That is disappointing to read. I assembled my own after having experiences like you describe with dealers when my car was new. Mike was always good to the Buick guys so I hate to hear you had a poor experience.
I'd try David Husek or Vince Janis. Again I've not bought from either but know guys who have and both answered questions for me when I was researching my build. Unfortunately the 2004r is a dinosaur of a trans and hasn't been put in a production vehicle in almost thirty years. That isn't to say it isn't a good trans, just that there are "secrets" that need to be adhered to when assembling one to have it perform satisfactorily. Not every trans shop can put one together and have it perform. Fortunately there are still a few.
Yes, those are all good names. I would even throw Steve V in the mix.
Like you said , I eventually end up building everything myself. It just makes everything easier.
The only reason that I went to Mike was because of his reputation on the Buick forums. It wasn’t till I spent time walking the shop and talking to him that I realized that he had very little specific knowledge of our cars. Semi-knowledgeable of vehicles in general ( he bows own a shop) but knowledge of the turbo Buick’s was minimal at best.
I can understand that shit happens and sometimes things don’t go right on a build. Believe me, I know. I took my Century fully built in because I had some 2/3 slipping. Called me a week later said it’s done. Pulled the trailer an hour and a half to get it. $3400 and he said it still slips 2/3, shift manually and bring it back and he will replace the valve body for another $500, no labor charge.....
Lonnie’s valve bodies are about $290.
He charged 100-175% markup on all the parts and tells me I’ll just have to shift manually???? When the problem was a $290 Valve body the whole time.
Oh well it is what it is. Let’s go for a drive..... slides into 3rd at 20 mph and clunks on every downshift. I look at him and say wtf. Feels fine to me he says. At that point I found the one thing I can’t fix, which is stupid. Loaded up my fully built to the hilt $8000 Century Transmission and took it to the house to fix it.