I am putting a 200R4 in my 72 skylark. I have been looking online into the "retrofit kits" that are available. They vary in scope and price. Really all I want is to be able to lock the converter up when in overdrive on the hiway. Can I wire a switch into the existing setup or do I really need a kit for the purpose? What works? Anyone with experience doing this trans swap, please advise. Any thoughts will be appreciated. Is there a best way to achieve this with a switch in the dash?
http://store.summitracing.com/partd...839071+4294844569+4294904007+115&autoview=sku That's the good stuff. Automatic lock-up in 4th and you can put a switch in to turn it on-off in 3rd. Vacuum switch turns lock-up off when at WOT or decelerating. IMO, just having a single switch to turn the lock-up on or off is bogus! Automatic is the way to go.
TechG8 I have a friend with a 200-4R with his lock up on a manual switch. Its not hard to do. If someone doesn't give you an answer on here I will ask him what to do. I have a kit in mine and I'm not real happy with it. As soon as it shifts into 4th it locks the converter. I'm not aware of any vacumm control but thats not to say there isn't one. Mine don't have it and I didn't see any reference to any kind of vacumm control in the TCI install directions postedo No: Good Luck you will love the overdrive when you get it going.:TU: Bob H.
Click on my link, the vacuum switch is right there. Don't forget you loose some internal lubrication when your not locked up in 4th.
I looked under the pan tonight, and it looks like I could just run a switched 12V to the solenoid via the appropriate wires on the OEM connectors. Is there a fault to my logic? Am I missing anything? Obvious downfalls are that one could forget to turn the switch off, etcetc upside is price and simplicity. Is the OD gear the only time the lockup really is used in a stock configuration? BTW thanks for the link to the kit, I am considering that one as well for the automatic operation, if I decide to go that way.
If your looking to keep the trans forever, as I am, then spring for the kit. You will be much happier in the long run, IMO.
You are right there is a vacuum switch. It looks like a better set up than the one my buider supplied
http://store.summitracing.com/partd...t=BMM-80217&N=700+4294849133+115&autoview=sku I think this one is the one that locks in 4th. I am thinking its a normal-open 4th clutch pressure switch that sends the switched supply 12V to the solenoid when 4th gear is reached. That was kinda the setup I was thinking of. You are not happy with it?
Looking more at this kit, in general i like the automatic operation. I wonder though, do you have it hooked up to lock in 2nd and 3rd? or just 4th? With the vac switched hooked up is there any condition when it would lock in 2 and 3? curious. Thanks guys for the info's. good stuff
That kit provides a wire when grounded locks the converter in 2 and 3, but doesn't effect lockup in 4th. I put a switch under the dash so I can control it. Most of the time I don't use it, but when I am forced to go low speeds I like to use it. Without that wire being grounded the vacuum switch has no effect.
I see from the diagram that you are right, thanks. Last question: What are shifts like, while locked up? any issues? Thanks!
When the shift points are close together the engine can start chugging because it is running at such a low RPM but if you adjust the TV cable to spread them out, the shifts are fine. There's is definitely tuning needed to get it exactly how you like it. Once you go 200r4, you don't go back:laugh:
I have a switch in my GN... Just goes straight to the TCC solenoid. I like it, but i have a computer to also control the lock... I only use it to force it to lock at WOT.
I have a manual toggle switch to lock my converter up on the highway. I just mounted it in the glove box so it's out of sight. Goes right to the solenoid.
For now I will be mounting a switch on the dash somewhere wired straight to the solenoid. It is the cheapest alternative, and I dont even know if the trans works at this point. It is "supposed to". If/when I decide to rebuild the trans, then I will upgrade to a better lockup setup I think.
