What should I expect to spend on Built trans?
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 411
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From: Webb City,MO
What should I expect to spend on Built trans? I want to take my Stock A4 and make it able to hold around 500-600RWD max. After parts....and labor....give me a range on what I will be spending. PLease dont give me websites to buy built trannys for 1000's of bucks. I have a local shop that can do a solid build for $600 in parts and $250 in labor as long as I put it back on myself...so $850 total. Just want to see what else is out there...thanks.
That sounds a little on the inexpensive side. To hold that kind of power I would say double that amount, minimum. Look at some of the sponsors posts and webpages to get an idea. We don't hope it will hold, we know!
Chris
Chris
I had a trans shop build a heavy duty 4l60e for my suburban for towing 6000lbs the trans was $1200 plus converter and install. When I looked at the parts used the extra expensive was better clutches, bands, shell, etc. The trans is just a good solid work horse type trans, the shop said this is what GM should of gave you from the factory. Their performance trans use similiar clutches and bands but better hard parts, so I can see how a $2000 trans is not out of line.
You'll probably spend somewhere around $1800 for a decent street trans. I just made up a spreadsheet recently of a couple different places and their prices to compare/contrast them.
I suggest you do the same.
I suggest you do the same.
"All Motor 9 Second club member"
iTrader: (60)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,235
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From: On the Bumper!
We went through a couple of $800-$950.00 "Solid Build" 4L60Es when we were only putting down 408rwhp. That was before we found Circle D. They do it right the first time. We spent almost $2000.00 on those transmissions that didn't last a year. That doesn't include the down time, fluids, trashing a good converter and trying to find a ride for those days when we were broke down. The piece of mind alone is worth the extra money spent IMO.
Do it right the first time and you'll thank yourself later.
Good luck!
Do it right the first time and you'll thank yourself later.
Good luck!
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Webb City,MO
I have a shift kit, vig 3800 stall, and my trans only has 30k on it...so parts and labor would cost me 2k if I took it out and put it in myself? I dont know about that. I have seen the sites and Sponsers selling theirs for thousands....and yes they hold...but honestly I am looking to hold 500whp tops and thats if I spray. THe setup I am lookin at is just a basic h/c setup that should be in the low 400's and I plan on doing a 100-150shot on top of that just for the track. There are guys doing this somehow with the stock trans...but im willing to spend money to have MINE BUILT.....what are my options..?
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The truth is its not about parts in fact at most thats half the battle the other part is knowing what works with what, Which are the best hole sizes and servo combination, Clutch clearances that work best When you buy a trans from any of the sponsors here you are paying not for parts but in many cases years of experimentation and trial and error and many 1000s in R&D If it was just about parts anyone could get a GM service manual a few goods parts and throw it together and run a 10 second car. But if you search around you will actually find many who have tried and failed and ended up spending several times what they would have spent just getting one from the people here who specialize in these. Not to mention the availability of all of us whenever we are needed to solve many issues even though we sold nothing to the person. Just my .02 worth
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"All Motor 9 Second club member"
iTrader: (60)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,235
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From: On the Bumper!
I have a shift kit, vig 3800 stall, and my trans only has 30k on it...so parts and labor would cost me 2k if I took it out and put it in myself? I dont know about that. I have seen the sites and Sponsers selling theirs for thousands....and yes they hold...but honestly I am looking to hold 500whp tops and thats if I spray. The setup I am lookin at is just a basic h/c setup that should be in the low 400's and I plan on doing a 100-150shot on top of that just for the track. There are guys doing this somehow with the stock trans...but im willing to spend money to have MINE BUILT.....what are my options..?
No, I spent close $2000.00 on rebuilding 2 budget 4L60Es before I did it right. I'd bet you could get a good strong 4L60E built for less than $2000.00
The quality transmission shops like Circle D build even their level I 4L60Es to hold a good bit more power than your local tranny shops. They know where the weak links are and eliminate them in their standard build. They won't just throw in a new clutch pack and band and call it "a solid build".
You do get what you pay for, especailly when it comes to transmissions, converters, engine builds and cylinder heads.
Just my .02
10 Second Club
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 567
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From: Tennessee Tech
I bought a 700r4l60.com kit for $550, had it rebuilt with the kit for $300 @ a local speed shop. So $850 in mine and it's handled the 150 shot on the street and drove it over 100 miles roundtrip to a track running 10's... I do have a used yank i spent $425 for too so I guess altogether $1200...
Do not go cheap on a tranny build!! Ive read up on horror stories on guys who went the cheap route thinking there tranny can last, but barely lasted a week. For a very good build, u would be looking atleast $2,000. I would definitely look into getting it built by people that truly know what they are doing!!
I want to take my Stock A4 and make it able to hold around 500-600RWD max. After parts....and labor....give me a range on what I will be spending. PLease dont give me websites to buy built trannys for 1000's of bucks. I have a local shop that can do a solid build for $600 in parts and $250 in labor as long as I put it back on myself...so $850 total. Just want to see what else is out there...thanks.
You can do a $150 build that'll hold that power a few times. Maybe more times, maybe less money, you know people do it with stock ones, the shop knows this too.
Whats the warranty look like?
Most carry in/ walk out warranties suck, as in YOU get blamed for failure from misuse and racing.
And my harsh opinion is based on the attitude that you are having THIS SHOP build it period. You know when you posted this that no one is going to change your mind.
I really don't know why you even asked.
BOSS APPROVED!
I personally wouldn't and don't waste my time with 60s. It's weak and unreliable. It couldn't even handle stock LT1 power much less a modded LS1 (in stock form), and I've heard too many horror stories about built 60s failing. Not worth it when a 80 swap runs close to the same price as a built 60.
I'm sure the sponsors do a quality build, but that to me is like trying to build a 10 bolt. If you want to support a sponsor get a built 80 from them.
BTW I've had an LT1 and LS1 - both A4s.
I'm sure the sponsors do a quality build, but that to me is like trying to build a 10 bolt. If you want to support a sponsor get a built 80 from them.
BTW I've had an LT1 and LS1 - both A4s.
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 411
Likes: 0
From: Webb City,MO
I bought a 700r4l60.com kit for $550, had it rebuilt with the kit for $300 @ a local speed shop. So $850 in mine and it's handled the 150 shot on the street and drove it over 100 miles roundtrip to a track running 10's... I do have a used yank i spent $425 for too so I guess altogether $1200...
Mines a VIG3800 stall with rear girdles, pressure bolts, a cover, saftey loop, and sfc........ect...
would spenty for me.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 333
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From: Westbank of N.O.
U get what u pay for, 600 min in parts is what I spend, I build all of my own units. U got 100 just for the 3-4 clutch pack, 100 for a servo, 100 for the trans-go kit, 80 for the 4th servo/cover, then u got the band and all the other clutches not to mention the sunshell needs to be up-graded as does the sprag/roller clutch......and 250 labor? Ever heard of a show called "name that tune"? I can kill that tranny in 1 pass
Spend a little more, u will be glad u did!
Spend a little more, u will be glad u did! 