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700r4 or 200r4

4K views 18 replies 10 participants last post by  airworld2 
#1 ·
Im building a 406 small block which will probly kick out 550hp easy and that much torque, just wondering which tranny i should use. This will be in my everyday car, so i will do plenty of highway and plenty of street.What is the difference between the 700 and 200?
 
#2 ·
You will get several opinions. 700 fans will say it is best, 200 fans likewise and TH350 and TH400 fans will say don't use either one!

Both have weak and strong points. I lean toward the 200 for several of reasons. First, it has universal bellhousing pattern so can be used on any GM engine. Second, the gear ratio splits are better than the 700. Finally, it has been my experience that since the 200 is not as popular in the hot rod press, you can get one cheaper than the politically correct 700. Both can easily contain 500hp with selected mods.
 
#4 ·
I thought the cheverlet 200 4r's didn't bolt up to buick,olds,or pontiac? If im correct the chevys have a 10 bolt mounting plate were as the other gm's have an 8 bolt mounting plate.
 
#7 ·
I got mine out of a big Pontiac station wagon. Pontiac, Buick, Olds big cars are a good target. Mine is an 1985 model so is non-computer. I have heard the '85 is the most desireable since it is one of the last non-computer ones and has a lot of the upgraded parts so is stronger than previous versions.
I just finished rebuilding mine last month and except for a broken accumulator spring, it was perfect inside. I was tempted to just reuse the clutches they looked so good.

[ April 29, 2003: Message edited by: willys36@aol.com ]</p>
 
#11 ·
If you can there is a forum member here ...Crosley... you need to get with him. I just did a 700R4 for an older Vette. I love it and it was really not that hard to do. Thanks to input from Crosley.

I think the main reason you should stay with a 700 is the pump components. You should also use a later model than 1985. You want a unit with a 31 spline input shaft and I think up to 1995 will work as the electroninc version didn't come out until 96.

good luck
 
#12 ·
Well, the back end of a 200R4 gear train is the same as T-200 tranny. When you ask most knowledgable engine / tranny folks if they would run a T-200 behind a beefy V8 engine they usually laugh.

With that said, a 200R4 can take a bit of punishment. Many folks start yappin about turbo Buicks V-6 stuff. The power of a turbo motor comes on some what easier than a big CID motor that can slam a tranny from the get go.

A friend of mine was an engineer on the 200R4. Ed and I often talked about the short falls of the tranny when it was still in use by GM.

If you run a 200R4 tranny , 3rd gear must be dual fed for better holding power. This requires internal mods. A super servo for 2nd gear is a must too and shim it up for clearance!

Make sure you run the accumilator springs in the servo too, otherwise the band strut gets beat-up in a street driven application.

As for 4L60's & 700R4's..... 1987 to 1992 are the better units.

In 1993 GM had the electronic 4L60E in trucks, the F body cars & some vettes still ran 4L60's( non electronic contolled) although they were slightly different in the valve body. A round 5 pin electrical hookup was used too
 
#13 ·
Don't have a great deal of very involved knowledge, just some experience to add. A couple years back I had an '87 Regal that came with a 403" Olds motor. It was a pooch. I got the idea to stick in a 500" Cad - THAT was a good idea! My point...EVERY transmission shop I spoke with, everyone without a hesitation, told me that a high torque motor would destroy a 200 unless there was cubic money installed with the motor! As said before, torque was going to be the killer. Anyway, I had an adapter made and ran the 700 R4 and was very pleased. Then it was stolen!!!
 
#15 ·
i can't tell you much about transmissions cause i'm a frontend guy. but i work beside a guy who builds them everyday. our dealership owns three race cars and he builds those trans to. i ask him a few questions about the 700r4 in my iroc that we just built and he says he wouldn't use anything else but 700r4 even in his personal vehicles. he says if they are built right they will hold up to anything you give them within reason. so far i've not seen anything to prove him wrong.
 
#16 ·
Originally posted by irocz8868:
<strong> he says if they are built right they will hold up to anything you give them within reason. so far i've not seen anything to prove him wrong.</strong><hr></blockquote>

=========really?

here is a 4L60E input shaft and drum from a bone stock 98 4x4 chev truck. The owner probably has a heavy foot.

 
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