Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Auto Trans Problems

[JoshPeters]

Here's what I've got going on. When I started modifying my truck I found out quickly that not matter what trans I had, modifications needed to be made. I put in a suncoast valve body and torque converter into my auto. Well now that converter is slipping again. The Warranty on it states "Unlimited Hp, Unlimited Milage for 3 years!" I called them. Ok Check these pressures. I passed. 135psi minimum, I'm at about 143. He then tells me to rebuild the transmission cause I should be able to hit 150, and send him the converter so he can rebuild it. Rebuild it? Shouldn't he just be sending me a replacement, I'll send his back? I can't have my truck down for a week, so I'm thinking about pulling the auto and putting a manual trans in it. Anyone know how much I can sell this auto for? Where I can get a good 5spd for my truck? I'm hoping he will give me my money back for the bad converter, or at least a good ammout being I did use it for about 8 months. If he's gonna rebuild the thing he can get full boat retail for it again.

Am I off the mark with my Auto Trans problems?



Josh

 

[Rhondasway]

Maybe jumping the gun a little...

I'm not in your shoes, but if I were I would try to work with them on what they've offered you... No company makes every single transmission/ component perfectly, but it's their commitment to correcting a problem that matters. It's hard to have down time, but I have been there, and am glad I didn't just call it quits with my trans company. It has been great to develop a strong working relationship.

As far as converting to a 5sp, I've heard it's prohibitively expensive, and just do a little search on how well clutches hold up... They too have lots of problems, especially at high horsepower.

I would let them do what they offered (or push for a replacement based on your time constraints) to make it right before you abandon the whole thing. I think it's good that they're trying to work with you, and it may be a one-time only issue for you...

Good luck!

 

[ndurbin]

I would push for a replacement. As long as it passed the pressure test I wouldn't rebuild it, but I'm not a transmission expert.



auto to manual conversions can get costly and time consuming. I have pondered the thought more than a few times. Never been involved in one tho. I figured I would need a donor truck as close as possible to mine, to make it the cheapest.

 

[y-knot]

I agree, you state you can not be with out your truck for a week, but then say you want to convert to a manual. That will take much longer and many more dollar bills. Why are you so willing to change? What more can the sun coast guys do? Sounds like they are making every effort to help with the situation. if you went to the dealer (hypothetical situation,suppose the truck was under warranty, OK) they could do no better. If I was you, am I am glade I am not, I would let sun coast do there thing and get the truck running once again. Then if you want a stick shift, sell the truck and get one. Take off you mods if you most, but I would not screw around with a conversion.

 

[JoshPeters]

Well it started out a bit less easily. Back a few months ago I called them to see what they wanted to do. The person I needed to talk to, was busy or not there the 5 times I called. I left 2 messages and they promised to get back to me. No call, no message. They told me that if he calls 3 times with no answer, he gives up. I never got a call to answer. When I did finally get ahold of them they were I felt Rude. Now he's telling me to rebuild the trans, but on the same breath tells me the pressures are within range. As far as an exchange, he said he would have to bill me for the one he'd send me till he got mine back. I don't have the $ for that. From what I gathered, he wasn't going to be flexable about it.

The Auto to Manual swap wouldn't be to bad I don't think. Being a technician, I can swap over all the parts. I know the manual has it's own set of problems, but a clutch is much easier to deal with than when a converter slips and takes out the whole trans. I like rowing gears, and if I could go back and purchase a truck with a Manual I would. The other thing I have thought about is, a bullet proof automatic is... what $3000, I think I can locate all the parts to convert it to a manual for about $2500. At that I think I can sell the automatic parts and come out OK on the deal.



Am I still nuts?



Josh

 

[y-knot]

Then you answered your own question.

 

[ndurbin]

To get a bullet proof auto it's going to take more than $3000. From when I put my Blumenthal in back in November, these are the prices I came up with for my truck (1994 47RH). ATS - $3609, DTT - $3,499, BD - $2,795, and Blumenthal - $3700. Those are prices for a complete rebuild by them. To rebuild it yourself and use their parts, well run anywhere between $1,800 to $2,100, BD being on the low end, DTT in the middle, and ATS at the upper end of the range. BD carries a 12 month warranty, DTT and Blumenthal have 24 month warranties, and ATS has a 36 month, 100,000 miles warranty.



For the conversion over to a manual, I checked with Standard Transmission. 4x4 - $2,150 and 2wd $2,250. Those prices include: a rebuilt transmission with the fully splined mainshaft, a conversion bellhousing, pilot bushing, mount kit, and yoke (2wd models). On top of that you still have the clutch pedal and leakage and a new clutch to handle the upgrades on your truck. You'll probably have a few other expenses for various things. So lets say $3,000 to $3,200 for a guess. Then figure in the extra time of converting everything over.



I was really thinking hard about the conversion over to a manual, but in my situtation at the time with no other vehicle to drive and not having much spare time I went with the rebuilt trans. from Blumenthals.

 

[JoshPeters]

I'm not figuring time into any of this, cause I'd be doing all the labor myself. The Auto rebuild would probably be faster, but am I going to end up with the same problem again? I don't think I'm putting down an extreme ammount of power. Why is this happening? Just happened to be a bad converter? I understand these things happen, but why the poor attitude towards me, the consumer? I thought the customer was always supposed to be right... ...



Josh

 

[ndurbin]

In the first post you said you couldn't have it down for a week. And even if the actual time doesn't cost anything itself there can be other things. Such as a rental vehicle, taking time off of work, or lost business if you rely on your vehicle (construction or hotshot type job).



Mine had a hard enough time with the stock power levels. So it could happen again, but religous maintence and keeping the RPM's up to keep trans. pressures up can help.



maybe the guy at suncoast had a bad day or the message person was having a bad day and put a negative spin on the messages. He could be protecting himself against consumer fraud by charging you for the new one until he recieves the old one. Not saying you would do that.



When I was having problems with mine I was wondering the same question. WHY ME?

 

[JoshPeters]

I think if I really hit it hard, I could do the swap in 4 days. Being my work week is Mon, Tues, Wed, and Friday. I could take a friday off and have the weekend and time I would need.



Josh

I could really use a day off... ...