Hey everyone, well my transmission and converter finally went on my 1990 GTA. Anyway I know prices vary but whats a rough estimate? My dad's backyard mechanic guy i'm not too fond of said he could do it for $2000 parts + labor ($1600 parts, $400) labor and it would just be a stock rebuild from parts from a new rebuilt transmission and the stock converter rebuilt. Seems expensive for that price considering it's just stock but he says it's the cheapest around (I beg to differ) but I kinda want to build the 700r4 up a bit for future proof if I mod my car a bit (right now it's mainly stock) and such rather than just going stock again and having it not too strong. My 1990 GTA is a rare model being 1 of 259 made for Canada and I plan to keep the numbers matching transmission and rebuild it but would rebuilding it with a performance kit decrease the value of the car? (If it did no reason I couldn't always go back to stock parts right? and plus I have no plan to sell the car so I guess it's not an issue) What do you guys think, what would a typical rebuild cost with a performance kit? (not including a new torque converter)

 

I dont know the exchange rate between Canadian and US dollars, but around here a stock rebuild is around $1200, including removing and reinstalling the transmission.

A performance upgrade is around $1600.

http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/cata...SUBCAT&CATID=B

https://www.700r4l60e.com/store/home.php

 

I paid 1000 for my rebuild+ labor back in 04 and I said build it to handle 450-500 hp. Basically a level 2 or level 3 type build with beefier clutch packs and such. I spent 550 for a converter so 1550 total for a new street strip ready tranny

Limped the car in with only 2 gears working on the tranny, and brought new converter on the seat new in box, told him what I needed and 2 days later I had my car back for 1000 bucks. Thought that was a good deal.
(US dollars) Canadian would be 16 bucks more

 

Thanks guys, that seems to be around the cost most people on here have paid. The exchange rate right now the Canadian dollar is pretty much par with the US dollar at 0.98 cents. So I would figure within a couple hundred. I don't think i'm going with a stock rebuild either and think I want a performance rebuild. I was just curious on ballpark figures as because this guy who would get my 700r4 rebuilt stock said it would cost me around $4000 elsewhere. Anyways any other advice would be appreciated. I hear pro-built automatics is the way to go? How do I know what kit I need and are most transmission shops ok with using a kit you bought from somewhere else? Thanks

 

1578 form a transmission shop
but as long as the cast is the same that's what matters you can always put the stock transmission internals back just keep all the stuff you can see stock. i would go to a real shop and get it done pro wise for that money Or order a built 700r4 or 4L60-E or 4L65-for the same price and keep the stock one to the side and built its later that what i would do take out stock and keep for number matching later or full restore

 

hmm not a bad idea...i'll have to give it some thought...as I have months ahead of me to think about it while saving some money

 

there a few things you don't have a back yard mac fix unless he's a credited pro
one is a rare car, I would do it right once make sure u get a 100,000 mile warranty on the trans too form a shop and have them show the parts they order before they start to rebuild don't want cheap parts or them to switch on you. but leave the stock trans stock get a other built one on the side

 

yeah thanks for the advice....would be nice and cheaper to keep the stock tranny in the car but how much stuff could I change performance wise in the stock tranny without permanently changing it? I don't really know much about transmissions so just curious but your idea about having 2 transmissions is a good one.

 

unless you going manual nothing permanently it's all blot-on
you change the trans get some poly mounts and maybe a new light weigh shaft
nothing to cut weld or other wise. you can keep it all stock. my friend has a nice 1985 and its all stock looking but is built under all that stock tires too them 15 in wheel he peels the rubber off at every light but he can put everything back down to the bulbs