Transmissions

[T Man]

Ok, I didnt want to put this in the S 10 or the fullsize only, I want to know from everyone, or anyone. What are the differences in GM Trannies, like the 700-R4 and the 200(-R4?). And what are the major trannies GM has/is building. I am familiar with the 4L60 and the 4L60-E and the 4L80, and my 700. This came to light when I was reading about the pistol grip shifter and found out the 400 is a 3 speed. I had no idea. So the man question here is more for everyone to share everything they know about GM transmissions. I just want to learn everything I can. Thanks


Tom

[Matt 4.3 TBI]

Here's some of the info I've got on trannies, I'll post up more when I dig it out of the files on my HD and my repair books.

First of all, TH stands for Turbo-Hydramatic (bit of Army trivia, Hydramatic produced M16A2 rifles for a while).
I've always assumed the 'L' in newer transmissions denotes 'longitudinal'. Likewise, the FWD trannys have a 'T' for 'transverse' - such as the 4T60E. Never been confirmed for me, just seems to make sense.

Powerglide 2-speed auto (first Chevy auto, circa 1950)
1st- 1.76/1.82 2nd - 1.00 Reverse - 1.76/1.82

TH350/350C 3-speed auto (introduced in late 60's to replace the Powerglide. Oil pan looks like a square with one corner cut off. 350C uses lockup torque converter)
1st - 2.52 2nd - 1.52 3rd - 1.00 Reverse - 1.94

TH400/3L80 3-speed auto (stronger than the TH350, introduced in the mid 60's. Can take 450 ft/lbs. 3"-4" longer overall than the 350)
1st - 2.48 2nd - 1.48 3rd - 1.00 Reverse - 2.07

TH-180C/3L30 3-speed auto (Guessing it uses a lockup converter, it has a 'C' designator. Must have been in production into the early 90's when GM renamed all the trannies)
1st - 2.400 2nd - 1.479 3rd - 1.000 Reverse - 2.000

4L30E 4-speed auto (I'm guessing it's a 4th gear OD, electric version of the 180/3L30)
1st - 2.400 2nd - 1.479 3rd - 1.000 4th - 0.723 Reverse - 2.000
I've found an alternate list of ratios as well:
1st - 2.860 2nd - 1.620 3rd - 1.000 4th - 0.723 Reverse - 2.000

TH200/200C 3-speed auto (designed to be more efficient than the TH350 and TH400. Lighter than the TH350 TH400 and Powerglide, less frictional power loss. 200C uses lockup torque converter)
1st - 2.74 2nd- 1.57 3rd - 1.00 Reverse - 2.06

TH200-4R 4-speed auto (successor of the TH200/200C. 4th gear overdrive, uses lockup torque converter)
1st - 2.74 2nd - 1.57 3rd - 1.00 4th - 0.67 Reverse - 2.06

TH700-R4/4L60/4L60E 4-speed auto (designed to replace the TH350, added overdrive 4th gear. Square oil pan. Shorter than the TH400, but longer than the TH350. Later-model 4L60E's have seperate bellhousings. More important for non-GM folks who want to use one)
1st - 3.06 2nd - 1.62 3rd -1.00 4th - 0.70 Reverse - 2.29

4L80E 4-speed auto (a TH400/3L80 with overdrive 4th gear and electronic shifting - note the gear ratios are almost identical)
1st - 2.43 2nd- 1.49 3rd - 1.00 4th - 0.75 Reverse- 2.07

I don't have any info on the TH250, TH300, and nothing more than ratios on the TH180 and 4L30. Are there any more I don't know about? I'm not getting into the FWD stuff...

[Minitrucker4lyfe]

Thanks for the info Matt I actually learned alot.