200 4R vs GV Overdrive?

Is there any real advantage of a 200 4R trans over a Turbo 400 with a Gear Vendor overdrive? I have a good 400, so all I would buy is the overdrive. For the 200, I'd need the trans & convertor. I need a trans that will handle 500-600 ft/lbs of torque. Would the cost be about the same?

Thanks.

 

The 2004r will fit in there easier and the weight will be a lot less. Also it has a better overdrive ratio. Another bonus is that you may be able to do it on the cheap if you use the crossmember and driveshaft from a th350 car. Downside is that to hold the kind of power you want it'll run about 3 grand.

Of course a GV unit along with a driveshaft and all the other incidentals will come out to about the same price, but it'll hold up to even more power than you're planning on running.

In the end it's up to each person because they are both good ways to go and both have their drawbacks. If you're doing it to save on gas than it's a bad investment unless you drive 20k miles a year. If you're doing it to prolong the engine life or to get rid of the noise when cruising the highway than it's a more justifiable expense.

 

About the only advantage would be fuel mileage but the difference is minuscule. The peace of mind knowing your drive line is as close to bullet proof as it gets is priceless. I switched from a 200-R4 to a 400 with a gear vendor
and I keep asking myself why I waited so long. Mine includes a switch pitch which makes it even better.:TU:

Bob H.

 

It looks like to me a cost push. You'll get around a 10% better over drive with the 2004r and possibly a lockup converter depending on how extreme the stall requirements. As rmstg2 states though, the 400/GV combo is a near bullet proof combo and any competent trans shop can rebuild a 400 to meet your requirements (if yours goes south), where as there are only a very small handful of people I'd trust to build a 2004r trans big block power and track time, and even then it'd take me a good while to trust the trans in this application.