Hello,
I have a 700R4 that has multiple problems, mainly, don't buy one form a local shop with two inches of goo and oil dry stuck to the floor from a guy who says "I'll build ya one fer $500 with the converter!"
"Built" meant slapped together from various cores, pieces of cut down bolts and conduit with jagged edges as a "shift kit", a rust pitted, wavy from buffer wheeling separator plate.
I have given up on this POS, and after checking sources on the net have determined this thing has a cross leak in the valve body or a crack in the trans case, and given the shoddy work I have seen who knows what else is wrong! The tC will lock in 3rd (wired direct to a 12volt switch) but not OD.
Anyhow, not having the automotive automatic experience nor the time, I am in the market for a decent trans. My 355 is mild, but I do the occasional 1/8th mile drag blast.
I am looking at the TCI in Summitt for $1200 vs the "Raptor Jr."
By Performance Automotive and Transmission, also $1200.
I want firm, not brutal shifts, the ability (THIS IS IMPORTANT) to hold first gear manually until redline, and of course durability.
(Mine won't hold first dispite the spacer in the line-bias valve OR adjustment of the TV cable)
It's going in my daily driven '91 S-10 shortbed, 355, 3.73 rear, I do tow occasionally, and want to keep a lockup converter for highway mileage.
Sorry for the long post!

 

Skip the TCI and got to www.probuilt.net if you want a tranny to perform like you want and last. I went through a TCI and a B&M before I found out about probuilt. This tranny blows the other two out of the water in evrey catagorey. There is no comparing a TCI to a probuilt. Go to there website,get their number and call and talk to Dana,I'm sure you will be immpressed with what you hear from this guy. He knows the 700R-4 and takes a lot of time with his customers before,during and after you purchase it.

 

So I take it you're pretty happy with your PROBILT?
The reason I was considering the TCI was Summitt.
I have always had the best customer service with them and never a question if I have a problem, whereas I have (as have many) not heard of PROBILT before.
What problem did you have with the TCI?

 

Go With ProBuilt

 

Very, very happy with my Pro built tranny. This is by far the best tranny I have ever had or driven. Sense you've never heard of Pro-built,do a search on this board for post about pro-built,you'll hear nothing but good things. Or better yet call Dana and talk to him,five minutes into the conversation talking to this guy,I had made my mind up to buy a tranny from him. This guy knows whats up with the 700R4.

 

What kind of power are you putting through yours?
Did you go with the heavy duty or the street-strip version, and how harsh is the shift under light throttle daily driving?
Sorry to ask so many questions, I would build one myself but lack the experience, and a T-56 swap is way too $ at this time.

 

I'm putting out right at 450 HP plus a 150 shot of spray on mine,so I went with the street strip version. At part throttle the shifts are nice,fast and smooth (unlike the two other trannys that shifted hard under light load) but when you get in the trottle hard the tranny delivers tire frying shifts. Dana will actually build the tranny to shift at the RPM you want it to under full throttle. I'm telling ya,this is the top of the line tranny,you will be completley happy with this tranny I'm sure. Don't worry about asking questions,thats what this board is for so ask away.

 

I am also going with Pro-built. After talking with Dana a few months ago and then talking with him again today, I can't think of a better deal out there.

We talked today for about 30 min and, quite simply, he knows his stuff. Combined with the good track record and 1 year warranty (I shouldn't need it) make it a worthwhile deal. Also, he wanted to know EXACTLY what I was going to be using the car for, including questions like complete engine build, gears, nitrous or not, etc. We also talked about different kinds of ATF (including his own blend) and maintenance for the tranny (none really required) as well as a tranny cooler. Basically the whole trans system.

I am going likely going with the $1400 option and then getting the ACT convertor for $545. It is like a Vigilante (specs appear to be the same) for less money, with a 2600 stall.

I definitely want reliability and compared to B&M or Art Carr or Hughes, this is a slightly better priced deal from someone who I think is an expert.

It is almost a no-brainer to me at this point....just waiting for the tax refund.

 

Hey Superman,
i should have just gone to your website first! Killer car, and sounds like a stout engine. That street/strip is a wee bit more $ than I have to spend, looking at around $1200 as my budget, again, it's going in an S series truck and my 355 is mild, around 300hp and I do a lot of highway cruising, tow occasionally.
This is the other trans I am looking at, scroll down and they offer a 'Jr" version of the Raptor.
www.transmissioncenter.net/highperf700R4.htm
Thanks for the help!
Eric

 

I too am waiting on all my paperwork to file my tax return, FIRST off purchase the modest engagement ring for my Camaro ownin', go to the junkyard and help me pull parts girlfriend, who told me I HAD to have enough money left over to buy a transmission for my truck after purchasing said ring.
It's the very truck we had our first romantic trip to the auto parts store in, after which I took her for a bit of a burnout followed by a blast through the gears.
Yeah, I just turned 35 Sunday, and I still love noise and horsepower!

 

Good luck on the engagement, I just got engaged myself this last weekend.

With buying a house, getting married and affording speed all in the next 2 years, in that order, it is a tough business.

Thank G o d I found someone who appreciates my situation in all 3 scenarios, my wonderful fiance...She even me to "make sure I can get the GTA re-painted in time for the wedding so we can use it as the Just Married car"...

 

Just make sure some 14yr old cousin does not use shaving cream for the "Just Married" on that fresh paint job!

Yep, my fiance wears the Camaro in this family
Eric

 

Eric, thanks for the compliments on the car man,I appreciate it lots. As for the Raptor tranny,I think a few guys on this board have bought a couple and from what I heard they worked out pretty good. I never did a whole lot of research on them myself so I can't really say.I understand about having to get what ya can being engaged and all,I'm in the same boat.

88TPI406GTA

You will love the ACT converter, I'm running their 9.5 inch 2800 stall and its a damn good converter. I was going to get the Vigalante converter,but Dana turned me on to the ACT and again the know what he is talking about. This converter has *****,you'll be happy with it.

 

No shaving cream on the paint...no exceptions...maybe on the windshield. I actually went through this last summer when my best friend got married. As he is a body guy, he painted his car three days before the wedding (83 Grand prix with built 400 that he has owned for 8 years) and a mutual friend of ours literally ran across the parking lot and took a hit for the car, when a relative was going to use shaving cream and "decorate" the paint.

I am going with the 2600 stall convertor with my 3.27 gears. I will always plan for torque and street drivability is paramount to my concerns.

As for the Raptor, I couldn't get a good response from people on them and they don't provide a parts build list like Dana does. To me, buying a tranny without knowing EXACTLY what is being done to it is like buying a crate engine and just knowing that it is a 350 with good heads...what is the point?

Also, IF there should be a warranty issue, I am sure Dana will stand behind his work. Like I said earlier in this post, he is concerned to know EXACTLY the whole drivetrain, what tranny cooler is being used, and how it is driven. As a measure of safety, I intend to put a trans temp sensor in the pan. I am not going to spend this much on a trans/convertor and not monitor it. There again, it is akin to having a coolant temp guage in my eyes.

 

Thanks for all the feedback! I may be looking at the "heavy Duty"
700 he offers, and though a slight stall may help me, I will likely live with a stock converter due to $.
My budget is about 1200, give or take some shipping.
I guess you called Performance Transmission and looked into that Raptor then at one time? It's just that (don't know if you looked at the link) that Jr. model is on sale this moth. I will call Dana and ask him what he advises.
I see you are from MN. I grew up in Grey Eagle, a town of 350 located about half way between St.Cloud and Alexandria.
I don't miss rust!

 

I looked at the parts list from the Raptor, but really wasn't interested. I have found that buying anything non-local, it always helps to talk to someone in person first.

I still say Pro-built for the reasons above. Spending $1000-$1200 is pretty close to what Dana wants for the top line version of his trans. Also, we talked about why to go with a smaller convertor (longevity) and it is simply a better unit. I had thought about simply buying a GM reman Vette convertor, but decided against it when for $350 more, I have a more reliable, better engineered part. If your convertor goes, it will take the rest of the trans with it and could clog your cooler with metal parts.

Like I said earlier, look at it as a system and plan to get what you pay for.

Damn winter and salt...I miss nice weather too.

 

I just emailed Probilt for a quote, and gave all my vehicle information (Damn! I forgot to mention the compression ratio!) to them.
I wholeheatedly agree with the "look at is as a system approach"
Currently my Comp 268XE cam is a bit much for my stock converter, but with the 3.73 rear, low first gear, and 3000lb wieght it's not bad. I knew it was a bit much, and the lumpy idle gets too much attention (bark can't match up the bite!) but I plan better heads to utilize the cam's potentia and didn't want the hassle of another cam change in the vehicle.
I will see what Dana has to say!
BTW, how much is the shipping going to cost you, CA to MN?

 

I don't remember exactly about the shipping...I think $125.

One of the other reasons I like the ACT/Vigilante type convertor is the more efficient torque multiplication that they offer from stock.

I really think this combo will work well for me and it will depend on how this thing will hook with a stock suspension in the rear...for now

 

Yeah,the shipping from CA to Fl cost me $130.00. I belive that Dana heavt duty version is still better than most everybody elses trannys. Also you need a good converter to really get the most out of this tranny,so I would say save a little bit and get what ya know is gonna work for ya.

 

Yea, I had my 700R4 rebuilt through NetGearHead, they do stock rebuilds and performance builds. There prices are a little more lenient too, and I am impressed with the quality and quick turnaround. I've shipped in my current 700 in early 2001 and had it rebuilt with a TransGo shift kit, .500 boost valve, and Vette servo for $725 and have had no problems since. They have a 6 month warranty. www.netgearhead.com is their website.

-KiDKiD911
91 9C1

 

When i get my blower installed I will check out where it makes the most power. I have a TH350 now, with a 3200-3800 Stall converter. The cam should be radical as all hell, but thanks to Crane Cams SH!TTY AS$ LIFTERS THAT ANTI PUMP the idle is FUKING smooth as a stock camshaft in any old stock 350. I MISS MY LOPE!!! AHHH!! </rant> but anyways After i find where the torque feels the best i will be changing over from this high gas guzzling stall and non-overdrive tranny to a 700R4 with a decent stall for the blower. Im having Dana at probuilt do it too. you cant argue, there hasnt been one complaint about his work anytime in the history of the board that Ive seen, and there are alot of thirdgenners that use his trannies.

 

Well, I emailed Pro-Bilt Wednesday and have not heard back, called today and got an answering machine, is the that busy or does he not want to sell me a tranny?
I called Performance Automotive and Transmission in Louisiana toady and spoke with them, they have a beefed 700 with converter for $1184 plus shipping (February special) and if Pro-Bilt does not get back to me I may buy form them.
Will have the $ next week!

 

eric17422001, read your E-mail.

 

Well, Dana of Pro-Bilt got back with me today and I must say I am impressed. The man really knows his stuff, and wanted to know EVERYTHING about the application I will use it for.
I will be ordering one of his street-strip models and converter with in a week of two, can't afford the 9.5" model he recomends, but he's supplying a 12" 2400 stall at a good price so I am not stuck with a stocker, I mean bogger.
BTW, I appreciate all the positive feedback and advice, I also ran into a guy here in Savannah who runs a Pro-Bilt in his CLEAN '83 Z-28 and has dealt with Dana on several occasions, and also dealt with the goobers who built the tranny I have now, and there is no comparison.
I have learned my lesson, and should have known better than to expect quality for $500 , and just because a place has a local reputation for building drag race trannies (Powerglides, TH350's) does not mean they can or know how to put together something that will hold HP and LAST in a street car. People like this are the reason overdrives get an undeserved bad rap.
I am going to LOVE tearing that old trans down after I geat my Pro-Bilt just to see what kind of Jethro work they did!

 

Eric,

I'm glad you got up with Dana and decided to go with a tranny from him. Your gonna be so happy you decided to do this when you get the tranny in. :hail: Pro-Built.