Im not a fan of the 200's because for the money your spending to build it, you can get a 700R4 or 460le. Just my .02

 

I agree with Steve.
Cores for built 200 are getting scarce. Most places want you to furnish the core. Because most of them (other than the Buick GNX) were light duty applications behind V6's they need a lot of modifying to handle more hp.

If you had a 3.73 or 4.10 rear, the 200 gearing might work better, but with that 3.50 screw, you could benefit from the extra low first gear in a 460LE. Of course, you can go 700, but you have the exact same TV issues as 200. Some guys complain of a giant "hole" between first and second, but it is mostly guys that haven't actually driven one with the right rear gear. Ever driven a 90's Suburban? Never heard any Suburban owner complain about the 1-2 gear spread.

There are many good used 4L60E trannys available. If you don't want to take a chance on used, have a local rebuilder go through it.

I see you are in OK. I am in Guthrie. Feel free to PM me. I just did this swap: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/33-...3-transmission-driveline/843449-4l60e-upgrade-update-questions.html#post8882257

As you can see, I only paid $300 for the trans. I spent about $1000 on a controller, remote tps set up, and speedo controller. Still way less than the $2000 I was looking at for a 200.

I did make two mistakes. 1. The trans I got for $300 was only used 6 months, so I assumed the front seal was good. While I had it out, it was really stupid of me NOT to change out the front seal. It is leaking a bit, so now I have to pull the trans to get to it. 2. I should have hooked up the cooler lines to the trans before installing the engine and trans. I was able to get them in, but would have been much easier before install.

 

200R4: Close ratio; same DS as the TH350, same length and mount locations as TH400 -- which means it's pretty much a drop in on 60' and 70's muscle cars; extreme ability because the GNX crowd developed them to live behind big HP (buddy as a 600 RWD pounding a 200). Cores are dual pattern. Starting to get hard to find. If I did it again, I'd do a 200.

700: Wide ratio; All mechanical. The original high performance and truck transmission -- history may defer to the 200 but back in the day it was the 700 if you wanted OD; shorten your DS, modify your trans cross member bolt holes. Might require floor mods (my 67 did not.) Very low first gear. If I'm not on it, I'm into second gear before I'm through the intersection. As far as Lynn's comments about "the hole" I agree. Most guys on this site with a 700 will suggest a 3:53 rear gear. Mine has a 3:73 and I can fell "the hole". But I like the 3:73 and you learn to drive through it.

4L60: TH700 by another name. Out of production after about 1993. So, it's a 20+ plus old product. Doesn't feel like it with 50 year old cars, but it is.

4L60E: the 4L60 with electronic valve body. TV cable goes away. Figure out the electronic speedo --mdight be able to put a TH700 tail on it. GPS speedos are starting to make this a non issue but are expensive. A computer is required. A place to put it and an upgraded alternator may be required.

TH400 = 3L80 (for reference)

4L80E is the 3L80 with over drive an electronics. Same electrics issues and costs as with the 4L60E. Bullet proof for a street muscle car.

 

Have you checked with Lonnie?

2004R-Extreme Automatics

 

I'm not an automatic guy at all, so I'd recommend a 5 or 6 speed stick...ha ha. Hat being said, last fall I helped a buddy swap out his T-350 for a worked over 200-R4 in his 67 Camaro. It really wasn't a piece of cake. No changing of the driveshaft, everything bolted right up, and we had zero issues. It really made a difference with his 3:73 gears.

 

I would recommend Jake at Jake?s Performance ? Where quality and innovation breed top performance

If you do not not want to spend $$ on a Computer then one of jake's 4L80-2FM
full manual Shift trans is the way to go 4L80E ? Jake?s Performance

 

If a 5 or 6-speed manual trans interests you at all, let us know and we'd be happy to help.