About to purchase a transmission!!

I have a couple of options, but I had a general question.

Is it unreasonable to ask the transmission builder what type of parts and how he builds a transmission? I have been talking to a couple of shops and some shops will tell you everything about the transmission you are going to buy. Then some shops will only tell me a price and what type of applications they have built the transmissions for. This a big purchase for my build and I get real nervous since my last transmission only lasted 3 months. What should I expect from the builder for my money? I know we all wish we could have a guarantee that the transmission would last forever but I know that a race part you can't. So I also have to look at the cost of shipping into the equation.

There's NO reason a builder should not detail what parts are going in there. I always do so and discuss needs/goals before beginning any build. That said, some places are pretty harsh and I know of some instances where they refused to go back into a trans after someone else had been inside. At times this can lead to issues when you build a trans especially if it's one that has already been built elsewhere. You may not even see some places that have been modified (especially case passages) and that can lead to real headaches.

I finally talked to the transmission builder from the shop I wasn't getting alot of info from. He was very nice and answer all my questions. Then the owner called me back to give me a final price. I'm glad I ended-up having a good phone conversation because this shop is alot closer than the other. Still nervous about spending the money but I do feel better.

Transmission is bought and should be on the way in a couple of weeks!! Decided to go with the Broader c6, it's basicly his 1000hp transmission he offers except I will install the cast pan and little other itmes like that that would normally come on the 1,000hp unit! Can't wait for it to get here! Now all I need is a converter, driveshaft, cylinder heads and harmonic dampener.

make the converter your best investment or the rest wont be worth a dam.all the power you can make has to get to the ground or its worthless.

I have talked to Lenny at Ultimate Converters and he has a good idea of what I am looking for. I just have to send him the new head flow numbers.

jones wrote:I have talked to Lenny at Ultimate Converters and he has a good idea of what I am looking for. I just have to send him the new head flow numbers.

Jones,

If you don't mind me asking, what's Lenny charging for a good C-6 convertor ?

I'm going to be in the market for one sometime this year and I was wondering what kind of $$ I'm looking to be out.

I don't know, I'm tiring not to harass the man until I have the money and engine set in stone. I think he said it depends on my final cylinder head selection. PTC did quoted me $450 for a nitrous converter when I called them to price a transmission for me.

not sure I'd run a 400 dollar converter behind any real power.

you will not get a converter from Lenny for 450.00 . he does not package shelf converters each and every one is a custom piece. I only purchase from Lenny and depending on application for a full race unit 900-1300. i have run his from 600hp to 1200hp nos cars and they are clearly better than any other i have run. the main difference Customer Support Lenny will get it right. and if you have problems he does not dodge you.don't cheap out on this part of your build even if you have to wait to finish it just my .02 by the way i won my last year championship with a UCC converter.

studly wrote:you will not get a converter from Lenny for 450.00 . he does not package shelf converters each and every one is a custom piece. I only purchase from Lenny and depending on application for a full race unit 900-1300. i have run his from 600hp to 1200hp nos cars and they are clearly better than any other i have run. the main difference Customer Support Lenny will get it right. and if you have problems he does not dodge you.don't cheap out on this part of your build even if you have to wait to finish it just my .02 by the way i won my last year championship with a UCC converter.

Well put, you normally get what you pay for. Converter is not the place to cheap out.

I've got a "cheap" UCC 10" still in the box never used................it cost a lot more than 400 bucks lol.


I didn't take it that Jones was gonna go with the PTC deal, rather that's just what they quoted him. I wont answer for Lenny on a price as its not my place. I can tell you whatever you end up spending with him it will be worth every penny...................

As nice as Lenny has been to me and the amount of money I have in this transmission I will be going with a unit from Lenny. Back when I talked to him he said he had my information is on file and for me not to worry. Just call back once I get the transmission and the finished cylinder heads.

I think thats a wise decision, I am going to try and Break Lenny's converter this year.......


Randy

I don't know about $450 but PTC's bad ass 9.5 converter is less than $1000. I don't know how they price things to everyone so I won't post what I pay but you get more than you pay for. No offense to Lenny (I know some guys running his stuff and they are super satisfied) but I will only run PTC.

PTC just suggested their Nitrous converter rather than their high dollar converters. (in passing phone conversations) I don't know what the differance is between the two but there is bound to be a differance some where. No, I can't knock PTC any what so ever, they have always got back to me durring my search for the transmission.

before you buy, check around. try giving JW a call

What do ya'll think about 8" converters? One company suggested an 8" for my truck and said it would work better than an 10"

what did Lenny say you need?

I believe he said a 10" and that's what I have pretty much been told from other folks except one. The one that suggested the 8" figured something about it would work better (don't remember exactly what he said). I don't really understand the differances in the sizes. Is the smaller the converter the more efficant? Anything to do with holding more power / heat?

the smaller converter generates more heat.... When I built this comb of mine I had 3 converter guys say ABSOLUTELY do not put an 8 inch behind it, with this much torque it will rip the innerds out shortly..... which would make a $1500 converter junk in an instant...... so I had Lenny build me a 9"......


Randy

8" stuff works fine for the right application, but if you in tend to drive it at all I'd get the bigger one.

Plus listen to Lenny the guy you purchased the trans from, he won't steer you wrong.

8" would work in a dragster, and thats debatable.

It will be way too loose with any kind of power.

I have never even seen an 8 inch converter in person and I have been running small blocks.

Thanks, I wonder why he suggested it then?

The 1979 supercab F150 weighed 4,600lbs with me in it, so it's going to be close to 4,000lbs if you subtract 600lbs for the lack of cab & frame. 3.50 gear 28-29.5 tall tire.