Torque Converter/Cooler Install Cost?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 532
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From: Tucson, AZ
Torque Converter/Cooler Install Cost?
Greetings,
I picked up a Yank SS3200 recently on sale and, when looking for a local place to install it, got a quote of $1000 for the converter install and $750 for a transmission cooler, plus additional charges to tune the car afterwards.
Despite the fact that the shop said that they do a non-traditional setup with the transmission cooler that's supposedly much more reliable (not routing through radiator?), this seems extremely high to me - about double what I was expecting. Any thoughts?
-Tommy
I picked up a Yank SS3200 recently on sale and, when looking for a local place to install it, got a quote of $1000 for the converter install and $750 for a transmission cooler, plus additional charges to tune the car afterwards.
Despite the fact that the shop said that they do a non-traditional setup with the transmission cooler that's supposedly much more reliable (not routing through radiator?), this seems extremely high to me - about double what I was expecting. Any thoughts?
-Tommy
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 16,557
Likes: 2,108
From: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Greetings,
I picked up a Yank SS3200 recently on sale and, when looking for a local place to install it, got a quote of $1000 for the converter install and $750 for a transmission cooler, plus additional charges to tune the car afterwards.
Despite the fact that the shop said that they do a non-traditional setup with the transmission cooler that's supposedly much more reliable (not routing through radiator?), this seems extremely high to me - about double what I was expecting. Any thoughts?
-Tommy
I picked up a Yank SS3200 recently on sale and, when looking for a local place to install it, got a quote of $1000 for the converter install and $750 for a transmission cooler, plus additional charges to tune the car afterwards.
Despite the fact that the shop said that they do a non-traditional setup with the transmission cooler that's supposedly much more reliable (not routing through radiator?), this seems extremely high to me - about double what I was expecting. Any thoughts?
-Tommy
BTW, unless you run up the mountains, you might get away without a cooler on flat land with a 3200. Just watch the temps in traffic. The only time I had over 235 was South to North on 191 (aka 666). If you do a cooler, get a flat plate one and block it off in the winter. Ideal temps are 160-190.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 30
From: Olive Branch MS
1000 is about right for the converter it seems. I got quoted 1200. I'm just gonna do the cooler myself in the passenger side brake duct but I can't find good pics of how people mounted it in there. You can definitely do it without going through the radiator, both ways seem to work well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,376
Likes: 1,118
$1000 is probably a fair price for the converter install, but $750 for the cooler is a rip-off, IMHO. Not routing it through the radiator (i.e. as a stand-alone cooler) makes no real difference in terms of labour, because all you have to do is remove both trans cooler lines from the radiator TOC and stick the cooler hoses over the ends of those and then strap the cooler to the front of the A/C condenser and you’re done. $150 for that would probably be about right. That’s got to be one of the easiest things that you can do on one of these cars. You can buy a good plate and fin cooler kit from Hayden for like $60.00, that comes with the hose, clamps and mounting straps.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,376
Likes: 1,118
Trust me, if you push the hose over the locking rib on the end of stock trans lines and clamp the hose behind that rib, it’s not going to come off. Installing a good cooler is so easy and cheap, every automatic C6 should do this, IMV.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,257
Likes: 433
From: Bossier City Louisiana
When I had a 3000 stall added to my cammed c5, the cooler was only $150. Don't you need a new tune as well? My breakdown was $800 for converter, $150 for cooler, $450 for street tune and $1250 labor and tax. Around $2600 all in.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Feb 2011
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2024 C6 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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$1000 is probably a fair price for the converter install, but $750 for the cooler is a rip-off, IMHO. Not routing it through the radiator (i.e. as a stand-alone cooler) makes no real difference in terms of labour, because all you have to do is remove both trans cooler lines from the radiator TOC and stick the cooler hoses over the ends of those and then strap the cooler to the front of the A/C condenser and you’re done. $150 for that would probably be about right. That’s got to be one of the easiest things that you can do on one of these cars. You can buy a good plate and fin cooler kit from Hayden for like $60.00, that comes with the hose, clamps and mounting straps.
It takes 4 hours to swap converters so anything over $500 in total and you're getting ripped off.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 768
Likes: 30
From: Olive Branch MS
That's why I emailed you for your write up on how to do it. Both performance shops close to me say 10 hours.
Regular transmission shop where I know the owner well said 750 but they never work on vettes so that makes me a bit nervous.
If I could get the converter done for 500 bucks I wouldn't even think about doing it myself.
Regular transmission shop where I know the owner well said 750 but they never work on vettes so that makes me a bit nervous.
If I could get the converter done for 500 bucks I wouldn't even think about doing it myself.
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That's why I emailed you for your write up on how to do it. Both performance shops close to me say 10 hours.
Regular transmission shop where I know the owner well said 750 but they never work on vettes so that makes me a bit nervous.
If I could get the converter done for 500 bucks I wouldn't even think about doing it myself.
Regular transmission shop where I know the owner well said 750 but they never work on vettes so that makes me a bit nervous.
If I could get the converter done for 500 bucks I wouldn't even think about doing it myself.
I usually only charge people $350-$400 depending on their exhaust setup, as you wouldn't believe how much hack work I've encountered. You just gotta love the "make sure everything looks good so let's weld it onto place" approach.
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From: Red State America
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 532
Likes: 46
From: Tucson, AZ
Thanks everyone for the heads up.
I thought $2500 out of pocket (without tuning) for a torque converter/cooler was crazy when I first heard it; however, it's a very reputable shop that's a forum sponsor on multiple forums, so it made me think I was messed up for a sec.
I thought $2500 out of pocket (without tuning) for a torque converter/cooler was crazy when I first heard it; however, it's a very reputable shop that's a forum sponsor on multiple forums, so it made me think I was messed up for a sec.