transmission question

[TURBOELKY]

well guys, most of you know i'm due for a tranny. Saying that, i've been reading post about 200's and 400's. I cannot justify spending 1500 or more alone on a tranny that is going to take a dump in a year! I'm leaning more towards the 400, seems that they are cheaper and alot more durable. Do any locals run a 400 besides Robert? that drive the car on the street? I dont drive mine much, so loosing overdrive is not too big of a deal, i'll just have to keep the car under 120 on the freeway. Well that would be a good thing, could'nt worry too much about a speeding ticket right? so what do you guys think?

 

[nordy racer]

well guys, most of you know i'm due for a tranny. Saying that, i've been reading post about 200's and 400's. I cannot justify spending 1500 or more alone on a tranny that is going to take a dump in a year! I'm leaning more towards the 400, seems that they are cheaper and alot more durable. Do any locals run a 400 besides Robert? that drive the car on the street? I dont drive mine much, so loosing overdrive is not too big of a deal, i'll just have to keep the car under 120 on the freeway. Well that would be a good thing, could'nt worry too much about a speeding ticket right? so what do you guys think?

i'm running the 400 with a 4000 stall 9 inch.. AMAZING trans but the 3 speed kills me on the street (highway use).. i am running 373 gears, but i don't think that makes much of a difference on the highway.. I'll take you for a ride in it at the meeting in Nov, to see what you think..

 

[Jeff Rand]

You might call Lonnie Diers at Extreme Automatics. I bought a 400 but have not used it after Lonnie rebuilt my trans.He also said that he would rebuild it for free if it did not hold up for a year. I pound this trans. and launch on a foot brake with no issues. I think the cost of the rebuild was less the $600. The only problem was the shipping. Check Foward Air for shipping $70 each way.
Jeff

 

[Drip Pan]

I would recommend that you stick with what you have and contact Len Freeman out in Las Vegas; a properly built 200-R4 can be built to last. I run one of Lens' trans in my full metal GN with a 3200 stall 9" NLU and OEM 3.42s.

Performance Transmission
6121 Boulder Hwy
Las Vegas, NV 89122.
Office: 702.434.2991 FAX: 702.454.5492.

Hope this helps---

 

[psiedv6]

Hey Jeremy, I have never used my 400 yet, I just like to spend alot and look at my junk all apart all of the time :biggrin:. As far as Jeff said about Lonnie Diers at Extreme Automatics, that is who built my 200r4 w/ brake and that is one nice trans. I have also used Don Wang at DRW and I beat on that trans for 6 years pretty hard. I hear alot of good things about Len Freeman at Performance Transmission but I have not had the pleasure of using him yet.

I have used guys that really can f___ these up so go to someone that knows them well. I have had my trans out 5 times in 2 mounths a long time ago because of guys that think they can build them but can't

 

[TURBOELKY]

tranny

I called Len today, we discussed my combo, how much I drive and how I drive. The 400 is what the guys making big power are running, so me making little power should last a long time :wink: . The only downside is no over drive. But I only drive my car around 2k-3k miles a year, so i'm not worried about gas mileage or wear on the engine. I've heard great stuff about lens 2004r's, but alot of great things about just stock 400's over built 200's. I do want to be able to run at the track, and that is my plan when all is said and done. The last thing I want to do is pull a tranny out after 50 passes and a year of driving! so 400 it will be. Thanks guys, i'll dream about it tonight.

 

[Gary Wells]

I will also throw Len Freeman's name into the hat.

 

[graza002]

I second Len, I have had my car back for 3 or 4 weeks now, with about 700 miles on the trans. I am happy with my set-up, just need a larger turbo . With whatever you decide to go with, and it sounds like the 400, good luck.

 

[750H.P.V6]

Jeremy,

I'm in the same boat as Robert and Jeff. I had a rebuilt TH 400 and a convertor in my garage for a few years. Last time I saw Len I asked him if he could use it for Tims' car. The only reason he hasn't put it in is because the 200 is still going strong. I still run my 200 also and couldn't even think about going without a overdrive trans. At that point I feel the car isn't really a street car anymore. It ends up being a more of a race car or weekend toy.

Neal

 

[TURBOELKY]

yeah

I just dont want to be popping the tranny out every year or what ever. But what I hear of len, and when we talked, he's confident in his 200's. But my car is more of a weekend toy, more like once a month or maybe twice toy
So I figure if I have a built 400, it should last for many years of abuse. I do plan on driving it to the track every chance I get as long as the drive train lasts. Then when it goes, there will be a new monster to follow. So I'll figure it out, the only thing is between the price of the 400 w/ converter, new drive shaft, shifter etc., its almost the same price, but if I go 400, I know everything will be replaced, and I cant go cheap on the rest

 

[TURBOELKY]

thanks

I second Len, I have had my car back for 3 or 4 weeks now, with about 700 miles on the trans. I am happy with my set-up, just need a larger turbo . With whatever you decide to go with, and it sounds like the 400, good luck.

thanks.

 

[psiedv6]

Keep in mind that a 400 takes more HP to turn it

 

[psiedv6]

http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199821

 

[TURBOELKY]

well

I think I could make enough power for it, i'll just up the boost a tad

 

[nailheadpowered]

trans question

Had one thought, anyone try or use the 4l80e trans they are said to be very tough and able to handle hp and torque. I for one vote len in vegas but just wondered if anyone had tried this trans in a turbo regal?

 

[750H.P.V6]

Mike,

That's actually something I plan on trying if I ever get around to it. You will need some sort of Trans controller since it's an electronic transmission. I believe TCI makes one. I have a Big Stuff 3 I haven't played with that I was going to have modified to handle an electronic trans. Len is on board for building the 4L80E if I get that far. I wouldn't be the first guy who's tried it but there aren't many TR's out there with a 4L80E.

Neal

 

[nailheadpowered]

4l80e

That was my next deal was to call len as he is a walking encyclopedia of trans knowledge, just curious since your going to run the big stuff setup, I am going to put a fast xfi setup on my car and could it be possible to control the trans through the fast system? I like most would like to keep the od in my car but at the same time with the 1/4 mile times im looking to achieve i want to be sure the trans is going to handle it within reason, if i need to go 400t then i will as i know this pt-72 i have will surely test the limits and durability of my 200r4 thank god i have a spare one in my basement :biggrin:

 

[750H.P.V6]

Mike,

I don't beleive that the FAST XFI has the ability to control an electronic transmission. I'm not that familiar with that system and I would sugest you contact someone like Cal Hartline to be sure.

Neal

That was my next deal was to call len as he is a walking encyclopedia of trans knowledge, just curious since your going to run the big stuff setup, I am going to put a fast xfi setup on my car and could it be possible to control the trans through the fast system? I like most would like to keep the od in my car but at the same time with the 1/4 mile times im looking to achieve i want to be sure the trans is going to handle it within reason, if i need to go 400t then i will as i know this pt-72 i have will surely test the limits and durability of my 200r4 thank god i have a spare one in my basement :biggrin:

 

[HighPSI]

The XFI will control the TCC lockup on the 200. Currently, it won't control a 4L80. The XFI would require the TCI Trans Controller ($600-$700) interfaced into it. The Big Stuff can be ordered with a GM Trans Control ($400-$500 option).

 

[S2V6RACER]

Keep in mind that a 400 takes more HP to turn it

This is what they all say, but guys come out going faster with the switch.

I