I have a 200-4R in my 70 Skylark (GSX clone) and I am still running the stock 2.73 gear. I keep it in 3rd gear most of the time except on the highway, 55-60 mph. 2,000 rpm is about 78 mph. I have driven it to Miami and Daytona last November and I just got back from the last 3 cities part of the Hot Rod Power Tour. Gas mileage for the last trip was a miserable 14.5 mph with 350-4 engine. 2.73 is way too much gear for a heavy car. The problem will be corrected before the next highway trip but there just hasn't been money in the budget the last 12 months.
---- Chuck Hanson <[email protected]> wrote: > Good advice, Rick. A reputable local trans shop is the way I'd go, too. > > Ditto on your gear ratio selection... The 2.73 won't cut it with the > overdrive trans. I had 3.08 gears in my '66 wagon w/700R4 trans, and > it never was in its "sweet spot" while cruising @ 70 mph. Changed to > a 3.42 and the motor is a lot happier, plus mileage picked up about > 1.5 - 2 mpg to boot! Since less throttle is now required to maintain > any given speed, I had to reprogram the ECM for my Holley FI system, > but it was only small tweaks in the light cruise mode. > > Chuck > > > On Jun 19, 2010, at 11:54 AM, Rick Schaefer wrote: > > > I'd go with someone fairly close to you. No matter how good > > the rep, something can go wrong with a tranny from any builder. > > And then its a pain ($$$) to ship back & forth for repairs. In > > the Dallas area I know both Phoenix Transmissions & Jakeshoe are > > reputable builders. And I've heard lots of good about Bowtie > > Overdrives in CA. So where are you located would be a good > > thing to know. > > > > Also with 2.73 gears and overdrive you'll be cruising at 1200RPM > > (more or less) - probably not the sweet spot for most motors. I > > am running 3.31 gears and cruise right at 1700 RPM - 3.73 would > > probably be better for me. > > > > On Sat, Jun 19, 2010 at 11:40 AM, > > <[email protected]> wrote: > > Hi Larry, > > > > These Southern California guys seem to be well thought of. > > > > In Hesperia, CA > > www.bowtieoverdrives.com/index.shtml > > > > Car Craft put a 200-4R in a 1966 Chevelle > > www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_0909_overdrive_transmission_swap/ > > photo_03.html > > > > California Performance Transmission > > In Huntington Beach, CA > > www.cpttransmission.com/2004R_trans_2to4.htm > > > > Dennis McGillis > > 949-533-7211 > > 1965 Chevelle Malibu SS-350 > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Larry Williams" > > <[email protected]> > > To: "Chevelle List" <[email protected]> > > Sent: Friday, June 18, 2010 11:06 PM > > Subject: [Chevelle-list] 700 R4 Trans > > > > > > > > Getting tired of pushing the clutch and shifting gears with the > > Richmond 5 sp. The shoulder is starting to hurt. The 5 speed is > > a great transmission. Totally bullet proof. It has been a great > > combo with the 2.73 gears. I think it is time to part with it and > > go with the 700 R4. Does anyone have a recommendation for a good > > source. The ol BB has about 500 hp. No racing. Will be looking > > for a home for the 5 sp. The shifter is a Hurst. > > > > Larry > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > -- > > Rick Schaefer > > 72 TPI El Camino > > > > >
