So I want to put an OD in my 1983 Delta and replace the th350, but ive been doing a little bit of research and it seems ive hit a fork in the road. I want to rebuild my own 2004r and it seems there are a few changes/mods/parts needed that seemingly add up the bucks: from a torque converter, trans lines, to modified/new crossmember, computer (for stock lockup), TV cable, column shift linkage (for 1st gear) etc.

Now my question is:
Is it worth it to go find all these parts individually (or even a parts car) and make my frankenbaby

or

Should I keep that one original and just go source myself a 82-85 Delta w/OD that came factory with all this setup. Ive considered this option solely because not only would it be fun to have TWO Deltas but it would make the one build 10x easier. Biggest caveat to this option is that it is going to hurt the bank a bit more.

If anyone has insight or has made this seemingly easy conversion themselves, let me know if the work is worth all the troubles that would come with option A. Thanks

 

True, you'll need a new torque converter and TV cable for this swap, and the cross member will need to move backwards to where a TH400 would need it (not sure an '83 Delta would have that provision), but you don't need a computer to control the lock-up of the TC (mine uses a 4th gear switch to prevent lockup until you are into 4th gear, with a relay connected to your brake lights that would disengage the TC when hitting the brakes........works great). The driveshaft & yoke from your TH350 should work fine. Also, you trans lines may be able to just be re-bent to fit the new locations (don't forget the 200-4R flows the fluid backwards compared to a Jetaway or TH350, so the in/out from your cooler lines will need to be swapped). Finally, for the column shifter, I used a Kugel Komponents shift arm kit that allowed me to adapt the longer shift arm operating angle of the 200-4R to the shorter operating angle of the column shifter (keeps the P, R, N and D/3/2/1 mechanical gates lined up.......although the dash indicator won't be very useful.....just count the clicks when shifting).

There's a link in my sig to my swap thread, there's also info on how I adapted the TV cable to my old 2-bbl carb.

 

No. People who have not worked on them do not realize that the 1977-1990 B/C body cars and the 1978-1988 A/G-body cars do NOT have the ability to slide the crossmember back. These cars use an angled crossmember that is designed to clear the single exhaust catalytic converter that was standard on every one of them. The frame rails are not symmetric where the crossmember attaches. They use different crossmembers for the 200-4R and the TH200/TH350. You must use the correct crossmember.

These are aftermarket dual exhaust crossmembers, but you get the idea. Upper is TH200/TH350. Lower is 200-4R/TH400.

 

So, back to my original thought process: It almost seems silly to "convert" the car to a OD, when the same exact model had some that came factory with the OD. I plan on a trans overhaul regardless just for the fun of it. At this point, unless I can save a huge amount of cash, I'm honestly just looking for someone to tell me the parts interchange is too much of a hassle and to just go out and revive another delta