200-4r build

[sdcritter]

I've been shopping around for a builder for a 200-4r for my Pontiac. Here are the specs:

3900 pound car, 4100 with my fat butt in it.
3.42 gears
450hp/550tq
Occasionally raced on drag radials
Will be looking to run a 3000 stall

Here's what a local builder reccomended. Does this sound about right or should I blow him off? I like the comfort of having a local man to go back to with problems but if he's off his rocker I'd like to know. I'd rather not waste money with him if it won't live and I'll deal with having a long distance build done. Here is what he says I need beyond a good rebuild on a quality core:

Intermediate high performance drum with hardened shaft

Superior high performance valvebody kit

High performance band

Diect Frictions Red high performance

Superior TCC lock up kit

Case connector

An additional option would be the Superior

Super Servo

 

[Firechicken]

The local tranny guy does not have the specific knowledge required to build one of these transmissions and make it last under street/strip abuse.

If your local trans builder isn't so full of himself to not be able to take advice and learn something, and you don't want try your hand at it yourself, get one of CK's manuals and have him build it to the specs listed.

If I was going to have someone build it for me, it would be someone who has specialised in this trans. Bruce Toelle, CK, and a few others make the short list. They may not be local, but they have the skills, knowledge and parts to build it right.

 

[sdcritter]

Perhaps. He does build transmissions for performance applications and is an NMCA racer himself. That's why I'm trying to qualify what he knows based on this parts list he provided to me. If the more experienced builders here say he's full of it, I'll move on. That's also why there are no names attached to this post. I'm not trying to run him down, I only want to know what I'm up against.

Building it myself is probably not an option at this point. Time and work constraints prevent me taking on that project.

 

[jakeshoe]

Some type of billet servo would not be optional but a requirement at your weight and HP IMO.

I think I would steer away. Where are you located at? There are quite a few reputable builders listed on the sticky and most frequent here.

 

[sdcritter]

Thanks, Jake. Yes, I'm talking with some folks here at this forum already. I'm simply trying to talk to several builders and go with the one that makes me most comfortable. Money is not the only issue but, obviously, I don't want to spend more than I should.

Some things I see as missing are:

Pump upgrade
Hardened/billet input shaft
No mention of the boost valve

 

[jakeshoe]

The input shaft is a 50/50 deal. I'm not too afraid to use a stock one personally at your power level but if it's more of a drag car, I would upgrade.

The boost valve and pump upgrades I do on a "stock" rebuild. I consider a 10 vane pump, chromoly rings, and a .500 boost valve as mandatory for any 200-4R I do. I also consider a minimum of a GN servo on almost all my builds as mandatory.
Also the hardened sun shell and stator.
I also use the alto red band as a matter of course.
The only options on my builds are billet servo (below 450 HP), dual fed directs, deep pan, billet drum, billet shaft, and billet OD parts.

The cost difference between a thrown together trans, and a properly built one as far as parts goes for a mild build is very minimal. It's when you start needing the billet stuff that the prices gets higher, and it's not labor costs

 

[sdcritter]

Thanks for your input. BTW, you asked about my location. I'm in Arkansas so if anyone has a reference for the Little Rock area, please pass it along.

 

[jakeshoe]

I'm not sure about that area. I am few hrs away from you. There is one builder listed in the TN area in the sticky.

Your best bet if you want to go locally is to ask around, or have your builder contact one of the builders here to talk to them about some specifics.

The CK manual is an excellent resource but each builder and customer has different expectations for shift feel so "it depends".

 

[sdcritter]

North Texas? Denton area?

 

[jakeshoe]

Yes,
I am 15 minutes away from Denton. I'm 5 miles outside Sanger, TX.

 

[sdcritter]

You're not that far from me. I've made that drive many times when Pontiac Southern Nationals was still going on down there. Nice area.