If anyone has swapped their TH 350 for the 200 R4 can you send some pictures of what you did (or did not do) with the shifter - i.e. did you just leave the same shifter and plate for gear identification or is their a new plate - console modification that needs (or should be) done? Also looking for reasonably priced but good quality units (has bat 350 hp but may bump up to 500 one day but not any higher than that and is used as a daily driver).

 

Has anyone put a 200 R4 with a 2.73 rear-end and a 455 (stock hp)?

Talked to a guy that said that there would be downshift issues if at cruising speed (70 mph) and not pulling 2000 rpm. Based on the numbers I have run with the tires - etc. and a 200 R4 out would be 1700 rpm at 70 mph. Just want to see if someone actually has experience with this combination.

 

If column shift you need to grind the the stop on the detent plate in column "bowl" in order to access manual low on the 200. I have also had to grind the column housing/shift arm @ the bottom end of the column in the engine bay to allow more travel. This is a car to car detail.


"Standard" Olds floor shifter there is a detent plate & indicator kit available from Shift Works. I have not used this.


Dual Gate is purportedly supported by Shift Works but the indicator is not compatible w/ 70-72 style shifter. They supply a cable that will allow access to all shifter positions but the only one I have used is rather stiff & vague. It could be shifter wear contributing to it but I never got around to going back through it. Realistically it works well enough. If accessing manual low is not an issue I would try it with a factory cable.


I have a couple of 4 spd dual gates, one of which will go in my blue car when I muster up the time & will to take it on. Shifter body is different, mounts are different so it will be somewhat of a project to make it work properly with console.


Sorry, no pics.

 

The factory put the 200-4R in cars with 2.41 and 2.73 gears all the time. The engine was usually a VIN Y 307 with a pavement-ripping 140 HP (on a good day). These cars have no issue with that trans and gear combo. The 455 would only be better. I continue to be amazed by people who think this is a problem.