Is my 200-4R gonna blow up on me???

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A few months back, I had a Bowtie Overdrives Level 2 200-4R tranny installed in my car. It's been great so far -- firm shifts when and where I want them.

The only problem I've had is the tranny has leaked like a sieve since day 1. But I blame that on the turkeys who did the installation -- they're now out of business.

So I took the car to a REAL tranny shop (not Aamco) for a reseal. When I told the guy what I had in the car, his first words were practically, "What's that thing doing in there? It's gonna blow up on you!" Despite my explanation that it was a built-up tranny -- and his comments about how nice it worked during a test drive -- his response remained, "That tranny is going to last you one year, maybe two. Something's gonna crack -- it just can't take the stress."

I offered him a side bet on this issue, but I want some feedback & input so I'll know how much I should wager...

 

[REDS HOT AIR]

any tranny behind any power will have to be freshened up at some point.

what all you got done to that vette ?

It will take a nasty sb on nos to make the torque that we put thru the 2004r tranny's

torque is what breaks parts

go back and ask him what tranny a Grand National has in it and that will show you he has no clue about what a 2004r will take once its been modified slightly of course

the main thing wrong with stock 2004r's (non turbo buick) is the weak shifts and low pressure so once you put power to it you'll burn them up starting with 2nd gear band

up the pressures , tighten up the shifts , and put desent clutches and a good second gear band and servo in it and your set till you start making big power...thats all thats done in mine and its pushes over 3600# car into the 10's at 127 mph

If you want one that will take major power levels hit the link in my sig for the 2004r performance center and they can hook you right up

 

[HOTTOGO]

I bet it'll last until it breaks.....

Seriously though, i no nothing about Bowtie Overdrives Level 2 200-4R trannies. But I do know a proberly built one will handle ALOT! Like Red said. The 2004r have a bad rap 'cuz a stock non performace version would never last when put under any kind of punishment, so everybody though they were junk. Until tranny builders have learnened now how to build them to last.

 

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I'm kinda surprised that you guys wouldn't have heard of Bowtie Overdrives. They're very well known in over in the Corvette Forum. Anyhow, here's what they have to say about their transmissions:

"These units feature a blueprint overhaul using only the finest brand name components like Torrington, Raybestos, Borg-Warner, Alto and Delco-Remy to name a few. We install a hardened stator support, a new 10 vane pump rotor with new vanes, heat treated direct drum, hardened steel pump rings to prevent breakage, heavier high rpm slider springs prevent pressure fall off at high engine rpms, High performance billet servo assembly, Raybestos frictions, special diamond tool machining on the pump halves to prevent fluid cross bleeding, new bushings, seals and gaskets. Performance calibration of the valve body and spacer plate. modifications to Increase lubrication flow...."

By the way, my engine isn't a powerhouse. About 250 hp in its current form. Don't know how much torque...

 

[HOTTOGO]

Not that I haven't heard of them just no experiance with them. I'd say if they did right you should be fine for a long time. Except maybe input shaft and fwd. drum shaft depending on how hard you launch it, these are what seems to break unless you have the billet parts.

check here if your interseted in what I'm talking about.

http://www.2004rperformancecenter.com/mcartfree/default.asp