hello all, i have a 96 cummins with the automatic, it has 273,000 on the trans never rebuilt, as of recently the transmission has started slipping nothing major just enough you can tell, but heres my question, im looking in the near future to get it rebuilt or to buy a new transmission and i want something that will hold up to damn near any hp level, right now the truck is basically stock (100# plate and afc slid forward, smoke screw turned in and starwheel cranked) but later i plan on taking it up to 700hp+.

So should i get the transmission rebuilt for the hp and put a new torque converter or just buy an aftermarket performance one, any advice is apprecated

 

No experience with the auto's but from everything I've read on here don't go with your run of the mill trans shop or with ATS. Everything I've read about Gorend has been positive of course you can use the search function and read it for yourself.

 

I would also advise against the fast food shops (ATS, Suncoast, etc). If you want it stout enough to handle any HP level, get ready to pay. Obviously the cheapest way is to build it yourself, if you're capable. Otherwise, I strongly recommend you find someone close to you who's reputable.

 

I love my Goerend unit.
Bought a few years ago.
5k no billet shafts or flexplate.
Shifts like new still.
They will build to order at any power level.
Someone said they quit selling units themselves. (Someone else now sells for them)-not sure if true-
I went to their shop and had them instal. Awesome people and shop.
Loved my experience, even @ the cost.
DD

 

$5K and no billet shafts? 0_0

 

That is everything. Full transmission installed.
Transmission included (new non billet flexplate, triple disc torque converter, and upgraded valve body) & a bunch of little things I have since forgotten.
I did my homework. It was not out of line.
I was however just on Goerends page and it says they no longer built whole units. They now sell only the components. I would still recommend their hardware.
DD

 

OH, that sounds better. Not much better mind you, but undeniably better.

 

Are you aware of the cost of a high quality auto transmission?
$3,550 for the transmission plus install and extra from Goerend sounds amazing compared to the current offerings of say ATS (since you used them in your example)
47rh 4wd Stage 1 package $4,575.00 uninstalled (obviously).
I will not speak on ATS as I have no experience.
I love my Goerend. If I ever need another diesel transmission for another vehicle I hope I can get parts from Goerend. Having been to their shop and talking with Dave, they know transmissions.
Not advertising like other companies
My $0.02
DD

 

Yes, I'm aware. Just the parts in my transmission were more than $3500. And I'm pretty sure if I got a transmission from ATS or Suncoast that had what mine has in it, I would have paid at least twice that for it, but the prevailing opinion seems to be that those are a complete ripoff. Regardless, everyone I know around here who has a local-built transmission paid anywhere from $3-5K, but all of them got at least a billet input shaft in there somewhere.
That said, I paid a low enough price for mine that my guy doesn't want me telling people what he charged me, so my perspective of what you can get for how much is a little bit scewed, but in a world where most of the guys here in the forum only ever do a TC + VB/shift kit and get out for well under a grand and swear they're fine, paying several thousand for all the supporting hardware to grenade a stock input shaft and not upgrading it sounds a little odd. That said, I would bet the farm on a Goerend unit over any of the other "brands" out there, so there's that.

 

so im guessing what i should get for parts would be

gt2 master overhaul kit
High Pressure Valve Body with solenoids
Triple Disc Torque Converter
1 piece Sonnax Billet input shaft
Billet Intermediate Shaft
Billet Output Shaft
Billet Flex Plate (SFI Approved)

then since i have no confidence in rebuilding autos, take it to a local trans shop and have them put it together, then i should have a fairly bulletproof trans?

if so that would be around $5545.00 not too bad