I have heard the 200R4 is more similar to the TH350 than the 700R4. Not sure if this is true.

My question is, does the 200R4 have the TV cable or is it vaccuum like the TH350?

 

It's actually a 200-4R. I believe it is TV cable, but someone more knowledgeable than me on it should chime in to verify

 

pretty sure its a tv cable too

 

Yup, should be TV cable. There are a few major differences between the two trannys.

1. The ratios between the gears are closer, so you don't have that big change in rpm between 1 and 2 like on a 700R4. Theoretically better for racing.

2. The 200R4 is smaller than the 700R4 and weighs less.

3. The guts of the 200R4 are smaller as well, so in stock form, they aren't quite as durable as the 700R4, but can be built to handle plenty of power...but at a price.

4. The 200R$ has a multi-bolt pattern, so you can bolt it to any V8 GM ever built up to 1999 or so.

5. The 200R4 was never in a car with a torque arm, so there is no available factoy setup to mount it into a stock suspension 3rd gen....though I am sure that hasn't stopped a person or two from putting one in anyway.

There's more, but this is should highlight most of the important info. Hope this helps.

*EDIT* I have no idea if its R4 or 4R, I have seen it both ways.

 

1.)With a higher stall converter, this is not an issue at all. The 700r4 will get you off the line quicker.

2.)Not by much

3.)Correct on all accounts

4.)Not all of them have the dual pattern. Many were cast with 90* CHEVROLET only patterns. Every BOP I have seen has the Chevy pattern too.

5.)The 2004r came in the 1989 TTA behind the 3.8. Would that have not come with a torque arm?

 

1. Yes, that makes sense, and the 700R4 does have a deeper first gear, correct?

2. They're currently really selling the Art Carr version in Car Craft, and weight savings was one of the points they mentioned.

3. Ok, at least I know something!

4. Well, I haven't seen one without the multipattern on it, but they could be out there.

5. Excellent point, totally forgot about that one. Now, where would I go to find THAT tailstock?

 

You mean the 200c.. right? unless there are others my book doesn't say anything about..

 

Nope, a 200C is a 3 speed transmission. 200R4 or 2004R is a 4 speed (3 with overdrive)

 

No one has mentioned that the 4th Gear on the 200R is a .63 compared to the .70 on the 700R. Should be worth a few MPG's and MPH on the top end.

 

A few things here...

2004R has two different bellhousing patterns, B-O-P only, and Chevy/BOP multi-bolt pattern. The BOP only ones tend to be the early models 82-84ish. Most 85-90 are multi-bolt pattern.

The tailshaft is not removable. If you search this website you will find the pics of the underneath of a 20th Anniversary Trans Am with the 3.8 Buick Turbo engine. It runs the 2004R trans because that's what the Buick Grand National ran. The engine (minus the cylinder heads), trans, ECM all came from the Grand National parts bin.

There was a custom, one off set of engine mounts, and a one-off trans crossmember used. This crossmember has the torque arm mounted to it instead of having the torque arm mounted to the transmission. You will have serious trouble finding this part, but SPOHN and others sell the proper crossmember for you to run it with a separate torque arm.

The driveshaft is a different length. You will need either an 89 TTA driveshaft, or an 82-83 driveshaft from a car with the 3 speed auto, which would have been the TH200C.

The TH200C has the trans mount in a different location than the other transmissions, so it won't help you put a 2004R in. The 700R4 crossmember is the right length, but you will need to put in a provision to mount the torque arm away from the trans.

Good luck guys!!

 

.67

The f-body 700-R4 trans. mount location is forward of the 200-4R location a few inches.

 

Thanks for that clarification.

My last 2004R install was in my Cutlass, and I did have to move the crossmember back. Its in the TH400 location now, and fits good.

I'm looking forward to swapping this trans into my 89 bird, and since I have to fab up the torque arm mount anyway, I guess I will go ahead and modify the crossmember to move the mount pad rearward.

Thanks for the pics!

 

i did that swap to a 79 regal to gain overdrive .those transmissions in stock calibration suck.they share more in common with the 200c,which also sucks.the 700 is the way to go.the 2004r's melt down behind stock 307 olds motor.a friend of mine with a tta is constantly breaking them.

 

The 700R4 in stock form, is no better than a 2004R in stock form. All can be broken, and they both work well if they are new. Getting a used one and putting it in, then having sluggishness, etc, doesn't take into account the abuse it may have suffered before you put it in, or the poor quality of the rebuild before you got it.

Every stock 700R4 I have had has broken the reverse reaction carrier, sooner rather than later. This includes my current 89 'Bird.

The reason I want to swap to the 2004R is the gear set. I don't need a 3.08 gear set and then a huge jump to 1.45 or whatever the next gear is. The 2004R starts at 2.76 then goes to 1.75 or so and then to 1. Overdrive is better too. It just stays more consistent, which I'm sure is the reason why the turbo Buick guys rebuild their 2004R trannys instead of swapping to a 700R4.

Sorry you had a bad experience with yours; you should rebuild it first and experience what it feels like when its right.

 

i would never reccomend a 700r4 behind a turbo buick,a th350 would make more sense. a 2004r behind a chevy motor is just pointless.the 700r4 and a 200r4 stock for stock the 700r4 is hands down better.a lot is made to the gear ratio drop.i dont buy it, any gear ratio of 308 or higher ,its unnoticeable.if you have 273's its like shifting first to 4th.im not a fan of the 2004r.

700r4's take a serious beating,i plow with them.

 

I don't see how putting a 2004R behind a chevy engine is pointless; it has the same gear ratios as a TH350 until you get to overdrive... The effect while driving is that it keeps the rpms between shifts in the same place a TH350 keeps them.

Anyway, I break 700R4 transmissions, and I don't like the gear set. If you do, then good.

I have had great success with the 2004R transmissions, both behind turbo Buick engines and other V8s as well. I am just using what my experience has taught me. If you are doing the same, but with a different trans, then all is well.

Have fun!

 

to each his own