Transmission Replacement

[hott85]

Uggh!!! Can't believe my transmission is acting up again. The current transmission was installed about 2 yrs ago and is a GM remanufactured I purchased from a mechanic friend. My Vette is not a daily driver, so I haven't put many miles on it during the 2 years. Prior to that the transmission was rebuilt - twice! What gives?

Considering purchasing a GM remanufactured tranny from the dealer, as opposed to having the current one rebuilt - any thoughts on this? It's an automatic tranny...

Thanks for letting me vent... crap!

 

[JT ZR-Won]

I had the entire trans rebuilt when I owned my '85. It ran me about $1500 but I had it beefed up a little bit and also had a 2500 stall put in. Ran like a champ after that.

Jay

 

[Tom73]

Lost the transmission on my '90 at 90,000 miles. Local small town Chevy dealer installed a GM remanufactured transmission. Running great at 125,000 miles.

Decided to go with a remanufactured transmission as you get all new parts in a refurbished case. With a rebuild I would have ended up with a mix of new and old parts in which case the old parts could have quit the next day. Also with the remanufactured transmission I got a GM warranty

tom...

 

[hott85]

the chevy dealer told me a stall converter would void the warranty. They want $1,350 exchange. I've had quite a bit of after-market work done to my Vette. Would I have to have the performance chip re-customized if I went with a stall converter? Is the performance gain worth it?

Though leaning heavily towards the remanufactured transmission for the reasons cited by Tom.

 

[Eagle85C4]

Talk to Corey at www.netgearhead.com tell him Ray sent you. Get yours rebuilt by factory trained tech...from mild to wild...
700R4's from about 500.00 on up depending what you want done. Tranny's are dyno'ed before returned. They did the one on my Blazer, which I try to tear up weekends in the mud and trails...not had a problem in 50k miles....they are going to do mine in my 85 here in a few weeks and add a 2500 stall for just over 525.00....

They are listed in the Portal section and CAC members get a discount...

 

[hott85]

Ray,

No one answered the phone, so I left a message. Will let you know how things go. Thanks!

James

 

[hott85]

Talked with Greg at Net Gear Head and was impressed with their products. I phoned the friend of mine who rebuilt my engine and discussed the transmission. He suggested I purchase the transmission from www.700r4.com. Visited their site and was even more impressed by Bowtie Overdrives products - and cheaper too!

 

[vettn94]

As far as I'm concerned it's a crapshoot no matter what you do-lol.
IMO the 700R4 is a piece of junk, I'm sure the 4L60E I have now isn't much better.
I had another car w/ a 700R4 that I battled with for way too long.
In the last year I owned the car the trans was rebuilt 3 times.
I know too many people who have had similar luck with the 700R4. The smart ones ditch it for a TH400 or something else.
I know there will be alot of people who will argue this but IMO NOTHING is better than what you get from the factory and you can't do much but pray it lasts.
Once it breaks the problems never end no matter who rebuilds it.
For example the guy who built my trans the first time, and second for that matter, had over 20 years experience rebuilding GM transmissions. So Like Tom said above your best bet is to get rid of your trans and get something new with a good warranty,preferably from GM. I wish I would have taken the route Tom did instead of opting for a rebuild.
just my .02
I've been down this road before, as I'm sure others have, and all I can say is best of luck to you.

 

[hott85]

Thanks for the advice. You've put into words my greatest concerns regarding this being a crap shoot. I guess that's why I haven't placed an order yet for any transmission.

Bowtie Overdrive offers only a one year, but thought I'd be gaining strength and durability with their Level 3 transmission - perhaps that wishful thinking on my part. I was also going to install a transmission cooler.

I did not know the TH400 was an option to consider. Are there other transmissions as well?

 

[vader86]

Your best bet is getting a brand new one, I dont trust rebuilds, ive blown out too many. (not in the vette tho)

Like he said 700r4 is junk, any heat is lethal to it, and the 'soft' parts break easy.

When I do finally have my engine done, I'm going to run a 4L80E (which is the current GM TH400 with overdrive) because its stouter and its gear ratios are also alot better.

You could also have a TH400 built up, and attach a Gear Vendors Overdrive.

This is the only other tranny you should consider, 200-4R is too similar to the 700r4.

 

[hott85]

Vader,

If I understand you correctly, your suggestions are:

1. TH400 built up and attach a Gear Vendors Overdrive
2. 4L80E, which is a TH400 w/overdrive

Am I correct? Option 2 sounds less complicated. Feedback please...

 

[Eagle85C4]

You need to do a search for the 700R-4's....there are many places that rebuild them and they last....I can't understand the whining about 700R-4's....I run the one in my vette hard and it has 147,000 miles on it no problem. My 86 Blazer full size has one that was rebuilt by netgearhead and it performs flawlessly on the trails and in the mud as well as one the highway. If you do some looking around NHRA you will find that the 700-R4 is used on many race cars and is prefeered by many due to the low first gear.
You can get a new one from www.paceparts.com it will be a GM factory new 700-R4 or the 4L60 for a bit over 1700.00 with a factory warranty and comes with a new 2300 stall converter.
Stick with what came with the car...what it was ENGINEERED with. And if you decide to rebuild...netgearhead will make it bullet proof, I had the one for the Blazer done with the heaviest stuff they had...Kevlar bands not only thicker but wider....I can rock and roll it in the mud back and forth with 3000 rpm shifts. Come home drop the pan and have crystal clear fluid...no burn.

Do what you want....but I would stick with the 700-R4 it is a great tranny if it is done right.

 

[vader86]

There are some modifications that need to be done to the car for the 4L80/TH400 to fit, the bellhousing i think. I havent done further research than that so far.

Id go with whichever turns out cheaper.

I dont discount the 700r4, Its the strongest transmission Ive had, but i know i can blow this sucker if i want.

My main dislike of the 700r4 is the 1-2 gear drop. That kills your ETs. All the others have a more reasonable gear ratio difference between 1st and 2nd. The only advantage of the 3.06 1st ratio in the 700 is that it allows you to run high rear ratios like 2.59/2.73/3.07.

 

[vettn94]

Vader you're right the 2004R in the Grand Nationals and 89 Turbo TA's is similar to the 700 but it seems to hold up better from what I have seen.

Eagle, you should consider yourself very lucky to have had such good luck with that trans. I know you will find this hard to believe but you're definetly in the minority. I know ALOT of people who have had the same sh it luck with that trans as I have.

Hott85, the only way I would put a 400 in is if the car was not a daily driver and you do quite a bit of drag racing. Otherwise IMO you are going to want something with overdrive. There's nothing wrong with putting in a 700R4 like Tom said providing it's a NEW one from GM w/ a warranty and if it were my car that is the route I would take.
again just my .02
good luck

 

[hott85]

I've definitely decided on keeping a 700R4 in the car. Just a matter of deciding on whom to purchase it from:

1. Bowtie Overdrive - Level 3
2. Pace
3. Dealer

Thanks for all of the advice. I really appreciate it...

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

I went through a couple 700r4's. The last one I broke was supposed to be the strongest parts you can get. I converted to a th400/Gear Vendors last year. This is the only way to go if you have some extra horsepower. It was not very difficult to do, I have a page on my web site that shows a little about it. If I can do it myself then most people can. I highly recommend this conversion!!

 

[hott85]

Bob,

I can't remember the last time I felt in such a quandry about "what to do" as I have been about this transmission.

This is hard to believe, but I called a shop specializing in Corvettes and the owner is giving me a "lifetime warranty" (for as long as I own the car) on the transmission. And for only $1,500 bucks.

I know the deal sounds to good to be true. But I'm going for it....