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200-4R
I'm running an Extreme Automatics 200-4R Stage 2, with a 700-R4 filter and a deep standard PML pan. Torque converter is from R&R (teamed with Extreme), stalls at 3500, 10". Currently using a 200-4r filter.
Lockup control:
I asked Extreme to put in the "3 wire lockup with 4th NO switch". The default 3 wire from the GN uses an NC switch, which is no bueno for what I want to do. I did buy the specific connector from American Autowire, but could have used one of my generic 4 pins as the case connector wasn't keyed.
For lockup, I have:
Power from ACC goes to brake switch cruise connector, to firewall connector, to a vacuum switch on the driver inner fender. The vacuum switch is set to close at 9" Hg and runs off ported. Then power goes to a timer circuit (bit.ly/timer17). The timer is also wired to the 4th gear switch. Output from the timer goes to the front fuse box to trigger a relay which then sends power down to the lockup solenoid. I just used a pigtail to ground the solenoid to the case. The solenoid only pulls about 0.6A, so I didn't necessarily need to tie to the front panel, but I'm worried about the voltage sag happening with the firewall panel.
The timer is really quite impressive. It has flyback protection so I can use it to directly drive a relay. On the timer, I use the following setup:
Red (power): input from vacuum switch (ported vacuum > 9"Hg and brake NOT engaged)
Yellow (load): output to the fuse box to throw the relay
Blue (trigger): ground signal from 4th gear switch
Black (ground): ground
White/Green (config): insulated
Mode: 11, delay: 10 seconds, trigger mode: 4
What this is supposed to do: Lockup engages 10 seconds after all of these are met: tranny is in 4th, throttle is at least slightly depressed (not coasting) and ported vacuum is over 9"Hg (not accelerating hard) and brakes aren't engaged. Tripping any of the conditions unlocks the converter.
Vacuum switch: Can be found a a few places, I used the "6-22" version, just look for "Superior K058", e.g.:
http://superiortransmission.com/product/superior-k058/
When it's set to 9", turning 1 turn CCW switches at 5", turning 1 turn CW switches at 16"
Speedo gears: orange (11 tooth) drive, black (27 tooth) driven
Test pressures, per Extreme instructions:
No TV Full TV
P 95 320
R 160 280-350 (rapid swing)
N 95 320
O 100 320
D 100 320
2 250 250
1 240 240
Connecting TV cable, in 4th, elevated idle, tapping the TV cable instantly increases pressure. All good.
I'm using a Shiftworks kit with the dual gate. Works OK, but doesn't reach all the way to the rear for 1st (1st gear is at 1st-and-a-half position), but the gate detents on the right gate work correctly. In the current setup, I moved the pin farther forward than they specify (6" vs 5 7/8") and the cable is *barely* long enough for the shifter to mount in the correct location.
Notes:
The band bangs (not surprising). Hangs onto 3rd (not surprising). Lockup does not appear to work yet. Switching to Lokar parking brake cables means I didn't have to do any work there! Also means the parking brake works when the tranny is out. Parking awl doesn't always engage....!! Tranny doesn't shift just because you move the shifter. If it wants to hang on the gear, it's gonna hang onto it. Lockup still hunts when under ~50mph due to vacuum fluctuations.
Filters:
The 200-4r filter has the inlet on the top, which can get uncovered during hard acceleration. So it's recommended to use the 700-r4 or 4l60e(early) filter, which have the inlets on the bottom.
700-r4: Feed tube is the same as the 200-4r, but the filter is thicker. This requires either modifying the pan (in the case of deep or thick cast aluminum pans) or using a pan spacer. Looks like the spacer needs to be around 1/8" to 1/4". I ran a 700-r4 filter with the PML deep pan and just ground down the filter standoffs as needed. The PML standard pan still has standoffs, but they're quite short. Didn't seem worthwhile, so went back to the stock filter.
4l60e(early): The feed tube is angled instead of straight and a larger diameter than the 200-4r. Not sure how to make this one work. About the same thickness as the 700-r4.
TH350
I was still running the old TH350 that was rebuilt by All Tranz in Austin. I put in a converter from Lenny at UCC - 2800/3200 stall, 10", $625. Worked exceptionally well. No big concerns with the trans other than a persistent small leak from the kickdown or dipstick.
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Old notes
Other converters for TH200-4R:
http://www.torqueconvertershop.com/torque_converter_700r4_4l60e_200.htm
Lenny @ UCC will only build a billet for my setup and wanted >$1,000. Woof.
Converters for th350:
coan recommended 20212-4, 11", $425, stall 2600/2800
Lenny@UCC recommended 10", 2800/3200 stall, $625. Said Coan wasn't a bad choice.
Just some quick notes for now:
Good thread on ROP on one guy's experience
There seem to be several "well known" builders. Need to look at Lonnie's Extreme, CK's, Bowtie, and one or two others (need to dig the links back up).
TQ Lockup: Another good ROP thread. Basically need to use the 4th gear switch in the tranny, plus vacuum and use the brake switch to disengage.
transmissionpartsusa.com looks like a good cheap source for general parts.
2004r deep pan option:
http://www.yourcovers.com/transpan_9917.php
2004r lockup notes:
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I used a combination of the bowtie overdrives ez tv kit, the vacuum switch (71V2) from PATC and the bowler lock up control module. The lock up works pretty close to perfect this way. Wire it up through the brake switch first, then into the vacuum switch (connected to the timed port not direct manifold port) and finally into the bowler controller. This way you can adjust the vacuum as desired then the controller delays an additional 8 seconds out. As to if it will handle a stock 455 without any modifications I wouldn't think for long. Here are some links to the parts...
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/200-4r.htm
http://bowlertransmissions.com/p/99/200 ... rol-module
This vacuum switch is on all 1983 1985 Chevrolet blazer and s10's mounted on the left front fender and can be found at all junk yard for less than $5.00 you can also just the pig tail off the same truck done this for years works great
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If switching to the 200r4, need to use TH400 style parking brake cables. From Joe on CO:
Front cables are available from RockAuto, though interestingly they don't list them for Cutlii, only for Chevelles. Try these part numbers:
Dorman - C92394
Raybestos - BC92394
AC Delco - 18P2287
Wagner - BC72922
Center (intermediate) cables in the correct length go by these part numbers:
Dorman - C92352
Raybestos - BC92352
Wagner - BC105968
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