I need transmission suggestions for my 86...
 

So the 700R4 in my 86 died today. It lasted 155k miles so I'm not complaining too much.

I need a replacement. My choices are:

1. Find a local tranny shop and have them build one. I've had bad luck with this in the past so I don't really want to. Also, I think I can get a better transmission somewhere else for the same or less cost (knowing I'll be spending my time to install it...)

2. Buy a stock type rebuilt transmission from a local auto parts store. I think their trannies come from larger production shops who probably have to have pretty decent rebuild practices to make any money. I'm sure they would use the cheapest parts possible though which would limit their life.

3. Buy more of a performance oriented transmission with the upgraded internal parts etc. It might be more than I need and I don't know how much longer they will last than my other options...

I'm leaning towards #3, but I need some suggestions/experiences from you guys to help me make my decision. Any good trannies out there or ones to stay far away from?

Please don't tell me to replace my 700R4 with a TH350 or TH400, I've loved how this one worked until today and like getting 23mpg...

Re: I need transmission suggestions for my 86...
 

I would go with a company like Bowtie Overdrives. A few members here have bought from them and had good results. You might also ask some people around your area that have 700r4's rebuilt and ask about the shop they used. This can be better than the BBB since they tell you about business dealings and not about performance always.

Re: I need transmission suggestions for my 86...
 

I would not consider anything but number 3 since you don't know a rebuilder you can trust. Anything else is a real crapshoot.

Slonaker

Re: I need transmission suggestions for my 86...
 

I would take it out myself. Bring it to the local shop and have them rebuild it.

Re: I need transmission suggestions for my 86...
 

I am going to go with MADDOG transmissions when I get my 700R4 replaced. 1000 bucks shipped with tranny cooler and torqe converter including core charge. Will handle 400hp. He also has more expensive models. Same deal, 1200 shipped will handle 550hp. http://www.maddogtransmissions.com

Re: I need transmission suggestions for my 86...
 

I agree with Brandon, and I have a BTO transmisson as well. :)

Re: I need transmission suggestions for my 86...
 

I would go with the company that has the best reputation to holding up. These places like Bowtie and Maddog is what they do for a living and ain't gonna ruin their reputation. The same can be said about the local shop as well. You would not think they would let the junk hit the street. I have also had bad luck over the years witht one certain tranny shop. I would want to go with the place that sells and builds performance transmissions for the simple reason they know it is going to be put through hell from horsepower.

Re: I need transmission suggestions for my 86...
 

My brother-in-law builds transmissions for a living. He is the only one that builds them in a very busy shop. I always ask why he isn't training anyone. He says that no one wants to learn how to do it right. He can train someone to pull them, but can never find anyone that can do more than tear them down. He spends more time fixing things that they do half assed rather than training.

This is why he builds transmissions for a lot of other shops in the area. They can't find anyone to do it for them, so they send them to him.

My point of all this is it's "very" hard to find a shop that will take the time to build one right. I would never trust a volume rebuilder because they will not hesitate to put used parts back in that "appear" to be in good condition.

I would consider a high performance transmission company that has a good reputation, and a solid warranty. I have never heard anything bad about BTO, so it might be worth a shot.

Re: I need transmission suggestions for my 86...
 

:agree: I had a tranny rebuilt at a shop that gave me the best price. What a mistake! they were supposed to rebuild it and put a B&M shift kit in it, well I blew the tranny about 5K miles later. Took it back and they said there was no warranty on their work because they didnt install it in the truck. I then learned my lesson. I've since had my tranny rebuilt by Transmisson By Gene in Salinas Ca. The guy said there was no shift kit in my tranny. Make a long story short I paid about twice the amount of money because I tried to save $$ the first time.