anyone ever rebuild one? any tips for a first timer? i see all kinds of parts, rebuild kits, etc etc.. and i dont know what to get other than i needs to be for an 87 up. what id like to really know is what do i need/what to stay away from/what might need upgraded. i dont wanna waste money on stuff i dont need. its going into a stock GTA, so the only things i was thinking of upgrading is the servo going to a corvette peice, a transgo shift kit, and a slightly higher stall converter. i have the haynes manual for rebuilding gm transmissions and im going to be getting the ATSG manual for 700r4s. any info/insight is greatly appreciated.

Replace the sun shell with an HD piece. It's a little thicker metal than the factory one. The stocker is prone to ripping and then you know the rest of the tune.

Go to https://www.700r4l60e.com/store/prod...&cat=19&page=1 this is the HD rebuild kit. If you want a Street/Strip rebuild kit go to https://www.700r4l60e.com/store/prod...&cat=19&page=1 Let me know if I can be of help?

I'm a home builder of these and have done quite a few now (11) with great results...but i'm still learning!

Dana at Pro Built seems to really know his stuff!

Get his video, an ATSG manual and a few home made tools to help you out. For the lip seals, you can use a piece of mylar (plastic) to act as a cover to slide the pistons on with...i've also used a small piece of copper pipe with .032" safety wire crimped in a loop on the end as a guide for the seals...

Crude but large C clamps will work to relieve the pressure of the springs in the pistons...if you have access to a welder, you can fab simular tools to the ones in the ATSG manual pretty easily. A long 3/4" diam. All-thread works good for a press tool too...just have to bend a strap in a U with a hole in the middle to allow the all-thread to go thru. YOU CAN DO IT! Keep everything clean and get a good work surface that you can lay out the parts in the order they were removed...clean them up, inspect, make mods/repairs/replacement, reassemble...

INSPECT the parts! I've learned that it's more about inspecting and replacing the right parts than to simply install seals and clutches...Seals and clutches can get you going but won't last if the hard parts aren't up to snuff!

Good luck...Keep us posted on the progress!

I did almost the same as you. I made a transmission holder and pump puller from scrap metal I had around the house. My lip seal tool was made from flashlight battery spring and some copper tubing like you. I bought the ASTG manual and a video which helped a ton because some things are missed in the book that the video pointed out. The only thing I bought was a spring compressor. My suggestion for the first timer would be to take your time and do it right the first time, unless you like pulling transmissions out. I must also add that DANA IS THE MAN WHEN IT COMES TO THE TRANNIES!!!!!

thanks for the info. now these special tools, do you have any pics of them so i can replicate these? i looked up some of the prices of these things ans some are really expensive. definetly wouldnt like to invest a whole lot of money it a couple of tools if they can be made.

This guy shows some of his homemade equipment...easily made...

http://www.mez.co.uk/Chevy700r4pg3.html

sprags, tv valve, sunshell, 3-4 alto clutch pack,

alto is a curseword with these trannys...they work good in others but the 700 likes to eat them up for some reason. Not enough fluid carried in them for the 700 so the clutches burn easier. Go to Pro Built's web page and see what he uses. He has a good forum there too to answer many common problems/questions.

Did any of you guys change out the bushings? If so what did you use to change them? None of the books or the video have any detail about changing out the bushings.

have you tried this or did you hear about it

13 vane pump

dont start to tell me about something i have tryed in real life that you may or may not have read in cyber space

Do not go to a "13 vane" setup where a 10 vane came of. It is a waste of money and has no advantages and cut down on the volume of oil. The 13 vane setup is more than a vane count change in numbers. The slide is different, the back half of the pump has the entrance and exit oil slots in different locations. The reason for the 13 vane update was twofold, it operates quieter and smoother at lower rpm's. If you want to go to a 13 vane, you will need to get a stator half of a 1997 & up pump so you can modify the entrance and exit slots on the 700R4 pump. A scriber, dremel and plenty of time to copy the changes. By the way the 3-4 Alto Reds do not do well in these units. The Borg Warner Hi-Energy's have worked well here for over 13 years now. The more oil a clutch holds the more heat is dissipated on the shift.