trans rebuild recommendations

[GarnetTy1473]

There is nothing wrong with the transmission, but while I have it out for the resto, I was going to have it freshened up a bit. Has 70k miles on it. As far as a motor build goes, I don't plan on doing much. Going to upgrade to a Walbro, afpr, maybe some Eagle H-beams and pistons, and exhaust. Staying with stock turbo, stock crossover, stock downpipe, stock heads, stock intake, etc. . .With the new rods and pistons, I might up the boost a bit, but no a whole lot, so I don't need a super build on the transmission. Friend of mine owns a transmission shop. I know people always talk about having someone familiar with these transmissions do the rebuilds, but how hard can just replacing the clutches, etc. be. Any recommendations on what all I should replace during this time.

 

[Deanzsyclone]

Re: trans rebuild recommendations

I know your staying stock on the truck so building up the trans for light mod sounds like a good idea, your deffinately not a candidate for a 4l80e.
But I REALLY would say to change out the stock heads. They SUCK. Their are options out there that are on the low cost to high cost, and even the low cost option heads are much better than the stock ones. I took my Brodix heads to the machinest and he just went nuts on how sucky the gm stock head is on our truck, I think they are a major source of detonation, and since a upgraded cam is so cheap (hundred bucks) why not throw it in if the motor is torn apart. Cost you the same on labor to slide in the stock cam as it would to slide in the 412.
Pistons and rings yah are a good idea of course and hone the cylinders.
:tup:
Hope that was a little helpfull.

 

[GarnetTy1473]

Re: trans rebuild recommendations

I know your staying stock on the truck so building up the trans for light mod sounds like a good idea, your deffinately not a candidate for a 4l80e.
But I REALLY would say to change out the stock heads. They SUCK. Their are options out there that are on the low cost to high cost, and even the low cost option heads are much better than the stock ones. I took my Brodix heads to the machinest and he just went nuts on how sucky the gm stock head is on our truck, I think they are a major source of detonation, and since a upgraded cam is so cheap (hundred bucks) why not throw it in if the motor is torn apart. Cost you the same on labor to slide in the stock cam as it would to slide in the 412.
Pistons and rings yah are a good idea of course and hone the cylinders.
:tup:
Hope that was a little helpfull.

But once you go to Vortec's, and a cam, isn't pretty much needed that you get injectors and FAST or another similar system, which then costs more money. I'm runnin low on cash the way it is. I'm not in a hurry to get it done, but since it's in my dads garage ,taking up 2 spots, he's wanting it out. Hell, my Sonoma has been in pieces and half primer for almost 3 years now.

 

[Timbo]

Re: trans rebuild recommendations

You don't need Vortecs. L35s would be fine if you're wanting to stay stockish. It won't cost you near as much.

 

[Deanzsyclone]

Re: trans rebuild recommendations

But once you go to Vortec's, and a cam, isn't pretty much needed that you get injectors and FAST or another similar system, which then costs more money. I'm runnin low on cash the way it is. I'm not in a hurry to get it done, but since it's in my dads garage ,taking up 2 spots, he's wanting it out. Hell, my Sonoma has been in pieces and half primer for almost 3 years now.

No you can keep the stock ecu no need to buy FAST, but you will need to tune the truck since the cam in in there. There are few options available to tunning while keeping your stock ecu, But sorry I have bigstuff3 so all I can say is look over at the "chiping emesions and tunning" section. I dont beleive you need to change out the injectors either, but should you do so down the road you now have a better breathing engine to feed it more fuel. I'm pretty certain I am correct on this info someone want to chime in if I'm wrong?

 

[mrweelr]

Re: trans rebuild recommendations

Would upgrading to ported Vortecs eliminate some of the KR I was getting? Would switching to Vortecs and leaving the stock cam in actually reduce power or increase it? I plan on building my motor at some point in the future anyway, but that comment you made about detonation really got me thinking about upgrading these stock "fast burn" heads sooner than later. Compression ratio would stay the same, correct?

 

[Timbo]

Re: trans rebuild recommendations

Stock heads are prone to detonation, so any upgrade would likely help.

 

[100in6]

Re: trans rebuild recommendations

to have the tran freshened try john waller in charlotte, or carl rossler in youngstown ohio. john would probably do a good job for you without killing you wallet if all you want is a fresh 700. tell either guy that i said for you to ask. there might be a good place in indy and you could avoid shipping. check with maxtor in terre haute or todd dearborn.

good luck. and for what it's worth from someone who has had both, you don't need anything but your stock computer and a romulator and a wide band O2 to make it run just as good a fast system. keep your computer and save your money on a fast. phillip long is running great on a stock computer as are a lot of other guys

les

 

[Deanzsyclone]

Re: trans rebuild recommendations

Stock heads are prone to detonation, so any upgrade would likely help.

yuppp !!

 

[GarnetTy1473]

Re: trans rebuild recommendations

I forgot about L35s, probably go with those.

But, getting back on topic of what clutches, etc. . .to use if I were to keep it local. The friend that owns his transmission shop does good work, but how many syty trannys he's done, I don't know. He has done transmission and torque converter work in our Camaro, which runs low 9s, and they've held up. A lot better than the Coan junk we used to use. Oh, by the way, I also plan on going with a Hughes 2800 stall converter as well. Ohio isn't too far for me to take it to Rossler, so I'll check with him as well since I do know that he knows these transmissions. Todd has a built Rossler sittin in his garage that I'd like to take off his hands, but I know he might need it one day in the next 5 years. But anyways, clutches? I have heard Raybestos brand. Also, should I change the input shaft to a stronger one, etc. . . I know my friend can build them, but what parts to put in, that I don't think he knows too much about on these trannys.

 

[Timbo]

Re: trans rebuild recommendations

From what I've read, a cryoed stock input shaft is the way to go, unless you want to spend the $$ on a billet one.

 

[100in6]

Re: trans rebuild recommendations

that trans at todds was one i had freshened for mine. fairly stock rebuild with a new output shaft. maxtors is the one i kept upgrading and is pretty pricy. rossler did both, but marks is much different. like a 500 buck custum clutch pack and cryoed output shaft and a lot of other stuff. he has even more he does to them now. actually the billet shaft are out now and not all that much. phil long just bought a billet output from nolan for something like 3 or 4oo if i remember. that would be your best bet if they are true billet. carl told me a couple of years ago that there was someone selling billet shafts but they really weren't and weren't worth it. if nolan says they are billet though i would believe it. both waller or carl would know. actually, if you aren't planning on making mucho horsepower a good stock shaft should do fine. i broke an almost brand new one, but when we tested the hardness on the rockwell scale it was pretty hard which made it brittle probably and it held up to 1000 pounds of torque about twice. if it were me and you need shafts i'd spring a couple of hundred bucks extra for the billet. if you come to rossler, let me know when your coming and i'll go with you to see carl. he's very good.

regarding heads. the big thing you'll find with the vortecs even if you use them almost stock is even though you can port the L35's i think you will find that the better combustion chamber of the vortec will let you run leaner with less knock and consequently make more power. only problem is you have to have some work done to get your intake to fit and have the heads redrilled to fit your block. no big deal though. lots of place can do it. the L35's will fit right on. you can buy a brand new set of vortecs for about 300 bucks i think if you look around. let me know if you can't find them and i'll steer you where. complete with valves and rockers, no valve covers but they're cheap too if you use the plastic ones. again if you decide to use carl i'll meet up with and take you in.

les