200-R4 transmission behind mopar stroker

-

USCG CHARGER

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2007
Messages
2,486
Reaction score
49
I'm wondering what's the main reason why I don't see anyone running this transmission behind their SB mopars.. Art Carr builds a kit for everything you need and you get the convenience of the OD.. It's very small and would be less loss on the HP. I'm seriously considering this option to put behind my high HP 416, with 4.10 gears.. This would give me the best of both worlds.. Drive it to the track (70 miles) change tires run it, and drive it back.

Is it's b/c it's a GM product or something else? I'm not going to have torsion bars as I have coil overs up front... I'd like it to require a little cutting as possible as the interior is already complete and I don;t fell like ripping the carpet, and sound deadener up.

Jason
 
I have seen the Art Carr 700R4 transmissions for V8's. It worked well behind a chevy 383 stroker with around 500 horsepower. Best I remember the 200R4 is for V6 cars and is very weak. I dont think it would be a good choice behind that stroker. If you want the OD GM unit go for the 700R4. It is a lot beefier than the 200R4.
 
It is because of it being a GM unit. I decided to go with a gm4l80e which is in another league when it comes to strength comapred to the 200 & 700. Not to mention it is an electronic unit so shift points/frimness as well as when it locks/unlocks is adjustable thru the controller. Plus I will be able to use a paddle shifter which I think is just alot cleaner than a floor shifter. But there was more than a few negative comments about it. If I remember right the unit that Kielser (sp?) uses for there auto od unit is the 4l60e, I think it fits without all the aurgery that I needed to have done and it is still all electronic.
 
I have seen the Art Carr 700R4 transmissions for V8's. It worked well behind a chevy 383 stroker with around 500 horsepower. Best I remember the 200R4 is for V6 cars and is very weak. I dont think it would be a good choice behind that stroker. If you want the OD GM unit go for the 700R4. It is a lot beefier than the 200R4.

according to art car website...he has 200r4 trans that support up to 1000 hp...you just gotta write the check..
 
I have seen the Art Carr 700R4 transmissions for V8's. It worked well behind a chevy 383 stroker with around 500 horsepower. Best I remember the 200R4 is for V6 cars and is very weak. I dont think it would be a good choice behind that stroker. If you want the OD GM unit go for the 700R4. It is a lot beefier than the 200R4.

The 200R4 is just like the 904, it needs to be beefed up internally to hold any real power. That being said, to say its weak it's correct either, ever heard of the Buick Grand National and GNX? The GN was arguably the fastest car to come of the 80s (the GNX would easily kill a vette!), this car had the 200R4. The 700R4 is expensive piece of junk IMO.
 
It is because of it being a GM unit. I decided to go with a gm4l80e which is in another league when it comes to strength comapred to the 200 & 700. Not to mention it is an electronic unit so shift points/frimness as well as when it locks/unlocks is adjustable thru the controller. Plus I will be able to use a paddle shifter which I think is just alot cleaner than a floor shifter. But there was more than a few negative comments about it. If I remember right the unit that Kielser (sp?) uses for there auto od unit is the 4l60e, I think it fits without all the aurgery that I needed to have done and it is still all electronic.

Both the 4l80e/4l60e are just electronic version of the 700R4 and as you said needs a control unit to work. The 200R4 is all hyd controlled, and you only need a single 12 volt source for the lock converter. Also the 700r4,4l80e/4l60e all require tunnel mods the tranny is just a little smaller then a 518 if I'm not mistaken.
 
I have seen the Art Carr 700R4 transmissions for V8's. It worked well behind a chevy 383 stroker with around 500 horsepower. Best I remember the 200R4 is for V6 cars and is very weak. I dont think it would be a good choice behind that stroker. If you want the OD GM unit go for the 700R4. It is a lot beefier than the 200R4.

I second the opinion- I have a friend who is a tranny guru and he won't touch them for any type of performance powertrain. It is the equivalent of building one of GM's "Target 350" motors...not worth the money or effort and will still puke itself when the wick is turned up:wack:
 
So this Art Carr transmission specialist sells a 1000hp unit and you still think it won't be worth the time our effort?
 
oh brother. the 200r and the 700r sounds like the same bullshit argument as the 727- 904 one..
 
I second the opinion- I have a friend who is a tranny guru and he won't touch them for any type of performance powertrain. It is the equivalent of building one of GM's "Target 350" motors...not worth the money or effort and will still puke itself when the wick is turned up:wack:

maybe he just isn't that good of a tranny guy??? i hear tons of people bad mouth the 904 just like he is doing the 200r.
 
Both the 4l80e/4l60e are just electronic version of the 700R4 and as you said needs a control unit to work. The 200R4 is all hyd controlled, and you only need a single 12 volt source for the lock converter. Also the 700r4,4l80e/4l60e all require tunnel mods the tranny is just a little smaller then a 518 if I'm not mistaken.
Just electronic?? The ability to control the trans with a lap top is a bit more than "just electronic". "Just electronic" also means that you can have 1 program for eveyday mushomatic shifts and another for the track, without tearing the valve body apart. With just a good build using original parts a 4l80 will hold up behind 700 or so hp. Be hard pressed for a 700 to live at the power level without some serious parts thrown at it. The 4l80e does take a bit of surgery to get in the car...
 
Just electronic?? The ability to control the trans with a lap top is a bit more than "just electronic". "Just electronic" also means that you can have 1 program for eveyday mushomatic shifts and another for the track, without tearing the valve body apart. With just a good build using original parts a 4l80 will hold up behind 700 or so hp. Be hard pressed for a 700 to live at the power level without some serious parts thrown at it. The 4l80e does take a bit of surgery to get in the car...

Like I said its the electric aspect the same parts (I believe up to 90% give or take a few) can easily swapped between the two. Yes there are differences but the fact remains the same if you take the same quality parts, apply to both, 700 isn't a problem. As far as paddle shift goes, that would own all at the track!
 
I'd like to try and keep this topic on the 200R4... that's the one on Art Carr's site so that's the one I'm interested in. Just curious as to why no one has done the conversion; is it b/c of the integrity of the 200, b/c it's a non mopar unit, surgery? Please do tell.
 
Both the 4l80e/4l60e are just electronic version of the 700R4 and as you said needs a control unit to work. The 200R4 is all hyd controlled, and you only need a single 12 volt source for the lock converter. Also the 700r4,4l80e/4l60e all require tunnel mods the tranny is just a little smaller then a 518 if I'm not mistaken.
The 4l80-e was based on a turbo 400, 4l60-e replaced the turbo 350, 2004r replaced the metric 200. All gm's way of making gas mileage. I have built all the od's for street and all out racing with great results. Art carr has the best name in the industry for the 2004r but is very expensive. 4l80-e's were only in trucks and are very heavy.
 
I'd like to try and keep this topic on the 200R4... that's the one on Art Carr's site so that's the one I'm interested in. Just curious as to why no one has done the conversion; is it b/c of the integrity of the 200, b/c it's a non mopar unit, surgery? Please do tell.
Non Mopar
 
There is a member, Mopar to ya (?) that just ordered one from Carr, have you spoke with him about it?? I did have one in a Buick I owned a long time ago. Got the car with the trans in the trunk, all apart. Once it was put back together it was a decent trans, for what it was. Which is my point in itself, there is better units out there, irregardless of what others are saying.......but hey, a guy (friend) that has has a trans shop for 25 years probably does not know as much about them as some members here......
 
There is a member, Mopar to ya (?) that just ordered one from Carr, have you spoke with him about it?? I did have one in a Buick I owned a long time ago. Got the car with the trans in the trunk, all apart. Once it was put back together it was a decent trans, for what it was. Which is my point in itself, there is better units out there, irregardless of what others are saying.......but hey, a guy (friend) that has has a trans shop for 25 years probably does not know as much about them as some members here......

So does your buddy feel that this trans is not worth building? If it will hold up to around 1000hp it seems like the "tits" b/c of the size and ease of installation. VS the other GM trasmissions. Looks as I would need a TV cable which acts like a kick down lever... Can I get a manual Vb for it where I don't have to worry about dialing that cable in or would that defeat the purpose of this type of trans? how would this beefed up trans act at the track vs our 727's? I also have 4.10 gears.
 
but hey, a guy (friend) that has has a trans shop for 25 years probably does not know as much about them as some members here......


hell i still hear guys that have been in the trans business for 30+ years tell me how a 904 wont handle any power and to go with a 727. :)
 
hell i still hear guys that have been in the trans business for 30+ years tell me how a 904 wont handle any power and to go with a 727. :)

Is this Art Carr guy the only reputable 200R4 builder?
 
Is this Art Carr guy the only reputable 200R4 builder?
I can build the trans the same as art carr. The fact is he did all the r&d so he has the parts. There are other companys that make parts for them that aren't so well known. Manual valve bodys eliminate the need for the cable. I have a 700r4 manual in my monte ss that works very good. I removed the 2004r to take advantage of the 308 first gear ratio. 305's have no torque so it really helped me. We all know there is a proper way to abuse a transmission. That said, I think the 2004r would be great if built properly. I've seen gn's launch on the back bumper with 10 inch slicks using the so called weak 2004r.
 
-
Back
Top