Drive shaft needs to be shortened too. Also, the 700 is bigger in diameter and can be a snug fit in the tranny tunnel, but should fit with maybe some fine "adjustment".

You can probably use the existing crossmember, but you'll need to move it back. Depending in the year of your car, you might find the frame is already drilled for a TH400. Bolting the cross member in there should do it. The tranny mount is different too but should bolt up.

Otherwise, I think you've got it. You can get most of the electronics, brackets etc from a donor car at the wreckers. Make sure the 700 has the mechanical speedo though.

long stroke wrote:

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I would highly recommend PAT'S DRIVE LINE to do the drive shaft. They are in Mississauga, Ontario and their number is 905 564-3155. They actually made a new drive shaft for me from scratch with two new yokes for my 57 Pontiac. They will do anything and everything in drive line parts.

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         I would highly recommend London Drive Systems  off 401 in London    they can make anything, and better, than others.......  and its close to you .....

 

http://www.london-drive-systems.com/ourfaciliti.htm

unclebernie wrote:

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I did this swap on my Lemans and it really isn't difficult, pull old trans, move crossmember and bolt up. After that you need to shorten the drive shaft, hook up the tv cable, wiring for the lock up and your good to go. However you have to make sure the geometry of the tv cable is correct or you will burn it up (have a burnt up one on the garage floor)! Also if your factory gear ratio is below a mid 3 series gear, you should change rear gears. A 3:08 or 2:73 gear will put the engine rpm to low when locked up and will put to much load on the engine at low rpm. I have a 3:31 rear gear in mine and I wouldn't run anything lower with 700r4.

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About to embark on this swap myself. My car has a 3:55 12 bolt in it.  Would some of the changes required already be made when the previous owner of my car installed the current turbo 350? Also need to know if  the stock powerglide floor shifter will work? Currently has a B+M  wratchet shifter in a butchered stock console.

-- Edited by LeeRoy on Friday 5th of September 2014 10:27:30 PM

-- Edited by LeeRoy on Friday 5th of September 2014 10:29:42 PM

The 200-4R is a great swap. Bolts into place instead if a Powerglide or a TH350. No driveshaft mods required. BUT the 200-4R's are not as strong (generally recommended for about 300 ft-lb torque), unless you get one from something like a Grand National or maybe a Regal Turbo. They can be built to take a lot of torque, but you quickly start adding zeroes to the price tag. At least that was the case 10 years ago when I looked into it. Might be cheaper today since it's becoming more common.

I agree.  This is probably the single best thing you can do to your old Poncho to make it totally drivable across town or across the country.  All the tips given are right on especially the part about making sure you have the TV cable adjusted correctly (as I learned the hard way).  I also have a B+M gizmo on mine that locks the converter for even better mileage.  I have a 396 with the old quadrajet running the stock 3:31 gear on stock height tires (15 inch 255 60 series radials) and i pull a trailer (not in OD though)  My speedo seems to be right on according to my GPS and I can cruise all day at 120 kph and get right around 20 miles per gallon.  ( I get around 14 with the trailer at about 100 kph)

Along with the Pertronix this is the best mod I have done. I left the PG console shifter on it although I used the 4 position detent kit but i didn't change the indicator just to keep it looking original..

Go for it!

I might get my wallet out for the Gear Vendors overdrive. It doesn't require me to modify the floor, crossmember, shifter and I can use my existing Muncie. Only the driveshaft has to be shortened and I'd be taking that out regardless if changing trans. Another advantage is these things can handle any horsepower you can get to it (2000HP!). Sure it's pricey (big time) but at least I won't have to buy the 200r4, beef it up, modify this and that, and spend all the extra time/labor doing it. In a day I could have this overdrive in the car and be driving it again. Besides my car has a beautiful floor installed now and I'm not cutting it up!! :) Maybe I'll change my mind but this is the way I'm leaning now - let me know if I'm crazy.


www.gearvendors.com/hotrods.html

Do the math on your RPM's with 2.73 rear gears. Your RPM's might be so low you'd have a tough time keeping it in OD. See unclebernie's post above. Wise words IMHO.

The improvement in drivability and performance makes this so worthwhile. I have a huge disdain for PowerGlides it has kept me from buying more than a few cars that had them.
IF I ever can find a 58 or 63 Parisienne or Laurentian changing to a 700R and front disc brakes is the only mods that are a must.