700R4 Died Violently. DFW Tranny shop?
 

I installed a 700R4 and loved the fun I had the three days I had with it.:rolleyes: I know they weren't originally built for high HP engines, but I thought it would last longer than three days.... After about four or five HARD hits on the street, the planetary is trashed. So what shops in the DFW area have reputations of being good at building 700's to handle the power of a BB? I've called about five shops today, only two would touch it and only one would warranty it when I take it to the track, Dave's Racing Automatics in Irving. They quoted me a price of $800 installed and dialed in.

Give Hobarts Performance Trans in Midlothian a call 877-723-9559. They might be able to help you out.

If you're on the west side, you might try Phoenix Transmission Products in Weatherford at 817-599-7680 or www.phoenixtrans.com.

I have seen their ads in the truck magazines and have talked to a couple of F-body guys that highly recommended them, although the $800 installed price will be hard to beat, especially with a warranty!

Good Luck,
Kent

I always use Transmission Headquaters on East lancaster in Fort Worth.
Not the cheapest but very knowledgeable and quick turnaround.

Have Fun

I second the Phoenix transmission shop reccomendation. I went through 3 700R4's in my 69 Camaro with a 468 BBC. I went to them and had a 200R built and installed. It gave me ZERO problems and it got beat on pretty hard. They were good guys and reasonably priced.

I third Phoenix Transmissions. Friend of mine is running a 450hp 383 through a 700R4, with a 300 shot. Seems to be just fine. He paid a lot more, for his transmission to withstand that much, but they can build you what you need!!

The guys @ Phoenix said their 700R4 would live behind a 496 w/a Edlebrock RPM top end pkg as long as I didn't bolt up slicks. The quote I got was 16-1700 bucks for everything + upgrades for the tranny cooler.

Scot

$800 seems kind of low for a 700r rebuild.Especially one for performance.A friend of mine built mine,no charge for labor,and I have over $500 in parts not counting the converter and new trans cooler!

Hey SCOTI, what did Phoenix say about their 200R? The Buick GN guys swear by their built 200R's in those heavy GN's, and the first/second gear RPM drop isn't as severe as with a 700R. I think I'm leaning toward the 200R myself behind my 454. I mean, I might want to bolt on some slicks, you know? :)
SC

I had the 200R and I beat it pretty hard. I was running a 468 and dyno'ed 612 rwhp. I ran slicks a couple times but ran drag radials all the time. I got it installed by Phoenix transmissions so I could get the warranty. I paid $1900.00 and got a complete deal. Tranny, cooler and shifter. I never had to test the warranty and that's why I would reccomend them. I had my old 700R rebuilt 3 times by 2 different shops and still broke it. If you are making good horsepower I'd check out the 200R.

That's funny . . ... all 4 times I've spoken w/them w/any questions or inquiries, they never mentioned anything about the 200R & I really didn't think to ask.

I have noticed, while looking through my GMHiTechPerf mags, alot of advertisements for 200R's for GN's & late HiPo F-bodies. I never really thought about it but they are similar in weight vs. 67-72's, so I guess the 200R could take the abuse.

Only one way to find out. I'll have to make another call & verify some info.

Another advantage of the 200-4R is it is the same overall length as the TH350, so the length of the driveshaft should not be an issue. I think the mounting point is farther aft, so the crossmember would have to be moved.

Kent

Does the 200-r4 have overdrive?

Yes the 200 is an overdrive tranny.

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions. I picked this tranny up for next to nothing then sold some parts which replaced what I spent. So as of now, all I'll have into it is a rebuild. I've spoken to many shops in the last couple days and have narrowed it down to two right now. I still have a couple others to call tomorrow, so we will see how it turns out.

It's great having resources like this board and others that I frequent, to get suggestions and opinions.

Thanks again.