Sampson

I have been considering a 200r4 for my 72 cutlass 350 with TH350. I was at a family gathering today and talking with a guy who knows transmissions. He runs his own shop and specializes in TH 400's for race duty. I am talking to him about the 200r4 and his first question is why aren't you looking at a 700r4 for this swap instead. In his opinion a much better trans. My answer was everyone on CO uses the 200r4. So now I am wondering why? By the way I am running 3:42's now.

DoubleV

I'm not an expert on these transmissions by any means so I listen to what the proven tranny big wigs have to say, and in my experience, what the vast majority of them say is that the 2004r is the better trans for various reasons. There's plenty of quality parts available for them and they have a much better gear spread than the 700r4. If a 2004r can be built to last behind high powered Buick GN's, then that's proof they can do the job. OTOH, I don't see too many people putting out that kind of power and putting it through a 700r4 ( not that it can't be done, just that I don't see it much myself ).

Of course a 700r4 also needs an adaptor plate to fit behind an Olds too!

In the end, both trannys can get the job done, but IMO the 2004r is the way to go, especially in a non Chevy.

rocketraider

The 200 is a bolt-in, no fooling with adapters and all the headache that can create. Add and properly set the TV cable and it will be much better suited to your car for reasons DoubleV stated. Gear ratios are MUCH better on the 200- driving a 700 reminds me a lot of a Slim Jim HydraMatic with that wide 1-2 gear spread, and the deeper your rear gear, the more pronounced that lurch will be.

I'm reminded of what an Olds Zone service rep told me back in the mid 80s when they were regularly frying 200s behind Turbo Buicks and for that matter in normal cars in mountainous areas. HydraMatic Division kept saying they couldn't build a transmission to stand up under those conditions. Huh? they had built them to stand up behind bigblock Buick/Olds/Pontiac/Chevy engines with no trouble before.

The truth was the bean counters would not let them properly build the trannys due to cost factors. When it became obvious warranty costs were eating their lunch, the later 200s became very good and durable transmissions. Aftermarket took care of the remaining issues.

So, my vote is 200 for an Olds application.

Sampson

Thanks for the input guys. I had no idea that the 700 needed an adapter plate. I guess my friend was a Chebbie Guy. I also think part of his suggestion was coming from the availability of 700's.......

oldcutlass

He's right, out of the box a 700 is stronger. As the others have said a 200 is easy to beef up and does work well. Plus for you to go to a 200 there are no major changes and quite easy. It's just swallowing the cost.

Joffroi

I have a 700r4 on my 1972 Cutlass Supreme and love it. Previous owner did the work on the car so I speak for the work to put in it, but its paired with a 69 350 engine and parks tires very well.

joe_padavano

I will disagree that the 700R4 is strong enough "out of the box". If it were, GM wouldn't have upgraded them into the 4L65E and 4L70E. Since both a 200-4R and a 700R4 need to be upgraded to live behind a reasonable Olds V8, the 200-4R is the trans of choice for several reasons:

1) As noted above, it comes with a BOP bellhousing. 700R4s do not and require an adapter.

2) The 200-4R is the same overall length as a TH350, so the existing driveshaft and yoke can usually be used. The 700R4 is a unique length and requires a custom driveshaft in most cars (unless you have a car where the Chevy version did come from the factory with a 700R4).

3) The 200-4R puts the trans crossmember in the same place as does a TH400. For all 1966-73 cars where the TH400 was factory available, no mods are required. On cars where the e-brake cables hang off the crossmember, you can use the TH400 cables. The 700R4 uses a unique crossmember location.

4) The 200-4R has gear ratios of 2.74, 1.57, 1.00, 0.67. The 700R4 ratios are 3.06, 1.63, 1.00, 0.70. That's a significant drop from first to second and less of an OD ratio. This wide ratio trans is more at home behind a smaller V6 than a big V8 with lots of torque and a relatively low redline.

Napoleon Solo

Holy moses, Joe! You're like Olds special forces. I printed your response and put it in my "info folder" . Going to keep my eyes open for a 200r4 now...

TexasT

Go to your local "recycler" and head to the Cadillac section. You want one from an eighties Fleetwood, sedan d'ville or coupe d'ville. It will have a yellow tag on the pass near the tail with an AA code on it. Get the tv cable and the carb brackets(maybe the whole carb). And depending on your goals the torque converter(or get the converter to use as a core). Get one with good cherry red fluid.

can66

atta boy joe,i too will vouch for the 200r4 behind my turbo regal,2 yrs ago i broke my old 200r4 and bought a new one at art carr in california and will rebuilt the old one to install behind a 425.if it will handle my high 11's car i'm sure it'll hold the 425..

olds 307 and 403

I have both behind mild Olds 350's. A 2004R behind my 88 Cutlass and a 4L60E in my 94 4x4. The 1-2 drop is noticeable in the 4x4, 265/75R16 tires and 3.73 gears do 1750 rpm at 60 mph. The 4L60E(electronic 700R4) is an okay trans but the adapter and shortened drive shaft negate any cost savings. Problem is most shops don't seem to know what to make the 2004R live with decent power. With a mild build only a few mods need to be done to survive.

Stevec

What type of shifter is used when swapping over to a 200r4? Is there anyway to keep/utilize the factory shifter?

jag1886

Shiftworks conversion.

oldsguybry

I have to ask .... I have the 4L60E on my 93 Buick 3800 motor , and it likes to switch in and out of 3rd / OD everytime you let off of the gas . I read it is a solenoid issue inside the transmission . I was hoping that this is not a very difficult repair to do , but I'm not sure what it all entails .

edit .... Sorry for the hijack . I started a thread on this issue in the " non-olds " section .

therobski

Try KugelKomponents.com for shifter conversions kits-easy

Jolds86

I think this is the most interesting and rewarding thread site available for those of us relying on those that have the knowledge and wisdom who have been there and done that, and are so willing to share with others as well thank you and keep up the good work you're doing.

Alex72cutty

Good thread!!! I was going to put a 700r4 in my cutlass with rebuild mild 350, but after reading this I'm going with the 200r4