I've done archive digging. I've seen questions asked, but nobody doing it.

I've got a 700R4 on order. It's being built with all the hard parts and a forward pattern manual valvebody / transbrake (see http://www.artcarr.com ). It's not being built by Art Carr, tho... It's being built by the designer of the brake, with all his recommended (and custom) components.

I have some 'how did you bolt it up' questions, as well as 'what torque converter' questions. If someone's already done it and I can pick their brains, that'd be great. If not, well, I'm doing it. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> For example - did you use an adapter plate? If so, how did you space the torque converter, or did you need to? Also, I'm considering checking in to the lower dust cover from a truck, as it's a cast rigid piece and not 'floppy' like the typical 700R4 dust cover.

TIA,

Andrew

 

Isn't the 4l60e and computer controlled 700R4? Why don't you want a 4l60e? With proper tuning the built 4l60e will out shift any type of manual shifting.

 

In my mind, a 4L60E is NOT a 700R4. Especially with the bolt pattern difference for the bellhousing. I do not want another electronic transmission. I already have one in my 94Z. For my 94Z it's fine. But not in the '98. I want something different. And with the transbrake, which takes a manual valvebody, you just eliminate the "E" part right there. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

I don't really want to debate the strength issue. I am leaving that up to the builder. I told him I'll be spraying it, I told him I want it to live a nice life running high 10's, he said no problem. And looking in his goody bag of *real* parts (which is more comprehensive than your regular overpriced tranny builder's goody bag), I tend to believe him. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> It's not just a clutch and band package. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> Plus he's going to warranty it. And he's local. If it blows up, I throw it in a truck and dump the pieces on his front porch. But from the LT1 guys running his trannies, they aren't blowing up... But I want the brake. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

So, has anyone done it? Bolted an 89-92 700R4 to their LS1 car? I'm going to. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

-Andrew

 

I disagree strongly. I know Chuck at FLP does a hell of a lot more than put in new bands and clutches. The Speed Inc tranny has a lot more done to it than bands and clutches. I'm not sure about the Yanks, but I'll bet they are ALSO a lot more than bands and clutches. Maybe that is what your local overpriced tranny builder does, but not these guys.

I'm sure someone has done it, but I am wondering about the wisdom of it. I'm all for simple, cheap answers, but don't you think if it were a reasonable idea that it would have already been done?

<small>[ July 18, 2002, 03:58 PM: Message edited by: DenzSS ]</small>

 

Just to keep the mood positive here. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Nobody is running a TRANSBRAKE in their 4L60E's.

FLP? Nope. Yank? Nope. SpeedInc? Nope.

Me in my 700R4? Yep. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

That's the whole reason I'm doing this. I want overdrive, I want a transbrake, I don't want a TH400 or TH350. And I don't want to buy anything even resembling the "4L70E".

When I frag this thing and come crying on the board, you can make fun of me I promise. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" /> But until then, remember... the first guy that rubbed two sticks together probably looked a little goofy too. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

Still wondering how to bolt it up, tho. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_tounge.gif" />

-Andrew

 

Not to burst your bubble but yank has been selling a transbrake for the 4l60e for probably 2 years. Now I would not run a transbrake or anything from yank, but it can be done.

Gary

 

Ah yes, he does have it listed on his web site. Never noticed it before. And I've *never* heard of anyone running it either. $2700 is a lot of dough to cough up on an expensive experiment on *just* a tranny... I won't have that much in my whole conversion, including all the extras. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> Plus I'd never order something like that where I'd have to ship it back to get it 'fixed'. Screw shipping stuff, another reason - he's local. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

No bubble burst here. Just wondering if I'm going to hear any installation help. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Thanks,

Andrew

 

I will be having a *built* 200-4R put into my car next week. I will be sure to let everyone know how it does. While the 700R4 was originally a stronger tranny than the 200-4R, the 200-4R can be built to be strong (try living behind 8-sec GNs).

To me, having an overdrive on a good/strong tranny was a big deal. A TH350/400 without and overdrive is just a little too ghetto for me for a street car.

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by WeatherGuy:
<strong>I will be having a *built* 200-4R put into my car next week. I will be sure to let everyone know how it does. While the 700R4 was originally a stronger tranny than the 200-4R, the 200-4R can be built to be strong (try living behind 8-sec GNs).

To me, having an overdrive on a good/strong tranny was a big deal. A TH350/400 without and overdrive is just a little too ghetto for me for a street car.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Greg, Please do let us know how this goes. I'll be looking for an overdrive tranny to live behind a 422 pushing a 4300lb.+ truck around. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

I love when other people guinea pig things. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_tounge.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Seriously, it's nice that your willing to post good and bad.

Thanks

John

 

The 4L60-E is basically a computer controlled 700-R4 but there are some other upgrades. I'm no tranny expert and have only heard the greek that my tranny guy speaks to me on the subject so I can't quote specifics. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

You can, of course, give either of these trannys a manual valvebody which, although isn't so desirable for the street, does tend to shift quicker and more consistantly (proficient driver assumed) at the track than the auto valvebody. A manual valvebody is also mandantory for use with a transbrake.

I'd rather have a 4L60-E than a 700-R4. I've used both PLENTY and I consider the 4L60-E to be the stronger transmission assuming both are built comparably.

<small>[ July 18, 2002, 12:28 PM: Message edited by: Colonel ]</small>

 

Let me think we all know I have a good memory (humming noise)...

I think Rice Eater, who is selling his car right now, Charlie Streetman?, has a 700R4 in his car, ask him.

200R4 is a strong piece with better gear ratios. I don't think that there are any 8 second GN's with 200R4's though. 8 second cars are pretty darn fast. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

Chuck from FLP could do me a 4L60E trans brake he has not wanted to since he wanted to try it on his personal car first to see how long it would last.

 

Definitely something to be said for having a good tranny guy in your hometown. I know it's been a blessing to me! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Cool]" src="gr_images/icons/cool.gif" />

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by XLR8NSS:
<strong>Greg, Please do let us know how this goes. I'll be looking for an overdrive tranny to live behind a 422 pushing a 4300lb.+ truck around. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="gr_stretch.gif" />

I love when other people guinea pig things. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="gr_tounge.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Seriously, it's nice that your willing to post good and bad.

Thanks

John</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You (and everyone on the board) are very welcome. I myself have learned a ton of stuff from what other people have guinea-pigged.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Pro Stock John:
<strong>200R4 is a strong piece with better gear ratios. I don't think that there are any 8 second GN's with 200R4's though. 8 second cars are pretty darn fast.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">The 200-4R's have survived some high 8-sec turbo Buicks. Check out the Buick site in the transmission section.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Colonel:
<strong>Definitely something to be said for having a good tranny guy in your hometown. I know it's been a blessing to me!
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Century transmission is located here in town, and is who has built my 200-4R. They might be the best builders of these in the nation from what I understand.

 

Cool, thanks PSJ. (edit: Rice Eater is running a 4L60E... he did a swap, but it was with another LS1 owner - luv them searches!)

The fellow who is building my tranny designed the transbrake for it. He hasn't put one behind an LS1, but he has one behind a BBC truck that runs 10's. I told him to build mine just like that one, or better if he's gotnewer ideas.

And he's local so there's no shipping if things go wrong, which they could. I wouldn't do this if he were not local to me. Shipping trannies all over the place would get too expensive. I can pull them in my driveway and have it in the back of a pickup in a couple hours, tho. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

-Andrew (hmm, car is sitting in driveway with no tranny right now <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> )

<small>[ July 19, 2002, 12:39 PM: Message edited by: Camaroholic ]</small>

 

I am going to do a TH 400 in about a month or two, but i would really like an overdrive for cruising. I don't know though i will wait to see how successful you are. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> Let us know how it turns out

 

i have heard of 2004rs living behind a 8 second GN....

YES

but for a lot of runs....

NO

They only last a few.

--I looked into a strong o/d transmission and what i found was a 200-4R that cost $3000 and came with a transbrake and i dont think that was with a converter either

You can get them to live behind a low to 10 second cars and "occasional use" on a 9 second car.

Go to www.turbobuick.com and check out the tranny section and the website for the moderator....from what everyone has told me in when i was looking into it, he was the man to go too