Looking to swap out the st300 in my 66 lesabre for a 2004r with 100k on it from an 86 caprice wagon. The wagon had a 301 olds in it and was elderly driven, so I am hoping that its in runable shape with a shift kit and filter change behind my 340 2bbl. I know that I will have to fab up a tv cable mount, but I was wondering on tailshaft and/or overall length differences between the two trannies. o No:
the 200r4 and the st300 are about the same length had the st300 in my skylark and installed a 200r4 last year, made my own mount and carb adapter works great with 390 gears i am at 1950rpm at 60mph, but I had a few lock up problems I tried the vac type controller set @8hg and the b&m lock-up controller, you should get the b&m style lock up controller and set it @ about 48mph. I also used the same yokes didnt have to buy new ones, even the speedo cable went rate in but I changed the drive gears to get the right ratio they are avalible but not as many combinations as the 700r4, my engine is a 340 and used a lock-up 85 vette converter and the old flexplate, had my tranny built with hard input shaft and super servo the only thing that i should of got was the red alto band that i would highly recomend.
I also have a police spec 700r4 with about 40K mi on rebuild. Aside from adapter plate and gear spread, would there be any good/bad points to using the 700 which I know is a good running trans(I was driving the car before I pulled the trans) instead of the 200. I could see maybe driveshaft length, trans tunnel, and trans mount mods being possible problems.
the 700 is a stronger trany out of the box but the 200 can be made to handle alot of horsepower, the base 200 will handle a stock motor. the drive shaft will have to be cut and I also read a few fitment problems with the skinny tunnel and you have to hammer it a bit, i did not want to do any of this the 200 will be a cheaper swap for you, no adapter or driveshaft to cut also the st300 yoke can be used, and the tranny cooling lines work, you do half to move your crossmember back a bit but not hard at all. I could send you some pics and stuff i have if you send me a pm with a good e-mail, gary
If you aren't planning on a rear gear swap, then the 200r4 will be the wrong choice IMO. Your hiway RPMs will be way too low and put the engine out of it's power band. Go with a turbo 350 unless you swap in at least a 3.23 or lower gearset. I too went with a 3.90 gear for added performance out of the hole, but if I kept the stock 2.78 gear then the overdrive is not needed. Do you know what gear you have now? I would assume it is a 2.78 or thereabouts. Brian:beer
