Aamco C4 rebuild or TCI sizzler from Summit?

['66 coupe]

Found the Aamco in town today and went over and talked to the guy.

Told him I had a '68 C4 that needed to be rebuilt. He asked what kind of rebuild, and I basically just said somewhat mild, stock '68 valve-body with a slightly higher than stock stall(I still don't know yet; don't have a rear). Based just on this info. he said I'd be looking at $500-$600.

This is my other option:
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=TCI-511238&view=1&N=700+400252+4294861220

I've been reading up on here for the past couple nights, and I think I read that the TCI needs a special TC. The Aamco quote is complete including the TC.

What would you all suggest? Can you suggest any good components to look at, if I choose to have mine built? When I went in, it was just kinda like, "What are you looking for?" and he didn't really show me any options.
This is going beind a stock GT40P longblock, with a performer 289 intake, and Autolite 4100. Nothing crazy.

I'm still leaning towards the Aamco rebuild because of the convenience, and price.

 

[D.Hearne]

The TCI will save you money in the long run.

 

[paintballtommy]

bite the bullet and swap in a t5. you wont be dissapointed and youll probably end up doing it someday. i might be biased though i hated my tci streetfighter c4 thing gave me nothing but problems i ended up chucking it to some poor sap for 75 bucks complete.

 

[302 coupe]

I like C4's, but not if they have been built by TCI. I would suspect Aamco can do a decent stock type rebuild, which is really all you need. C4's are really simple and have been around for a while, most good tranny guys can do one blindfolded. TCI screws up by not paying attention to details, and using 'upgrade' parts that are somewhat cheaply made. I have a PA built C4 in my mustang that works great, but I did the one in my truck myself and it works good too.

 

[D.Hearne]

Wow, I didn't realize TCI had such a bad rep. I had a freind whose a transmission rebuilder do the C-4 in my Comet, the rebuild kit cost me $40. That'll give you an idea as to what Aamco's going to make off you.

 

['66 coupe]

I like C4's, but not if they have been built by TCI. I would suspect Aamco can do a decent stock type rebuild, which is really all you need. C4's are really simple and have been around for a while, most good tranny guys can do one blindfolded. TCI screws up by not paying attention to details, and using 'upgrade' parts that are somewhat cheaply made. I have a PA built C4 in my mustang that works great, but I did the one in my truck myself and it works good too.

That's what I was thinking about the stock build. C4's have a great rep. and my car is just gonna be used for cruising and shows.

Wow, I didn't realize TCI had such a bad rep. I had a freind whose a transmission rebuilder do the C-4 in my Comet, the rebuild kit cost me $40. That'll give you an idea as to what Aamco's going to make off you.

I was considering trying to do it myself. I've done some reading and it doesn't look too intimidating, and I've always heard the C4 was simple.
That said, there are several people on here with more experience than myself that didn't build their own C4's.

My dad got a C4 rebuilt for his '74 Comet we had in the late 80's. He said he paid around $600.
I also have a receipt for my '66 that said the I6 C4 was rebuilt by Aamco in '88 for $560.
I really don't feel too bad paying $600 20-years later.

 

[jtfairlane]

I think the Aamco rebuild is a steal.

I just had my AOD undergo a rebuild at my local Aamco, and the grand total was barely over $2k with only the standard warranty, and that's even considering I'm on great terms with the owner!

Is the $600 only for the rebuild portion or does that include R&R? My $2k was everything, and it wasn't just a standard rebuild. Their automatic rebuilder used a mechanical diode, kevlar OD band, additional steels/clutches, etc and I already had a TransGo shift kit.

 

['66 coupe]

I think the Aamco rebuild is a steal.

I just had my AOD undergo a rebuild at my local Aamco, and the grand total was barely over $2k with only the standard warranty, and that's even considering I'm on great terms with the owner!

Is the $600 only for the rebuild portion or does that include R&R? My $2k was everything, and it wasn't just a standard rebuild. Their automatic rebuilder used a mechanical diode, kevlar OD band, additional steels/clutches, etc and I already had a TransGo shift kit.

It's just for the rebuild. I'm dropping off the trans and picking it up to instal myself.
The other examples I gave(my dad's '74 Comet, and my '66 in '88) were full instals, but that was 20-years ago.

I may look further into what other parts he can get me; he said a "racing" build-up would probably be $800-900. But I plan on keeping it close to stock. Maybe just a shift kit or something to go with the higher stall TC. I know I want the '68 valve-body, so I can lose the '66 Cruise-o-matic Green dot-style manual shifts.

 

[iskwezm]

Wow, I didn't realize TCI had such a bad rep. I had a freind whose a transmission rebuilder do the C-4 in my Comet, the rebuild kit cost me $40. That'll give you an idea as to what Aamco's going to make off you.

$40 bucks sounds a little too cheap for a "complete" kit including bands,clutches,gaskets etc. When i worked at Ford, my cost was higher then that.

 

[brianj5600]

If the trans is in good working order and just needs freshened up, You might try it yourself. Putting in clutches and bands is not hard at all, and if you can follow directions, a shift kit is cake too.

 

[57fairlane]

the only thing with doing it your first time is, have someone who knows what they are doing nearby. The first time you open one up, it will be a deer in headlights kinda thing.

 

[D.Hearne]

$40 bucks sounds a little too cheap for a "complete" kit including bands,clutches,gaskets etc. When i worked at Ford, my cost was higher then that.

I can't tell what all it had, the guy does transmissions for a living and he gets the stuff at better prices than we do I'm sure. He actually only said it needed fresh clutch packs, everything else looked fine.

 

[iskwezm]

I can't tell what all it had, the guy does transmissions for a living and he gets the stuff at better prices than we do I'm sure. He actually only said it needed fresh clutch packs, everything else looked fine.

some guys have all the luck with minor repairs

 

[D.Hearne]

Minor? I gutted the Comet to replace the engine with the 331 six pack. Power brakes and steering to manual, gutted the dash and had to replace the pedal support for the manual conversion. I let him go thru the C-4 to see what had been done to it previously. One of the P.O.'s installed a shift kit & stall converter. Still go more to do till I can fire it up and drive her. Maybe by tomorrow that'll happen.