 357 short block and built it up from there. The motor is pushin about 480 hp. I still had the stock tranny in it, the 200r4. it was only gonna be a matter of time before it went. It just went last week, reverse no longer works. i was lookin to ge a better tranny but i have no clue as to witch one will be the best on for me. I do mostly street driving. this car is built for street/strip with some highway travel. I was probably just going to find one used and have it rebuilt. Im tight on cash. the cheapest way out would to find a used th200-4r n throw it in because i already have the drive shaft n cross member for it, but with the hp im pushin, how long would it really last? Please help. Just want to get my Monte goin again.

[LATECH]

Lotsa good info here to help you decide.
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/200-4r.htm
they also have a section for the 700 too. Makes for informative reading.
Maybe this will help. Good luck.

[richard stewart 3rd]

Hi
At the link is an articular in car craft @ Art Carr's for the TH200-4R Hope it helps you.
Rich
PS Nice car

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...ild/index.html

[Crosley]

Piperdavid; I merged your two threads on the same subject,

[SSedan64]

At that power level a used or stock rebuilt 2004R or 700R4 wont last long at all.
For the 2004R to last, it will need at least a Forward Drum with Billet Shaft or slightly cheaper & not nearly as strong Forward Drum w/Hardened Shaft. Above 500-HP/TQ it gets much more costly to be reliable = Billet Input Shaft, OD Ring Gear & Carrier etc....
I suggest getting a well built Trans from someone who specializes in 2004R's.
Chris @CK Performance, http://www.ckperformance.com/resourc...4RCATALOG.html
Lonnie @Extreme Automatics, http://www.extremeautomatics.com/tra...ons/2004r.html
Dave @Turbo Buick Performance, http://www.turbobuickperformance.com/

Not sure where Franklin is, may be someone closer in this list of Builders.
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/tra...y-who-who.html

[Crosley]

I would suggest you chat with Jake at Jakes Performance near Dallas TX for a 200-4r .

Jakes

Last I heard Art Carr(the company) in Texas was still closed, mayb not?

[SSedan64]

A while back Jake said He was taking a break from 2004Rs because of all the 80E's & other Retrofits he was doing. Looks like He may be about to start up with them again tho'.>> http://www.jakesperformance.com/200-4R.html according to this.

[Crosley]

Originally Posted by SSedan64

A while back Jake said He was taking a break from 2004Rs because of all the 80E's & other Retrofits he was doing. Looks like He may be about to start up with them again tho'.>> http://www.jakesperformance.com/200-4R.html according to this.

I communicate with Jake regularly, there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes.

Jake and his guys builds good 200-4r trans. I have used several of his trans-brake 4L80e v-bodys.

[chevykid90]

i am more partial to the TH350's. when your motor is pushing a good amount of power (above 450) you should not be using a 700R4. they are a very very week tranny and are very expensive to beef up. i have a 454 BBC in my Firebird and its around 500-550. i spent $150 on a B&M rebuild kit, put a shift kit in it and i beat on it all the time even done some prity hard launches with it and it hasnt given me a problem yet. but the only down fall is the lack of gears. with a 3:73 rear end and 29" tires i am running 3,000 RPM's going 60 down the highway. its not bad if you dont mind it. even building a 400 wouldnt be bad.

thats my $.02