seeing as this happened. Is there anything I can do to upgrade my tranny while it's out and being worked on?

We're already going for that $1700 hole...

 

I would install the following parts:
High pressure pump spring
new foward 29 element sprag
new lo roller clutch
"beast" heavy duty reaction shell
alto 8 disc clutch pack (for 3/4 clutches)
new governor gear
new accumulator pistons, there are 3 on the 87 and up trannys
new tv spring
.500 boost valve

 

will a newer 700R4 fit? There's a 90-92 on ebay for cheaper than my rebuild quote is the reason I ask.

If it doesn't work, what does it take to use one?

 

Is AAMCO doing the work!!!!

 

yes. they gave me the best quote and have previous experience with vettes. I have minimal automotive knowledge, tools, time and patience. The only other places to have it done were smaller independent shops (welcome to the redwood curtain).

In my situation, what would you do?

Here's my choices from the yellow pages:

AAMCO
ACDELCO
Arcata Transmission Service
Cottman Transmission
J & K Automotive Parts & Service
Shift-Eze Transmission Specialists
Standard Gear & Transmission

Standard Gear is in freakin Texas! ACDelco and Cottman are "serving my area" And that's that for tranny shops. I could have gone with a regular repair shop, but I;'d rather have someone who specializes in transmissions. I dunno seems like it was a good choice.

 

A newer trans will work. However, it must be a vette trans imho, or you will not like it. Vettes have unique tail shafts and tail housings. A few valve body differences, servo,accumulator springs, governor, etc give the unit it's character. I believe in rebuilding the trans that came in the car origionally. Others disagree. I usually spend 14-16 hrs on a 700r4 rebuild. I try to blueprint every possible clearance in the box. They live longer tight, but not too tight. Last one I did included all the mods mentioned and I charged him 1k for parts and labor. He is responsible for the torque converter and labor in and out. I sometimes see the prices that these shops command and my jaw drops. Good luck either way you decide to go.

 

AAMCO? Previous experience with Corvettes? Well, about all I can say is they've been around a long time as a franchise. And as a franchise, similar to Cottman (started in Phila), each one is different.

You are sure they've worked on Corvettes, right? This isn't something they just told you. And do you know of the other Corvette owners, have you talked with them, asked them their opinions? Reason I ask is both Cottman and AAmco in years past has been involved with lawsuits. Not trying to drag their names thru the mud; just stating what has been. Not necessarily what is today.

Me? Recognize that price is important. But holding up and working properly, not to mention biz standing behind its work is more important. I mean, there's one guy asking about buying a nice looking KDB exhaust on this forum. By experience, peops have told him, you get it in regular steel, it'll rust out in less than a year. Great price, looks great, no longevity--stinko if you ask me.

See what Pete K wrote. Seems to me he works on 'em. I'd keep searching, and if you have to take off and bring it to someone, and then have someone really responsible re-install it, depending on how long you keep the car, it might just be worth it to do, don't you think?

I just looked at the map. Must be a nice place, Willow Creek, but you sure as heck aren't close to a lot of major cities. I'd ck out Santa Rosa, tho. Ask on this forum if Corvette people (real Corvette owners) have any good auto trans shops in Santa Rosa that know Corvette automatics. Or Sacramento or Redding.

Just my thoughts. Tell us what you finally do.