I see where a Turbo 400 trans can be shortened to Power Glide length. Anyone have any negatives to doing this where space is an issue?
That is a new one on me. I'd have to see the page you got your info from. The only way I can think you would be able to shorten one is have a custom short tail shaft and machine an end plate that has the bushing for the yoke inside the end of the trans where the speedometer drive normally would be.
I'm not exactly sure you mean "shortened" like cut and weld back together. There are short tail shaft 400's that are about the same size as a PG. I have them in my hot rods mostly early Chevy. Where as my 65 Olds has a long tail shaft about 6" longer than the Chevy. Pat
It’s already short. I can’t imagine one getting any shorter. Only about eight inches to work with if that. Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.
Where did you read this ? Please enlighten us. Where would the internal parts go ? I know that the T-200 (three speed version) can be shortened by cutting the tail shaft, but the T-400..?! Mike
I just talked to ATI. The rep said "No such thing". I pointed out that they advertised it on their webs site. He said "Oh...it's a short tail shaft and only makes it an inch shorter".
Nope, I ain't falling for THAT again...you guys just want to see the "Mods" whack another one of my posts . Nope, I wouldn't touch that with a (my) 10 inch pole.
I think they are a pretty good trans, The stock eliminator racers use them a lot, but I don't know what it takes to get them tough. I suspect ratios and rotating weight may be important to them. I think the Grand National Buick had them. must be pretty tough . they sure are avilable.
Turbo 200s were not really a bad transmission by design. They were light duty units. The area where they got a bad reputation was that GM started putting them in cars like small V8 Impallas and other heavier cars of the like in 1977. There were high failure rates and GM was actually paying transmission shops to rebuild. We did many, back in the day. Back in the 70s and 80s, normal life span of an automatic was around 100,000 miles. That is not to say they could not go further, because many did. Many also failed with much lower mileage. When they were used in cars they really belonged in, like Chevettes, V6 Malibu, Regal etc, they held up much better. Many components of the 200 and 200R4 are interchangeable. Namely the gear train and the general overall design is very similar if not identical for much of the internals. Drag racers like them because they are very light and lightweight rotating mass means less lost HP.. Turbo 200 and short tail Turbo 350 are the same length and trans mount is in the same location. Bill
Going from memory, don't the T200 have "METRIC" stamped in the pan? Another thing I recall is no separate tailshaft, trans case is all one piece. Sent from my SM-A102U using The H.A.M.B. mobile app