Just wondering if anybody has put a 200r4 to a 455 in a riviera. Those square planets with only 4 pinions don't have my confidence to want to try it. It would be much easier than using the adapter plate to mate the 700r4 to the 455 though.
The 200-4r is an underestimated transmission. If you spend the money to have one built right they will handle up to the abuse. There are several guys who build em tough. Extreme automatics is who I went with. Lonnie built a transmission for me thats good for 800hp.
What is your target budget? Do you want the equivalent OD transmission to the TH400? btw the answer is 4L80e. In the link below, see post #6 where I show pictures of the trans and so forth. I did it in my Rivi. See post #44 where I attached a document outlining the install. http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.ph...'nother+70 While I do have a GN and I enjoy the 2004R and I have a spare. I just couldn't bring myself to put a 200R4 into my Rivi and have it get shredded. 4L80e is 75% TH400. Food for thought. Also, aren't buick's known for torque? (455CI w/ 510ft/lbs, 3.8L Turbo 355ft/lbs.) So how does this equate to transmissions capable of hadling XYZhp without torque. I don't know. I went for the tried and true th400 replacement. If you want more information please let me know. :TU: For comparison purposes (I've never weighed my cars): Riviera, Weight ~4200lbs - 4500lbs, 455 stock, 4L80e, 3.42 posi GN, weight ~3300 - 3500, 3.8L (60mm Turbo, alky injection and more) BRF 2004R, 3.42 posi Two links where I found the curb weight of my cars: http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?168764-Grand-National-Weight http://www.automobile-catalog.com/make/buick/riviera_2gen/riviera_2gen/1970.html
I was a builder and whole car basically , I put a 700r4 in my riv, only having a one legger no posi helps things. I have only broke my forward planet but have not had a problem since i put 5 pinion planets in it. Since im currently building another motor for it I was curious. I was either going 4l80 or 700. I chose 700 for the lower 1 gear ratio and less weight.
I have one in my car. By the time the smoked cleared, I believe my total was about $3600. I think all in all it's been worth it. And the trans can be built to take it.
I had all three empty cases which i bolted up and checked the fit. The 4l80 was the tighest. THe 700 and 200 were about the same.
Silly as this sounds, my Regal has had a 700r4 in it for the last twenty years. That said the 2004r is light years ahead of what it was in the late eighties. So is the 700r4/4l60e. If you are into an adapter plate, the misnomer that broken tv cables are common, or that you need a 3.06 first gear with a jump to second, by all means hit the 700r4. The other side is the 2004r. Still has a deep first gear, much better spacing the overdrive, and plenty of parts to make it live, and the fact that you don't need the adapter. Not sure why you think it cant "hang" but you are entitled to your opinion. Riv is probably 1200 lbs heavier. I don't see why the fact that dropping the 4l60e stuff into a 700r4 case has any bearing but it is your choice. I guess that is a plus but not really sure why. The 2004r stuff fits from most years, the early diesel stuff with the hydraulic lack up isnt nifty but there are plenty of other better choices for a starting point. I will say the five pinion stuff from a 4l65e and the updated stuff is strong. Get the factory stuff not the aftermarket. The aftermarket five pinion planetary isn't as strong as the factory four pinion pieces. look for the escalade and GMC denali for the "fancy" pieces. Like my dad used to tell me, you pays your money and you takes your chances.
This is my 72 LeSabre 4500 lbs car with 200R4 10 inch 2600 stall. 462 Buick with 510 tq. 275 on the rear, 255 on the front. Just a freight train to drive.:TU:
Mine works just fine. Had it purpose built, though, which is not cheap. Plus I added the goodies from Bowler transmissions.
Had one built by Art Carr in San Diego some years ago now. Never did work right, had a terrible delay 2-3 shift. Non-lockup on their advice. Still have it on the floor of the shop if anyone is interested. Was $2500+ to build. Might have been an anomaly for both the 200 and Art Carr but soured my taste for it. Installed a Tremec 5spd from the outfit in San Diego.. OD Conversions???? With a lot of help from Dave Kleiner to turn an auto GS into a 5spd.. pedals and all but it's been flawless and a ton of fun. Probably $5k all told. Gary
View attachment 280811 i have the camaro tail with the 3 long bolts for rear end bar. This pic doesnt show it.
