difference in 200r4 to 700r4?

[beater72]

Just wondering...what are the differences between the two transmissions..are the 700r4's a heavier duty transmission?

thanks

Kris

[Mike 57]

700 is supposed to be the 'stronger' trans and was used in heavier vehicles. I think the 200 has better gear splits, the first gear is not so low.

200s were used behind turbo regals

[vacavillebob]

I can tell you the 200r4 is a drop in and the 700r4 you have to cut the drive shaft down.

[Blue502]

I disagree Mike.When built properly the 200 is a tough trans.There are lots of 3800 GNs in the low to mid 9s with a 200.They also make a real cheap trans brake for a 200 that works great.You just put the trans in 1st,mash the gas and shift into 2nd.Bang.If you do get one built make sure your guy knows his stuf.I asked my trans guy about doing a 700 and he said don't even bother.I don't know which is stronger in stock form.I have a built 700 with a 3500 converor in my MC.It is for sale.I'm going to a 400.

[Shadow Gray SS]

The cases on the 200 are thinner than the 700. That is why the 200

never came stock in trucks. There are two cases for the 700 also.

If you go with the 700 try to find a "K" case. There is a "k" on

the outside of the tranny case. They were thicker than the

standard 700 case.

[Dans '70 Z20]

700's were the only way to go for a long time b/c they had the aftermarket parts to beef them up to put behind high hp cars. Only problem is behind a high torque BB with such a granny gear for first .... second gear hits hards. With repeated hard shifts behind a high torque big block many have blown out second gear. The 200 has a 2:74 first gear which is not as drastic as the 3.06 first gear that a 700 comes with and has a nice even gear spread. To give you a comparison: Turbo 400 with 3:31 rear gears/ same 3:31's behind a 2004R will have a launch gear of 3:62/ and behind a 700R4 will have a launch gear of 3:93. That is why the 1 -2 shift on a 700R4 is such a big drop. See attached chart below.

 

As of 2009 aftermarket parts have become available to beef up the 200. The installation is easier b/c roughly same length and gear split is much more even like a turbo 400. The gears in a 200 are the same as a Turbo 400 with the 275 lower gear set. Now that they can make them strong enough I would prefer a 200.

 

You could also get a 4L80 which is a Turbo 400 with overdrive. Just a heavier transmission. Same gear ratio and gear split as a turbo 400 just with an overdrive.

 

What real high HP cars do that want overdrives is either use a Ford AOD tranny (which can be made very strong and have bell housing converted to GM) or add a Gear Vendors unit to your existing set-up. The gear vendors unit causes only a loss of 1/4 HP.

 

Here is some info from Bowtie overdrives. May be worth giving them a call.

Tranny comparison Tranny comparison chart

 

Bowtie Overdrives Bowtie Overdrive Website

 

Ultimately, what I chose .... was to overbuild my Turbo 400 (known strength) with the Billet 275 lower gear set (same ratios now as a 200), a COAN 12" 2600-2800 stall speed converter with the intention of sometime in the future to add-on a Gear Vendors overdrive unit (real future). What I will have when the time comes is a bullet proof proven trans, same lower first gear and even gear split as a 200 and an overdrive. (and I don't need to find a place to store my numbers matching Turbo 400)

 

BTW: You can't compare a tranny behind a turbo car to a tranny behind a Big Block. A Turbo car pressures up and the torque ramps up with the rpm's/mph ... so its not all there at launch. The car is already rolling before its all in so it has less stress on driveline components. On a big block your throwing down everything you got at launch.

 

My two cents.

 

Dan

[Winston Wolf]