okay so when JimG had his transmission problems, I got to hear a lot about the advantages of an overdrive tranny...particularly the 200 and 700 r4...better acceleration, lower top end RPM...my question is, what kind of power can they withstand?  I'm about to do an engine rebuilt with some parts that SHOULD give me around 500 hp at the flywheel.  some people have said the TH-350 can stand up to this, if I don't drive it hard, but I want to race the car a couple times on the strip, so I will be.  and I want more acceleration without killing my gas mileage...I was thinking about using a TH-400 with a bolt-on overdrive that a high-perf shop in town has...but the projected cost for that was a little over 4 thousand dollars.  also, I made someday decide to pursue my dream...trying to get 600 hp to the rear wheels of my stingray.  we'll see about that though.  anyway can these overdrive trannys take that kind of punishment, and if not, is there a nice overdrive tranny with above average acceleration out there that can?  where were I get em, and roughly what kind of cost am I looking at?

Both the 700 and the 2004R CAN be built to handle some h.p., the question is, "how fast do you want to go?", which translates to, "how much $$$$ do you want to spend?". I know that's not a cut and dry answer, but it is what you need to decide. A 700 with the upgrades and hard parts to hold up will cost around $2000, maybe a little more. A 2004R will cost more than that, because they're not that stout to start with. I would not recommend the 2004R at all for this application. The 700 is a way better unit to begin with, which means you'll end up with a better product. If you simply must have the O/D setup, I would go with the 700 & pay to make it survive, because it can be done.

or if you wanna get a serious overdrive, a 4l80E. You will need to buy a electronic trans shift controller for it though.

Check out www.bowtieoverdrives.com  They have a few different levels of 200R4 and 700R4 transmissions.  I got a level three 700R4 and I'd like to tell you how it is, but my car isn't done yet.

[QUOTE=Tumarr] or if you wanna get a serious overdrive, a 4l80E. You will need to buy a electronic trans shift controller for it though.[/QUOTE]

.....and a big saw to cut the floor out, and new springs to hold the extra weight!!! The 4L80-E weighs around 200+ lbs., plus the T.C., which weighs about 75-80 lbs. Not exactly a lightweight!! It's also HUGE compared to the 700 or 2004R, BUT.....it's really hard to tear it up. There are stand alone 'puters for just about any 'lectronic trans, so that would be the easy part!! My money is still on the built-up 700, hands down!!

Well, actually I would disagree on the 200 being a weak unit.  Actually its the 700 that is the weaker.  I'm going to Illinois this weekend to pickup my new 200r4 from bowler Transmissions.  You will get to see and hear more about the 200 in an upcoming issue of corvette enthusiast magazine as I will be writing a story about the advantages of the 200 over the 700 following the build up of my transmission.

The 200 is popular and the drive line behind any Buick Grand national.  The racers use this trans exclusively and are running 900+ HP and 8.80 1/4 mile runs with these transmissions.  The reality is because of this group of enthusiast the technology available for the 200 has leap frogged the 700.  The only issue is you must find the right people that know how to build these transmissions.  There are only a handful of them in country that know how to do it to withstand that kiind of power.

If you compare the two trannies side by side they are close but the 200 is an easier swap, with no cutting of drive shaft, you can buy the new cross memeber from bow tie as well as the install and set up kit, and the shifter conversion kit. 

What I did was found a builder that knows the 200 and told him exactly what I wanted to do, then he spec'd out the internal parts to give me an estimate to build.  They build these to the owners requirements, not for the general mases.  So yes, you will pay more, but its right the first time.

After Shark, What is your goal with the new engine and 200 tranny?

I think I jest been spanked!
The ONLY reason they put the 2004R behind the Turbo V6 in the 'National is the 700 case was only cast for the Chev. bolt pattern, so it would not bolt up to the Burick motor. The 2004R was available in any casting (B-O-P, Chev). Believe me, there were plenty of (factory) mods for the 2004R in the 'National to hold up. I agree that they can be built to handle the HP; I do it all the time, but the 700 is a better starting point, in my humble opinion. Adams' Apple38440.8522222222

Well I had to give them engine specifications like HP, TQ peak and average, but the kicker was the power adders.  I plan to run a 150 shot of nitrous.  That changed the whole build plan.  He spouted off what all he was going to change over the phone and I will know more when I get there this weekend, but he said they would have to put in an aftermarket hardened input shaft, a billet steel stator housing and a different clutch pack that increases the amount of clutches over what came stock.  There was also some changes to the valve body to control shifting and he is going to add a deep sump tranny pan and an fittings for running an external oil cooler.

No Nitrous

My new engine should be making around 425 HP and 425 LB Ft.  AVerage numbers I'm expecting 375 HP and 400 LB Ft.

On Nitrous

It should be 575 Hp and 600 Lb Ft. at Peak

Should be a great ,grocery getter