checking out a transmission rebuilder

grumpyvette

grumpyvette

Administrator
Staff member
almost all of us will eventually be required to repair or replace a transmission, and a smart person won,t just shop by price alone.
most of us would prefer to deal locally so start by looking around your area, ask lots of questions at the local track, and speed shops and try to talk with the guys that have 12 second or faster cars as those drive trains take far more abuse, so those guys tend to know who builds a good transmission. be aware you don,t want to take a single guys advice get a consensus from at least 8-10 guys, simply because youll almost always find one or two guys that may even work for a trans shop and have an agenda, that involves getting your cash but be aware that your local "MOM & POP" transmission re-builder may have no idea how to build a significantly stronger than stock replacement transmission or where to get significantly stronger internal components nor is he likely to want to install or guarantee them under high stress use.
some local "MOM & POP" transmission re-builders produce really well built transmission's, but ask lots of questions at the local track, and speed shops and try to talk with the guys that have 12 second or faster cars WELL BEFORE SELECTING A SHOP TO DO YOUR WORK, because damn near every shop will profess to do excellent work to get your business, if your talking to them face too face.
I'd also point out that most of the large national chain store rebuilder's don,t specialize in rebuilding high performance transmissions with non-stock rebuilds with aftermarket parts so youll need a specialty rebuilder with a good track record and reputation.
youll also find that a transmission rebuilder may specialize in G.M, or FORD, or MOPAR transmissions or IMPORTS, and just like when searching for a decent machine shop, or transmission rebuilder the same rules basically apply.
AND I CAN TELL YOU FROM EXPERIENCE, Ive yet to find a single local trans shop that stands behind a rebuilt 700r4 despite claims the trans will stand up to 600hp, before the rebuild.
viewtopic.php?f=50&t=5053&p=28837&hilit=finding+machine+shop#p28837

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=4786&p=12990&hilit=finding+machine+shop#p12990

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=5053&p=14313&hilit=finding+machine+shop#p14313

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=321&p=2933&hilit=finding+machine#p2933

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/tr...can-handle-1000-hp/?cx_source=cxrecs#cxrecs_s

any hint that the car will be or was raced will usually void the warranty , and you can be darn sure most trans shops will not repair a transmission if it fails unless its in the first few days of use and you can prove you did everything correctly on the instal, because the shop will be sure to point out you failed to install the proper cooler , or raced the car,
(which he will define as abuse) but if you go to the local track and ask questions youll quickly find youll get a few names of the better local shops so you can stop by and ask questions and look over the place.
now theres dozens of transmission shops advertizing that they build the best transmission, and a very few give a written guarantee, but obviously a written guarantee is worthless unless the shop actually honors that guarantee by repairing or replacing the transmission if it fails under the policy terms so it would be well worth your time to ask questions about the parts they use.
and because most guys who don,t rebuild their own transmission have no idea about the quality of the internal parts used or IF THOSE PARTS YOU PAID EXTRA FOR EVER GOT INSTALLED,its HEAT and TORQUE LOADS that usually damage a transmission, adding a large effective transmission fluid cooler helps a great deal with the heat issue but only top quality , forged and heat treated components will stand up to high impact torque loads.
the formula for hp is (tq x rpm/5252=hp
example
450 ft lbs of torque at 3000rpm=257hp
450 ft lbs of torque at 6000rpm=514hp
because the torque is available at that higher RPM RATE and at the higher rpm using gearing the rotational force the engine supplied can be applied faster to the rear tires, the WORK,that could be done per minute, or horsepower increased
but keep in mind 600 ft lbs at 3500rpm=400hp, and 400ft lbs at 5500rpm=419hp, I can assure you that the 400hp combo will trash a 700r4 far quicker than the 419hp combo

it pays to deal with a well known shop with a good long term reputation , it wants to maintain.
most transmission designs have some component that frequently fails like a sun shield,valve body, shift kit, control module, clutch plates input shafts, certain gears, or clutches and it pays to do some research and ask questions concerning the components being used in your rebuild, or replacement transmission. go on line and search for posted complaints from previous customers, now anyplace that's been in business for a few years will have had a few unreasonable customers do stupid crap and want the guarantee to cover the damage that the operator caused by incorrectly installing or adjusting the new transmission, but, if you see dozens of complains its a reasonable bet that either the quality of the builds is sub-standard or they don,t honor the guarantees. a call to the local better business office may help but Id also look for legal complaints or law suits filed.


consumer complaints websites, and research will be very helpful

https://www.bbb.org/consumer-complaints ... et-started

viewtopic.php?f=71&t=1715&p=26480&hilit=transmission+horse+power+torque#p26480

http://www.tciauto.com/

http://www.transmissionrepaircostguide.com/

viewtopic.php?f=71&t=1261&p=10180&hilit=transmission+horse+power+torque#p10180

http://converter.com/converters.htm

http://www.jakesperformance.com/4L80E.html

http://www.monstertransmission.com/view ... 7aodu00aqw

viewtopic.php?f=71&t=741

viewtopic.php?f=71&t=662

if you found a reputable trusted shop please post contact details, and your experienced details
 
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Nearly all of the Internet Forum Transmission builders are Crooks Grumpy.
I can only think of Chris at CK Performance as being honest.
And Dana at Pro Built Transmissions.

Local there is my friend Jeff.
He no longer has his own shop.
Economy & Bam Bam forced him to close.
He now turns wrenches for someone else. Trans builds done in a diesel shop enviroment along with auto repair work.
Jeff gave me all I needed to know aling with Dana to rebuild my 1987 700R4 in my Vette.
Still the best that I built before moving up to a Turbo 400 or 4L80E.

For our group, its best to build your own trans if possible.

No one is going to honor a trans that has been drag raced hard.
Too much the owner can do wrong on his own part.
 
Been down this road. If you build an engine know how to operate a dial indicator. Be willing to fabricate or buy some specialty tools you can build your own transmission. There are tons of false claims can handle this much hp. Should say this much torque on slicks lol. Bowler builds great transmissions but expensive. But if you look at the list of parts add labor theres your answer. I don't know how many times in the pro-touring forum I heard that his 500hp trans is twice as much as so and so but his 500hp trans has the parts of so and so's stage 4 that is the same price. They feed off hopes that Joe's rod that he thinks is 450hp cause this magazine or his friend said it would be is really 325. Do not buy from mad dog false advertising having pictures to prove it. Always heard good things about Dana also.

Build your own then you know what you have.

DO YOU HOMEWORK "youtube and manuals are your friends"

ALWAYS CHECK PRESSURES

ALWAYS MONITOR TEMP ESPECIALLY WITH A HIGHER STALL
 
I found an ATSG 4L80 E In my Collection of Factory GM Service Manuals & CHILTONS Motor Repair Manuals last Weekend John.
I do have it.

:D
 
I am not going after the Hellcat with the 1987 Corvette Grumpy.
Not cost effective.

The 1970-1/2 Trans Am yes.
Don't worry......no 700R4 ever in that car.
I want at least 1,000 HP.
 
there some parts that are almost mandatory upgrades ,on most performance transmission rebuilds and youll need to do some research and basically ignore the listed horse power limits advertized.
some trans like a TH400 or a 4L80E can be built to far higher strength levels than a 700r4 or 4l60e simply because the basic original transmission was designed from the start to handle far higher torque loads.

read everything very carefully, look for several sources of previous customer feed back, and pick up the phone and ask questions and try hard to find answers in PRINT on the manufacturers web sites
the fact is its a crap shoot, and both the parts used and the quality of those parts varies wildly, and if your having parts or sub-assemblies built so does the skill and experience and even attitude, and care or precision taken by the people doing the work, so your better off doing some research and dealing with the larger more established vendors/manufacturers who have a reputation to try to maintain
if you do some research youll find that most transmissions have certain parts that tend to fail and theres frequently an aftermarket kit with forged or heat treated components to upgrade the transmission, but even upgrades come in various levels of quality.

https://700r4l60e.com/

http://www.makcotransmissionparts.com/4L80E.html
4l80eexp.png


http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/driv ... on_review/

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/4l80e.htm

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/transm ... sion-swap/

http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/catalog ... T&CATID=ZA

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/trg-4l80e-hd2

http://www.powertraincontrolsolutions.c ... alve-Body/

http://www.transgo.com/products.php?cat ... uct_id=203

http://www.advanceadapters.com/tech-vault/gm-4l80e/

http://www3.jasperengines.com/blog/2010 ... converter/

http://www.pswired.com/95silverado/perf ... ebuild.htm

http://www.monstertransmission.com/view ... 7aodufqaww
 
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To build any Overdrive Automatic Transmission right takes a Budget of $1000 min
All out Drag Race it will approach $4 k to take 1,000-1,400 HP.
Above that its 2-Speed Powerglide. Want Overdrive yet, only Gear Vendors the viable option.

4L80 E Does not fit my current budget & project plans bedt.
455 Pontiac & Turbo 400 does.
Don't need overdrive. Tremendous torque of 455 will pull any gear effortless.
2.56 -5.38 Rear Diff Gear Range.
3.23 Initial gear I will use.
Lots of steeper lower numerical gears I have put away.

4L80E Will bolt up to Pontiac 455 4 bellhousing bolts. Last 2 @ 11&2 O'clock won't.
Its a Chevy Trans not BOP Pattern.
Adapter plate must be fabricated or bought.
Only TCI makes them still.
 
Money wise its still hard to Top the TH400 For Drag Race & Street use.
Do it in the $1k-2k with Nice Torque Converter.
Take 800-1400 Hp easy.
Same Gear ratios in 4L80E & TH400.
One has Overdrive gear. One does not.
 
Code:
87vette81big said:
To build any Overdrive Automatic Transmission right takes a Budget of $1000 min
All out Drag Race it will approach $4 k to take 1,000-1,400 HP.
Above that its 2-Speed Powerglide. Want Overdrive yet, only Gear Vendors the viable option.
Click to expand...

At a 1000hp I can see needing $1k. For 500 hp or less I think it can be done for less. Even a 4l80e or th400 with a basic overhaul can stand up to 500hp pretty easily.

A 2004r when assembled properly can do 500hp with a few upgrades. This I am sure of. Trick is knowing what to do. Most who know how are pretty guarded with what is being done. With the addition of a billet shaft forward drum and dual feeding the direct like is done on a th350 and th400 and adding some roller bearings in place of bushings can do substantially more hp.

When you assemble it yourself you know what you are getting. Plus the accomplishment of doing it your self.
 
TexasT said:
Code:
87vette81big said:
To build any Overdrive Automatic Transmission right takes a Budget of $1000 min
All out Drag Race it will approach $4 k to take 1,000-1,400 HP.
Above that its 2-Speed Powerglide. Want Overdrive yet, only Gear Vendors the viable option.
Click to expand...

At a 1000hp I can see needing $1k. For 500 hp or less I think it can be done for less. Even a 4l80e or th400 with a basic overhaul can stand up to 500hp pretty easily.

A 2004r when assembled properly can do 500hp with a few upgrades. This I am sure of. Trick is knowing what to do. Most who know how are pretty guarded with what is being done. With the addition of a billet shaft forward drum and dual feeding the direct like is done on a th350 and th400 and adding some roller bearings in place of bushings can do substantially more hp.

When you assemble it yourself you know what you are getting. Plus the accomplishment of doing it your self.
Click to expand...

THATS ALWAYS BEEN A HUGE ADVANTAGE IN MY EXPERIENCE, I can,t tell you how many times I've seen guys pay big bucks for internal components, in engines and transmissions that were paid for but never installed, simply because the less honest transmission and engine builders know most guys are clueless as to what they are looking at!
 
This Topic is dead news to me.
The Very Best all around trans is the Turbo 400.
2Nd 4L80E

3RD ACTUALLY COMES FROM FORD...C4 & C6.

LETS GET THIS STRAIGHT.....I CAN CARE LESS ABOUT STREETABILTY.
JUST DRAG RACE FAST & WIN.
9.0 SECONDS FLAT -8.05 ET 1/4 MILE 145-160 MPH TRAP SPEED.
NOW IF YOU TELL ME 13'S & 12'S ARE GOOD ENOUGH....

FUCK THIS MOTHERFUCKEN ASS SHIT I AM OUT OF HERE.

YOU WILL GET YOUR ASS HANDED TO YOU RACING RHAT HELLCAT STOCK & WHEN MODDED TO 1400 HP + RACE POWER.
 
87vette81big said:
This Topic is dead news to me.
The Very Best all around trans is the Turbo 400.
2Nd 4L80E

3RD ACTUALLY COMES FROM FORD...C4 & C6.

LETS GET THIS STRAIGHT.....I CAN CARE LESS ABOUT STREETABILTY.
JUST DRAG RACE FAST & WIN.
9.0 SECONDS FLAT -8.05 ET 1/4 MILE 145-160 MPH TRAP SPEED.
NOW IF YOU TELL ME 13'S & 12'S ARE GOOD ENOUGH....

FUCK THIS MOTHERFUCKEN ASS SHIT I AM OUT OF HERE.

YOU WILL GET YOUR ASS HANDED TO YOU RACING RHAT HELLCAT STOCK & WHEN MODDED TO 1400 HP + RACE POWER.
Click to expand...

Of streetability is of no consequense, a powerglide or two speed th400 that seem quite popular in the drag radial people these days. Four digit horsepower requires a lot of upgrades throughout the vehicle. Trans is just one aspect
 
Parts cost to build yourself is hard to match with a TH400-Powerglide.
Torque converter selection excellent.
From a 14 second car to deep 6's ET time 1/4 mile.
Reputation for Bullet proof & time tested unmatched.
Used since 1965.
 
kidquestion said:
I'm not a computer guy these forums are confusing for me.
Please help. I have a '64-'65 Muncie M-20. I found the website TheGearBox.Org AKA The Gear Box Transmissions LLC and I would like any info bad/good are they legit? I don't want to loose a few hundred dollars to a fraudulent website, it happened several years ago and you can't do a damn thing about it. They have no physical address and clearly state NO LOCAL PICKUP. They have an email, the phone and fax number are registered in Michigan and a alternate phone number registered to a 60+yr old at a residence in Florida. Thank You in advance my friends for any of your time or info
Truly: KiD :confused:
Click to expand...

http://www.thegearbox.org/home.html
IF they STATE NO LOCAL PICK-UP & don,t want you to know where they are located....thats a HUGE RED FLAG!
THAT VIRTUALLY SCREAMS SCAM in 10 foot tall flashing neon lights!!!!
ID NEVER DEAL WITH ANY PLACE LIKE THAT, and yes we all get screwed trusting places like that so ID strongly suggest dealing locally if you can or with a WELL KNOWN shop with a long track record of GOOD DEPENDABLE customer service
they may be totally legit! its most likely some guy working in a home garage, but, a bit of experience and common sense suggests, ID sure check for complaints with the STATE and LOCAL BBB PEOPLE AND READ THOSE COMPLAINTS BEFORE DEALING WITH THEM


Here is a list that I found posted for the trucks that use the 4L80E forChevy.

AVALANCHE 02-03 4 SP RWD/4X4 V8 8.1L 4L80E

C/K PICK-UP 1500-2500 95-99 4 SP RWD/4X4 V8 5.0L/5.7L/6.0L/7.4L/6.5L DIESEL4L80E 17 BOLT PAN

C/K PICK-UP 1500 00-03 4 SP RWD/4X4 V8 6.0L 4L80E

C/K PICK-UP 2500 00-03 4 SP RWD/4X4 V8 5.7L/6.0L/7.4L/8.1L/6.5 DIESEL4L80E

C/K PICK-UP 3500 95-03 4 SP RWD/4X4 V8 5.0L/5.7L/6.0L/7.4L/8.1L/6.5L DIESEL4L80E 17 BOLTPAN

SUBURBAN 1500-2500 95 4 SP RWD/4X4 V8 7.4L/6.5L DIESEL4L80E

SUBURBAN 1500 96-99 4 SP RWD/4X4 V8 6.5L DIESEL4L80E

SUBURBAN 2500 96-03 4 SP RWD/4X4 V8 5.7L/6.0L/7.4L/8.1L/6.5L DIESEL4L80E

TAHOE/YUKON 95-03 4 SP RWD/4X4 V8 6.0L/8.1L/6.5L DIESEL4L80E

VAN FULL SIZE 2500 96-03 4 SP RWD V6 4.3L V8 4.8L/5.7L/6.0L/8.1L 6.5L DIESEL4L80E 17 BOLT PAN

VAN FULL SIZE 3500 95-03 4 SP RWD V6 4.3L V8 4.8L/5.7L/6.0L/7.4L/8.1L/6.5L DIESEL4L80E17 BOLT PAN
http://jetchip.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/4L80-E-Transconversion-Kit.pdf
0900c1528006c024.gif


Read more: http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/en...lsx-engine-pump-gas-powerhouse/#ixzz3lufr2K3U
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RELATED INFO
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...lt-center-section-installed.11491/#post-53588


btw if your looking to rebuild a 700r4
get a couple of detailed transmission rebuild manuals ,
and watch a few instructional videos before you start,
and personally Id look for an experienced mentor if you can find one


ID START gathering instructional info HERE
https://www.monstertransmission.com...VBI9bCh2rkQG8EAQYAyABEgJiMPD_BwE#.X3H2MmhKi9I









http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...t-info-and-related-700r4-info.857/#post-70096




https://www.monstertransmission.com...VBI9bCh2rkQG8EAQYAiABEgLu4vD_BwE#.X3H2fGhKi9I

https://www.amazon.com/1987-1993-Tr...77Y1RX233FE&psc=1&refRID=02NA02K4V77Y1RX233FE

https://www.amazon.com/ATSG-700-R4-...E1HE68HDYPH&psc=1&refRID=4R99SBRB7E1HE68HDYPH



 
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Its a guy working out of his home garage likely.
Maybe on forums like this looking for sidejob work.
Maybe not a scam.
Most privateers are on forums.
Waiting for Racetracks to open here in Midwest.
Drag Race time again.
Hellcats and SRT Vipers going to decimate most but the best.
 
87vette81big said:
Its a guy working out of his home garage likely.
Maybe on forums like this looking for sidejob work.
Maybe not a scam.
Most privateers are on forums.
Waiting for Racetracks to open here in Midwest.
Drag Race time again.
Hellcats and SRT Vipers going to decimate most but the best.
Click to expand...
;) :D :D :shock: :eek: Yeah buddy!!! Think I am going to try to frequent the track more this year.
 
Strictly Attitude said:
87vette81big said:
Its a guy working out of his home garage likely.
Maybe on forums like this looking for sidejob work.
Maybe not a scam.
Most privateers are on forums.
Waiting for Racetracks to open here in Midwest.
Drag Race time again.
Hellcats and SRT Vipers going to decimate most but the best.
Click to expand...
;) :D :D :shock: :eek: Yeah buddy!!! Think I am going to try to frequent the track more this year.
Click to expand...
Its the best way to meet people like us John.
Hit the Racetracks.
 
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