Hi Everyone, I was wondering if anyone has put a 200R4 in there 70-72 skylark and how well it did or didnt work....any imput would be great :3gears:
I have about 1000 miles on my California Performance Transmissions (Art Carr) 200. I just got back from my longest cruise with it a few minutes ago. Went about 120 miles including over a mountain pass in 4th gear with 3.55 gears and running 80mph the whole way. I LOVE IT! Totally changes the cruise characteristics and general feel of the car. Now, I have extensive suspension mods to go with it (Global West, Hotchkiss, etc.) so it really handles well and any speed. Critical is the TV cable adjustment. There are good instructions out there on how to do this. Also there are good TV setups from http://www.bowtieoverdrives (Hisperia, CA) and excellent instructions on the install of the trans and TV. Bowtie will also modify your carb linkage to accept the TV system. Most are setup for Chevy linkages. Steve at Bowtie is very good to talk to and it appears that they have a good product. Mine from Art Carr seems to be a good transmission but note that CPT is the only outfit I know of that strongly recommends a NON-Lockup converter. If I were to do it again I MIGHT go with lockup since my stall is around 2500-3000rpm and 80mph = 2800rpm so I'm losing efficiency in the converter. However, the tranny ran a maximum of 180* over a long mountain pass so is Ok. Just be sure you get the best cooler you can find (CPT has a good one), regardless of whether you run lockup or non-lockup. I would strongly recommend a trans temp gauge as well, to keep an eye on things. I'll be spanking this thing in Vegas in October and will report results on 1/4 mile then. PM if you have specific questions. Also, check the turbo bulletin boards for more real life experience with these trannys and builders. Depending on durability and longevity I doubt I'll ever regret doing this. Gas mileage is about 14-15mpg. That would improve with a lockup converter but was never my motivation for getting the OD. The rationale for using non-lockup is that the converter can be build stouter because the lockup components take up space and weight that can otherwise be used to beef up the stator, etc. I'm sure it's more technical than all that but it's the jist of it.
The Old Guy has 200R4 in his '72 GS 455 Convertible, and loves it, he's out of town til Friday or so, but when he get's back, I'm sure he'll post his info, cause he did have some issues with it, but it's all better now! He's talking about putting one in the '69 Sportwagon too, behind the 350. I think that's his winter project!
