I'm looking at swapping out my 727 ( behind a small block 360 )for a Chevy 200R4. Tunnel clearance in my 33 with my 727 is tighter than I would like, and the overdrive 4th and lock-up convertor on the 200R4 would be a big plus for long distance cruising. I am presently running a 3.55 rear gear. Has anyone made this swap and if so, who's adapter did you go with? Also, anyone know if the bell housing on the 200R4 is smaller than the 727. Got lots of room underneath the car, but tight in the bell housing area. Thanks for any info, John

I do not personally know nor have I ever heard of anyone adapting a Ford or Chevy automatic to a Mopar other than possibly on an older Hemi. Have you thought of a 904? I know they are physically lighter and smaller than a 727 and use less horsepower to operate. My brother has one on his 400 HP small block with a Gear Venders overdrive unit. He has run it hard for 30k miles so far and no issues. He often runs his truck at the local drag strip as well.

-EM

https://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/2009220/re-200r4-360-la-adapter-info.html

For some insight on adapters

http://www.wilcap.com/wilcapstore.html#!/360-350-AT/p/54397323/category=14420228

A 904 with an ad-on OD unit could be an option, but I have a smoking deal on a 200R4 and it would be a nice clean all in one trans with OD and lock-up. . Looks like TCI makes an adaptor kit for $482 and Wilcap for $605. Still researching others. I'm trying to adapt to a 360 LA block with external balance. Thanks for the input.

Look at the 500 small block Mopar auto OD. They were a factory trans that was a 904 with the OD and lockup converter in one unit. Mopar put them behind the V8s, and they could be built to handle some pretty high power outputs.
I thrashed the he!! out of a 904 behind a pretty well built 340 for a few years and I've had a 318 with the 500 behind it that had towed a car trailer around for a while, I wouldn't be afraid of putting a built one behind your 360, and factory stuff should be available. Gene

Good info. Thanks. Looking at the A518 also ( based on the 727). Lots of plus's in going that route - not to mention keeping it Mopar.

I couldn't get the picture to download, but there is a really good side by side image of a 518 727 and 500 at this site.

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/threads/your-guide-to-the-727-904-transmission.17287/

The 500 might alleviate some of your clearance issues but create other around the OD unit. As I recall the transmission mount/crossmember location will also need to be moved back.

Don't know if it's an option for you, but when I decided to go with a 46RH instead of a SB 727 on my 37 I ended up buying an empty 46RH case with the OD housing and pan from the local transmission shop I deal with. That let me do the mockup and build mounts and linkage with out the expense (in case it didn't work out) or weight of a complete transmission. I paid $50 for the case and sold it for the same amount when I was done with it.

Thanks Mike! Lots of good pics on that site. I will probably do the mockup as you suggested if I can find an empty case. As I said, my clearance issues are in the bell housing area. Past that I'm good to go. The A500 ( for sure) and the A518 ( 46RH) both might solve that problem. It would probably be an easier swap for me if I could use the 518 (46RH) as it uses a lot of my existing 727 parts. Thanks again.

the 200r has tincan tech on the inside---count on spending up to $2000 on the internal upgrades to get it to live behind a healthy small block--add in adapter costs and it turns into a chunk of change----A500 is the best bet--if you need to build it go with the 999 internals....

I was going to suggest calling my friend Pat next door over at Wilcap but someone already suggested it. He will know

www.wilcap.com

get in the yellow pages and call a tranny shop----sit down--tell them you want to build a 200r to go behind an LT1-----glad i told you to sit down?---now add on the adapter plate and a custom torque converter-----this is where you are going.....

Ya savoy, A500 looks like it might be the way to go - financially speaking. Still grinding through a lot of info and appreciate your input.

if you don't hit now with the 727, you won't, or shouldn't have any issues with the 518 unless you want to add a shield. but if you really would like extra clearance, i guess i would go with the a-500 crowd. too bad you aren't closer, as i have a dealer takeout a-500 i picked up over 20 years ago. it is complete and i'm not sure if i'll go through it or not, as my projects are too stacked up.

I'm curious as to why a modification of the floor transmission hump doesn't seem to be on the table as an option.

- EM

i put a a500 into my 64----in the body of the transmission there was no interference at all--but the overdrive unit was bigger than the driveshaft tunnel--i trimmed off a couple tabs with a cut off wheel then made 3 dents with a hammer in between the seats and it was done----not noticable with the carpet----the 518 will fit in there just like the 727--but it has an identical overdrive unit so the same trimming will be required---

Fiberglass body was designed for a small chevy / turbo 350 combo. At present, the car is finished ( in paint, rug installed, etc. ). A hump mod is still on the table, but I would prefer not to go there if possible. With my 727 at about 1/4" off the hump ( clearance), the trans tailshaft points slightly below the diff pinion. Driveshaft to pinion angle is 4 degrees. No big deal with a 4 link and the drive train is nice and smooth at 70+ mph. Just not what I would prefer. Actually trying to kill 2 birds with this change - OD trans and get pinion angle in the 2 degree area. Wouldn't take much of a tunnel mod to get there, and a trans with OD is the main driving force for the change. FYI, when I started out on this project, I had a 360 / 727 fresh and ready to go in to something so I used it. Another alternative would be to change out the 3.55 to something around a 3.23, but I like the OD trans option best.