200r4 Vs 700r4

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Notices INTRODUCING: Infinite Scroll & Related Threads Community Links Pictures & Albums Members List Search Forums Show Threads Show Posts Tag Search Advanced Search Go to Page... 200r4 vs 700r4 Reply Subscribe Thread Tools Search this Thread August 3rd, 2013 | 07:31 PM #1 Sampson Thread Starter Registered User Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 1,603 From: Fuquay Varina NC 200r4 vs 700r4 I have been considering a 200r4 for my 72 cutlass 350 with TH350. I was at a family gathering today and talking with a guy who knows transmissions. He runs his own shop and specializes in TH 400's for race duty. I am talking to him about the 200r4 and his first question is why aren't you looking at a 700r4 for this swap instead. In his opinion a much better trans. My answer was everyone on CO uses the 200r4. So now I am wondering why? By the way I am running 3:42's now. Reply Sampson View Public Profile Find More Posts by Sampson August 4th, 2013 | 01:26 AM #2 DoubleV Registered User Joined: Jul 2012 Posts: 370 I'm not an expert on these transmissions by any means so I listen to what the proven tranny big wigs have to say, and in my experience, what the vast majority of them say is that the 2004r is the better trans for various reasons. There's plenty of quality parts available for them and they have a much better gear spread than the 700r4. If a 2004r can be built to last behind high powered Buick GN's, then that's proof they can do the job. OTOH, I don't see too many people putting out that kind of power and putting it through a 700r4 ( not that it can't be done, just that I don't see it much myself ). Of course a 700r4 also needs an adaptor plate to fit behind an Olds too! In the end, both trannys can get the job done, but IMO the 2004r is the way to go, especially in a non Chevy. Reply DoubleV View Public Profile Find More Posts by DoubleV August 4th, 2013 | 07:56 AM #3 rocketraider Oldsdruid Joined: Dec 2007 Posts: 10,644 From: Southside Vajenya The 200 is a bolt-in, no fooling with adapters and all the headache that can create. Add and properly set the TV cable and it will be much better suited to your car for reasons DoubleV stated. Gear ratios are MUCH better on the 200- driving a 700 reminds me a lot of a Slim Jim HydraMatic with that wide 1-2 gear spread, and the deeper your rear gear, the more pronounced that lurch will be. I'm reminded of what an Olds Zone service rep told me back in the mid 80s when they were regularly frying 200s behind Turbo Buicks and for that matter in normal cars in mountainous areas. HydraMatic Division kept saying they couldn't build a transmission to stand up under those conditions. Huh? they had built them to stand up behind bigblock Buick/Olds/Pontiac/Chevy engines with no trouble before. The truth was the bean counters would not let them properly build the trannys due to cost factors. When it became obvious warranty costs were eating their lunch, the later 200s became very good and durable transmissions. Aftermarket took care of the remaining issues. So, my vote is 200 for an Olds application. Reply rocketraider View Public Profile Find More Posts by rocketraider August 4th, 2013 | 08:23 AM #4 Sampson Thread Starter Registered User Joined: Dec 2012 Posts: 1,603 From: Fuquay Varina NC Thanks for the input guys. I had no idea that the 700 needed an adapter plate. I guess my friend was a Chebbie Guy. I also think part of his suggestion was coming from the availability of 700's....... Reply Sampson View Public Profile Find More Posts by Sampson August 4th, 2013 | 09:00 AM #5 oldcutlass Administrator Joined: Oct 2009 Posts: 41,241 From: Poteau, Ok He's right, out of the box a 700 is stronger. As the others have said a 200 is easy to beef up and does work well. Plus for you to go to a 200 there are no major changes and quite easy. It's just swallowing the cost. Reply oldcutlass View Public Profile Find More Posts by oldcutlass August 4th, 2013 | 09:23 AM #6 Joffroi Runner Joined: Jun 2010 Posts: 1,714 From: Ballwin, MO I have a 700r4 on my 1972 Cutlass Supreme and love it. Previous owner did the work on the car so I speak for the work to put in it, but its paired with a 69 350 engine and parks tires very well. Reply Joffroi View Public Profile Find More Posts by Joffroi August 4th, 2013 | 10:12 AM #7 joe_padavano Old(s) Fart Joined: Mar 2007 Posts: 48,500 From: Northern VA I will disagree that the 700R4 is strong enough "out of the box". If it were, GM wouldn't have upgraded them into the 4L65E and 4L70E. Since both a 200-4R and a 700R4 need to be upgraded to live behind a reasonable Olds V8, the 200-4R is the trans of choice for several reasons: 1) As noted above, it comes with a BOP bellhousing. 700R4s do not and require an adapter. 2) The 200-4R is the same overall length as a TH350, so the existing driveshaft and yoke can usually be used. The 700R4 is a unique length and requires a custom driveshaft in most cars (unless you have a car where the Chevy version did come from the factory with a 700R4). 3) The 200-4R puts the trans crossmember in the same place as does a TH400. For all 1966-73 cars where the TH400 was factory available, no mods are required. On cars where the e-brake cables hang off the crossmember, you can use the TH400 cables. The 700R4 uses a unique crossmember location. 4) The 200-4R has gear ratios of 2.74, 1.57, 1.00, 0.67. The 700R4 ratios are 3.06, 1.63, 1.00, 0.70. That's a significant drop from first to second and less of an OD ratio. This wide ratio trans is more at home behind a smaller V6 than a big V8 with lots of torque and a relatively low redline. Reply joe_padavano View Public Profile Find More Posts by joe_padavano August 4th, 2013 | 11:46 AM #8 Napoleon Solo I'm indecisive. Or am I.. Joined: Dec 2011 Posts: 686 From: Port Coquitlam BC Quote: Originally Posted by joe_padavano I will disagree that the 700R4 is strong enough "out of the box". If it were, GM wouldn't have upgraded them into the 4L65E and 4L70E. Since both a 200-4R and a 700R4 need to be upgraded to live behind a reasonable Olds V8, the 200-4R is the trans of choice for several reasons: 1) As noted above, it comes with a BOP bellhousing. 700R4s do not and require an adapter. 2) The 200-4R is the same overall length as a TH350, so the existing driveshaft and yoke can usually be used. The 700R4 is a unique length and requires a custom driveshaft in most cars (unless you have a car where the Chevy version did come from the factory with a 700R4). 3) The 200-4R puts the trans crossmember in the same place as does a TH400. For all 1966-73 cars where the TH400 was factory available, no mods are required. On cars where the e-brake cables hang off the crossmember, you can use the TH400 cables. The 700R4 uses a unique crossmember location. 4) The 200-4R has gear ratios of 2.74, 1.57, 1.00, 0.67. The 700R4 ratios are 3.06, 1.63, 1.00, 0.70. That's a significant drop from first to second and less of an OD ratio. This wide ratio trans is more at home behind a smaller V6 than a big V8 with lots of torque and a relatively low redline. Holy moses, Joe! You're like Olds special forces. I printed your response and put it in my "info folder" . Going to keep my eyes open for a 200r4 now... Reply Napoleon Solo View Public Profile Visit Napoleon Solo's homepage! Find More Posts by Napoleon Solo September 12th, 2013 | 09:12 PM #9 TexasT Registered User Joined: Apr 2013 Posts: 158 From: Texas Quote: Originally Posted by Napoleon Solo Holy moses, Joe! You're like Olds special forces. I printed your response and put it in my "info folder" . Going to keep my eyes open for a 200r4 now... Go to your local "recycler" and head to the Cadillac section. You want one from an eighties Fleetwood, sedan d'ville or coupe d'ville. It will have a yellow tag on the pass near the tail with an AA code on it. Get the tv cable and the carb brackets(maybe the whole carb). And depending on your goals the torque converter(or get the converter to use as a core). Get one with good cherry red fluid. Reply TexasT View Public Profile Find More Posts by TexasT October 28th, 2013 | 04:26 PM #10 can66 Registered User Joined: Sep 2013 Posts: 60 From: eldee,ont. atta boy joe,i too will vouch for the 200r4 behind my turbo regal,2 yrs ago i broke my old 200r4 and bought a new one at art carr in california and will rebuilt the old one to install behind a 425.if it will handle my high 11's car i'm sure it'll hold the 425.. Attached Images 200r4.JPG (165.0 KB, 59 views) Reply can66 View Public Profile Find More Posts by can66 October 28th, 2013 | 06:25 PM #11 olds 307 and 403 Out of Line, Everytime😉 Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 9,235 From: Melville, Saskatchewan I have both behind mild Olds 350's. A 2004R behind my 88 Cutlass and a 4L60E in my 94 4x4. The 1-2 drop is noticeable in the 4x4, 265/75R16 tires and 3.73 gears do 1750 rpm at 60 mph. The 4L60E(electronic 700R4) is an okay trans but the adapter and shortened drive shaft negate any cost savings. Problem is most shops don't seem to know what to make the 2004R live with decent power. With a mild build only a few mods need to be done to survive. Reply olds 307 and 403 View Public Profile Find More Posts by olds 307 and 403 October 28th, 2013 | 06:30 PM #12 Stevec Registered User Joined: Aug 2010 Posts: 970 From: Southington,Connecticut What type of shifter is used when swapping over to a 200r4? Is there anyway to keep/utilize the factory shifter? Reply Stevec View Public Profile Find More Posts by Stevec October 29th, 2013 | 06:25 PM #13 jag1886 Registered User Joined: Oct 2010 Posts: 1,275 From: Boise ID Quote: Originally Posted by Stevec What type of shifter is used when swapping over to a 200r4? Is there anyway to keep/utilize the factory shifter? Shiftworks conversion. Reply jag1886 View Public Profile Find More Posts by jag1886 October 29th, 2013 | 06:41 PM #14 oldsguybry NOVICE car nut Joined: Nov 2010 Posts: 3,123 From: Milwaukee Wisconsin I have to ask .... I have the 4L60E on my 93 Buick 3800 motor , and it likes to switch in and out of 3rd / OD everytime you let off of the gas . I read it is a solenoid issue inside the transmission . I was hoping that this is not a very difficult repair to do , but I'm not sure what it all entails . edit .... Sorry for the hijack . I started a thread on this issue in the " non-olds " section . Last edited by oldsguybry; October 30th, 2013 at 10:23 AM. Reply oldsguybry View Public Profile Find More Posts by oldsguybry October 29th, 2013 | 07:09 PM #15 therobski Registered User Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 3,141 From: Dallas-Fort Worth Try KugelKomponents.com for shifter conversions kits-easy Reply therobski View Public Profile Find More Posts by therobski February 11th, 2014 | 09:44 PM #16 Jolds86 Registered User Joined: Oct 2013 Posts: 4 From: Sanford, NC I think this is the most interesting and rewarding thread site available for those of us relying on those that have the knowledge and wisdom who have been there and done that, and are so willing to share with others as well thank you and keep up the good work you're doing. Reply Jolds86 View Public Profile Find More Posts by Jolds86 April 2nd, 2014 | 07:43 AM #17 Alex72cutty Registered User Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 585 From: Dallas, Tx Good thread!!! I was going to put a 700r4 in my cutlass with rebuild mild 350, but after reading this I'm going with the 200r4 Reply Alex72cutty View Public Profile Find More Posts by Alex72cutty Reply Subscribe Related Topics Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post Chevy 700r4 Tranny Swap To Olds 455 TOONLOVESCHERYL Cutlass 11 February 4th, 2016 07:30 AM 200r4 vs 700R4 Charly9g Transmission 4 April 5th, 2013 09:06 PM Making a 200r4 stronger than 700r4 BLACKCADDY Parts For Sale 2 June 13th, 2011 07:02 PM Making a 200R4 trans equal or just as strong as a 700R4 BLACKCADDY Transmission 6 May 20th, 2011 03:00 PM Converting from TH400 to 700R4 Jolly Green Transmission 3 February 25th, 2009 08:25 AM Back to Subforum Transmission View Next Unread Just ordered my new shifter Thread Tools Show Printable Version Search this Thread Advanced Search Thread Tools Show Printable Version Email this Page Advanced Search Reply Closed Thread Share

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