Th 400?

[Nicksturbo]

I thinking of taking my 200r4 out and putting a th400 in race tranny in. What do you think? good or bad?
Thanks, nick

 

[azgn]

great idea for a race only car...is that what you had in mind?

(you'll need at least a 3.73 rear, different driveshaft, modified tranny mount, and a new converter)

with a trans brake, you'll have a manual reverse valve body most likely...lots of fun on the street....

 

[TurboTR]

I love mine, along with the cool Megashifter Gerat combo for a bench seat car with armrest IMO.

TurboTR

 

[Nicksturbo]

Th400

Why would this only be good for race car? and why do I ned 3.73 gears?
Thanks, Nick

 

[azgn]

well, because the low gear ratio in a 400 is higher than in a 200(you'll need a lower ratio rear to maintain a decent off the line set up)......you will be trading your 4 speed, lock up converter trans for a 3 speed, non lock up converter trans and if you want a trans brake, will have to shift it manually

remember going down the road at 3000 rpm at 60 mph in the good old days? that is what you are buying into

great for racing....not so great on the street

(they can be built to very stout standards, cheaply.....generally stronger & cheaper than 200's....most fast cars use 'em, but we are talking race cars for the most part)

 

[Nicksturbo]

th400

Poston has Th 400 and converter LU called switch pitch. It has 4000 stall and when you switch after 2 gear goes back to 1400 thahts converter.
Nick

 

[azgn]

and your point is..........that is what it is, a switch pitch, not a l/u converter.....a non lock converter is not a bad thing in a racing application....in fact, most racing converters ARE non lock

if you want a 400, far be it from me to tell you otherwise..just pointing out some of the pitfalls

have fun!

 

[tangofox]

I must agree with azgn. My car has a TH400 in it from the previous owner. I really would like to have a stock trans in it. Mine does have the trans brake/manual valve shift body. And it is a pain in the arse on the street, but it is fun at the track. I do like the idea of it being stronger (mine is built up).

 

[TurboDave]

AZ, I think a lot of people have the misconception that switch pitch converters can somehow behave like lockup converters. I've heard that a lot lately, and can't for the life of me figure why that has started the last few years.

 

[Nicksturbo]

Th400

I know you guys know a lot more than me. I was not trying to challenge you. I trust you guys, so will stay with my 200.
Thanks, Nick

 

[Nick Micale]

Originally posted by TurboDave
AZ, I think a lot of people have the misconception that switch pitch converters can somehow behave like lockup converters. I've heard that a lot lately, and can't for the life of me figure why that has started the last few years.

Maybe because lots of these guys were not even born when the last switch pitch Buick was built and have no clue of what they are or can do?

They sure will not stand much abuse.

 

[86brick]

I could be wrong, but from what I've been told unless you're going low 10's @ around 130mph or faster a TH400 will slow you down because of it being heavier (more rotating mass) than a 200-4R. Is this true or false? I think the main reason a TH400 is great for a track car is because you can use a trans-brake and not have to worry about the trans-breaking cause I've also heard that a 200 won't hold up to the abuse of a trans-brake very long!

 

[azgn]

they are heavier and a disadvantage if you need every last pony......most cars that "need" them can overcome that drawback easily (they usually have more hp than they can use)

200's hold up purty good with a brake....I prolly have 200 passes on one and the only stuff I have broken are the usual wear items like clutches (oh, and a converter....not a transmission) and a drum or two until we got a good one

it is not the brake that breaks things...it is racing......if you don't wanna break, don't race!

 

[86brick]

Thanks for the info Woody!

Yeah I've heard a 200 won't last with a brake, but I'll take your word because you've actually used a brake with a 200 and the guys that have all the bad stuff to say about a 200 with a brake have never used one (funny how that works) I also agree that if you don't want to break anything, don't race cause if you race long enough you will break.... my buddy who has an LS1 F-body learned this lesson the hard way

 

[TurboTR]

It's interesting how opinions differ. Coming from a column shift 200r4 car, converting to a floor shift, reverse pattern, manual shift 400, well I absolutely love it. Car shoulda come like this IMO Well maybe with a 4L80 anyway ;-) Maybe it's mostly because I could put the shifter right where I wanted it, and keep the armrest/benchseat(?) Very comfy. My arm never has to come off the armrest on upshifts, even while racing, just pull back on the lever with a few fingers, click, click, boom Awesome. Like having an 800 hp La-Z-Boy "Honey where's the TV remote? Oh wait, we're racing someone here..."

No fear of breaking it really either. Mine tachs ~ 2750-2800 at about 63-65 on level ground. Would rather have the 4th gear, sure, but not undriveable now by any stretch. 3.42's, 36-3700 stall converter. Personally I prefer to keep the lower gears in to help the 1st gear traction problem, so a taller 1st gear was welcome IMO with the 400.

Also, my TH400 weighed about the same as the 200. Yes I scaled them both. Does it lose more hp, well that's what we hear anyway. Probably so.

Personally I think it's agreat way to go for cars making say 650+ ft lbs of tq. Not the downer that some might expect at all IME. I was one of 'em too...

TurboTR

 

[azgn]

ok......I'll change my "opinion"....if you are making 650 ft lbs and actually know what a reverse pattern manual valve body is, get a TH-400...it will last longer

 

[turboculosis]

Originally posted by azgn
ok......I'll change my "opinion"....if you are making 650 ft lbs and actually know what a reverse pattern manual valve body is, get a TH-400...it will last longer

my thoughts exactly!

 

[TurboDave]

I even toyed with the idea for a while several years back. Got tired of breaking my 200 (intermediate shaft).

BUT, after Bruce T. introduced the unbreakable parts for the 200's life's been good. Try as I might, I haven't been able to bust my 200 at all.