[Old Buzzard]

Dave Husek on the east coast, Jimmie in Mundelein/Chicago, Lonnie/Extreme in Ohio, Mike Kurtz at Century in TX are all guys with extensive 2004R trans experience.
These guys all build hipo 200's for the Buicks.
Anyone needing an addy, LMK as I'm on the turbobuick.com board daily.

 

[Mike52pan]

200-4R Transmission: The Holy Grail of Power, Fuel Efficiency

With a little magic and some elbow grease, GM's 200-4R transmission can transform into your personal holy grail of power and fuel efficiency. Here's how.

gearstar.com

How to Build a TH200-4R Transmission for Drag Racing

Art Carr shows us how he builds the TH200-4R four-speed OD transmission to handle supercharged big-block power at the drag strip.

www.motortrend.com

Thanks for the info Buzzard all information I can educate myself with helps

 

[Mike52pan]

200-4R Transmission: The Holy Grail of Power, Fuel Efficiency

With a little magic and some elbow grease, GM's 200-4R transmission can transform into your personal holy grail of power and fuel efficiency. Here's how.

gearstar.com

How to Build a TH200-4R Transmission for Drag Racing

Art Carr shows us how he builds the TH200-4R four-speed OD transmission to handle supercharged big-block power at the drag strip.

www.motortrend.com

Twin Engines sorry I gave Old Buzzard credit for your post, I do appreciate your help

 

[Mike52pan]

Dave Husek on the east coast, Jimmie in Mundelein/Chicago, Lonnie/Extreme in Ohio, Mike Kurtz at Century in TX are all guys with extensive 2004R trans experience.
These guys all build hipo 200's for the Buicks.
Anyone needing an addy, LMK as I'm on the turbobuick.com board daily.

Thanks Old Buzzard, at mw55s suggestion I’ve been reading GN forums for 200r4 info and Dave in NY, and Lonnie in Ohio seem to be highly recommended by the Grand National guys. I’ll go on line today and check out Century in Texas and Jimmie in Chicago, I’m gonna educate myself more before I spend any money. We have snow on the ground and the temp is hovering and sometimes dipping below zero here in Montana so I won’t start a project until I can pick up a tool without my hand sticking to it.

 

[asbicca]

Bowtie Overdrive, Hesperia,CA,
(760) 947-5240
Stage 3 200R4, I have two of them, one behind a DART SHP 427 SBC that makes at least 500HP, and the other behind a ZZ 383. Both cars are 2 dr. Wagons, so not light weight. I have raced the 427 numerous times with no problems from the trans.
They are very particular about setting up their transmissions. TV cable setup is critical for proper operation of a 200R4
and they make sure you have it right before they will warranty your trans.
They also make custom brackets for the more popular EFI and Carb TV Cable mounts so the geometry is correct thru the entire path of the throttle movement.

 

[Mike52pan]

Bowtie Overdrive, Hesperia,CA,
(760) 947-5240
Stage 3 200R4, I have two of them, one behind a DART SHP 427 SBC that makes at least 500HP, and the other behind a ZZ 383. Both cars are 2 dr. Wagons, so not light weight. I have raced the 427 numerous times with no problems from the trans.
They are very particular about setting up their transmissions. TV cable setup is critical for proper operation of a 200R4
and they make sure you have it right before they will warranty your trans.
They also make custom brackets for the more popular EFI and Carb TV Cable mounts so the geometry is correct thru the entire path of the throttle movement.
View attachment 388990
View attachment 388992

Bowtie Overdrive, Hesperia,CA,
(760) 947-5240
Stage 3 200R4, I have two of them, one behind a DART SHP 427 SBC that makes at least 500HP, and the other behind a ZZ 383. Both cars are 2 dr. Wagons, so not light weight. I have raced the 427 numerous times with no problems from the trans.
They are very particular about setting up their transmissions. TV cable setup is critical for proper operation of a 200R4
and they make sure you have it right before they will warranty your trans.
They also make custom brackets for the more popular EFI and Carb TV Cable mounts so the geometry is correct thru the entire path of the throttle movement.
View attachment 388990
View attachment 388992

Thanks for the information asbicca I’ve seen Bowtie mentioned on several Grand National forums and will look them up online or give them a call. Nice setup on your 427 wagon, how are its manners on the street. I’ve got a 427 with AFR 210 heads and comp hydraulic roller cam that should make around 500 crank shaft hp sitting on an engine stand that I plan to put in a 56 cameo truck. I have another dart 427 short block I plan on putting AFR 220 heads on, but am now thinking about a milder cam for street use. If you have any recommendations for cams I’d appreciate them.

 

[asbicca]

Thanks for the information asbicca I’ve seen Bowtie mentioned on several Grand National forums and will look them up online or give them a call. Nice setup on your 427 wagon, how are its manners on the street. I’ve got a 427 with AFR 210 heads and comp hydraulic roller cam that should make around 500 crank shaft hp sitting on an engine stand that I plan to put in a 56 cameo truck. I have another dart 427 short block I plan on putting AFR 220 heads on, but am now thinking about a milder cam for street use. If you have any recommendations for cams I’d appreciate them.

I cannot make a cam recommendation because I am running a Comp Cam XFI for EFI, which needs at least 113 degrees of lob separation so the computer is happy.

 

[Mike52pan]

I cannot make a cam recommendation because I am running a Comp Cam XFI for EFI, which needs at least 113 degrees of lob separation so the computer is happy.

EFI is another thing I need to educate myself on, been reading about the Sniper and FI Tech systems. Thanks again for the input

 

[asbicca]

I am actually running an Edelbrock intake and throttle Body with a FAST ECU and harness because when I built the engine FAST was a self learning system while the Edelbrock was not.
Now that they are all within the same company I would look at the Edelbrock setup. It has that tunnel ram look which I like.

 

[Mike52pan]

I am actually running an Edelbrock intake and throttle Body with a FAST ECU and harness because when I built the engine FAST was a self learning system while the Edelbrock was not.
Now that they are all within the same company I would look at the Edelbrock setup. It has that tunnel ram look which I like.

Really like the look of your Edelbrock EFI system, most articles I’ve found on EFI systems concentrate on the Sniper and Fi Tech systems. All these high dollar parts are going to force me out of retirement 😁

 

[twin engines]

If you want to go bulletproof and avoid all of this, as TV cables can be challenging,

TH350 or TH400 and a Gear Vendors OD unit is nearly indestructible.

 

[Mike52pan]

If you want to go bulletproof and avoid all of this, as TV cables can be challenging,

TH350 or TH400 and a Gear Vendors OD unit is nearly indestructible.

I’ve thought about going that route but that comes with its own set of problems. Cost being the main one, a gear vender is around $2600 by itself plus the cost of the trans you’re over 5 grand before you know it. Being retired on a fixed income I strive to get the most for my money, I don’t think I’m cheap but I’m very very frugal.

 

[56ls408]

I would say if you are looking at adding F I & an overdrive transmission then I'd consider The Holley Terminator X & either a built 4L65E or 4L80e. Possible less cost as far as the transmission goes & can be supplied or built by a local quality transmission shop with high performance experience. The 4L80s have better gear ratios & need less to live at your stated power levels but I have had good luck with 4L65e at about 525-550 crank hp with several hp Sonnax parts & a decent converter installed.

 

[Mike52pan]

I cannot make a cam recommendation because I am running a Comp Cam XFI for EFI, which needs at least 113 degrees of lob separation so the computer is happy.

Asbicca this is off the subject, but could I pick your brain on your engine build. Is your 427 4 x4.125 or 3.875x 4.185 and if 4 inch stroke did you use a small base circle cam or clearance the rods. My 427 is still a short block with a 4 inch stroke that I’m thinking about grinding the rods for clearance. I’d like to avoid a small base cam if possible, I’m looking at comp cam XFI 292

 

[Mike52pan]

I would say if you are looking at adding F I & an overdrive transmission then I'd consider The Holley Terminator X & either a built 4L65E or 4L80e. Possible less cost as far as the transmission goes & can be supplied or built by a local quality transmission shop with high performance experience. The 4L80s have better gear ratios & need less to live at your stated power levels but I have had good luck with 4L65e at about 525-550 crank hp with several hp Sonnax parts & a decent converter installed.

We have a drag track about 30 miles from town, next spring I’ll get with those guys and see who builds their transmissions. It’s supposed to be -7 below tonight and colder tomorrow I won’t be doing NOTHING until it warms up. I need to finish building my engine then I’ll have a better idea of what I need in a transmission. I’m from Texas and lived in California for 26 years until I retired so I get nervous and slow down in icy weather but the natives know how to drive in icy conditions consequently body shops and wreckers do a booming business here during the winter. We’re friends with the wrecking yard owner here and I’ll ask him to keep a eye out for me, by the time the ice melts he should have a good selection of low mile trans for sale. Thanks for the input

 

[asbicca]

Dart 427 SBC SHP Short block 4.125 x 4.00, AFR Eliminator 210 heads with 65cc chambers (11.5 to 1 CR), Comp Cam XFI 280 ( Small Base Circle). This engine was built back in 2016 so I am sure some things have changed

 

[Mike52pan]

Dart 427 SBC SHP Short block 4.125 x 4.00, AFR Eliminator 210 heads with 65cc chambers (11.5 to 1 CR), Comp Cam XFI 280 ( Small Base Circle). This engine was built back in 2016 so I am sure some things have changed

I too have the 4 inch stroke, if I was to do it all over again I’d stick with a 3.875 crank and make a 421cid small block. From what I read online you can use a standard base circle cam with a 3.875 stroke and some of the new stroker rods. Thanks for sharing your information with me

 

[rwagon]

I'm a 200-4R fan, three cores on floor lined up for our Wagon. I Agree with everything said about the 700R4 and the cost for the 4L60Electornics dead ends pretty quickly. While most local shops cannot spell 200-4R, they share many of the same 700R4 parts, but in a vintage multi-fit case and better gear ratios for classic rides. The labor to tear down, rebuild, re-assemble isn't too bad. Parts availability is still pretty good. TV cable/geometry, genuine bracket for carb, and measured line pressures are a must.

 

[Old Buzzard]

I agree. In our Buick community, there are many 9 sec 200's behind the turbo v sicks.
A 9 sec 200 isn't cheap, but done right, it's a good choice.

 

[56ls408]

I'm a 200-4R fan, three cores on floor lined up for our Wagon. I Agree with everything said about the 700R4 and the cost for the 4L60Electornics dead ends pretty quickly. While most local shops cannot spell 200-4R, they share many of the same 700R4 parts, but in a vintage multi-fit case and better gear ratios for classic rides. The labor to tear down, rebuild, re-assemble isn't too bad. Parts availability is still pretty good. TV cable/geometry, genuine bracket for carb, and measured line pressures are a must.

I have to take exception with one thing said in this post.Parts are not the same between the two transmissions 700R4 & 200 4R they do both have they're own designed pieces that accomplish the same functions but are not the interchangable.