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Technical OPINION? SHORTENED TURBO 400

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by Clik, Apr 18, 2021.

  1. Clik
    Joined: Jul 1, 2009
    Posts: 1,965

    Clik
    Member

    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?
     
  2. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    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.
     
  3. 1934coupe
    Joined: Feb 22, 2007
    Posts: 5,051

    1934coupe
    Member

    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
     
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  4. Kevin Ardinger
    Joined: Aug 31, 2019
    Posts: 778

    Kevin Ardinger
    Member

    It’s already short. I can’t imagine one getting any shorter. Only about eight inches to work with if that.


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  5. Mike VV
    Joined: Sep 28, 2010
    Posts: 3,029

    Mike VV
    Member
    from SoCal

    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
     
  6. Marty Vanin
    Joined: Feb 22, 2017
    Posts: 91

    Marty Vanin
    Member

    ATI offers T400 made to PG length. I have yet to see one.
     
  7. Clik
    Joined: Jul 1, 2009
    Posts: 1,965

    Clik
    Member

    I saw it advertised on ATI's site.
     
  8. saltflats
    Joined: Aug 14, 2007
    Posts: 12,594

    saltflats
    Member
    from Missouri

    Looks like 650 bucks for the parts, my driveshaft guy is way cheaper.
     
    Elcohaulic likes this.
  9. mgtstumpy
    Joined: Jul 20, 2006
    Posts: 9,214

    mgtstumpy
    Member

  10. Clik
    Joined: Jul 1, 2009
    Posts: 1,965

    Clik
    Member

    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". ;)
     
  11. Marty Vanin
    Joined: Feb 22, 2017
    Posts: 91

    Marty Vanin
    Member

    That’s an expensive inch.
     
  12. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    @hotrodjack33

    I’m leaving the above for you to reply to;)
     
  13. Bob Lowry
    Joined: Jan 19, 2020
    Posts: 1,488

    Bob Lowry

    This might help... turbo 400 lengths.jpg
     
  14. Budget36
    Joined: Nov 29, 2014
    Posts: 13,174

    Budget36
    Member

    What did a TH200 come in, and do you know if it was any good? I assume a 3 speed transmission?
     
  15. hotrodjack33
    Joined: Aug 19, 2019
    Posts: 4,128

    hotrodjack33
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Nope, I ain't falling for THAT again...you guys just want to see the "Mods" whack another one of my posts :eek:.

    Nope, I wouldn't touch that with a (my) 10 inch pole;).
     
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2021
    427 sleeper and Budget36 like this.
  16. bill gruendeman
    Joined: Jun 18, 2019
    Posts: 808

    bill gruendeman
    Member

    That’s what she said
     
  17. JOECOOL
    Joined: Jan 13, 2004
    Posts: 2,771

    JOECOOL
    Member

    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.
     
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  18. justpassinthru
    Joined: Jul 23, 2010
    Posts: 524

    justpassinthru
    Member

    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
     
    XXL__, Budget36 and Hnstray like this.
  19. 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.

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