This is a 'for what it's worth' update on recent work that I had completed on my 700R4 in my 85. I figure the more info we share in this forum, the more helpful it might be for others when trying to figure out what's going on and what they might be in for in terms of repair.

Last fall, I posted a couple of questions about some of the odd behavior going on with my 700R4 and among others, Pete K provided some useful insight - thanks again Pete.

The two problems that I was having was a pretty nasty shudder at TC lock up and unlock points. Touching the brake would help with the unlock and stop the shudder but only until the next time. Although I could have tried changing the lock up switch, the 'other problem' meant that the transmission had to come out anyway, so there wasn't much point in doing some trial and error with the switch knowing that there would be significant labour, fluid and miscellaneous parts related to the 'other problem'. The 'other problem' was a serious fluid leak at the front seal that happened only when kicked down or when under aggressive acceleration. Lots of smoke when the fluid hit the hot exhaust pipes!! (Not to mention embarrassing too!)
Fortunately, I was referred to a highly experienced, GM-trained transmission technician who I think could remove, rebuild and reinstall one of these transmissions with his eyes closed, and on top of that he has a fondness for corvettes, takes pride in his workmanship and treats a customer with respect. If anyone in Ontario is looking for a great transmission technician - I will can refer with confidence; it might be worth the drive. So with the tranny on the bench this is what we found:

The transmission had been out before (I don't have a full history on the car) and the return holes behind the pump had been previously drilled, but not to the diameter that this techician perfers, so he increased the diameter. The 2 most likely causes of the shudder - the TC and the TCC Solenoid were changed. TC ($235 CDN), TCC Solenoid ($33 CDN) Since the tranny was shifting fine and otherwise functioning properly except for the high pressure leak, the following upgrades were done as precautionary or general preventative maintenance: the 7 vane pump was upgraded to a 10 vane ($51 CDN), replaced the 4L60E HI-NRG Band ($46 CDN); there was a little scorching on the 3/4 clutches so these were replaced ($43 CDN). Replaced front and rear seals, pump seals, governor cover seal, pump bushing, slide, o-rings, gaskets, filter, 1 U-joint and new fluid (totalling $150 CDN) With 4.2 hours to remove and replace the transmission and another 4.0 hours on the bench, the total for parts and labour came to just a little under $1200.00 CDN, that's about $1060 USD.

The transmission is performing beautifully (no leaks, and the smoothest TC lock and unlock transition I've felt in a GM) and I'm feeling pretty good about the whole experience. I think I got a fair price for exceptionally high quality workmanship, which is so often hard to find these days. Based on experiences of others needing having similar work done, I'd be interested in how this compares to others and any opinions.
(PS sorry about the lengthy of this post, but thought the details might be of interest to some)

 

Good job and nice write up, pete is no doubt a wonerful man both in help and in knowledge absolutely no doubt about him, as far as comparing pete build my 85 tranny with a 89 core have not installed yet but very very soon in few days n i will let u know but his looks waaayy better than mad dog lou's tranny which i bought 3 in just 3-4 months 2 of tranny's are pretty good though 1-2 shift will spill ur coffee very radical n harsh 2-3 firm but not too much 3-4 is very soft specially at 35-45 mph speed on highway it really drives good love it.

When pete build mine just the transmission cost me alone 1600 bucks along with labor n all hard parts in brief transgo shift kit-beast reaction shell-corvette servo-billet o/d servo-pumps-clucth pack-4th gear only lockup-upgraded vane pump------etc. lot a parts.

Here below is pete's tranny going in next week along with new 383 engine which build by pete too.

 

this kinda worries me, since i dropped the cash on thier baddest possible 700R4 a little over a year ago...it hasnt even seen fluid yet but will here soon. i purchased a 3000 stall as well...this is going behind my 427 and i HOPE it holds....if not...does pete do th350's or 400?

 

mad dog loui's tranny is pretty good too but quality is not, the second tranny (god father) rebuilted under warranty that sucker is really bad *** haul azz drove 350 miles in barely just 4.5 hrs after he rebuild in person n installed my car has 398 Rwt holds pretty good but dont feel good at lower speeds may be a corvette governor needed.

if pete can build ur's Hell ya he build one for his friend put down 600 Hp and 550 torque survived many 1/4 mile runs lets pete chime in here or page him.

 

im in bradford pennsylvania and pete's not that far away from me...close enough i wouldn't mind dropping it off and picking it up in person...i just hope this first one holds long enough to explore other options. if not, pete will be at the top of my list...

 

Glad it all worded out. Also happy to see the followup. Alot of people do not. There are alot of good guys in the trans business. Not many people talk about them though. The hacks seem to be the one's that get all of the press. I myself, am old fashioned. When i find a good guy, regardless of the trade, I become a customer for life. Looks like your guy treated you right. Hang on to him

 

Fubar
4l80e way to go.

 

i know, but that's a little too pricey right now. the 700R/TC combo was 2100 bucks to my door...if this blows then it'll most likely be parked till i can dream up something...a 4L80 would be the ultimate but damn...pricey. i guess it really depends on wether or not i want the OD for cruising. we'll see how streetable she is first and what direction the car takes.

anyone even gonna bother trying to think up something for the new 6 speed 6L80E yet? cause my friends a six speed paddle shifted trans in one of these would rock my socks off...if only they weren't so new and so damn expensive

 

Fubar
i know so well of the cost

 

If Mad Dog Lou's breaks( and I hope it does not), we can fix it. I have a bunch of used hard parts and soft parts are not too expensive. I do not do this for a living, so I charge very little labor. Nothing worse than building up a project and having it break right away. We won't let it sit if this happens.

 

thanks for the great feedback guys! Been driving it lots this week-end and lovin' it. I'm pretty much able to tackle most jobs but I know enough to leave the major rebuilds to someone whose been down that road a time or two. By the way, I just got it back from a local paint shop that had it for a month and had a very similar experience with them - pride of workmanship and great to work with - they even invited me to come in on the day that it was being reassmbled (which I accepted) and we put all the pieces back on - of course it was a Friday and I brought a box of beer to reward the guys for their great work. So, that's 2 good experiences in a row - hope I'm not pushing my luck!

I'll be posting some pics of the paint job in the general forum in a few days...

 

Hey pletzvet, is the tranny guy you used in North Bay?
My tranny is running fine right now but you never know what the future may hold and North Bay is only about 3 hrs from me.
Thanks

 

hi 87
yeah he's here in North Bay, a partner at S&S Mobile Auto, I told him I'd be telling others of the positive experience I had - a great guy to deal with. Let me know if you ever need an introduction or referral - would be glad to help out

 

That's good to know. Thanks.