Tomorrow I drop my truck off at the tranny shop for an HD/performance build, along with gearing it w/ 4.56's.. I'm pretty excited.

It's funny, because I searched long and hard for a mechanic who volunteered that they 'may have to go in and out of those gearboxes several times to get it right', and that alone, he said, could take all day.. He also volunteered that they wouldn't make a sound.. Every other shop said it was impossible to do and them not whine.. So, one guy is tearing out my tranny/transfer box, another is doing the gears, and another is doing my timing chain (hey, I'm not crazy, why do it myself if I can pay someone to do it whilst I work?)...

At any rate, I have a question or three for you guys-

1. Is the break in period on the gears THAT crucial? I mean, I'm going to do it and all, but I've never heard about doing it with a new vehicle, and it's the same principle, right? Is it just reassurance (which, again, it's going to happen, I like insurance) or does it serve as important a role as everyone here suggests?

2. How much difference are those gears going to make?

3. Is there any break-in period for a new/rebuilt tranny? Is it a good time to put a nice new deep pan on it, or is that folklore?

It's been a good last couple months doing this... It beat the crap out of dropping $50k on a new truck- and this one is mine in whole... I even did most the work to it except whats coming tomorrow- thanks for pointers along the way fellas...

thoughts?

 

make sure to flush all lines and yes the break in period is crucial to lube everything up. Think it is drive easy for first 500 on new gears and maybe baby the tranny for 1000 miles but i really dont know, the gears will make the light to light that much sweeter if you race a bit, great time for an extra deep tranny pan and get the biggest tranny cooler you can

 

So what's being done to the tranny to make it heavy duty?

 

Personally I'd drive it like I would normally drive it. If its going to break, better sooner than later. But I'm by no means an expert.

 

so here is where my ignorance is on display...

something about a sonic kit, shift kit, and extra clutch surface... it was described as similar innards to a 48RE, and that it will hold up much better under stress.. He went as far as to say it would hold up to 500hp.. I'll never get near that and don't really want to be to be honest.. He also said something about carbon fiber and kevlar, and a few folks I told that too who know a helluva lot more about these things than I do seemed impressed.. I hate to be that guy- the one who just repeats supposed impressive things and acts like he understands them, but that is precisely what I'm doing here.. Other than butt *** simple things with an auto tranny, and maybe servicing, I'm lost..

This guy comes highly recommended by a lot of folks I've talked with.. Even some of the garages who do things like service my work trucks say he is the best.. A couple of guys from the track swear by him, and then a 4X fabricator said the same.. the only thing that gives me pause with him is his warranty- when I asked about that it seemed he almost made a number up on the spot, and said 2yr/25k...

The coolest thing about this shop to me, is that I asked him about gears almost as a second thought, and he gave me the best answer I've heard (according to what I've gleaned from this forum, concerning whining/whistling/chirping whatever).. and his price for that is inline with what others have quoted..

Man, if you know something about trannies, and this sounds off, please, let me know- I'm dropping it at 0730 tomorrow morning!! :-)

 

I'd give the gears 500 miles to break in before hammering on them. The automatic, though, is good to go right from the start.

 

Sonic Sure cure. Extra clutches, steels, (carbon fibers?). Find out what torque converter he puts in there as well. You don't want the stock one. They Suck.

2/25 for a warranty is about double what you would get anywhere else. Make sure that is in writing.

Given that he was actually honest with you...... he sounds like he knows what he is doing. How long does he expect to keep your truck?

 

sonnax sure cure. 2/24 warranty is better than most places.
ask trans guy about torque converter stall speed.
do you want a low rpm lockup(stall) for towing, or a high rpm lockup for racing/hole shot. you need to decide up front, cause its a pita if you change your mind.

consider having freeze plugs on the back of the engine changed while trans is out. it'll only cost about $25 instead of $400.

+1 that gear break-in is usually required. ask your installer.

how much is he charging for trans?
rear end ?
who's buying the parts, you or him?
what size tires are you running?

 

ruh-roh... he said 'new' TC, and I just went with it.. I'll ask him about options when I drop it.. what would I be looking for as an upgrade?

He is supposed to be done with it Friday afternoon COB... Three full days... He said it's possible it can be done in two but to bank on three.

His business isn't what I think he's used to, and I'm sure it's the same as it is with many places in this economic climate.. I hate to be taking advantage of the situation but I guess I am... He's doing everything I listed- tranny, gears f&r, timing chain for $3500... I'm supplying the gears (from Moe's, Motives+ master kits) and the timing chain/cog (Croyll's double roller) and gaskets for the timing cover, water pump and all.. (I was going to do it myself so I'm just passing it off to him)... He is supplying everything to do with the tranny/TC... If I end up paying a couple benji's more for a good TC I'll still be happy...

I have a LOT more into this truck than she's worth at this point.. but value to me is based on expected mileage.. If I get another 150 out of her I'll be one happy camper..

anyway, about that TC... any suggestions?

 

whats the goals with the truck? Pulling? Racing?