200-r4

I have a 69 skylark that I am putting a 350 in to, Its going to be pretty mild, maybe 400 horse or maybe a little better and im going to but a 150 shot of nitrous on it. What would I have to do to have a 200-r4 stand up behind it. I plan or raceing it quite a bit and it gets run pretty hard on the street. Is there any good converters for them. I know that TCI makes them but I want something a little nicer than that. Maybe like a 3500 stall with lock up? Thanks For the help in advance, Gary

 

Consider whether in stock condition you would be exceeding the maximum factory design torque rating which appears to be 330 ft ibs for a 6000 lb vehicle:

Here are some comparisons of ratings:

|--------Maximum-------|
Engine Gearbox Gross Torque Overall
Transmission Weight Torque Torque Veh. Wt. Conv. Dia. Length
Model (lbs.) (lb/ft) (lb/ft) (lbs) (inches) (inches)
Rear Wheel Drive:
TH-180C (3L30) 130/140 258 440 7716 9.6/10.24 26.29/28.11
TH-200-4R 157 330 550 6000 11.73 28.26
TH-300 (Jetaway)
TH-350
TH-400 (3L80) 190 440 885 12000 12.20 29.30/34.48
TH-700-R4 (4L60) 167/184 350 650 8600 9.6/11.73 29.77/30.64
4L30-E 168/177 258 440 7716 9.6/10.24 28.54/31.57
4L60-E 160/176 350 612 8600 9.6/11.73 29.77/30.64
4L80-E 260 440 885 15000 12.20 31.93/33.02


For street use with any stock 350 cid I suspect there may never be an issue. But for racing look at the size of its input shaft relative to a TH 400. Relatively it appears to be a tinker toy.

 

I figured it should be more than 330 ft lbs.

 

It was designed for low torque engines long after the end of the original muscle car era.

 

I know, Thats why I was asking what you had to do to them to make them stand up to some power. I know there is some in some GN's thats are pretty quick

 

Excellent Choice for a Transmission!! You will not regret it. However, it will require some $$$ and a little effort to get it perfect.

www.ckperformance.com Good info and a good way to judge your expenses. I would recommend having one of these 200r4 master build your transmission rather than a local trans shop.

Also, no skimping on your converter. Go high quality or go home. I would suggest a lower stall speed for nitrous. Your 350 will have MAD torque.

IMO, all of these guys calling them toys are just jealous.:laugh:

As always, post your progress!:beers2:

 

I second CK performance as a source of information, and parts if you choose. I have their 200R4 build book and it is FULL of good stuff.

I also have looked at PATC's website for parts and info.

I have installed my 200R4 in my 72 in stock form for now, to judge its condition and the overall setup. Once I test run it I will decide to build it or not. It appears to take some $$$.

Common improvements from my research:

larger boost valves, Larger Servos, added clutches, governor mods, reinforced band, 10 and 13 vane pumps, pressure regulator, hardened stator splines, Lockup kits, etc etc.

Speedo gears can be pricey for certain axle ratios, because some have gone out of production.

The 200R4 sure did swap in easy though. I cant wait to try it out.

PS I forgot to mention the article in Car Craft about Art Carr and the mods he does to these trans. Small article, some neat tricks.

 

I know about a good converter, We got one befor and it was bad and I would like to not go down that road again. I know a guy who builds alot of raceing tranny so I think he will help me out. I plan on raceing the high school shoot out at my local track and I think they meet like 13 time and ill be going to some test and tunes for sure so I need something stout. Thanks for all the help. Gary

 

Dose CKperformance make good converters, Is anyone using them and what do they think of them? Thanks Gary

 

The one I bought from them blew after 3 months.

 

Well thats not a good deal, What are you using now?

 

I bought a used D5 converter from a GN. $50 and perfect in every way.:TU:

 

I think I would want more stall than that, This whole deal is looking costly, I might go with a turbo 350, I dont think over drive is worth that much to me.

 

It stalls from 2200-2500. I love it! Put in 3.42 or 3.73 gears and you will be dying for an overdrive.:laugh:

 

I have 3.73 already, its not really to bad on the highway, Me and my dad went on the power tour in it, That was like 900 miles of highway driving in 3 days. Im still in highschool and working for minimum wage so I got to watch my nickles and dimes and I dont think I can get the coin to do this trans with everything else I still have to do to the car.

 

Understandable. I like being able to cruise at 75 MPH without winding up the motor very high.

 

It would be nice, I dont usally do that much highway driving, Ill have to see how my money is looking after I get the motor finished up and in the car befor I really start worrying about trannys

 

Hey check out this months Hot Rod. It has a great artical in it by Art Carr on the 200R4. They put 1000 hp in front of it. A tranny friend of mine claims that 500 hp is no problem with only a few modifications, using GM parts.

 

alright, ill look it to it, I need something to read at school today anyways Thanks Gary

 

I have a 200-4R trans in my car. Most of the go-fast stuff came from CK also. Chris is a great guy to talk to and get advice from.