200r4 shift linkage

Discussion in 'The "Juice Box"' started by sidslc, Sep 14, 2004.

  1. sidslc

    sidslc New Member

    just wondering if the shift linkage from the colum would work with the 200r4 in a 70/71/72 GS and what modifications would I have to do to the tranny mount/crossmember. The other thing that I am thinking about is the gear vendors overdrive unit but I'm not sure if I would have to modify the tunnel. anybody Know? Or I guess that if money was no object one could get one of thoes 4l80e transplant kits from Hughes transmissions for $4500.00. Anyway I'm not sure what to do but I need over drive.
     
  2. GStage1

    GStage1 Always looking for parts!

    200 will drop in place, supposed to be the same length as a TH350. You will have to fab or buy a TV cable brkt set-up for the carb.
     
  3. avc1966

    avc1966 Well-Known Member

    Colum shift worked fine on the wagon. Tony
     
  4. projectman

    projectman Well-Known Member

    I'm around half-way into this swap

    yep, the column linkage fits.
    The crossmember moves back around 6 inches to mate up with the 200R4.
    You will have to drill new holes in the frame to bolt it back up.
    This troubles me some.. I installed a 200r4 in my 65 skylark and the driveline angle is different since the crossmember is sitting on a slightly raised part of the frame now. Bowtie overdrives has a crossmember designed for this swap and the price looks reasonable.
    Its for the same year chevelle, a-body is an a-body...right?
    take a look
    http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/catalog/catalog_inc/viewitem.php?ITEMID=83

    Also take a look around the rest of that website, theres a lot of info on this conversion i.e. TV cables, brackets and the like.
    Another thing is the emergency brake cable is too long once the crossmember is that far back. That would need to be addressed.
     
  5. NOTNSS

    NOTNSS Gold Level Contributor

    No need for new holes in the frame on a '70-'72. I just installed my 200 in the existing holes (rear). The stock crossmember works also and my pinion angle came out to -2 where I had it set with the 400.
     
  6. projectman

    projectman Well-Known Member

    oh.. yeah.. he did say 70-72.. didn't he.

    uh.. nevermind... :error:
     
  7. sailbrd

    sailbrd Well-Known Member

    Just finished with this swap. Went from the 400 to the 200. Had no problem with the frame holes lining up. Used a PST poly transmission mount and liked that a lot, well worth the $15 over rubber. Had to get a "long" 350 transmission yoke to use the same driveshaft.

    Bowtie overdrives is a very good organization to work with. I had them do a custom setup on my q-jet for the TV cable system. There are cheaper ways to do this but there system works great. I can get a 4th to 1st downshift by mashing the throttle.

    I also put in a B&M Megashifter. Like that so far. Wish I had mounted it a little farther forward than I did. I have it in about the same position as a stock console shifter and it is a little awkward to ratchet the downshifts. One thing with the B&M shifter is you lose your link to the steering column. Will work on getting that back next summer.

    So far (300 miles) this system works great. With the new motor I am running about 400 to 450 HP. Will be more when I get it tuned better.
     
  8. NOTNSS

    NOTNSS Gold Level Contributor

     
  9. sidslc

    sidslc New Member

    I guess the thing that is still not that clear is the spacing/travel the shift linkage has between oh lets say park to reverse and so on are the same. I would like to retain the stock shifter. The dash and colum on the car I just bought is perfect.
     
  10. avc1966

    avc1966 Well-Known Member

    On the sportwagon, park through L1 is right on, the shifter just pulls pass L1 to get the new 1st gear. The first gear with the 200R doesn't register on the column, but all the others are fine. Drive becomes OD and so on. Tony
     

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