csouth

I was looking for an overdrive to run behind my 455.I have a guy looking to get rid of a 2004r he replaced with a built up 700r4. He said he likes the gearing better for what he is looking to do with his car. He said the 200-4r was built to be a Stage 1. Says it has maybe 2k mi on it and he's asking $500. Here is what he said was done to the 200-4r which was a Monte SS core:

10 Vane Pump
Hardened Guide Rings
.470" Main Boost Valve
High Peformance low/reverse boost valve
Teflon Bushing
High Performance Pressure Regulator Spring
Kevlar 2-4 Band
New Thrust Roller Bearings
Stage 1 Shift Kit
Red Alto Clutches

After talking to Brian Hofer who builds a lot of performance 200-4r, I wanted to cry....lol.

Any thoughts guys?...

68conv455

I would be wary of this transaction due to the reason he is selling. I would consider a 2004R to have a better gear ratio line-up than the 700r4.
You get what you pay for. If you are crying because Brian is expensive, it is because his trans wont fail you. This one may be $500 out the window.
Your risk, your call.

svnt442

I'd be worried about the input shaft. That is (from what I've read) the first thing you need to upgrade if you are over 450 ft lbs of torque. And being that you have a 455 I'd think you would be right out of the box.
I think if I were you I'd save up my pennies and just get one done up right that you know you can trust.

70 cutlass s

If it came out of a Chevy it won't work anyway. Need one out of a Olds, Buick, or Pontiac and a 200r4 is better than a 700r4 so I would say that one is not good.

bcracing

I ran a 2004r trans in my Monte SS with a built 350, With what he has done to the trans it will handle the HP and TQ, but the org input shafts won't take a whole lot of torque, usally the first thing anybody that builds one of these transmission replaces. 68 conv is correct, The gearing in the 200 is better. The 200 can be built to take just about anything you throw at it. but it will take some money. The SS came with a different gov weighting and different valve body. The GN uses the same trans but it also has a different valve body. $500 is cheap if the trans is what it is said to be.

dan2286

He said the original owner of the trans liked the gear ratio better for what he was doing, which may have been. Both trannies can be better depending on what it is used for. I would not be wary because of that comment.

joe_padavano

There are two modifications that are mandatory for the 200-4R to live behind a big block, the heat treated stator shaft and the forward clutch drum with billet shaft. I don't see either of those on your list of mods.

FYI, most of the 200-4R cases have both BOP and Chevy bolt patterns. There were BOP-only cases, which are rare, and there were Chevy-only cases, which are even more rare. There is a very high probability that even if the trans came out of a Chevy, it has the unisex bellhousing.

csouth

Well I went and looked at the trans, come to find out the guy is a friend of a friend. After talking to my friend for reference, he said I could trust the guy regarding the contents of the tranny. He ended up letting me have it for $400. I found out the reason for the swap was not just for trans to a 700r4, but he installed TPI motor with attached 700r4. I'll use this as a base and add some additional hard parts before install. It will save me some money on a total rebuild.

442scotty

I would pull it apart and go through it if you are able or have someone do it who knows these trans...peace of mind

csouth

I do have someone that knows these trans'. He is the one I would have install any upgraded hard parts. Thanks for the suggestion.

68conv455

Let us know how it works out.
I'd be interested in what mods you make to the trans, what rear gear you are running in back, posi or not, the TC your running, and what tire size. And of course, how well the tranny works for you.

geckonz08

x2

Texas Jim

CSOUTH, You got a hell of a deal f/ $400. YOu can install afew aftermarket items and have a great tranny, and it'll hold the torque and hp no problem. I've never seen a 2004r that didn't have the bolt holes f/ all the different applications. Wish I had seen that f/ sale, I'd have jumped on it in a minute.

Olds64

Depending on how much you are willing to spend you might consider putting a GearVendors unit on your stock transmission. They are expensive but I've only heard good things about them.

csouth

This has a mulit pattern bell housing, definitely a 2004r. It will be a minute before I put in though. I'm working on my motor now. It should be installed by the 1st of the year.

csouth

I've seen good things about them too. They are pretty expensive though. I could probably put another $500 in this and still be less than half of a GearVendors.

Texas442

Just curious what the 2 or 3 letter code that is stamped on the tag by the tail shaft (passenger side) is on this 200r4?

csouth

I'll have to check it for you later this week when I go buy the shop where my parts are stored. I think its CRF, not the HO version.

csouth

Forgot to check on the tag....LOL I was caught up in the guys machine work. The ear there the trans mount bolts was broken and I had a guy fix it for me. I figured it would be less than A) Finding and buying a core just for the case and B) Paying someone to swap the internals. These are before and after pics which I was very satisfied with. He sent me the detailed description of the work performed via email. Definitely takes pride in his work. Anyone in the Detroit Metro area looking for an honest welder\part time machinist and hot rodder, let me know.....