Ratdog442

I just bought this car. It has a 3.73 gear per my calculations of rpm, speed and tire size. I want to be able to take road trips but running 3600 RPMs is not going to last long. My question is what cars used the 200r4 that is usable in a 1973 oldsmobile cutlass? Thanks.

Lars

any 200 4r will bolt in, they came most all bop cars from the 80's alot in delta's... you will have to shorten your drive shaft and move the crossmember back about 6 inches, the holes may be there already, its the same mount as the th400. i not sure what shifter you have but it wont have a low or first gear detent.

Ratdog442

Thanks for taking the time to reply. As for the drive shaft, do I buy a new drive shaft or have the one on the car shortened?

Lars

just have it shortened, A th350 yolk is the same as a 200 4r

olds 307 and 403

Is it a short tail TH350? If it is, move the cross member back and you are good. If you get a trans from a wrecker, get the bracket the kickdown cable attaches to, for correct TV geometry , which is VERY important. What size tires are on your car?

Ratdog442

245/50/14

oldsmobiledave

Did you mean 245 60 14? I have never seen a 245 50 14. I don't think 50 series 14s exist.

If it is 245 60 14 your highway rpm is caused by that short rear tire (25.6" tall). Tall rear tires are a lot cheaper and easier than OD trans swap.

olds 307 and 403

Even with a 275/60R15 tire he will still be turning 3000 rpm at 60 mph. With a 2004R with the converter locked and his current tires he will run just under 2000 rpm at 60 mph. All he needs is maybe the big Trans Go shift kit, a 700R4 or early 4L60E filter with the trans filled a quart over full and a big trans cooler. The pump rings, stiffer slide spring and stator are also a good idea and easy to do. The stock D9 converter stalls around 1900, which most seem to have.

oldsmobiledave

What is the big deal of turning 3000 rpm? People got spoiled by modern transmissions. 3000 rpm all day long won't hurt anything but the wallet. I remember my uncle driving his 1969 Z-28 to Florida from southern Ontario every winter. Lots of these cars were driven cross country often. I towed with my 455 powered GMC with the race car on an open trailer behind it for three hours straight at 3200 rpm for a couple of seasons. OD is nice but you don't have to have it.

olds 307 and 403

True enough and he didn't say 350 or 455. If it is a 455, taller tires are a much better idea unless he doesn't mind spending 2 grand on one that will live behind that torque. The 2004R came in wagons up till 1990, 80's Delta 88, Le Sarbre, Caprice, Cadillac's, Cutlass, Regal, Monte Carlo, Grand Prix's. Optional on some, standard on others including performance models.

Ratdog442

Well I am going with the 200r4, a stage 2 shift kit, 1800 stall and a external trans cooler.

This came about because at the start of my 500 mile return trip from visiting Mom for Mom's day 2nd and 3rd gear went out. Had to have car towed to the shop I trust about 50 miles. This set up should break tires loose from 1st -2nd no problem and possible 2nd-3rd at WOT. This is based on my experience from my last trans done by this shop.

Will let you know Friday.

olds 307 and 403

Local shop building it? Who's shift kit?

Ratdog442

Local shop. I have known the guy for 20 years. He did the trans on my Lincoln Mark VIII...that thing was a beast...3000 stall, stage 2 build, 4.10 with a locker...was a high 13 second car. He did not disappoint on the 200r4.

olds 307 and 403

Awesome, any good trans shop should get it right, enjoy.

Ratdog442

Switching gears...no pun intended...I have a 2 inch exhaust system. I watched this video that took a big block and ran 3 dyno pullls. Open headers, 2.5 inch and 3 inch exhaust. The 2.5 inch exhaust dropped hp and torque by 10 and 15 respectively compared to open headers. The 3 inch exhaust almost mirrored open headers.

I am running a SBO. I want to change to 2.5 with x pipe. I figure for around $500 I can change my exhaust and gain 8-10 hp and 12-15 pounds of torque. My concern is how loud the exhaust will be at idle and cruising speed. The reason I am concerned is I had a Lincoln Mark Viii with 2.5 inch exhaust and it was freaking loud to the point my wife wouldn't get in the car. Sometimes that worked to my advantage...ha ha. Any input would be great especially if you are running a 2.5 inch exhaust.

oldsmobiledave

It is the muffler chosen that makes it loud. Choose wisely.

Ratdog442

I am extremely happy with the current mufflers. Can those be adapted to fit the 2.5 without losing much airflow?

TexasT

Look into your local recycler.
Here is a list of donors
1981-'88 Buick LeSabre and Electra RWD
1981 Century
1981-'87 Regal
1981-'90 Cadillac Fleetwood, Deville and Brougham
1982-'90 Chevrolet Impala and Caprice
1981-'88 Chevelle, Monte Carlo, Malibu and El Camino
1984-'87 GMC Caballero
1982-'90 Olds Delta 88, 98 and Custom Cruiser
1983-'88 Olds Cutlass 4-4-2 and Supreme
1983-'89 Pontiac Bonneville, Parisienne and Safari Wagon
1981 Pontiac Firebird with 301
1984-'87 Pontiac Grand Prix

Shift ratios for this transmission: 1st 2.74:1; 2nd 1.57:1; 3rd 1.00:1; 4th 0.67:1

I would look for a Cadillac with the AA code on the tail shaft. I figure it will have the least wear, who runs their Cadillac hard right?
One thing to check on that 200 is the servo and piston. There is one that is very large(larger than the "694" GN piece) with the last three casting number 134, and the piston will have the 112

GN Servo:
694 Cover/562 Piston combo. Apply area 2.675 diameter.

692 cover/ 563 piston 2.525"

569 cover/ 564 piston 2.350"

200 Servos
133 cover/111 piston is the same as a GN in apply area.

The 134 cover/112 piston is 2.850".

I used a sonnax servo as I didn't locate one of the large stock pieces.