is this tranny capable of handling 9 sec passes? how durable is it? i really wanna stick with a OD transmission, any info will be helpful. thanks.

 

I have been researching this myself over the past week. I have searched many sites for the Buick Grand National as this is the tranny that most of them run. Yes It is capable of handling the power but as far as I can tell is also the most expensive way to go.

I am right now researching the Gear Vendor overdrive unit for the TH350 and the TH400. Mine will have to handle well over 700/700 flywheel

 

hmmm, i checked out raptor performace transmissions and they got all the 200-4r stuff for the ls1. and its half the price of what yank is offering theirs.

 

I have found 200-4R's over the past week from $1900 all the way to $4000 either way it's not cheap.

 

Go with Century transmissions for a rock solid 200-4r. Mike Kurtz is their builder. The gearvendors is big time $$.

GN are going 9's with built 200-4r so it will hold if you build it. One thing to know is you need to either modify the TC or put an adapter on the flexplate to get the 200-4r to work with a LS1.

 

I've got a 200r4 from a 87 GN and had to do alot to get it to work right.

Things your going to run into
1..getting the speedo to work
2. either using the TV cable or going a full manual VB
3 new driveshaft
4 new converter
5 mod your crossmember or buy one
6 no more tail mounted TQ arm
7 run new tranny lines
8 shifter

thats just some of the things i can remember off the top of my head. I built the transmission myself with alot of reading and asking ?s on turbobuick.com

Your going to want a BRF coded trans from a 87 gn.

 

here are some pics of the swap.

http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...6_659_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...6_657_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...6_658_full.jpg

http://images.cardomain.com/member_i...6_656_full.jpg

 

Youll have to get a custom converter built, you can run a stock or an aftermarket flexplate as I am. (TCI SFI approved flexplate) Youll have to get a custom driveshaft made. You can use a stock 6-speed trans crossmember, but youll have to elongate the holes a 1/2" forward. You have to have a reluctor wheel pressed on to the input shaft, get the casing drilled for a bung, and then all you would need to do is plug in your factory speedo cable. You will either customize the tv cable, bracket, etc. or go with a full manual valvebody. You will have to go with a torque arm that doesnt mount to the end of the tailshaft, unless you get the kit from Yank which I personally dont like. I just went with a chromoly Spohn torque arm. I know it may sound like a lot, but its really not. Im getting my tranny built by Mike Kurtz at Century Transmission. He is one of the best 200-4R builders if not the best. He has built them well into the 9s. I cant recall, but I thought that he got one into the high 8s, but I could be wrong. Hope that helps.

 

By the way, I got my converter from Yank and it wasnt any extra charge that I was running the 200-4R instead of the 4L60E. You just have to mention that its going behind an LS1 with a 200-4R. Be sure to let them know if youre running an adapter plate on the tranny or not.

 

sweet,i just off the phone with Mike @ Century. cool dude. he said it definately will handle low 9s with no problem. he gave me a list of the things i need to do to convert. talk about costing some $$. but i cannot bring myself to converting my car to a trailer queen and going with the dreaded th400. i want to be able to drive the car(in/out of town) i am paying for monthly so thats why i wanna go with the 200-4r.

does anyone else have info... thanks guys for the great info so far.

 

I talked to Mike today too and he sent me a build sheet and said they are rated up to 900hp so I think that will be safe huh. I am seriously considering this swap really soon.

 

yeah, i think i am headed that way myself....after i build this damn engine ,lol. i just noticed you have the engine i am building chad, except i have gtp heads and going with a direct port setup.

 

Yeah the Direct Port will be my next project after the tranny 9's should be easy and it will still be a true street car too....

 

How about a regular 700 R-4. Won't that be easier to swap?

 

yes it would be easier

 

Sweet pics thanks. I was wonder how I was going to get the TV cable to work.

Anyone know if this adapter plate will let me use a regular 200-4r converter with an TCI LS1 SFI Flexplate? It looks like it will. http://www.transmissioncenter.net/200-4R.htm It is about half way down the page.

Any other infor about getting the TV cable mounted and adjusted would help a ton too.

Thanks
Mike

 

http://www.tvmadeez.com/ls1_cam/index.html

 

TA2SLOW346: The last link you provided on the TV cable, did you happen to use their kit? It looks like a nice set up...I never looked into that because Mike at Century fabricates a bracket and a custom length cable for everything works out. I believe he says he welds something to the throttle body, but Im not sure what or where. Do you know if that kit is specifically for a 200-4R in an LS1? Thanks for the info so far.

 

no i didnt use that kit, back when i did mine that wasnt out then. Yes its for the 700r4 and 200r4, no difference. All TV cables need some fine tuning here and there.

 

Does that kit come with everything that I need? Im not sure what Mike's kit looks like, but this one seems to be nice. If it was out when you were in the process, would you have used it? Thanks