Hello once again everyone. Since my last fiasco with the heater was completely solved by this wonderful community, I thought I'd ask my next question. My Father In-Law (FIL) and I have built up an '87 El Camino with a 383 Stroker. The engine is strong, but the 2004R is not. Under normal acceleration, it performs perfect. But the couple of times that we've 'punched' it, it will not shift unless you let your foot off the gas. What would be an easy swap for this transmission? We have considered building the 2004r but realistically we do not need it. My FIL drives this truck 3 miles to work, and 3 miles back. This truck NEVER sees interstate driving, and rarely gets into overdrive (if ever). I was thinking of buying a built TH350 with a 1800+/- stall. It is considerably cheaper to buy a built TH350 than a 2004R. We plan on changing the gear set to either 3.55, or 3.73 in the next few months, but really need the transmission swapped first.

Ok here are my questions:

What tranny will I be able to keep the Column Shifter?
I think we eventually will go floor shift, but not at first.
What tranny will use the same driveshaft?
What will I have to do for a crossmember?
I've heard that the TH400 will use the same 2004R crossmember. Is this true?
What other things will I have to do to get it to fit?

Thanks in advance for the help
Charles

P.S. (Changed the stall speed, it's 1800, not 2800)

first off... th350 with 373s will put your rpms as such: 65mph = 3100rpm 3rd gear (i have 275-60-r15s) so its gunna be close depending on wheel height. 45mph 3rd gear is 2200 and in 2nd 3000k. th400 is a waste of bones if you ask me. any shop with know how can make a th350 break your neck and hold the power if they coat the gears well esp. passing gear (2nd). all mounts are the same. geometry of the column is gunna be diff. you'l need to get a new bracket that bolts to the frame by the trans from a car that had a true 3spd. ok so basically what im saying.. STAY AWAY from 373s seriously. 355s are even pushing. heres what i suggest honestly: 3.23s (p trac), late model corvette stall (~2200) converter, and a sexy shifting th350 and you'll come so hard out of the whole it'll scare you. 373s really put the wear and tear on everything in the front of the motor ie alternator, water pump etc. unless you wanna goto oversized pulleys. and even then, your top speed is going to be around 100mph at 5500 :( the only reason im still rollin 373s is cause im looking for a nice 323 posi. this is all my two cents.

I like my 3.23s & 350th with a shift kit. I still turn over 3000 at 75. Now that I drive mainly highway it can be so what of a pain. Maybe someday when this 350th goes I might switch over to a 200r4 or 700 but for now it is not worth it. I had 2.73s when I put these 3.23s in- man what a difference.

If you want to stick with an overdrive tranny, you might want to look up www.bowtieoverdrives.com

If your current tranny will not shift until you let off during a hard acceleration, have someone adjust the kickdown cable setting. It should take less than a couple of minutes, so the cost should be minimal. If a mechanic wants you to leave the vehicle, then charge you a full hourly price, find someone else who is honest.

If your current tranny will not shift until you let off during a hard acceleration, have someone adjust the kickdown cable setting. It should take less than a couple of minutes, so the cost should be minimal. If a mechanic wants you to leave the vehicle, then charge you a full hourly price, find someone else who is honest.

It does sound like an adjustment issue. The 200R4 is a good Transmission for both street and stop light fun or track. A stall converter should be selected according to your engine's torque and HP curve not by someone telling you to go get this or you should try that. If you just go and get a 2000 RPM converter it might not work correctly or create problems you don't have now.

TCI's website has a wonderful explanation of how to select a torque converter and some of the issues that are associated with picking the wrong one (guessing at it). Look here: http://www.tciauto.com/tech_info/torque_converters_explained.htm

I'd keep the 200R4, if it were me. The 350 is not all that much and is pretty weak all thing being considered. Because you have the potential of producing well over 400 Lb/ft. of torque, if you go with a 3 speed go to a THM 400 it is way stronger than the 350. I blew the first THM 350 connected to my 383 and this last 350 got torqued so hard I broke the bellhousing on it. Now I can't drive my Elky.

I know there are a lot of 350 users and if that is sufficient for them that's fine, but for me... When I can get rid of this Albatross I'll go to a 700R4 or a 200R4 behind my 383. For me its the best of both worlds.

Just my opinion.

lol... eklkypete, find a real tranny shop. my dads rocket 350 in his olds after all said and done put 470 to the wheels and the th350 built by a guy of the name dudley would snap your neck even just cruising around and when it was time to race it preloaded and let loose so hard it spun his "quiet rubber-shaft" drive line 2 1/4 turns then snapped it. started warping the studs in the wheels and never ONCE did the tranny blink an eye. find a real trans shop and a 350 will last forever. that trans still will break your neck to this day and has never givin a lick of problem.

The 350TH can be a good tranny but I would take a 200R in heartbeat. You get a 4th gear with it and they can take alot. There are GNs out there with 30+ PSI of boost and doing 3 foot wheelies off the line with them. Most of these cars are doing 500+ HP. Not bad for a lowly V6! :-P :P I was told once that the 200R is basically a 400TH with overdrive. Not sure how acurate that description is but from what I've seen it must be pretty close.

the th200-4r out of a buick gn was a special hi-perf version from gm. most stock th200-4r's will only handle about 300hp. the th200-4r is basically a th250c with overdrive and the th700-r4 (4L60) being a overdrive th350c. where as the 4L80(e) is a th400 with overdrive for heavy duty applications.

lol... eklkypete, find a real tranny shop. my dads rocket 350 in his olds after all said and done put 470 to the wheels and the th350 built by a guy of the name dudley would snap your neck even just cruising around and when it was time to race it preloaded and let loose so hard it spun his "quiet rubber-shaft" drive line 2 1/4 turns then snapped it. started warping the studs in the wheels and never ONCE did the tranny blink an eye. find a real trans shop and a 350 will last forever. that trans still will break your neck to this day and has never givin a lick of problem.

I stand by the fact that a 350 is not the best choice for a transmission. Its weak, that has nothing to do with a "Transmission shop" its a fact. If it wasn't then they would have used them behind Big Blocks and they don't. Its just enough to work for most cars and some light duty trucks just like a 10 Bolt rear end. Sure you can build one to deal with a little HP, in a light car or light truck but in the end you've spent enough money to buy a 400 Turbo and then some.

If I am not mistaken the factory specs on the 350 / 350c is 350 Lb./ft. of torque and the 400 is rated at 450. Even after you build it up it will still have a lot of the factory weaknesses, the casing being one big one. The 700R4 is not the 350 with an overdrive. It actually has a center support, like the 400 and doesn't blow internal seals like the 350 will. It is only rated at 350 Lb./ft. of torque also. The monster Overdrive is the 4L80e it also about 2500 to 3000 to buy and install.

So we disagree. It is not uncommon. Doesn't make either of us a "Bad Guy"

Charles, I recommend a 400THD for strength, ease of installation, and cost reasons. TCI sells remanufactured 400THD Streetfighter transmissions for appox $800+shipping (Summit), I would also suggest a new torque converter, and a G-force crossmember. Mike 8)

thebugbox - I'd be interested taking that 200r off your hands if you pull it and your not too far away from indiana.

Here's a good link for GM RWD tranny comparisons (http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/oftrn.htm#TRAN%20Auto%20Transmission%20Comparison)

the th200-4r out of a buick gn was a special hi-perf version from gm. most stock th200-4r's will only handle about 300hp.

The Turbo Regal 200-4R is bascially the same as the rest. A little different valve body is all. The ones pulling the wheels off the ground have been rebuilt and built up. :)

the el camino i just purchased may have a TH350 but the owner wasnt sure and i havent got a chance to look. I was told to rebuild the TH350 if it was one and sell it and purchase a 700R4 would u agree with this?

My $0.02 worth...

I had a THM200-R4 in a chevy caprice behind a mild 305 TBI with a 2.73 rear end. It could not even spin the tires (205/75R15's). Nonetheless, the 200R4 burned out. They're known to be weak transmissions. The transmission shop had about two dozen of these in the 'backyard'... no one wanted them or wanted theirs to be rebuilt.

So I had a 700R4 put in (painless swap, mostly). I was told they're rather large transmissions and can be quite reliable (or quite buggy if factory from pre 87). Mine was rebuilt about 9 months previous (to 2002)... my brother still had the $1200 in receipts and I recall when his Impala died due to the failure (when it was a factory 700R4 from '85).

The 700R4 died too, about 4 months later in my caprice.

Then I had a THM350-R3 installed. Used, old... I simply swaped filters, threw some magnets in the pan, and dropped in some new oil.

Solid as a rock. The problems associated with a 200R4/700R4 to a 350R3 swap seem to be transmission cross member support and the driveshaft is a different length. Otherwise, it bolts right on to a 305 or 350 block (same thing, mostly).

Every GM vehicle I've had with a 200R4 or a 700R4 has suffered a failed transmission. A 350R3 has never failed me. If I buy a GM vehicle and it's not a THM350R3 (or 400R3) ... I expect to blow out the transmission and replace it with one that I trust. Namely, a GM THM350R3 or a THM400R3.

I'm not saying the GM THM350R3 (or 400R3) is indestructible, I'm just saying it's better than any GM overdrive transmission. (I'm expecting many retorts and I anxiously await them... can a 700R4 be stronger than a 350R3... or even a 400R3?).

So that's my 2 cents worth. Keep the change. :)

guru54...If it does need to be rebuilt and you plan on selling it, you won't get back the money/time you put into it to rebuild it. If you want to do it just to gain some knowledge or experience, then thats different. The 350THD is readily available at any boneyard (cheap). If I needed a 350THD, I would either buy an aftermarket professionally remanufactured trans like TCI or rebuild my own. And Moe...I agree, I think the older 3speed transmissions just seem to be made better and last longer. Recently bought a wrecked 3/4 ton Chevy pickup just to get the 350 4 bolt main running motor and 400THD...$250. Swapped the 400THD into another pickup in an afternoon and it works fine. Thats $250 for a 350 4 bolt main running engine and a 400THD trans.

My $0.02 worth...

I had a THM200-R4 in a chevy caprice behind a mild 305 TBI with a 2.73 rear end. It could not even spin the tires (205/75R15's). Nonetheless, the 200R4 burned out. They're known to be weak transmissions.

I can never quite understand why 200-4R's are weak behind Chevy 305's, but can handle 12 sec ¼ mile passes behind a Buick V6. :?

The first 200s were real weak but the later ones were pretty good. From what I have read the 200s were improved to work with the GNs & MC SSs.