Auto Tranny: Rebuild or buy new?

CobraRed_96_GT

CobraRed_96_GT

Active Member
May 20, 2006
1,421
4
39
UCSD/La Jolla
#1
Well my auto tranny that now has just over 110K miles on has seen better days. For the last year or so its had some small problems such as shifting late at WOT from 1-2 ( lil past redline, way past powerband). Also if you give it less than 25% throttle in the 2-3 shift it will "lug" and shift into really low rpm's making it slip. Basically how i'v learned to drive it now it doesnt really do any of that - but it's definitly not in tip top shape:(

Question:
-Should i buy a new 4R70W and have it shipped either off Ebay or other
-Have it rebuilt by a good local shop

The labor for a new tranny i could do myself cuz i have some help, a lift, and Iv done it one a Chevy and Nissan truck. While I'd obviously have to pay for labor on a rebuild. What prices can I expect for either? Any help would be appreciated:nice:

:SNSign:
 
#2
Have it rebuilt to the J-mod specifications and don't look back. Nobody is going to pay you anything for a worn out stock transmission and a new one is going to cost you better than the price of a good rebuild and in the end, you're still stuck with a stock transmission. If you've got a little extra money left over, spring for a good matching torque converter to back it with. Now's the time to do it.
 
#3
Gearbanger 101 said:
Have it rebuilt to the J-mod specifications and don't look back. Nobody is going to pay you anything for a worn out stock transmission and a new one is going to cost you better than the price of a good rebuild and in the end, you're still stuck with a stock transmission. If you've got a little extra money left over, spring for a good matching torque converter to back it with. Now's the time to do it.
Click to expand...

This is what I've been prefering when thinking about it. How much do you think it would cost - and will a tranny shop know how to build it to J-mod specs?
 
#4
Prices will vary depending on who's doing it. Your best bet would be to get a few quotes from some reputable shops in your area and go with what most recommend.

As far as whether they'll know how to do it or not. Everything you need to know about doing it is listed in here. Anyone with any experience rebuilding an automatic transmission should be able to easily follow the instructions. http://www.tccoa.com/articles/tranny/transmission/index.shtml
 
#7
Trust me.....rebui8ld the trans and upgrade the OD servo and clutches and your trans will hold what ever you throw at it......for about 700-900 dollars you can get a tranny rebuild that will rock your world.......I use the transgo stage III shift kit with a 3200 stall and run 1.69 60 FTS with the stock long block...........the jmod is just another option........rebuild it and you won't have to worry about fitment and other parts from other year trannys.....

"ED"
 
#10
As far as the parts go, I got most of mine directly through Ford. The part numbers are actually listed in the write up I gave you. I had my converter built by Circle D out of Texas. If you decide to go with them, ask for Chris. He's a super nice guy and really knows his stuff. Other good choices would be one of Percisions Industries triple disk units. (pricey, but worth the money) or contact Alan aka dirtyd0g over at TCCOA.com and see what he's able to do for you.

Others will chime in with there recommendations as well, but these would be the top 3 for a good quality street level converter as far as I'm concerned. :)
 
#11
Is the 700-900 estimate Yellow2002GT said if you bring the tranny to them out of car? Because all the shopes that quoted me today (called 16) said either $1150-1250 or most said $1700-1900. Would it be best to take out my tranny, drive it over there and have em work on it for 2 days then drive it back to where my car is and put it back in? Im still trying to figure out if I can store my car at my GF's dads house - cuz he has a lift. That'd be awesome.
Also how much should a solid 2600 stall TC cost me - a really cool guy quoting my $545 labor for out of car tranny has a guy who's supposed to be one of the best around that can build me one for around $300

Some advice would be appreciated
 
#12
CobraRed_96_GT said:
Also how much should a solid 2600 stall TC cost me - a really cool guy quoting my $545 labor for out of car tranny has a guy who's supposed to be one of the best around that can build me one for around $300

Some advice would be appreciated
Click to expand...

Don't waste your time with anything under a 3,400RPM stall. You won't even notice a difference with a converter with a stall speed of 2,600RPM. Your car will be much faster with the higher stall unit.....and don't worry about drivability. I know guys that are running 3,800RPM stall converters on the street and love it. You'll get used to it after about 15-min.

If you want a truely well built converter, expect to spend anywhere from $500-$1,000. Anything less and the builder probably cut a lot of corners putting it together.
 
#14
#15
Red35th said:
I have that kit in my car and it's been working flawlessly but...

Call these guys http://bc-automotive.com/.

Take what they say as gospel, seriously. Goodluck with it, let us know how it turns out. I don't think I'm too far from a rebuild myself.
Click to expand...

just ask them what i should put in mine? Cuz i wouldnt really be able to do business w/ them since im in Cali and they are in Indiana
 
#16
How's this look? Im a lil concerned that they braze their lock-up and turbine and not tig weld it tho.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/AODE...ryZ63692QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Im not sure this is the best route tho, i might just have one built for my in the town north of here for around $400
Sorry for all the ?'s, but ima newb when it come to tansmissions i suppose. Never got into car things i could stick my head into and look at to fix
 
#17
Contact the suggestions myself or Red35th provided in the links above before doing anything else. A phone call or an email is going to cost nothing compared to the hundreds of dollars lost buying an improperly sized/built torque converter. And a torque converter can be shipped reasonably from anywhere in North America.

I stand by the J-Mod being the best method of modifying your transmission. The man who designed the modification (Jerry Wroblewski) is the same person who designed the AOD/4R70W transmission. Don't cheap out on modifications because you can find something similar for a few dollars less. You transmission and torque converter specs are definitely not the areas you want to cut corners with when building your ride.
 
#18
Gearbanger 101 said:
Contact the suggestions myself or Red35th provided in the links above before doing anything else. A phone call or an email is going to cost nothing compared to the hundreds of dollars lost buying an improperly sized/built torque converter. And a torque converter can be shipped reasonably from anywhere in North America.

I stand by the J-Mod being the best method of modifying your transmission. The man who designed the modification (Jerry Wroblewski) is the same person who designed the AOD/4R70W transmission. Don't cheap out on modifications because you can find something similar for a few dollars less. You transmission and torque converter specs are definitely not the areas you want to cut corners with when building your ride.
Click to expand...

Yeah, i just read the whole J-Mod article. I wish i could have that guy rebuild my tranny, lol. Looks like not having an oiler cooler on the tranny for the 89kmiles before i baught my car really did a number on the tranny. Definitly using an oil cooler after i rebuild this one, my tranny will last longer than my car lol:p
 
#20
CobraRed_96_GT said:
Also, he said he used Pro-Torque to build most of the converters for the trannys he rebuilt, and i went to their site and they say they recomend 2400-2800 stall for street performance and anything higher for race:shrug:
Click to expand...

Mine stalls at 2800-2900RPM and under normal driving conditions, you can't tell it from stock.

Start a thread asking poeple their opinion on a best stall speed for a N/A street application and I'll guarantee the majority of the responses from the ones who actually run an aftermarket torque converter will tell you that anything between a2400-2800 stall speed is a waste of money. Don't be afraid of higher stall converters.....they drive and perform just fine under daily driving conditions. Just make sure you heed the advice and install a good transmission cooler afterwards.
 
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