TH200-4R vs SP400+GVOD vs 4L80E for a heavy street car

[CTX-SLPR]

Howdy,

As many of ya'll know I am building a '64 Riviera 4.1L Turbo6 hybrid. This car is far from light at around 3800-4000lbs so I'm quite worried about busting the transmission. I also am on a rather well defined budget so cost is definate factor. My goals aren't extravegant but even low 12's high 11's are going to be a big strain on the tranny with both the weight and the required power to get there. I plan on doing far more street than strip time so OD is a must but cost and durablity wise is it worth building a technically superior TH200-4R with its .67 OD over either the Switch Pitch 400 with Gearvendors OD (only a .78 OD, but I can build it in steps) or a 4L80E (electronicaly controlled and .75 OD)

Thanks,

[turbo nasty]

Its a toss up but the 4L80 is a hvy sucker but the GV OD and the 400 might be equiv.
The 200's pros off the top of my head is the fact that the gearing is a closer ratio so that will help as far as the gears, stall and tire size fit into the formula. The first gear to second gear drop in the others often hurts performance do to the drop vs the 200 closer ratio.
And of course the deep OD in the 200 is only rivaled by the AOD.
Call around to the vendors and price a fully billet rollerized 2004r and do some comparisons.
Weight vs OD vs Price vs gear ratio range through the gears vs strength for money put in.
Another option is CK performance has a AOD setup that he pioneered that is wicked strong and will bolt up to the Turbo buick stuff. Not sure on the AOD's close ratio through the gears as teh 200 but the OD is the same as teh 200

[Bryan C.]

A 200 should suffice. 3800-4000 is not much different than a GN with a passenger or two.

[Rowdy45466]

In my other car a 66 Chevelle Malibu with a 489 BB I blew through several 700R4s and even the TH400 once. I since had looked at the fully built 2004R but there was little or no warranty available for it. 90 days I think was about the limit because I'm pushing 550 HP and the same torque.

I all ready had the TH400 so I went with the Gear Vendors OD. It isn't as much OD compared the the 200 or AOD but still enough.

I ruetinely cruise at 75+ mph. But my stall needed to be low enough so not to slip too much @ 65 ish. I also have 3.50 gears and 27" tall tires. It is long and a tight fit in my trans tunnel. But I have run it hard all the time and no real issues. I have some electrical gremlins in the car but the OD has taken many full throttle shifts and down shifts. Always performed very well.

If I need to do my Buick I'll stick with the 2004R for a while. But the 400 is not dependant on a TV cable for shifting and line pressure.

The 4L80E as I have read and heard is very heavy. The convertor is a huge piece. Better ones are lighter but last I knew it was 700$ or more just for the controler computer. but you could program your shift points depending on throttle position or what kind of driving you were doing. Also a mechanical speedo is needed for your Riv but they are out there. Tail shafts that can be modified. It also takes a ton of room.

A 400 and switch pitch sounds pretty cool.

Just my 2cents worth.