Will a 3.8L transmission work on a V8?

[Nemisis]

Here's the scoop:
Dad found a 1978-88 Buick Regal for sale cheap. Complete with 3.8 V6 and trans. Dad likes the bodystyle, I need the trans for my upcoming 350 in place of 2.8 swap. Question:
-Will this transmission bolt up to a V8?
-How much power can it take?
-What is it (TH400, 700R-4, ???)
Thanks for the help!!!
Josh Hucks #71
www.pawajakracing.homestead.com (http://www.pawajakracing.homestead.com)

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Owner of:
-1988 Maui Blue Firebird
-14-inch (17's coming soon) Cragar Street Stars
-Soon to have a 350 instead off wussie 2.8
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"...so you call this your free country, then tell me why it costs so much to live..." 3 Doors Down

[85Berlinetta]

It is a TH200r-4, I believe early 3rd gens had this tranny.

[Nemisis]

OK Thanks, Will it bolt to a V8 (small block Chevy)

[ChevyBitch]

Nemisis, as far as the transmission goes, I don't think it will bolt up to a small block Chevy. But even with an application like that, I would suggest a th350 or a th400. ESPECIALLY a th400. Those things are bullet proof. I have a guy over here in midlothian that is going to build me a bulletproof race ready tranny for 700 bucks - including the core. And in my experience, the 700r4 is a piece of shit anyway. I've been through 3 in six months.

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ChevyBitch
88 RS Camaro
A.K.A. "Jasmine"
ChevyBitch@thedfwscene.com
My Webpage (http://www.chevybitch.homestead.com/ChevyBitchHome.html)

[engineboy]

It won't bolt up.

3.8s use the BOP bell housing pattern.

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1999 Trans am
1986 Chevy pick up
1981 Corvette
1995 Kawi ZX6R

[BadForm]

Depending on what year that Regal is, it could be a:

TH200-C three speed automatic, just not worth it. Period.

TH350 three speed automatic (with either BOP Buick-Olds-Pontiac pattern OR a universal pattern that WILL work with a Chevy V8)

TH200-4R four speed automatic (actually a three speed with overdrive, but that's being really nitpicky), wich WILL work with ANY GM V8 as it has a universal bellhousing bolt pattern.

The down side is that unless it's from a Monte Carlo SS, or a Turbo Regal, the 200-4R isn't worth putting behind any V8 with more than 200hp unless you do a COMPLETE rebuild with all the good parts. That'll run you between $850 - $1300 depending on who does it.

The ONLY thirdgen that ever came from the factory with a 200-4R was the TTA.

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">And in my experience, the 700r4 is a piece of shit anyway. I've been through 3 in six months.</font>

Good God, girl!
What the heck are you doing to your poor car? http://www.3rdgen.org/ubb/wink.gif Just kidding. I wasn't aware of what mods your Camaro has, or even what engine (if it's an 88 RS, it should be a V6, right?) it had.

And if it is a V6, then it's got really weak parts inside. But you still shouldn't be destroying them unless you're revving over 6000 rpm regularly, doing neutral drops (bad, Bad, BAD!!!), or manually shifting into 1st at above 40 mph.

Seriously, what's the story? I ABUSED the hell out of the 700R4 in my first car ('89 RS 305 with mods to put it at about 230 hp) and it never ever broke or complained.

Heck, the previous owner of my Formula had to nitrous it from 14.2 to 12.8 or so for years before he broke the stock 700R4. http://www.3rdgen.org/ubb/eek.gif

That's why it has a T-56 now. http://www.3rdgen.org/ubb/biggrin.gif

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http://vox.netherworld.org/3rdgensig.jpg

[This message has been edited by BadForm (edited 02-19-2001).]

[This message has been edited by BadForm (edited 02-19-2001).]

[BadForm]

Oh yeah... unless you've got MAJOR torque, like 500'lbs and above, you don't need a TH400.

A TH350 will take less power to spin, and can be built plenty strong for less than a TH400.

For that matter, for a few hundred more than the cost of that TH400 price you were quoted, you can get a TH700R4 completely redone to handle 400+ 'lbs, and keep your overdrive and much better gearing.

Just something to think about.

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http://vox.netherworld.org/3rdgensig.jpg

[Nemisis]

Thanks Guys (and gals) for all the helpful replies. As it turns out the Regal is gone and we didn't get it. But, with all this info I have my transmission choices down to a TH350 or TH700-R4. But, as the world turns...I might be getting a 70-72 Chevelle with a 350 instead. We'll just have to see (something about insurance ;-) )
Josh Hucks #71
www.pawajakracing.homestead.com (http://www.pawajakracing.homestead.com)

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Owner of:
-1988 Maui Blue Firebird
-14-inch (17's coming soon) Cragar Street Stars
-Soon to have a 350 instead off wussie 2.8
-------
"...so you call this your free country, then tell me why it costs so much to live..." 3 Doors Down