th200 question

[Roddin28]

I got a rebuilt th200 yesterday - it will go into a 58 chevy behind the stock 283 - should work for me -- but I wonder how much hp and tourqe this tranny ia able to handle - any experience??

[cosmo]

IF it's a real TH200, the three speed one, it has a reputation for blowing up behind a Vega four. I would never use it behind anything.
If it is a TH200R4, the four speed OD trans, then it should be OK, these were used behind the Buick GN turbo V6'es.
The confusion about these two led to the initial thoughts that the TH200R4 was somehow the same trans with the same reputation, which led to the 700R4 being quite overpriced.
As to how you can tell the difference, I'm not quite sure. I do believe that the 200 (3 speed) is the only one with "METRIC" stamped into the pan. Otherwise consult a trans shop.
Cosmo

[Fat Hack]

I had a 79 Monte Carlo with a TH200, ran the Hell out of that car for two years bracket racing it at Detroit Dragway and doing burnouts on the street. The car just had a mildly tweaked 305. Yes the trans DID finally let go...but only after LOTS and LOTS of abuse over time.

The TH200 Metric will easily handle your 283...even if you beat it up like I did! If it's assembled right, and the TV cable is adjusted properly, the only other thing you need to do is keep the fluid level right and hook up the cooling lines!

I just put a TH200 in my 49 Chevy behind a V6, and I abused the Hell out of big ass Oldsmobile with a 307 V8 and TH200 tranny for a long time and never hurt the trans.

You'll see people who blow up TH400s on a weekly basis...and there'll be other guys who can run a TH200 for several seasons!

Don't worry about it. It's a rebuilt tranny behind a 283. No problem!

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Ayers Garage]

My 54 Chevy had a TH200 in it since 1999 with no problems. It lived behind a 350 every day. Dtill working good as of last week.

[AHotRod]

Good T200 are just fine.

I ran modified T200's in my Stock Class drag car, they were 2/10 ths quicker than a like T350 or T400.

AHotRod

[34Hupmobile]

The early 80's TH200R4 transmissions also had Metric on the pans. Here's a handy link to ID trannys:
http://www.nastyz28.com/transid.html

[Crosley]

I will point out that the 200-4r & t-200 use the same gear train, same planetarys , same size drums, same size frictions, same size steels.

Obviously the 200-4r has an over-drive section, different oil pump than a t-200, different valve body.

Very similar in strength