Can I easily build my 71 454 w/ TH400 and 3.31 to outlaunch a 71 454 w/ 2004R and 4.10? Which combo would you experts recommend? Looking for performance off the line, strength, and highway driveability. Thanks!! :confused: graemlins/clonk.gif

A 200R4 w/4.10's is alot of 1st gear (almost like a TH400 w/4.88's)..I'd go with either 3.73's or keep the 3.31's
Personally,I'm very happy with my 3.31's/TH400

..it might be easier to pick an ET goal,and go from there..say your goal is mid 12's,well you can certainly build a 454 that can do that with a 200R4/3.31 combo,so the overdrive is just icing on the cake.

Mr 4 Speed - I was just reading your post in Trans forum. Thanks for the info and advice!!!! I get what you are saying about the 2004R/3.31 combo, but will the 2004R be strong enough for the big block over an extended period of time and street horsing around? I guess I'm leary about giving up the strength of the TH400.

Set up properly,a 200R4 should withstand the torque of a big block,but it will cost a little cash.Theres a few guys here at TC that run big blocks with the 200R4

To hold up behind a well set-up 454, you will need to put around $1200-1500 into a 200R4. But the gear will certainly help the car launch (if you can hook it up), and the overdrive is hard to beat if you drive on the highway much. I also would choose 3:73 over a 4:10 with the 200R4.

I would go with a 400 or even a well prepped 350. If you build your motor for torque you can easily pull a 3.31 gear.Ive ridden in several different chevelles with overdrive trannys and have yet to like one.I had a 496 400 tranny and 3.36 gears,drove 160 miles at 75 to 85mph.The 400 has a lower 1st 2.48,the 350 has 2.52.

I am running a 461 BBC in front of my TCI 200 4R with 3.31 rear gears. I really like the setup. It launchs pretty good with my 2800 stall lockup convertor. The 3.31 rear gears goes well with the 2.74 first gear of the 200 4R. I have never taken it to the trak so don't have any times. I'd never give up my OD now, its great, and with a lockable convertor I cruise at 1950 rpm at 70 mph, which is easy on my BBC.

I have a 427 with 3.73's and 200-4R and the deeper first gear definitely makes it more fun from a standing start..
Track times in a few weeks prolly.

The 200-4R's first ratio would work well with a BBC and a moderate gear like a 3.31-3.73 IMO.

The OD will work well with anything as deep as mid 4 ratio..

Me personally if starting from scratch I would run a 3.55 and 200-4R for a mostly street car. Trying to actually hook the 2.74 first through a 4.10 rear would be fun with any torquey setup.

Originally posted by wayner:
I'd never give up my OD now, its great, and with a lockable convertor I cruise at 1950 rpm at 70 mph, which is easy on my BBC. graemlins/beers.gif

I'll never go back either!

Thank you all very much!!