I read here most every day. I don't post much, becuase I'm mostly here to learn.

I read a lot about trans upgrades. People are spending thousands of dollars to rebuild their trans with billit and high strength parts and upgrades. But I look at their sigs and don't see many power upgrades. And their intended use is daily driving and occasional light towing.

A stock rebuild kit is about $300 or so (?); not including torque converter. Labor is the same, no matter what parts you use. It seems like you could rebuild the trans 2-3 times for the same price as the high power upgrades. Especially if you're doing the work yourself.

If you don't tow much, and power levels are pretty close to stock, what's the point?

 

I think lots of people do that first, as a foundation for future power enhancements.

I know what you mean though. I have worked on dozens of these trucks over the years, and if you keep the power level stock, even with moderate towing, these transmissions stand up very well without any problems.

 

A rebuild costs $3,000 here. I can get a Goerend trans for $4,000.

A rebuilt will have a 12,000 mile warranty. Maybe 36,000 if I can jump through a lot of hoops. If I towed too much, or had any power options it will be voided.

A Goerend will have a 100,000 mile warranty and guaranteed to take whatever I throw at it.

I know which way I'm going when the time comes.....

 

That makes sense. Didn't think of that.

Is it worth it? Do you get the extra $1,000 out of it? I can see some circumstances where it would certainly be worth it.

 

Bob... I have a Goerend trans with all of the billet parts and I assure you that IMHO it is worth every cent. The difference that the Torque convertor makes is justification alone. It transforms your truck and is much more pleasureable to drive. I tow light and heavy, and have many mods. I did mine at 90K and once done, I wish I had done it much sooner. Some of the original parts in stock trans are just scary. Get on the web site and compare a stock flex plate to a billet one... you will see what I mean.
Reasons I upgraded.... I did not want to get stuck at 2am someplace... I knew that eventually I was going to lean on it for more power.... It will save you fuel...and I love the way it drives. If you use your head you can make the original trans work with stock power, but start towing heavy, or start adding some serious power and the internals are just marginal.
There are many trans shops and suppliers, but my experiance with Dave Goerend has been nothing short of exceptional, (An opinion held by many here)

 

if you plan on joining the 500hp+ club then a tranny is a must. that is why you see alot of tranny builds before power options. It it useless having a engine that can make 600hp+ but cannot put that power to the wheels. alot of us learned from others mistakes. There are alot of people here that have blown up their stock trannys. That is why i did my tranny already, my next upgrade are twins then injectors

 

Go on and spend the money the first time if you have it and then you shouldnt need to do it again unless something really bad happens to it. I have a trans built by Dave Goerend and I have put it through the ringer more than a time or two for the past 150,000+ miles and it hasnt missed a lick yet. I dont think you can buy a better transmission for the money than one of his. Its all of those little extra things that he does to them that makes them so great.