Sam (Bones) Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 I been kicking around the idea of retiring my faithful turbo 400 for a 200-4R to take advantage of overdrive so I can take some real road trips recommendations for good builders/suppliers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winston Wolf Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 If you want one to last, you need to get it built by someone who builds them for the fast turbo buicks. I don't know how much power this new engine you put in had, but I suggest "Buy once, cry once". Go billet internals and buy a good converter with a multi-disc lockup. Be prepared to spend 3k on just the trans and converter. CK Performance Jake's Performance Extreme Automatics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted April 10, 2011 Author Share Posted April 10, 2011 thank you what about bowtie overdrives I'm playing with 475/500 hp 500/550 torque approx, was looking at bowties level3 and I screwed up, would a moderator please move this too the drivetrain forum please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 Moved it for ya Sam. Have you checked out http://www.monstertrans.com/store/ they are based out of FL. I talked to them on the phone, and they seem to know their stuff. I have a 700R4 that I want to rebuild and they offer kits to take your core to there different level trans. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 I looked at their kits as well and read mixed reviews about missing washers and other small pieces of the like in the kit. Make sure its complete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gonzo Posted April 10, 2011 Share Posted April 10, 2011 I ordered the one for my Cutlass from Bowtie Overdrives. They are building it now. They have been great to deal with and have alot of excellent info on their web site. I should have it in a week or so and then all finished up the week after. I also heard alot of good things from the Chevelle guys which helped me make my decision to go with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monte70car Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Sam if it help we have two 700r4's from bowtie overdrive level 2 specs one of then did spend 6 months behind a create 454/450hp motor with no issues. Sam have you looked at a gear venders overdrive? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdk70monte Posted April 11, 2011 Share Posted April 11, 2011 Sam, I went with the 200-4R conversion last year as well. I got a good core from an 85 Monte SS to start with. Then ordered the rebuild kit and billet forward drum from Jake's Performace out of Texas. I couldn't find anyone around my area here that knew much about 200-4Rs and they all just kept trying to talk me into a 700-R4 instead. I knew it could be done though, so I kept looking. I ended up going to Transmissions Unlimited in Utica MI. Chuck is the main man there and did an excellent job of rebuilding the trans for me. Very knowledgeable guy, likes and knows classic cars, and stands by his work. I'm currently running a ZZ4 350 with the fast burn heads which rates out to 385HP. I plan to eventually get a 402 rebuilt and drop into the car (mainly stock with a few upgrades) and should have no problems running the 200-4R trans behind it. That was something I discussed with Jake's Performance when ordering parts from them. I now get about 20mpg and can run at highway speeds at around 2400RPM. So the overdrive definitely does the job there. Makes it nice when wanting to travel to some of the further away car shows and such. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sam (Bones) Posted April 12, 2011 Author Share Posted April 12, 2011 a gear vendors is interesting, but I want a lower stall (new converter) and I've been beating on this 400 for years, it's needs some love, so I thought doing this conversion would be the smartest way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McCall72 Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Sam, I went with the 200-4R conversion last year as well. I got a good core from an 85 Monte SS to start with. Then ordered the rebuild kit and billet forward drum from Jake's Performace out of Texas. I couldn't find anyone around my area here that knew much about 200-4Rs and they all just kept trying to talk me into a 700-R4 instead. I knew it could be done though, so I kept looking. I ended up going to Transmissions Unlimited in Utica MI. Chuck is the main man there and did an excellent job of rebuilding the trans for me. Very knowledgeable guy, likes and knows classic cars, and stands by his work. I'm currently running a ZZ4 350 with the fast burn heads which rates out to 385HP. I plan to eventually get a 402 rebuilt and drop into the car (mainly stock with a few upgrades) and should have no problems running the 200-4R trans behind it. That was something I discussed with Jake's Performance when ordering parts from them. I now get about 20mpg and can run at highway speeds at around 2400RPM. So the overdrive definitely does the job there. Makes it nice when wanting to travel to some of the further away car shows and such. Ben Ben, what rear end ratio are you running? I've got a 2004r from a Monte SS sitting my garage that I've been waiting to rebuild, but I have my doubts it would work well with my 2:73 rear end. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike 57 Posted April 12, 2011 Share Posted April 12, 2011 Some info and hard parts here Sam, The real Art Carr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bdk70monte Posted April 14, 2011 Share Posted April 14, 2011 I'm running an original 3.31 rear gear in a 12-bolt posi. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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