[vertbird]

My 76 TA is very mildly modified, probably 240hp. It's reliable but not exactly lively to drive. It has a 2.73 which makes it great on the highway but otherwise a bit of a slug. I'm researching going to a 3.42 to liven it up but then an overdrive to keep it pleasant for hours on the interstate.

I read the 200r4 is easier to install but I understand they are getting hard to find but Extreme Automatic does have some. Ease of install is pretty key for me along with reliability. Even if the motor gets redone it's a 557 block so it'll never be over 350-400hp. Is the 200r4 still the go to or is the 4L60 also easy (like no floor modifications) or does someone supply a package deal with transmission, crossmember and everything you need to get it installed? Thanks for any experiences/advice.

[JLMounce]

4l60 needs a pretty pricey BOP bellhousing (not just an adapter plate) because it is designed for a passenger side mount starter. Once you get that sorted, the install isn't any different than a 4l80e. With the F-Body cars, you usually need to get banjo fittings for the cooler lines and you might need a BFH to persuade the tunnel in a spot.

Either the 4l60 or a 700r4 is probably a decent fit for this car given it's power. The steep first gear is going to help motivate the car a bit better out of the whole and make it feel more lively.

The 200r4 if you can fine one tends to not need the extras of the more modern transmissions. It already has a BOP bolt pattern and typically bolts right up to the factory cross member. I wouldn't call it "easier to install" than any of the other transmissions, it just doesn't require an adapter plate and sometimes a crossmember. The gear spread of the 200r4 is pretty nice for most performance applications. I think you'd want a 3.55 rear gear with a 200r4 though. That gets your starting line ratio closer to the 700/4l60 with a 3.42 and because the overdrive is taller, you cruise about the same on the highway.

That leaves the 4l80. It's a great transmission, but it's shallow gearing and short final drive isn't going to wake up the car as much as the other transmissions and frankly, you don't need it's size and strength here.

If this was my car and I was doing the buying, I'd probably be after a 700r4. It's readily available, would work in your power range without any fuss, and provides the best gearing for a car that isn't a power house. If you ever decide to upgrade your engine and push closer to 400hp. Do a couple of the known upgrades like a beast shell and input shaft. As it sits though the 700 would live just fine behind your current engine.

[HWYSTR455]

IMO, if you're going to do an OD auto, don't base it on your' existing power levels, step it up so you don't have to do it again for future power levels.

If you're considering a 4L60e, then you might as well do a 4L80e. It's about the same money and handles way more than a 2004R or 4L60. They are 'roughly' the same size, and if you trim the case it requires no tunnel mods. (search here it's been done before).

Some swap vendors offer generalized kits, but really all you need is a crossmember and driveshaft. And of course, a controller.



.

[Skip Fix]

Steve Coombs has a 200R behind his 505 IA motor.

[b-man]

Do the 200-4R with your planned 3.42 rear gear.

Best fit, easiest installation and can handle your 240 hp 400 no problem.

If you do later decide to swap in a substantially more powerful engine at the same time you can upgrade the 200-4R.

[Steve C.]

My 2004R transmission was built to go behind my 505 with well over 600 ft.lbs. torque, and used all the expensive 'billet' parts. A very expensive build ! I had some minor difficulty at first and it had to come out. While out it was then I had it changed from using a lock up torque converter. My current non-LU converter was built by Continental. It is well coupled out on the open highway with about a 200 rpm slippage. I'm using a 3.73 rear gear.
The transmission has been in service since 2007.

Regarding TV cable setup. Bowtie Overdrives makes one of the best out there.

https://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/




.

[Scarebird]

Easiest and cheapest would be to swap to a top shelf converter, especially if it can be set up to lock in cruise.

[KEN CROCIE]

I have the 700 in my GTO (11.07/122.7) built by Hubbe's transmission and the 200 in my 81 3/4 ton with stock 350 Eng. The 200 was built and installed by Artt Carr with the HD tow package. Both have lock up converters. Manual lock up switch on the 700 and adj. lock up via computer on the 200. I much prefer the 700 over the 200. The lower first gear of the 700 and not needing a fussy computer to run it makes it my first choice.

[76TA462]

I have a 462 in my 76TA with just shy of 600 hp and tq at the crank. 3:23 rear gear. I went to the 2004R instead of the 700 (also great choice) specifically for the gearing and the high low-end 455 torque. In 2020 I bought the Extreme Automatics Stage Two 2004R with their 9.5 inch non-lockup converter. It uses a GNX calibrated valve body. My TA was originally a 4-speed and I went to a TH400 in the 1980's and later adding the 10-inch Jim Hand Special from Continetal Converters. I am still totally satisfied with the outcome - excellent lower rpm for 4th gear highway cruising, incredibly snappy shifting response and has been problem free so far including some "spirited" driving. The guys at Extreme Performance are also very helpful and easy to deal with.

[Skip Fix]

I have a 200R built by the same guy as Steve's I got from Dave Sober. I had it freshened a year ago and the plan is to go in th3e 78 TA this year.

[vertbird]

Thanks for all the input guys....much appreciated!