200-4R Upgrades and Tips?

Nascar T/A

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Oct 17, 2015
Hello I just purchased a 200-4R out of a 86 Monte SS, but I don't think it is the original transmission. Anyway I recall coming to this site and there was a post with 200-4R recomendation, Upgade and tips. I thought this would have been in the Sticky section but I didn't find anything. I tried doing a search for the post, but it never came up. Does anyone know of this post?
 
It was called "strengthening the 200-4r" by Bruce Tole(sp). Lots of good info and help on this site with regards to this tranny.
 
It's still here it was just removed from "sticky" thread status because some of it is dated info. IIRC it's hard to find because it was misspelled.
 
Thanks for the Relpies. It was said that some of the information was DATED. Is there a place for better info?
 
how much power do you plan to put through this trans? Are you having it overhauled or you going "in" yourself?
you have come to the best place for 2004r info I know of so post your questions and I'm sure someone will have answers.
 
I have an answer, quit messing with these trannys and send it to the people that build them everyday. Dave ,Lonnie or one of the few others. You may think it to be exspensive but in the long run between taking it in and out and then it not working properly after you " fixed it yourself " its really not. Some things need to left to the pro's, does that gaurantee it for life? Not at all,but chances are way better when you install it and add the correct converter that it will work properly for more than a few hours or a week. Ive been beating the piss outa mine for two years,shifts the same as the day i installed it. Best 3,500.00 i spent on the car.
 
I have an answer, quit messing with these trannys and send it to the people that build them everyday. Dave ,Lonnie or one of the few others. You may think it to be exspensive but in the long run between taking it in and out and then it not working properly after you " fixed it yourself " its really not. Some things need to left to the pro's, does that gaurantee it for life? Not at all,but chances are way better when you install it and add the correct converter that it will work properly for more than a few hours or a week. Ive been beating the piss outa mine for two years,shifts the same as the day i installed it. Best 3,500.00 i spent on the car.
While in some instances and for some people you're right, thats not the point. There are some of us that have or have access to a facility, and all the tools necissary to do these builds and modifications. We enjoy learning from the experts and partaking in discussions and actually doing it ourself. With help from my father whom was a 25 year GM tech and parts and recommendations from Dave Husek I built my trans. I have beat the shit out of it for 2 years with low 11 sec power street and strip. When I decide to do mpre upgrades like billet input and output shaft, billet apply pistons, dual feed, etc I will be doing that myself too. Forums and tech posts like this and help from the pros you mention all aid in us "do it ourselvers" getting it done.

There are those that are not detail oriented nor equipped to do this. They may fall into the catagory you mention.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
 
how much power do you plan to put through this trans? Are you having it overhauled or you going "in" yourself?
you have come to the best place for 2004r info I know of so post your questions and I'm sure someone will have answers.

Well, when I built my SBC engine a while back, my horsepower target was 375 and I had a turbo 350 trans and 3.70 rear gear. I originally wanted to go 700R4 for the steep first gear and the overdrive. Now I am thinking of going back to the turbo 301 turbo and I feel the 200 4R would be a better fit for the 301 turbo. I found this trans which was suppose to be from a running 86 Monte SS. Now I am just checking what I have and getting ready to put it in my car. I was planning on adding a new better oil pan and a 700R4 filter. I was look for tips for durability and performance enhancements to do while it was out. I would love to find a local trans shop that had a test fixture that could test it before I install it. But so far every trans place I talk to say "why waste my time with that trans". I like underdogs, just makes me want to use it more. Engine builder say the same thing about my 301 Turbo. That is why i started this post.
 
you are in the right place. And with a few upgrades 375hp should be no problem. On this mcss unit, does the servo number end in 692?
have you looked into what parts you want to use and where to get them or are you going the gene route and sending it somewhere.
I assembled mine too and have helped several others do theirs. I'll pm my number and we can we can exchange text if you want . I'm no pro or guru, just a cheap a$$ on a budget. Mine has been in the car several years and I'm still super happy with it. It is by far the longest lasting 2004r that has been in that trans tunnel.i replaced a 700r4 that was in the car about twenty years.
let us know how we can help.
 
Well, when I built my SBC engine a while back, my horsepower target was 375 and I had a turbo 350 trans and 3.70 rear gear. I originally wanted to go 700R4 for the steep first gear and the overdrive. Now I am thinking of going back to the turbo 301 turbo and I feel the 200 4R would be a better fit for the 301 turbo. I found this trans which was suppose to be from a running 86 Monte SS. Now I am just checking what I have and getting ready to put it in my car. I was planning on adding a new better oil pan and a 700R4 filter. I was look for tips for durability and performance enhancements to do while it was out. I would love to find a local trans shop that had a test fixture that could test it before I install it. But so far every trans place I talk to say "why waste my time with that trans". I like underdogs, just makes me want to use it more. Engine builder say the same thing about my 301 Turbo. That is why i started this post.
What are you building that has a 301 turbo? I rebuilt a 301 turbo for my 81 Firebird Formula. It brought me good money because the numbers matched.
 
If only charlief1 were still around. He had tricks for that turbo 301.
 
you are in the right place. And with a few upgrades 375hp should be no problem. On this mcss unit, does the servo number end in 692?

TexasT Thanks for the number on the servo. I have been cleaning up the trans and it has the number you said on the servo. I also has the speedo gear ratio that I read comes with a MCSS. I hope the rest is correct too. So far I am thinking of replacing the TC oil pump front seal and also the tail shaft seal. My feeling is that since it is out, I might as well do it. I am also wanting to replace the pan with the low profile PML pan or the Hughes pan which is cheaper but also deeper. I prefer the the PML. I also going to replace the pan gasket and the filter. One thing I have to do is install a lock up controler for the TC. Is there any that the group would recommend, also for the seals and the gaskets? Any help would be appreciated.

Lee
 
While in some instances and for some people you're right, thats not the point. There are some of us that have or have access to a facility, and all the tools necissary to do these builds and modifications. We enjoy learning from the experts and partaking in discussions and actually doing it ourself. With help from my father whom was a 25 year GM tech and parts and recommendations from Dave Husek I built my trans. I have beat the shit out of it for 2 years with low 11 sec power street and strip. When I decide to do mpre upgrades like billet input and output shaft, billet apply pistons, dual feed, etc I will be doing that myself too. Forums and tech posts like this and help from the pros you mention all aid in us "do it ourselvers" getting it done.

There are those that are not detail oriented nor equipped to do this. They may fall into the catagory you mention.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
100% agree with this statement, this is how we learn, from our failures if you want to do it yourself you go for it, you might have it in and out 4 times but you WILL eventually get it and it will definitely be more rewarding,good luck with it
 
The servo is the second largest "fac tree" servo for the 2004r. Though there are units that were installed in a th200 that were larger. I used a sonnax in mine but that one is decent. As far as a pan the deeper one will carry more fluid. This will help the trans stay cooler on sheer volume. 700r4 filter is a nice addition as it picks up from the bottom,instead of the top like the stick 2004r filter. Helps prevent the trans from "sucking air" .
Do you know the history of the trans? It is pretty old if original and might be a good time to have overhauled while out. But I you are like me in it goes and we take my chances.
 
Well I was told it was rebuilt at some time, and judging from the whole case being painted black, I think this is true. The person that sold it to me said it was working good and he took it out of his MCSS. I did see the MCSS in his yard. He said he took it out because he is doing a LS swap. It found that it has a hardened input shaft already installed. I also found some cake mixer fixes on this thing. Thanks for the reply by the way.
 
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