Hello All; Need some opinions about the 200 4R Tranny. A couple of years ago I wandered astray and bought a PONTIAC from a Muscle Car Dealer in the Chicago Area. I actually went there to look at a '68 GS400 convertible. It was a VERY nice car competely stock, with a bench seat and column shift. I was checking out the car when they started up a '68 GTO convertible sitting next to it to move it. When the whole building started to shake it got my attention. To make a long story short, they were selling the car on consignment for a customer, had just got it in and hadn't even detailed it yet. After a test drive, I ended up taking it home, it was a beast! I was kind of concerned on the test drive how hard the transmission banged when it shifted. Salesman said the way the car ran he was sure it probably had some kind of shift kit in it. When I got it home I took it to a freind of mine who has a tranny shop here in town and told him about the way the transmission shifted. He looked under the car and said, "this car has a 200 4R transmission in it." The gave me a stack of paperwork with the car that I skimmed through when I bought it but I missed this: Transmission: Buick Grand National Transmission BRF, Valve body BR3, Blue Plates & Koleen Steels, 13 vane pump, hardened stater shaft, Gomez converter, Art Carr pressure regulator valve, Sonnex O-Ring boost valve .500 & reverse valve & TCC Teflon O ring valve. This transmission is behind a Pontiac 474, 500+ H.P. with a 12 inch Moser rear end, 373 gears with c-clip axles. I don't think this transmission has ever been adjusted properly, I've adjusted the TV cable and got it shifting a little smoother but I've read how finicky, the adjustments are on these things. I'm now getting some slippage at WOT between first and second shifts. I just got some sticky tires for the car and want to take it to the track a few times. This is mostly a cruise in street toy, but I would like to race it a few times. I would really like to keep the OD gear, this thing will cruise with the 373 gears at 60 MPH at 2,000 RPM's. So now the question; If I have this tranny rebuilt, will it hold up to big V8 Power with sticky tires at the race track? I was at the GS Nationals in Bowling Green a few years ago and watched the Turbo Regals doing some awesome wheel stands, so I know these things can take some power, just not so sure how they will handle a big V8. I have a TH400 for the car in the garage. My decision is what transmission to have rebuilt. My friends are betting the first hole shot with the sticky tires, the 200 is going to explode. None of us really know anything about this transmission, but I really like the OD gear, with fuel prices I'd like to keep it. Whats your opinions? Is the 200 suitable with a big V8 for occasional track use? I've read a little about CK performance and see they sell performance rebuild kits for this tranny, or should I just forget it and build the TH400? I'll very much appreciate your opinions and comments. :3gears: kilkm
There are people running 9's with those transmissions so they can be built to take the power and abuse (know of one behind a Pontiac no less). If you have it rebuilt be absolutely sure it's done by someone with experience building them for that kind of horsepower and torque. The right clearances need to be checked and the right parts used. Brian is in the high 9's now naturally aspirated. He built a bigger engine. This was 2009. http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0605_1965_pontiac_gto/viewall.html A 9 second run. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJEIY5OJ68g
Hey kilkm, Another option would be a 700r4 just buy a adapter plate 150.00 from bop to chevy bolt pattern they can handle the HP for less money Monster Transmissions has one for 1200 W/out converter handles 650HP 600FT they also carry The adapter plate.
Agree. Has most of the parts needed. Has most of what I have except for billet forward drum. No you do not want a chevy trans. Mine is behind a procharged 462 Buick.
It works good I have one behind my 350, I use a lockup switch to lockup and I can lock it up in 3rd or 4th. I have used the nitrous with this trans and no problems. I run a 373 rear.
I have one behind my 462. I go to the track twice a year or so for fun. And I do "drive" my car on the street. Converter is a 2800 stall unit. When you're on the turbo boards, three names come up for building these to withstand three torque of a BBB. Chris at CKPerformance, California Performance Transmisions is Art Carr's company, and Vince Janis at Janis Transmissions in Akron, Ohio. Vince built mine using parts from CKPerformance. I've been very happy. It's held up well for five years now. Just to let you know, I did spend about $3,500 when it was all said and done with the trans, converter, TV cable and associated brackets, etc. But IMOO it was money well spent.
I see Lonnie Diers at Extreme Automatics all over the Turbo Buick boards also. Lots of good builders out there. I have one behind my Nailhead and it burns the tires in 3rd, lots of tq and the 2004r has no problems.
