[Globemaster68]

I posted this in the welcome section as a reply, but thought I would post it here also. I need some advice on a new tranny. My current setup doesnt really allow for realistic highway cruising. I need a low first gear like the powerglide has, but something lower for highway cruising like the 700R4. Any advice is welcome. Thanks in advance!

I have the powerglide and I put 3.73 gears and a 3000 stall to remedy a hesitation problem I had leaving the line because of the cam I have. All that fixed the problem, but now it winds out on the highway because of the gears. I am trying to figure out what the best tranny to use is. Maybe something with an overdrive and a locker torque converter. I looked at the 700R4, but am worried about the very low 1st gear combined with the 3.73s. Does anyone know anything about the 2004R? It has a more tolerant first gear that is closer to what the power glide has, but is still higher. I dont know much about this tranny, but would like to do more long distance cruising with my car, but cant really do that with the way it is right now. The current setup is great for around town and short highway cruising. I just dont know anything about this tranny.

Any thoughts?

[camaromaniac]

Hi Brian,

Good question/post. I think there is a lot of good info on here regarding the 700 R4 and the 200 4R tranny swap. I'm thinking we have a sticky on here that allows you to input your wheel size, motor, tranny & rear end numbers to come out with an RPM for each gear, which is or would be really neat. If someone on here can point us in that direction, please advise. Thanks, Charlie 69 RS

[mike p]

www.richmondgear.com has a good calculator. For a 200 4R tranny, the final (overdrive) ratio is .67. For a Powerglide, TH-350, TH-400, etc, the final ratio is 1.

[JimM]

200 4r will fix you right up, and it's close to a boltin.

[67 Plain Jane]

I have 2004r in my 67' and with a multi-fit housing, it was a direct bolt-in with the exception of a different crossmember which i got from BTO. Even the driveshaft bolts right up. I've heard the 86-88 trans were the best ones but i'm not sure on that. Mine is out of an 87' Grand Prix

Tom

[Globemaster68]

Originally Posted by 67 Plain Jane

I have 2004r in my 67' and with a multi-fit housing, it was a direct bolt-in with the exception of a different crossmember which i got from BTO. Even the driveshaft bolts right up. I've heard the 86-88 trans were the best ones but i'm not sure on that. Mine is out of an 87' Grand Prix

Tom

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. Tom, do you have a locker converter or a non Lock? What gears are you running in the rear? Is there a good source for the 2004Rs that anyone would like to recommend?

[Rocketrod]

Must reads before you buy!
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/tra...ing-2004r.html

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/tra...y-who-who.html

I bought my 200-4R from an individual, username Brian, on www.turbobuick.com. Here is a link to a current trans he has for sale. He will also custom build you a tran if you'd like.
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/par...ly-driver.html

As far as which trannies are best really depends on your application. The references to the 86-88's, BRF coded, trannies being the "best" has to do with the valve bodies.

Also if you go with the BTO crossmember elongate the holes where the transmission mount bolts to the crossmember as it makes life a lot easier to get thing lined up when you install it.

I bought my converter from http://patsperformanceconverters.com/ based on Brian's recommendation. I went with p/n 1003XHD, which is a 10” lockup converter w/ Anti-balloon Plates.

What type of shifter do you pan on using?

[Globemaster68]

Rod,

thanks for the great links and info. I may give Brian a call. Quite honestly, I havent gotten to the shifter yet. I have a custom console in my camaro that is formed around the original PG horse shoe shifter and camaro console. It's all fiberglass lighted, has gages and speakers in it. But I think I am going to have to come up with something different, but hate to get rid of it. Any thoughts on a shifter are welcome also.

From the sound of your signature block, we have a very similar set up. Mine is a 68 convertible, 355 with 3.73 posi, also. How long have you had the 2004R? Have you had any issues with it? Thanks again for the info!

Brian

[Rocketrod]

No issues, but then I only put 275 miles on the car with the 2004R before I removed the subframe, which didn't make the wife real happy.

No real suggestions on the shifter as I am torn between installing a 4th gen console and stock shifter or building one from scratch. I wouldn't mind seeing pics of the custom console you mentioned as it sounds like a sweet setup. Also what part of St. Louis are you from? I have family in St. Charles.

[Globemaster68]

My wife just shakes her head any more when I come up with my moments of inspiration!

I will hunt down a picture of the console. I will have to figure out the shifter issue...one bridge at a time. May have to wait for a new "inspiration"!

I am on the Illinois side in Belleville. I go out to St Charles every now and then. Nice area.

[mike p]

Main street in Belleville used to be quite a popular cruise back in the early 80s!

[67FamilyFun]

Brian,
I second what Rod says. I bought my 200-4R from Brian also. He is a great guy to deal with. I've got about 3000 miles on mine behind a ZZ454 w/3.55's.
Mines not a BRF...I can't remember the valve body...I'll search it up later...but it was a better valve body for the torquey 454.
Oh to stop the wife's head-shaking, you have to get her her own...

[67FamilyFun]

Here's a cut/paste from an earlier post I made...sorta outlines what I needed to do the swap:

I recently went from a TH350 (3 speed auto) to a 200-4R (4 speed auto with lockup converter).

200-4R tranny conversion list:
- Transmission - The Mid 80's Monte SS is a good donor. It's all in the valve body, CZ and CQ valve bodies are supposed to work well. Lots of places to get these. I got mine from an independent builder named Brian Hofer over at www.turbobuick.com. Search his name, you'll see he is very well thought of by guys with some very powerful cars.
- Converter - Pats Converters made mine. Since you can do lockup with the 200-4R, you can enjoy the benefits of a higher stall speed converter for racing/acceleration and enjoy the benefits of low rpms on the highway when locked up.
- TH400 crossmember (may require removal/welding of the mount pad or slotting of the mount holes)
- Driveshaft - The 200-4R is 27-11/16" long. A TH350 is the same length and could use the same driveshaft. A long tail PG is only 1/8" shorter. The 200-4R takes a 27-spline yoke. A TH400 driveshaft is longer and will require shortening of the driveshaft.
- TV Cable and geometry correcting bracketry (see Bowtie Overdrives(BTO) at www.tvmadeez.com )
- Lock up wiring including new brake switch (see B&M, BTO, or homemade)
- Dipstick
- New shifter cam and linkage (www.shiftworks.com)
- Definitely recommended to have a dedicated air/oil heat exchanger in place of, or in series with the radiators internal cooler.
- Transmission mount. Some have used the 3 hole transmission mount and only used the center hole to mate to the crossmember to minimize adaptation of the TH400 crossmember
- 12 Quarts Dextron III

Thinks that's about it.

[Globemaster68]

Originally Posted by mike p

Main street in Belleville used to be quite a popular cruise back in the early 80s!

Not so much any more. There are a lot of hot rods around here, but main street is not where they hang out. There used to be a Johnny Rockets around exit 16 that had drive ins every 3rd Saturday that would draw 2-300 cars every time. I just got back from Iraq to find the place closed. Bummer!

[Globemaster68]

Originally Posted by 67FamilyFun

Here's a cut/paste from an earlier post I made...sorta outlines what I needed to do the swap:

Scott,

Thanks for the great info. I think I am going to go with Brian. I read alot of his feedback on Turbobuicks.com and he comes highly recommended there also.

As far as stopping the head shaking...my licenseplate says it all...IOHER1!

Thanks again!
Brian