I have been asking around for prices on installing the converter I will be getting soon, and I'm wondering if it's worth it. The best price I have found so far is Speed Inc. (let me know if you know of any better). They charge $325 for the converter and tranny cooler install ($250 for just the converter, how hard is the tranny cooler to install?), and then they said they have to do a "touch up" tune for $75 (even though I just had GLM do a full tune and had them take care of everything I needed for the converter...). So the full install price would be $400 (or $325 if I install the cooler).

So is it worth that to have someone else do it? I'm in college so money is not something I have a whole lot of . Also, what do you have to do to install the cooler? Is it hard? I could save $75 off the install price if I could do it myself (I've done all the rest of the mods myself too, so if it isn't too bad I should be able to do it hopefully)...

Thanks for the input

 

The oil cooler installation is fairly straightforward:
http://www.bfranker.badz28.com/94Z/trannycooler.htm

Not sure why you would need the retune, I would probably decline that as well. This would save you $150...
Best of luck.

 

I asked about that... Told them I had the other tune already and everything and thats when he said "we'll we can still do a touch up tune for $75 to make sure that . . . etc". He made it sound like it wasn't an option. Maybe just a way to make the install sound cheaper but it isn't really? I don't know.

 

Treat his offer like any other drug dealer:
JUST SAY NO.
Tell him that you accept the responsibility, or tell him that the other tuner has already offered to check the tune for you for free.
He is trying to sell you a bill of goods, meaning something that you just flat do not need. Sounds to me like he is just trying to jack up the price on you.

 

adjustments in the tune is very dependent on the tq converter you are installing.

most dont bother with retunes for 3200 and below stalls.
opinions will vary on the topic.
3500+ yep, have it adjusted.
just my opinion

 

I wonder what would constitute a torque converter tune up? In my opinion you'll need to relearn how to bring your car out of the hole. Tranny coolers aren't hard to install.

Then I read you're a college student and I would think the 400 might be better suited going somewhere else. You already run 13's the way you are. You can expect .200 or more better once you learn your new car with the converter.. Eventually, you'll trade the car for something else. Unless you sell privately I don't think you'll get the 400.00 back.

Pay everything except for the tune up. Confirm the cooler they install is sized for your car.

 

Good advice... without having ever talked to the guys at Speed,Inc. I would have to say that the idea is they would drive the car and depending on the vehicle speed/rpm/tps they would modify the tables for lockup.

My recommendation would be to pay for the installation of the parts. Drive the car for a week or two and then address the tune issue of necessary... it is not always necessary!

g

 

IMO $75 for a tranny cooler install is very reasonable considering the fact the you will need to buy the cooler and additional high temp/pressure hose at $3-4 dollars a foot if you install yourself.

If you haven't done this before you will need to decide if you want to bypass the radiator or tie into it and the cooler plus you will need a jack and jack stands, tools, and the correct hose and clamps.

I would have SpeedInc do it knowing it will be done professionally and worry free. You just need to check the line connections in a week or two for minute tranny fluid leaks at the hose connections. The connections should be completely dry but might need some tightnening on the clamps if you see light oil residue.

Make sure you get the correct hose - some of the counter help now days don't have a clue and will sell you anything if you tell them 3/8 inch hose. I recall I bought 4-5 foot to mount in the front of the AC condensor.

As for the tune - a good tuner should ride with you so they know how you want to drive in city traffic and then tune the shift points accordingly. $75 is fair is they do that - that might be one testing trip or three in an hour to get it right. Since you car isn't cammed it will be much easier.

Or just skip it and never know the difference between a good driveabilty tune and bad one one or none at all. You car will drive just like stock with a good driveability tune.

 

if you have tools jacks tranny jack and stands do it yourself....
we done mine last nite took about 4hrs and that was installing axles in the rearend as well.....
the tranny cooler install price is too high....the converter install is about normal....and your shift points will need changed mine did....thats the tuning they are talking about

 

My 24k B&M cooler came with 3/8" hoses. These were too big for my return line (5/16"). They leaked bad, I had to get 3/8"-3/8" barbed fitting to reduce the line to 5/16" hose (Home Depot sells them in the air tools section).

My mechanic quoted me $360 to install the t/c. He also suggested to replace the front pump seal with a new one ($10 at Kragen's). This price didn't include the cooler installation.

I think it is a fair price - I spent the whole day under the car installing the shift kit. In this heat I almost passed out there.

 

Hey man, I'd help you out with the converter install somewhere here. I'm sure somebody around campus has a tranny jack we could use. I've never done it, but I read through a couple write-ups. I planned to do mine on my own when I get around to buying one.

Oh...Do you have a shift kit in that bitch yet? We need to get you one if you don't yet! I'll take you around and show you what mine did if ya want.

 

Nope, I don't have one of those yet, but Chad did adjust some stuff when he did my tune and it feels a LOT firmer shifting now. I don't know how it would feel after the shift kit, but it does feel a lot better now than it did. All these decisions to make... O_O. Street tires or DRs... installing the converter myself or not.... I don't know what to do! lol. I'll have to just do what I did with my exhaust. Make a decision and don't look back. It worked last time . haha.

If someone around here someone does have a tranny jack that would make the decision a little easier too because I would much rather do it with the right tools... I'll ask on the PAPA board... Thanks for the idea

 

i went to a cotman transmission shop and had them swap mine out.. only cost $200
and a friend put in my tranni cooler for $50(he was going to do both but couldn't get some bolts out and didn't want to risk messing anything up.)

 

Well basically tell them your not getting a tune, because Honestly you DONT NEED IT!!!!

You can def. install the trans cooler, if you even want it.... You DONT have to have one....

325 isnt a bad price for the converter install..... I paid the exact same thing!.. I wouldnt worry about the tune though......

 

Ive had my converter in for a year or so, 3600... No tune. No issues. Trans temp is normal!!! You would be better off getting a shift kit with that 75 bucks!