wondering what i sould go with in my chevelle, right now the motor is pretty much stock 350, which im sure won't be like that for long, but im in a tranny bind, i don't have much time before my tranny goes out(th350) i pulled the pan and found gobs of shavings, i had to use a putty knife to srape it off, pull the filter, cleaned it up best i could, new filter, fluid, and lucas trans conditioner, (tran's never gave me a sign of this) I just wanted to put new fluid in, shift kit, trans cooler, filter, and conditioner, hower it didn't get all the stuff (why waste money) been a week still no slips or signs, hey im not going to complane, the longer it lasts the happier i am, i need this time to make a plan of action, I wanna do a 200r4 or a 700r4 swap, I'm a do it yourselfer kinda guy, and like to do it right the first time (need to save money) i seen this web site which was pretty helpful http://www.rowand.net/Shop/Tech/AutomaticOverdriveTransmissionSwap.htm but it didn't answer all my questions How much drivetrain power gain-loss aim i going to get with either of these trannys over my th350 plus im looking forward to 4.11's in the near future, and these two trannys would be perfect (doing right the first time)
Personally I'd go with the TH200-4R for a couple of reasons. First, the 1st-2nd jump isn't too wide; Second it has a lower overdrive; and Third it has the same length as your TH350. I install a TH200-4R in my 70 El Camino about 18 months ago, ben happy as hell with it. On my recent trip from Norfolk, VA to my parents home here in SD (about 1500 mile trip) I was averaging about 25mpg at 80mph, sometimes as high as 30mpg. The install is real simple, you can use your stock crossmember and just move it back a little ways. Your Chevelle should have extra bolt holes already drilled in the frame for it. You won't have to shorten your driveshaft at all either. Check out Bowtie Overdrives for more info. They sell everything you need to convert over to an overdrive, including a really trick TV Cable set-up. Give them a call (760/947-5240), they are very helpful and knowledgable and will steer you in the right direction for which tranny would be best for you.
