A few days ago the tranmission went out on my 89, and asked about reasons ect. So, after some research, I chose http://www.quality-trans.com/ To take a look. They quoted me $900 or so for pump replacement. They took the trans apart and told me the previous shop that rebuilt it had thrown in used parts and most parts used to rebuild it were about to break. For a rebuild they're now quoting me $2300. Does that seem reasonable?? I'm looking here at http://www.transmissionhead.com/ and they're offering upgraded 700r4s for less than that rebuild quote. Now the place I took it to seem to know their stuff, but ouch? My previous post can be seen here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=2085611

Thanks!
(Still frustrated new to me c4 owner)
-Rick

 

Well, I before I got my Corvette I had an 87 Camaro with a 700R4 tranny in it. It went bang, and I got it rebuilt for $1400 from a reputable local transmission shop. They quoted me $1900 for all completely new parts/rebuilt, and $1400 for mostly new but reusing whatever was good. They work seemed excellent.

If they're talking about a completely rebuilt transmission including labour and tax, this doesn't seem totally out of line with the higher quote I got.

I don't know whether this was typical or an especially good deal?

Best of luck with this: let us know how it goes......
Bruce

 

That seems pretty high. I've had many transmissions rebuilt for ~$1k. Heck, PeteK sold a highly upgrade new transmission for like $1400 not too long ago. For $2300, you could get a very well built, new transmission.

I'd sell you my 700r4 out of my Trans am for $300, works beautifully! Just an idea...

 

It depends on what he is putting in it. If he is using Zpac clutches and doing a shift kit as well as using all new stuff (Beast Shell)it is not bad. You get what you pay for. Ask him for a list of upgraded parts he plans on using and what is his warranty?I paid ~$2k for my last rebuild. I personally haven't seen many estimates much lower than that. It is always better to get it done locally so you can reach around their necks if something goes bad. I tried the long distance deal and after 3 trannys went local.

Looked at your link and a level 2 basic was $1900 what were you looking at?

 

The lvl2's and 3's. I HAD heard him mention something about using beast shells in their rebuilds. The warranty he's offering is 2 yrs/24k mi

 

For $2300 you could convert it to a ZF6, and still have money left over for nitrous.

-- Joe

 

2300.00, he is screwing you.

how ever he is not screwing you because you have a vette, it's because most rebuild places get that price, ( actualy aamco gets 1800.00) the 700r4 is a very common trans, only differance between ours and the rest is for the most part the servos, one valve, and the tail shaft, and possibly the valve body, all items that do not get replaced in a rebuild. when mine went about 5 years ago, i did some searching, found many places that would rebuild ( and cautioned about others) for 850.00 less hardparts, ATRA was the outfit, turns out they are a certifing type body, If you can find an ATRA certified shop you will be reasonably assured of a good job ( so far in my experience) other places will simply pull your trans, grab one off the shelf, slap your tailshaft on it, and charge 2100.00 for the privelge, you end up again with a badly rebuilt trans, and possibly one not truly configured for a vette.

second trans ( my truck this time) 4l80e, was 4 months ago, got the same quotes as you, ATRA shop, guy told be exactly what was wrong, and fixed it ( reaction shell ) and yes he installed a beast. 600.00 out the door.

so yes your are being screwed, less hard parts and labor it;s less than 250.00 to rebuild a 700r4 or 4l60e

 

Case is vette specific too. No rear cast mount, in fact, I think if it had a rear cast mount it would hit the exhaust. Vette trans has a big "V" cat into the side.

-- Joe

 

I am in the process of getting mine rebuilt due to I can not find all the parts to change it over to a ZF or T56. I have been quited 750 plus any hard parts. I imagine when it is all done with I will have to spend 1K plus a new converter. This is the price with the trans out of the car already.

This is the same quote I have received from 4 transmission shops.

 

I've got a Pete K in mine, and it was a lot cheaper than $2300.00. First trans I ever installed myself as well. It's not technically challenging to install, but it can be a pain without the right equipment (tranny jack). Two guys, some beers, and a Saturday afternoon could save you quite a bit of money.

 

2000 for parts and labor with install and fluid

 

Hmm. I might bite the bullet. He showed me the actual parts he was worried about, and with a 2 yr warranty, 2k doesn't sound too terrible for two years. Damn.

 

I was quoted over $3,600 for a good rebuilt including 9.5 inch convertor (shop's brand), beast sunshell, ext. tranny cooler, and transgo shift kt. Ended up doing it myself and started the car up the other day, ran into an engine problem, but tranny was fine.

It ended up being about $1,200 for vigiliante 9.5 in. TC, beast sunshell, all new bushings, new seals, new pump internals, sprag, transgo shift kit, and the rest of a good rebuild kit. And about $200 for trans-specific tools that hold their value well. I took my time and had a lot of help from forum members and Dana at Probuilt Automatics.

This may not be an option for you, but you can see the price difference between DIY with parts and top-of-the-line components and a trans shop.

Jonathan

 

Around here I called places and it was $1000 for a rebuild with $200 extra for R&R. Worth it to pull the trans yourself if you can. Same warrenty also. Your quote at more then $1000 more in cost, I would tow it to a more reasonable shop.

 

3 years ago, I had the 700r4 on my 85 rebuilt at a reputable private shop by a guy who had several years of GM training and dealership experience - and he likes working on these transmissions. It was just a little over $1,300 taxes included. He replaced the TC (which was part of the problem) with a higher stall rating TC, replaced the pump, clutches, seals, etc (it was a long list of little parts like valves, springs etc). Something to think about and was noted by an earlier poster - there is an advantage to using someone who is local to you because, after the job, I had a leak at the tail stock seal and there was no hassle to bring it back and have them correct the problem at no charge.

 

No good Lord I only paid 1200 for a complete rebuild at AAmco

 

In January I had my 700r4 rebuilt by a local shop that was suggested to me by the local NCRA membership. This shop does excellent work and gives 3 year 36,000 mile warrenty. I paid $1,200 for a HD rebuild and $500.00 to a local mechanic to pull and reinstall the trans including fluid. That $1,700 from start to finish, the deal you are being offered isn't completely out of line but I think if you look around you may be able to get a better one...WW

 

of course the other part of this is, if they where going to do the initial job ( replace the pump ) for 900.00, a better than stock rebuild kit is 133.00
http://www.eatmyshifts.com/eatmyshifts_combo.htm
or 75.00 from autozone
http://www.autozone.com/selectedZip,.../selectZip.htm

thats 1033.00 (for the better kit) what are they gonna do for the extra 967.00 bucks?, trans is already out and partially disassembled ?
your call, and your money, but 967.00 just because...

offer petek 500.00 just to be on phone standby, and crack it open yourself, and you will still come out ahead by 500.00 cheaper ( tax )
hell you could ship it to him have him do it, get a better job, and still be cheaper.

just my 0.02 worth

 

Thanks for the advice. While I wouldn't mind doing it myself, I don't have access to a lift. This shop is local to me. I had them send an invoice to me listing parts/prices ect.

 

I do not trust any shop that quotes $900 to bring it in for the pump replacement. They never intended to just replace the pump, nobody takes it out of the car and only replaces the pump. Sounds like bait & switch to me.