700R4 vs.. 2004R?

[66chevyjunky]

Thought I had my heart set on a 700R4 behind my brand new 350 crate motor but after doing some research, 2004R sounds interesting. Other than not having to cut the drive shaft what are some of the reasons to go in either direction?

[Anthony Fremont]

I like the first gear ratio better on the 200-4r.

[shortbed70]

The first gear in 700 is taller so you have more rpm drop into second. If you have short shaft trans 200 bolts right in, if you have long tail need to shorten shaft. 700's are a little stronger out of the box except for the 2004r's out of t type GN's. I have a 700 and love it and if your just going to buy and install I would go either way if its rebuilt, if its used go 700. If you get one used plan on spending about 400 in extras like servos,lockup kit,boost valves and the biggest cooler you can find. If I could do it again I would buy a monster trans for 699. I have that in my used one. 91-93 are the best yrs for 700's.

[66chevyjunky]

Is the fourth gear essentially the same in both trannys? The difference being how each tranny reaches that fourth gear?

[shortbed70]

forth is numerically lower than 700. I think 700 od is .75 and 2004r is .70 also first is different I think 700 is 3.08 and 200 2.83

[Hottrucks]

Originally Posted by shortbed70

forth is numerically lower than 700. I think 700 od is .75 and 2004r is .70 also first is different I think 700 is 3.08 and 200 2.83

so your saying beter hole shot and cruzing??? sounds to good to be true...Iknow I woud like more bottom end with 3.08 rears and who doesn't like lower R's on the highway...

[BR3W CITY]

the 700r4 seems to be more popular just based on the volume of stuff you see around for them. You can buy parts/rebuilds for both, but when ya browse the catalogues you see WAY more stuff for the 700. Not to mention for rebuilds/cores I think there are just more of them floating around.
The 700r4 had a couple small changes during its production, but I can't remember which years specifically.

[Hottrucks]

is there good years and bad
and what did the 2004r come in??

it seems like it got better gears but what about strength?? how will the 2004r hold up to burn outs and towing??

[toms84ss]

O.D gearing on the 700R4 is .70 to 1, the 2004r is .68 to 1. More 700R4's were built then the 2004R so that's why you see more parts for them. The 700R4 had an input shaft spline change in 87 or 88. They went from a 28 spline shaft to a 30 spline shaft. You'll need to know what year you have to get the right converter. Either one can be built to handle a fair amount of power.

[shortbed70]

I would look for a taller gear because with a 3.08 gear it will lug at 75 mph with either trans. The 700 has more first gear then the 200r4 so it will act like a taller gear in the rear but the drop to second is wider then 2004r. 2004r's came in monte ss 85-88 i think and turbo grand nationals had the ideal ones. 700's are easier to find go with newer yrs though.

[Hottrucks]

will either of these bolt up or hold up to a mild big block???

[toms84ss]

I don't think either tranny in stock form will hold up to big block torque. Also, the later 700's came with electronic speedometers. The year it changes varies with body style. I believe aftermarket adapters are available for the stock sending unit to be used with aftermarket elec. speedos.

[shortbed70]

Thread jacker.... JK hottrucks, I agree with what toms 84 said. The 700 will be the best chance for a BBC and you can buy one for reasonable price that will. I'm biased because I have a 91 700r4 with all kind of parts added to it and love it with my 3.73 gear and 26" tire and I can cruise at 75 at a measly 2400 rpms.

[Hottrucks]

I have been talking with another board member about which trany??? he was stuck on the 2004 but since he scored a 700r I guess he's going to go that way...then I will have something to compare it to....I just can't afford to do things twice and wih a BB in my future I want it to last..problemis now I'm running a stock 327 one likes to twist one like to pull so I guess I'll keep trying to gather the correct parts....I just want to be able to warm up a set of 29/15/15 tires and not break stuff

[chucks1967]

I dont know a lot about transmissions, but i can say this. My 87 monte carlo had a 200r4 and I put that car through the ringer... granted it was only a 305 and had a made a HUGE 190 HP but it was my first car out of high school and I ran the mess out of that thing. the transmission never gave me one second trouble!... I miss that car.

[SSedan64]

The 2004R was produced from 1980-1990 & came in Cadillac, Caprice, MonteCarlo, Regal, GrandPrix, Cutlass, B,C,D & G-body cars.
The best 2004R Trans came in Buick GN/T-Type code BQ & BR, SS MonteCarlo code CQ & CZ, Hurst Olds/442 code OZ & KZ and very rare 89 TTA/TurboTransAm code TA. These have the best ValveBody, Servo & Governor + Larger Boost Valves & PR spring in the pump.
The best site for 2004R Info is Turbobuick.com/forum, they're running these trans in 9.0sec 1/4mi cars.
The 700R4/4L60 was produced from 82-93. Then the 4L60E.
Most builders don't recommend the 700R4 for over 500HP. Neither trans should be used in 4th gear for towing unless the frictions have been extensively upgraded. Both trans TCC/TorqueConverterClutch can be locked up in 2nd, 3rd & 4th gears. Just depends on wiring.
82-early 84 700R4 had 27 Spline Input, 27 Spline Output.
Late 84-93 700R4 had 30 Spline Input, 27 Spline Output.
All 2004R had 27 Spline Input, 27 Spline Output .
87-93 700R4 have the auxillary Valvebody added. The newer the better, More factory internal upgrades= Vbody, Pump, Planetaries, 3-4 clutches etc..
2004R is same length as TH200/200C, TH350, Short PowerGlide. Same 27 Spline Output Shaft, so same Driveshaft.
TV cable adjustment on 2004R & 700R4 is critical. If not correct it can burn up a trans in a matter of a few minutes or miles. TCI makes a ConstantPressure Vbody for the 2004R & 700R4 that doesn't rely on the TV cable for line pressure calibration but, can increase pump wear and cause very firm part throttle shifts. This can be annoying.
Trans---- 1st---- 2nd-- 3rd--- 4th--- Reverse-------------------------
TH2004R- 2.74-- 1.57-- 1.00-- 0.67-- 2.06----------------------------
TH700R4- 3.06-- 1.62-- 1.00-- 0.70-- 2.29----------------------------
Most 2004R's have the Unibell= fits BOP/BuickOldsPontiac & Chevy.
The 700R4 fits Chevy only.
Need to know more on the 2004R just ask, they're one of my favorites.
Todd