200-4R vs. 700-R4

From: Jim Dobravec (jim at yoda.sscl.uwo.ca)

For those who are still debating between the 200-R4 and 700-R4....

there is an article in the March 1995 Hot Rod issue where they do a 
trans comparo between the two. They basically asked the "experts" at Art 
Carr and TCI about the two trannys. Some of the highlights were:

- 200-4R comes with a universal bolt pattern bellhousing (fits Chev Buick 
  Olds Pontiac engines)
- 700-R4 is a Chev only pattern.
- 200-4R offers full-throttle upshift into overdrive, while only the 91 
  and later Corvette 700-R4s offer this feature.
- a few years ago GM changed the 700-R4 designation to 4L60 same trans 
  except 4L60-E is computer controlled. 
- Most trans companies agree that the early 700-R4s had some durability 
  problems and must be highly modified to make good performance 
  engines.(didn't say what the mods are)
- the early 82-84 700-R4 units had a smaller 27-slpine input shaft and 
  should be avoided.
- the 85-87 700-R4s can be upgraded but both companies recommended 
  starting with an 88-93 700-R4 
- as for the 200-4R, the best are the ones used in the turbo Buick 
  T-Types and Grand Nationals, but any of the 86-88 gearboxes are good cores.
- Art Carr claims both are equally durable and both can handle up to 600 
  lbs-ft of torque and around 700hp (not stock I'm sure!!)
- Art Carr has been adapting the 200-4R for use in automatic equipped 
  Mustangs. (sounds like putting chevy engines into a Ford again :) )


Bottom Line:
- both TCI and Art Carr also agree that HOW you use the trans is a big 
  factor in selecting the correct performance automatic. If blasting 9's 
  on the dragsrip is your plan of attack a performance built Turbo 400 or 
  powerglide is the best choice. Both the 200-4R and the 700-R4 will live 
  on the dragstrip behind some pretty powerful engines. However keep in 
  mind the quicker the car runs the more abuse the trans has to endure, 
  which in turn will reduce its life expectancy.

---

From: J Gray (jgray01 at mail.state.mo.us)

        I know this subject has already been discussed, but as I was digging
though my old HOT ROD magazines and I found this interesting article "THE
GREAT DEBATE (700-R4 vs. 200-R4) Which is the Better Overdrive?
                        "HOT ROD MARCH 1995"
        Here are a few highlights that I copyed straight for the article.

All 200-R4s offer full-throttle upshifts into overdrive while only the '91
and later Corvette 700-R4s offer this feature.  

        The early '82-'84 700-R4s units had a smaller, 27-spline input shaft
and should be avoided.  The '85-'87 700-R4s can be upgraded, but most
companies recommend starting with an '88-'93 700-R4.  These transmissions
offer a number of advantages that enhance durability.  The best 200-R4s are
between '86-88.

        While the 700-R4 offers the deepest first-grear ratio, this does not
necessarily make it the best choice.  Note that the 700-R4's
first-to-second-gear drop is far greater than the 200-R4's.  This will hurt
acceleration.

                     1st         2nd          3rd        4th
200-R4              2.74         1.57         1.00       .67
700-R4              3.06         1.62         1.00       .70

        "The key is that the 200-R4 is as durable as the 700-R4"