Stock 403 vs Stock 200R4
November 20th, 2018, 01:29 PM
#1
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Location: Leominster, Massachusetts
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Stock 403 vs Stock 200R4
I have a bone stock Oldsmobile 403 V8 4bbl motor out of a 1978 Delta 88 and a stock 200R4 and D5 converter that came out of a 1987 442 (KZF code). Will the stock 200R4 survive behind the 403? Both run great and I don't need to rebuild either. I'm not going to race the car it's going in, just looking for some better mileage. The car currently has 3.23's and a Turbo 350 now. Will the transmission hold up to the 403?
November 20th, 2018, 01:47 PM
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If trans is in good shape (sounds like it is) you should be fine. Been running a high mileage, well maintained BRF that we later added a CK kit & servo to in kid's car (red one) behind a warmed over 350 since 2009. Car has barely been parked since then & has visited the drag strip a few times, does not get beat on as a general rule but is driven 24/7/365 for the last 9 years and the only thing "not right" is it mysteriously stopped dropping into OD @ 40ish & now only wants that final upshift mid 50mph range. No clue what it is but it isn't impending failure or a by product of hyperthrottlitis.
November 20th, 2018, 02:43 PM
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I know the 307 in the 1987 442 was rated at 180hp and 275 ft/lbs of torque, and the 403 was 185hp and 320 ft/lbs. Pretty comparable. Didn't think a few more hp would be too detrimental, although I was concerned about the 45 more ft/lbs of torque. Not sure of the torque capacity of the 200R4.
November 20th, 2018, 04:11 PM
#4
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If trans is in good shape (sounds like it is) you should be fine. Been running a high mileage, well maintained BRF that we later added a CK kit & servo to in kid's car (red one) behind a warmed over 350 since 2009. Car has barely been parked since then & has visited the drag strip a few times, does not get beat on as a general rule but is driven 24/7/365 for the last 9 years and the only thing "not right" is it mysteriously stopped dropping into OD @ 40ish & now only wants that final upshift mid 50mph range. No clue what it is but it isn't impending failure or a by product of hyperthrottlitis.
beat me to it, this advice is right on the money. CK also offers a reworked govenor if the shift points aren’t to your liking. Messing with the govenor is a PITA on a 200R4. If there is any question about messing with the govenor, do yourself a favor and put a drain plug in the trans!! Working on the governor means dropping the pan, it can get messy.
Speakingbof pans, as strange as it sounds, all the 200R4 gurus will tell you to overfill the trans by 1 quart. The fluid pickup hole in the filter is on top, hard acceleration can uncover that hole, leaving the trans sucking air instead of fluid. The ultimate fix is to use a 700 filter, but that requires a deep pan for it to fit
November 24th, 2018, 01:47 PM
#5
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Location: Texas
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Speaking of pans, as strange as it sounds, all the 2004R gurus will tell you to overfill the trans by 1 quart. The fluid pickup hole in the filter is on top, hard acceleration can uncover that hole, leaving the trans sucking air instead of fluid. The ultimate fix is to use a 700 filter, but that requires a deep pan for it to fit
700r4 filter on a 2004r
Not true, It fit under my stock pan, You do need to do something about the switch so It doesn't ground on the filter body.
I do run a bit over full just to add more volume to help with Temperature.
But if you have the coin for a deep pan, by all means it is the way to go.
To go with the op question, this trans isn't new by any means but then neither is the engine. Should be fine for a while. But you will need an overhaul eventually. Being thirty yrs old those clutches and seals aren't lasting forever. And the tv cable and its setup is crucial for 2004r life. Check out www.tvmadeez.com for some pointers .
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