So, I got the dough to finally fix my 518 in my 92w250. What do you guys think? Buy a remanned from anywhere between $1000-$1700, or beef the crap out of it (existing)for anywhere from $2200-$3500? All and any advice is welcome...I can pull my own and replace one myself with a buddy of mine, which will save me a bunch of $$$$....as far as rebuilding, I don't have the time or knowledge or the place to do it...what do you guys think? Thanks, either way, I'm fixin' that beast! Ahhhh...relief.

 

I say build up what you got because that way you know what exactly has been done with it. Peace of mind in my opinion.

Plus what you can have done to it I'm sure will be better than a reman. which might be nothing more than a stock rebuild.

 

Pull it out and take it to a shop. They love it when they don't have to do anything really labor intensive besides the part that comes natural for them- actually building the trans.

Honestly i don't see a little tranny shop charging you $3000 to build it up. Aftermarket hard parts aren't that much more $$ Than stock stuff, especially the prices they get. I would think $1500-$1800 at most just for the trans and no converter? A good goerend converter will run you $650-$900 depending which one you get.

I know this becuase my best friend's Dad owns and operates a full service 4 bay transmission shop all by himself so i know alot of "behind the scenes" stuff that goes on with these transmission guys. I'm there almost every night with my buddy, we do most of the hard labor like pulling the trannies (front wheel drive cars aren't really all that hard BTW). He hates that part and me and my buddy love it.

He likes it when he's in his backroom with the A/C kickin, Zeppelin blarin and doing what he does best and that is assembling the transmission.

 

I just bought all the parts for my trans I upgarded wherever I could. I bought kolene steels super blue clutches aluminum piston aluminum servo kevlar band. All the good stuff only cost me 450. Then you still have the cost of a convertor.

 

i agree with the above advice.

 

Thanks for the advice....every shop I've called has said at least $2000-$90 /hr for labor....I'll call and see what they say about me pullin' it.

 

If I was you, I would pull it yourself, take it somewhere and get it rebuilt, and then throw in a good tight converter(DTT or Goerend, or maybe even see what Ultimate up there has for these old trucks) and then go with a valve body or shift kit and that truck will be much much better. A whole different truck! I bet you could do it all under $2000 or less too.

 

Hey buddy, I like that engine pic on the other thread....anyways, yeah, I hadn't even thought about pullin' it and takin' to a place, hence, the reason why I thought it'd be a good idea to ask you boys...so wise. Umm, oh yeah...I have talked to Ultimate twice, they seem to be super into building highend trannies for racing, which is sweet, but they quote me super high prices...$3000-$9000 to be exact...no jokin'. I told them, yeah I want it beefed up a bit, but I ain't draggin' the ol' girl, more for like haulin' firewood, and workin'...but he kept goin' back to the racing side...I don't know, we'll see. I'll call them and the other shops about me pullin it, and I'll post the responses I get in the next day or so...as far as the valve bodies, shift kit, etc...all the shops (including AAMCO said they won't rebuild them to stock, they beef em' up a bit, and they have all been $2k and up. The OEM trannies are $1400-1700 with a core charge, at least the ones I've seen online. Sorry for the mouthful, I will keep you posted. I'm just stoked its finally gonna happen! Thanks 92 and fellas.

 

Check around carefully ---

You can get a trans rebuilt and w/warranty for less than you think...

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/dodge.htm

Check their Viper trans - regular Viper and MegaViper for a complete tranny. Prices are competitive. Be sure you find the price for the Diesel - ~ $ 300 or so more than the gas. Prices are NO TC.

I bought their parts kit K47 for my 47RH ~ $1600 and paid to have the parts installed. Haven't got a good TC yet but I'm checking with DTT and Goerend.

I knew someone in Texarkana that had them build his Hemi Fueler trans - 525 CI Blown w/nitrous - Tranny lasted 2 seasons, engine(s) lasted 2 - 3 races. Sometimes 1 or 2 passes. He was running real low 7's.

 

Yeah I've never dealt with Ultimate but have heard great things about them, but that does sound pretty high priced.

I know a guy around here with a twinned 24 valve thats pushin probaby 600+ hp and he had his tranny built by AAmco and said he liked it but then he took it to another tranny shop in Colorado and got it redone to his liking plus it came with a 3 year warrant. And he said the guy in Colorado he took it to said that AAmco put all their good stuff in the tranny, but just put in right and adjust it right.

I'd give Dave Goerend a call at Goerend Transmissions, I've heard nothin but good things about him either. I would at least try and get the Torque converter from him. Good luck man, keep us posted.

 

Thanks guys...ok, so I called around, and I can save an avg of $400-$700 on the price, if I pull it myself...thats pretty good, at least I thought. So I'll probably end up doing that...DNR has some sick stuff from BD, but BD is spendy...I'll call Goerend and get some prices. Thanks for the help. I'll keep you guys posted. I can't freakin' wait!

 

Goerend has TC's from $500-$900...depending on what duty cycle you want....

 

Alright fellas, hopefully no more tranny issue posts for awhile...she's getting rebuilt Thursday. 1rst and 2nd are out and I can't wait anymore. So, Lord willing, Thursday is the day! New torque converter, shift kit, etc...can't freakin' wait, and a BD sump pan. If you guys have any other ideas, let me know. I'm also installing the O/D switch from DNR customs....I'll let you know how she turns out...thanks for all the advice....

 

What converter did you go with?

 

Dude, I just forgot the name! They are made locally here in Idaho, like in Idaho Falls...they make stuff for loaders, tractors, etc...I'll find the name...they make super beefy stuff....