Trans question.
 

Recently I asked everyone about trans upgrades, who and where. Well I searched like it was suggested with Gorend, Suncoast, and one other and MAN those boys are HIGH DOLLAR! 5800 with 800 core for Suncoast, Goerend talked like 3550 to just upgrade my existing tranny, I don't know about you guys, but that sort of cash is not easy to come by, so that being said, does anyone have any suggestions, or ideas that I may use? Thanks

parts are not cheap for these things. I have almost 3500 just paying for parts and a buddy putting it together for me. Think the rebuild kit with upgraded clutches etc was 800, converter 1200, input shaft 600, solenoids were 300, valve body 425, pan 200, plus labor to do all the work.

What kind of tools do you have access too? and how confident are you with doing your own work? They really aren't that hard to build, I'm building mine right now and it's surprisingly easy. The only real special tool you need is a press and a cage for the O/D direct clutch spring (it has 830lbs of force on it, so you aren't compressing it by hand or with something small). Other than that it is pretty easy.

The parts are the expensive part though. The heavy duty rebuild kit from suncoast with all the upgraded bands, clutch packs, accumulator piston, strut, lever, seals etc... is 546.00, a converter is going to run you a minimum of 1000, and the valvebody around 500. So you are looking at about 2000 if you do it all yourself and don't use a triple disc converter or billet shafts.

What are your plans for the truck? If you are going to be racing or pulling, or doing locked up shifts, you will be wanting billet shafts. If you are keeping it where it is, just doing the TC/VB and Rebuild with better components, you will be fine. You could even add a bit of fuel to that as well. However as soon as you start doing boosted launches or locked up shifts you are walking on thin ice.

Hope this helps a little bit.
Sean

Sean,
What you and 01 Quadcab have said helps, guess bottom line is, I will just need to save up and go from there. As for my plans on the truck, well its mostly an everyday driver for me, and I just like having the power at my foot, especially since I like to race uptown as well as at the dragstrip. So I guess to answer your question, mostly an everyday driver/racer, but not looking to try and hold a record just yet! lol As for tooling to get ahold of, I actually think I can get to a press too, question now is, time. Hoping to be working for Direct TV soon, and they work atleast 6 days a week. OH well, money making is better then no money at all right! HA HA HA Thanks alot though, I so appreciate all your input and suggestions. BIG HELP