I stopped by Jake's Performance transmissions in Sanger, TX over the Thanksgiving weekend to chat with Mr. Jake about my project. I'm looking to install a TH200-4r behind my 350 olds motor, and he is the on the short list of goto guys for this tranny. Jake spent nearly and hour with me discussing his approach to building a 200-4r tranny, the pros and cons of different internal components, the various HP/TQ levels for a Stage 1, 2, 3 build, etc. I was very impressed with him and the interest he took in what my car would need. If you are in the market for a 200-4r OD transmission, I don't think you could do much better the Jake's Performance.

 

Cool and not too far. What kinda price estimate?

 

I have talked with him several times over the years, and bought a few parts from him. He definitely knows what he is doing, and isn't shy with sharing tech tips. I kinda wish I had gone with a 4L80E and one of his transbrake valve bodies instead of the TH400 and gear vendor.

 

$1650 to rebuild my 200-4r as a Stage 2, w/o convertor. I've seen lower prices but have heard too many stories of failures. This trans is not very forgiving if not built properly, especially if your putting serious HP/TQ through it. Surprisingly, he didn't recommend using the Red Eagle clutches or using thinner steels to add additional clutches like some other builders. He said the red Eagle stuff has a tendency to delaminate and the stock parts with stock counts were sufficient as long as the line pressure was consistent and high enough. He does machine the OD piston to add 1 extra clutch for more holding strength in overdrive. His Stage 2 build is good to about 300-400 HP/TQ.

 

Talking to these guys for an hour lets you learn so much. It is an experience I never forgot when I talked with my engine builder for a couple hours one night. It's why I'm running Ford rockers. The geometry is perfect. He told me that had I come to him first I would also be running Chebby pistons. LOL!

 

The thin steels work great for short term use (think drag racing) but don't absorb and radiate heat nearly as well as the thick steel plates. After a couple hard upshifts, the steels are really hot, then the clutches start to slip, and its all downhill.

He is a believer in using the best clutches the OEM uses (such as the 4 clutch set-up in the 4l80E, retro-fits into a TH400). The OEM has far more resources to test durability. It makes sense, the the Big 3 do the testing for you, less money out of your pockets. Alot of what he says leaves you scratching your head and thinking "huh?" But it makes sense if you look at a problem from a different point of view.

 

I really like seeing threads like this……………Positive andcomplementary. Really happy to hear that you got good service.

 

And bigger lifters and mopar lobe cam.