My Great Depression Revisited Budget Transmission Build Up
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: San Diego, CA
Does your builder recommend a Valve Body? I see it's not on your list. Over the years of reading what just about all of the tranny guys have to say, a VB goes hand in hand with a new converter for increased line pressure.
Now on to what I am doing and its relative cost:
1) Billet Single Disc Convert from a manufacturer here in town that makes hundreds of thousands of converters each year. Talked with a few people that his converters locally as well as the owner of the company. Great rep, he custom cuts his own stators and sells them to other companies all over the US. Also has billet apply piston. He explained that the single disc helps to alleviate the need for a billet input, at least for me and my driving style. He also makes triples, but said he would never run a triple without a billet input. Cost $600
2) TransGo shift kit, my builder said he's had good luck with them and that the new 48re kit is very complete and well put together. Cost $70
3) Tool Steel Band Anchor and Band Strut. My Builder recommended them and I think Goerend does too. Cheap insurance for poor factory parts. $50 for both
4) Sonnax Billet intermediate servo cover with machined o ring groove. Again builder recommended. $21
5) Mag hytec pan, not a necessity, but I picked one up used for $175 so I couldn't pass.
6) Lastly I took the plunge and bought one of the PRW platinum flexplates. Builder and Converter manufacturer said this was a judgment call on my part. Neither like the stock one, but also understood I was on a budget and neither liked the price of the billet ones. So I'm gonna be the guinea pig for these. I called and spoke with PRW rep and he assured me they were of the highest quality and that if I had any problems they would be taken care of. Cost $140
7) Cost to remove trans install above parts and replace and fluid etc. $500
1) Billet Single Disc Convert from a manufacturer here in town that makes hundreds of thousands of converters each year. Talked with a few people that his converters locally as well as the owner of the company. Great rep, he custom cuts his own stators and sells them to other companies all over the US. Also has billet apply piston. He explained that the single disc helps to alleviate the need for a billet input, at least for me and my driving style. He also makes triples, but said he would never run a triple without a billet input. Cost $600
2) TransGo shift kit, my builder said he's had good luck with them and that the new 48re kit is very complete and well put together. Cost $70
3) Tool Steel Band Anchor and Band Strut. My Builder recommended them and I think Goerend does too. Cheap insurance for poor factory parts. $50 for both
4) Sonnax Billet intermediate servo cover with machined o ring groove. Again builder recommended. $21
5) Mag hytec pan, not a necessity, but I picked one up used for $175 so I couldn't pass.
6) Lastly I took the plunge and bought one of the PRW platinum flexplates. Builder and Converter manufacturer said this was a judgment call on my part. Neither like the stock one, but also understood I was on a budget and neither liked the price of the billet ones. So I'm gonna be the guinea pig for these. I called and spoke with PRW rep and he assured me they were of the highest quality and that if I had any problems they would be taken care of. Cost $140
7) Cost to remove trans install above parts and replace and fluid etc. $500
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2006
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From: Parker, Colorado
I'm doing the transgo kit in lieu of a valve body. The transgo kits are pretty advanced and my builder said he's had good luck with them. If you look on here at some of the transgo kits there are a few people that like them better than some of the VB from a few of the big name guys.
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Joined: Jan 2006
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From: McDonough GA
Its a matter of trust in your builder to do a shift kit and other mods. A custome VB is just a shift and the builders ideas of what needs to be addressed. You can get all or most of the same features from a shift kit and a few tweaks.
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From: Parker, Colorado
If I were buying a converter from one of the big companies I would plan to buy their VB as well, but since I'm not I feel confident in going with the transgo kit.
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Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Ft. Lauderdale-Tampa
When i get to 100,000 i'll switch over to all Goerend stuff since he has been such a big help even down to providing advice on the Transgo kit to the installer working on my truck. These kits can be basically the same thing as a built valve body work if done correctly.
I forgot the post but it was a long time ago someone who had a BD VB, HTS and in the begining and the Transgo had more line pressure than the BD but not too far off from the HTS.
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Joined: May 2005
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From: SLC, UT
Also has billet apply piston
Perhaps I need a 101 on converters
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From: Parker, Colorado
The way that he explained it to me was that the apply piston in the stock converter doesn't always apply pressure evenly, so in lock up you aren't getting a full 100% contact between the discs, you might be at 70-80%.
The billet piston makes sure that once the converter goes into lock up that there is a full 100% contact and equal apply pressure all the way around. I assume all of the big companies use the same or similar apply pistons, just not something you hear much about.
The billet piston makes sure that once the converter goes into lock up that there is a full 100% contact and equal apply pressure all the way around. I assume all of the big companies use the same or similar apply pistons, just not something you hear much about.
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Chandler, Arizona
Be sure to report back. I will anxiously be awaiting your intial response. Be sure to check in about every 2 weeks or so also, so we can kinda see an overall scheme of things. Thanks Z! 
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From: McDonough GA
Yes, it is inside the TC.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Risingsun Ohio
If you are looking for a budget tc I used a precision billet converter single disc that hauls my 46 ft enclosed. I have about 15K on it and I really like it. I had a much more expensive billet triple disc in it before which did not last 2500 miles. I paid $410 for the precision. I got mine from a local tranny shop but I think they sell them on ebay.
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From: SLC, UT
Billet means it is machined out of one piece metal rather than cast like most of them are. Under normal pressures they work but under hihger pressure the cast pieces will warp and not apply evenly. Billets have better structural integrity so they don't warp. Same thing with the TC cover. It needs to machined out of one piece to hold the shape with pressure and heat.
Yes, it is inside the TC.
Yes, it is inside the TC.