Cracked Trans Case

[hawkfan]

Had my RJC downpipe and Pypes exhaust installed today and finally found out what was leaving those tiny drips in the garage. Apparently, the transmission case cracked due to a bad trans mount. It got worse after the exhaust install for some reason so I decided to have it checked out. When I first got the car a few months ago, I thought the trans pan just needed a new gasket since it was only 2 or three drops at the time. Boy was I wrong. This was/is bad news, but I knew trans work was coming down the road anyway. I told the shop owner I could order a new trans for him to put in, but he made me a decent* offer based on what I told him my 'goals' were power/torque wise. He quoted me $1600 total and said he would find a replacement case and put in 'hardened' parts, super servo, valve body, etc. Does this sound like a good deal? Also, what type of trans mount would you recommend to keep this from happening again?

*Decent compare to Extreme Automatics Stage 1 + options, shipping, and core charge.

 

[bison]

Hardened parts? I'd want specifics. A complete trans with all the good aftermarket billet shafts and good heat treat will run more than $1600. What is guaranteed? A lot of 200-4r builders out there. Not many that can make one live with the potential these engines can produce. Id rather have a good stock servo and vb recalibrated than something else with a stock forward drum shaft and stock od planet and ring gear. Servos, vb.'s, pumps, etc aren't where the problems are and where the $$$ add up. It's the input $300, od planet $250, OD ring gear $150, and forward drum with aftermarket shaft $450. That's $1100 in "hardened parts" right there not including your replacement case, clutches, steels, recalibration, small parts, labor/warranty charges.

 

[hawkfan]

I am NOT a transmission guy by any stretch of the imagination so a lot of the trans talk is over my head. So far, I have:

TE-44 (thanks again)
42.5# injectors and matched TT chip
3" RJC dp
3" high flow cat
Pypes exhaust

I figure a Stage 1 trans would be more than enough for the above. But the 2-3 week lead time, freight shipping, and core charge are a problem. I was comparing this guy's price to a Stage 1 trans from Extreme Automatics although I know they really aren't comparable. But right now, the car is at his shop and I don't have a useable core so I'm stuck weighing my options since $1600 is doable. I also sent Extreme Automatics an email giving them the details of my situation.

 

[bison]

I can't remember your location but I have several cores and cases here. Shipping a bare case wouldnt be too bad.

 

[hawkfan]

Augusta GA

Edit: I found this on Ebay(I know), but it comes from a seller with good feedback:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dl...akeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:en

 

[bison]

$75 plus shipping from 06481 if you want one

 

[hawkfan]

$75 plus shipping from 06481 if you want one

Thanks! I'll let the guy know on Monday I found a case. I WILL get back in touch with you. Do you have a problem with shipping the case directly to his shop?

 

[stovebolt 34]

Mine had a leak caused from a pinhole above the manual shaft . Didn't know it until up and running (puddle on shop floor ) . My trans was a junk yard core , so sometimes you just don't know . With a little bit of JB Weld I got lucky .

Bison's offer might be the best way to go .

 

[bison]

Thanks! I'll let the guy know on Monday I found a case. I WILL get back in touch with you. Do you have a problem with shipping the case directly to his shop?

As long as it's a personal transaction ill ship it anywhere. If regular Paypal or CC it goes to the address on the account.

 

[hawkfan]

Mine had a leak caused from a pinhole above the manual shaft . Didn't know it until up and running (puddle on shop floor ) . My trans was a junk yard core , so sometimes you just don't know . With a little bit of JB Weld I got lucky .

Bison's offer might be the best way to go .

Yes it is at that price. Looking back, JB weld probably would've worked had I caught it when it was a crack. Now it's more of a break. Hindsight is 20/20.

 

[hawkfan]

As long as it's a personal transaction ill ship it anywhere. If regular Paypal or CC it goes to the address on the account.

I have no problem with that at all. You mentioned a few parts (shaft, drum, etc) that are prone to fail. Can't I just order those parts myself and give them to the trans tech? I saw the shaft and drum on Gbody parts. Do you recommend a regular trans mount or a poly mount? What about the transmission crossmember bushings?

 

[bison]

You can order the parts and give them to the tech. I rec whatever mount type you are using on your engine. If stock then rubber. If poly then poly. Don't mix

 

[hawkfan]

Thanks again.

 

[Phoneguy]

I am NOT a transmission guy by any stretch of the imagination so a lot of the trans talk is over my head. So far, I have:

TE-44 (thanks again)
42.5# injectors and matched TT chip
3" RJC dp
3" high flow cat
Pypes exhaust

I figure a Stage 1 trans would be more than enough for the above. But the 2-3 week lead time, freight shipping, and core charge are a problem. I was comparing this guy's price to a Stage 1 trans from Extreme Automatics although I know they really aren't comparable. But right now, the car is at his shop and I don't have a useable core so I'm stuck weighing my options since $1600 is doable. I also sent Extreme Automatics an email giving them the details of my situation.

You have been warned...you get what you pay for !! Bison is not steering you wrongly! There are not many out there that know how to make these tranny's LAST in our cars. I HIGHLY suggest you park the car and save some money and have it done RIGHT. I have been there already...it sucks having to do this twice and pay for it twice. Good luck.

Bryan

 

[hawkfan]

You have been warned...you get what you pay for !! Bison is not steering you wrongly! There are not many out there that know how to make these tranny's LAST in our cars. I HIGHLY suggest you park the car and save some money and have it done RIGHT. I have been there already...it sucks having to do this twice and pay for it twice. Good luck.

Bryan

I hope I'm on the right track here: I'm thinking about getting the trans case from Bison, getting a CK Performance rebuild kit with the necessary billet parts , and having the guy install everything in the new case. That way, I'm sure I'm getting quality parts with the convenience of getting it done locally.

 

[hawkfan]

Ok, I've had a day to think about this. There's a LOT of guys here running EA transmissions and there has to be a reason for that. Lonnie's website says to allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Is that only if you are sending a trans to him for rebuild wanting a 'custom' build? I ask that becasue it looks like he already has a Stage II available on his webstore. I'm not as concerned about $$$ as I am about getting a quality transmission out of this in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[hungerbuhler1]

Go EA and don't look back

 

[hawkfan]

Go EA and don't look back

Believe I really want to. But I would love to get everything installed within the next 2 weeks if possible. I REALLY want my car back home.

 

[Phoneguy]

Ok, I've had a day to think about this. There's a LOT of guys here running EA transmissions and there has to be a reason for that. Lonnie's website says to allow 2-3 weeks for delivery. Is that only if you are sending a trans to him for rebuild wanting a 'custom' build? I ask that becasue it looks like he already has a Stage II available on his webstore. I'm not as concerned about $$$ as I am about getting a quality transmission out of this in a reasonable amount of time.

You need to call Lonnie if that is the route you are going, dont believe what you see on the website, call him to verify, more than likely not going to happen in 2 weeks.

Bryan

 

[hawkfan]

You need to call Lonnie if that is the route you are going, dont believe what you see on the website, call him to verify, more than likely not going to happen in 2 weeks.

Bryan

I'll give him a call tomorrow to verify, but I'm hoping he has something already in stock and ready to go. If not, I'll have to get my car back from the shop before they get the old trans out.