what transmission is best for me

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,017
Reaction score
9,016
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
I decided I should get a few quotes for a rebuild incase I get in over my head. The best price was 6hrs at $85/hr so $510. This is just for labour. I would but the kits and any other parts. A full rebuild with torque converter, shift kit (stage 2) an such was quoted at $1163.
I also have someone else to call tomorrow. He owned a trans shop for years and was recommended by 2 people. He isn't in the business anymore but my dad has done work for him and knows him so he might be willing to do it for me at a reasonable price.

Are these prices reasonable?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you were local to me, you'd get the upgraded race, Stage 2 Kit, rebuild and stock converter for $650. And if you wanted it back dirty on the outside where I didn't have to have it hot vatted to clean it at the machine shop, $620.
 

tomh2012

Junior Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2014
Posts
26
Reaction score
1
Location
Tulsa, Ok
First Name
Tom
Truck Year
1987
Truck Model
R30
Engine Size
5.7 tbi
Just bought a hot vat that I need to rebuild last week. I can't believe over a thousand dollars on a standard build... People would laugh at me here!

Sent from my LG-LG730 using Tapatalk
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,017
Reaction score
9,016
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
Just bought a hot vat that I need to rebuild last week. I can't believe over a thousand dollars on a standard build... People would laugh at me here!

Sent from my LG-LG730 using Tapatalk

Huh? Lost me on that.
 

canadianboy

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Posts
46
Reaction score
0
Location
Grand Forks
First Name
Carl
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Sierra Grande
Engine Size
350/SM465/NP205
Yup. All shop rates are 80-85/hr. The one guy said that it wasn't rocket science and if I got in a bind he would help out. That was the approx 510 for labour only. Could be more, could be less.

Monster Transmissions has a th350 for 899 on sale right now. It's rated for 275hp/250tq. Free shipping in continental US. I live 5 mins from border so I can pick up no problem. I would likely buy this rather than pay 1200 for a rebuild. Www.monstertransmission.com/Turbo–350–THC 350-transmission-mild- rebuild-4WD-4X4_P_5134.html#.UV2XKFLDWSo


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,017
Reaction score
9,016
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
That $899 Monster is probably a bone stock rebuild. The hardened outter race probably up to about 400hp/300tq. That Monster is also outright price I believe, and not rebuilding your or having to give your core back, so you'd have an extra core Th350.
 

canadianboy

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Posts
46
Reaction score
0
Location
Grand Forks
First Name
Carl
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Sierra Grande
Engine Size
350/SM465/NP205
It's called a "step above" a factory replacement. It's 1,125 for a trans rated to 400/350. Comes with a full 3 year warranty.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,017
Reaction score
9,016
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
I'd hope that $1125 would include that upgraded sprag drum for moderate abuse I was telling you about.

I'm just glad I can build my own transmissions. They just don't cost that much to build in reference to seeing prices. It floors me. They do start getting expensive when you add upgrades for performance. And models matter alot. Example being, That $1125 Th350 trans would likely outlast a $3000 700r4. That's because of all the upgrades a 700r4 would need, and even then it's still weak no matter what you throw at it.
 

canadianboy

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Posts
46
Reaction score
0
Location
Grand Forks
First Name
Carl
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Sierra Grande
Engine Size
350/SM465/NP205
Well if I can save 600 or more by doing it myself I will at least give it a shot. I would have to pay duty/12% tax at the border on top of that. If I run into trouble I'll take it in an have them finish it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

canadianboy

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Posts
46
Reaction score
0
Location
Grand Forks
First Name
Carl
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Sierra Grande
Engine Size
350/SM465/NP205
They also have a 700r4 rated to 1000+hp for only 2800. The highest th400 rating is like 750 or something.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,017
Reaction score
9,016
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
Well if I can save 600 or more by doing it myself I will at least give it a shot. I would have to pay duty/12% tax at the border on top of that. If I run into trouble I'll take it in an have them finish it.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Compareing it to your local guy at $1150, you're going to save alot more than $600. Probably closer to $750-$800 is what you'd save. They're marking up your parts too. I don't know if transmisisonpartsusa.com ships to Canada though. :shrug: Do you have a transmission parts supply house close to you? They may cost a bit more than here, but the money you'd save in shipping and the duty tax you could pay more and be about the same or maybe less, and for sure I'd try to find a refurb torque converter local cuz they are heavy and expensive to ship.
 

canadianboy

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Posts
46
Reaction score
0
Location
Grand Forks
First Name
Carl
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Sierra Grande
Engine Size
350/SM465/NP205
There's a general store in Danville Washington like 10 min drive from my house that accepts shipments for $4 per package. I bought all new ujoints and a full clutch kit online and with shipping it was like 100 less than clutch from local lordco. Online is the way to buy here. I live in a small town so not many options. The price I was quoted he sends it away to be done and he adds a markup to that cost. Even with shipping it's usually cheaper to buy online. Shipping to Canada is expensive tho. Never free shipping. What specs should I be looking for a converter?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,017
Reaction score
9,016
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
They also have a 700r4 rated to 1000+hp for only 2800. The highest th400 rating is like 750 or something.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I doubt that 700r4 would last very long.

Turbo 400's are built to withstand 2000 and 2500 horsepower with transbrakes and fully rollarized. They may not build one, but Turbo 400's are strong. Of course they cost a fortune to hold up to that hp. You're prolly looking at $3500-$5000 for a Th400 to hold up to 2500hp and do 8's in the quarter. I won't build those ones. I don't have the lathes and machining tools to customize the case and turn and lighten drums, mill out pistons and things of that nature. Now I can freshen one up that has been built and didn't blow to pieces. I can take it apart and put new clutches and seals in it, measure the tolerances and make sure they are in spec, replace bushings and bearings as needed.
 

canadianboy

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Posts
46
Reaction score
0
Location
Grand Forks
First Name
Carl
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Sierra Grande
Engine Size
350/SM465/NP205
They offer a 3 year warranty on every trans to my knowledge. And free shipping to continental us


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

canadianboy

Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2012
Posts
46
Reaction score
0
Location
Grand Forks
First Name
Carl
Truck Year
1977
Truck Model
Sierra Grande
Engine Size
350/SM465/NP205
What kind of torque converter should I be looking for? I will drive both in and off road. City and hwy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,017
Reaction score
9,016
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
That depends more on the hp and cam.

If you're not drag racing and not launching off a start, you don't need much of a stall. And that's a good thing. Higher stall generates heat which kills transmissions. So if stock is like 1400, and you can get a basic stock high stall which I believe is about 1800, then I'd go with that. This way you can go up an RV cam and still be able to get the r's up pretty good to take on a steep hill.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
42,192
Posts
911,088
Members
33,687
Latest member
Dale Downes
Top