turbo400? or 200r4?

[thenasty6]

i bought a 87 GN with brand new motor rebuilt and brand new 3 speed turbo400 transmission with shift kit and a few other bells and whistles.
the tranny works fine and its pretty cool but being the fact that i dont race the car or drag it like it was built up for. the tranny gets old driving around town. unless im racing or toying with it .
i took it to a tranny shop and they look at it and told me its a pretty expensive set up on it. but i was wondering is it worth keeping or going back to the 200r4 and having one built to handle the motor.
Any suggestions would be great

 

[mikestertwo]

What kind of power is the motor making? What's your setup?

 

[thenasty6]

on about 25 to 30 psi and racing fuel 800hp or a lil over to the wheels. it was set up to drag.
i drive it around at about 10 to 15 psi
as told and shown to me by whom i bought it from with dyno slips and stuff. but its been rebuilt since that dyno so i dont know...

 

[SSedan64]

If you just want to enjoy cruising it's hard to beat the 2004R Trans. It will hold up to a fair amount of HP/TQ. I wouldn't recommend it for full time Drag at that power level & above tho'.
You could always keep the TH400 & swap it back in if you want to do some serious racing.
A 4L80E is another option.

 

[thenasty6]

That's true. Is the 4l80e a good choice?

 

[SSedan64]

Well it's a very strong 4-speed Auto. It does require a Trans Controller for automatic shifts tho' as it's Electronically controlled, unless you don't mind manually shifting the gears.
The 4L80E has basically the same gear ratios as the TH400 but, the 80E has a .75 4th/OD gear.

 

[thenasty6]

i dont mind shifting but would look into the E. controller. but that fourth gear would be nice crusing around on the highways, and at higher speeds. if i did go the 4l80e route, about how much do they run? and will i have to do much to get it to have it handle my motor?

 

[cruzn57]

the 4L80E IS a turbo 400 with over drive,
most of the parts in a 4L80e are improved over a std T400,
cost?? alot! ( compared to 200r4 or t400)

 

[thenasty6]

the 4L80E IS a turbo 400 with over drive,
most of the parts in a 4L80e are improved over a std T400,
cost?? alot! ( compared to 200r4 or t400)

i see, well i been looking on craigslist. and found a few 4l80e that were pulled from trucks an other vechicles for pretty good prices. would that be a good idea or would i still be throwing out a lot to get it set up

 

[SSedan64]

The 80E will also need some Aftermarket parts to be reliable @800HP & above. Controllers start around $500, Cable operated Speedo is extra $$ as well. Shorter Driveshaft, new or modded Crossmember.
4L80E FAQ >> http://www.jakesperformance.com/4L80E_FAQ.html
http://www.extremeautomatics.com/transmissions/4l80e.html
http://www.ckperformance.com/resources/GM4L80ECATALOG.html
http://www.jakesperformance.com/4L80E.html

 

[thenasty6]

The 80E will also need some Aftermarket parts to be reliable @800HP & above. Controllers start around $500, Cable operated Speedo is extra $$ as well. Shorter Driveshaft, new or modded Crossmember.
4L80E FAQ >> http://www.jakesperformance.com/4L80E_FAQ.html
http://www.extremeautomatics.com/transmissions/4l80e.html
http://www.ckperformance.com/resources/GM4L80ECATALOG.html
http://www.jakesperformance.com/4L80E.html

and u really think that will be better than a built up 200r4?

 

[cruzn57]

when you exceed 600-700 hp, the reliability of a 200 decreases quickly,
yes, you can add billet /HD parts, but still pushing the ability/reliability.
my Favorite trans guy used a 200 ( with everything HD) and finally went to a 400 for reliability.(In his own car)
the 4L80E is stronger than a 400 ( upgraded parts from the factory) and can be made very strong,
but, its all about $$$$ , there is NO bolt in trans (in stock form) that will handle high HP numbers.

 

[thenasty6]

when you exceed 600-700 hp, the reliability of a 200 decreases quickly,
yes, you can add billet /HD parts, but still pushing the ability/reliability.
my Favorite trans guy used a 200 ( with everything HD) and finally went to a 400 for reliability.(In his own car)
the 4L80E is stronger than a 400 ( upgraded parts from the factory) and can be made very strong,
but, its all about $$$$ , there is NO bolt in trans (in stock form) that will handle high HP numbers.

understand but thats the high in out put of the car, im not planning on dragging the car or turing up to much boost for it. im running maybe 10 psi just for street and to enjoy the car. thats why i was looking for something thats a little easier to drive around. and also dosent the t400 and 80E take alot of hp to turn them?