What to buy/2004R/Cruiser

[rustytoolss]

I've been thinking of swapping out my THM 350, and replacing it with a 2004R. I have a street rod with a almost stock chevy 350/and 3.73 gear. That being said,I'am using my ride as a cruiser NOT a race car, looking to kill that 3.73 gear and improve gas mileage. I've been reading about all the tranny codes...BN..KZF..CZF..OZ etc as some of the wanted units, and best for high performance/racing use. But if you were putting a 2004R in a" DRIVER" what codes would you buy (if you could not find any of the BEST trannys) ....AND WHAT WOULD YOU RUN FROM? I've read that the units built from 1987 and up are improved. Maybe someone can tell me
model/engine/code that would be a GOOD choice for what I'am looking for.
Thanks
Rustytoolss

 

[denn454]

bfr was the code in the 86-87 tr's and ss monte carlo. its really the best way to go. the bq (maybe br, someone will clarify i'm sure) was in the 84-85 tr's.

my understanding is its just different valve bodies. i'm sure a good solid bfr will hold any power your 350 is going to put to it, assuming it really is just a cruiser and nothing special power wise. the only concern i'd have is with the BOP bolt pattern on the bell housing. you might be best off just getting any 200 you can get your hands on, and building it up with good internals and a good valve body.

 

[chris718]

get a copy of our 200 paage 2004r transmission manual .it covers this as well as everything else in great detail.step by step rebuild with photos,mods ,codes,converters,valve body governer etc etc etc.

 

[INEEDAGN]

I know you said cruiser, but if you are on the throttle AT ALL you will be much more satisfied with a performance oriented unit from a 86-87 turbo buick (brf), 84-85 turbo buick (bq), monte carlo ss (cz or cq), hurst olds/442(oz) and I think there are other good ones as well. the geartrain was upgraded through the years so the later model unit you buy, the better the internals will be but it's not a huge factor. The different codes above have a better valve body, governor, and servo which will give you a better shift feel and durability. In a transplant you have to get the TV cable dead on with the right brackets or you will never be happy with it. Also you need to control lockup function somehow. You have come to the right website for trans help, and chris is probably right, his manual will cover all of it without spending hours reading repetitive posts on a computer screen. Also MOST 200-4Rs use a universal bolt pattern bell housing but some are BOP only. I believe that really early models (81-82), diesels, and some canadian models use an "extra" valve in the VB which will control lockup with no computer but I haven't reasearched that very well yet. And then there's the 700-R4...............

 

[chris718]

if you cant find a performance code select a AA CR CT or BY code.they can be modded to give 4800 rpm wot ratio changes.Stay away from all others ,especially OG KT HE CE .

 

[A. G. Olphart]

No matter which trans you get, a set of hardened pump rings is a good idea; could save you from the sudden death syndrome seen when the stock cast rings break. For a light street rod cruiser without slicks, that may be all you need. (I'd call the rings, a shift kit, and a performance 2nd gear servo an absolute minimum for a full size car). Chris's book is great if you are interested in DIY rebuilding/beefing the trans.

You've made a good choice -- Happy rodding.

 

[TexasT]

http://members.aol.com/powerrslid/thm2004r.html
Check out the link for codes.

I have found the AA can be found in full size Cadillacs(sedan de ville) with the 4100 engine. But as stated by Chris the KT isn't good and is usually in a full size caddy with the other V8s. Just what I have observed scrounging the yards.

Good Luck Searching.

 

[chris718]

the by caddilac code was used with that weird seviile from the 80s with that weird tbi.does anyone remember that?4 6 2 or something like that.the distributor would go bad and only fire one bank of cylinders.