Rebuilding tranny...

[babiebluboi]

On an average, how much would a performance shop rebuild a tranny for? I asked a shop and tha guy estimated around $1,200, but he'll talk to tha tranny shop and give me tha final estimate. I talked to another mechanic (not from tha shop) and he said it'll cost like $3,000. How much would it really be to rebuild an AWD tranny?

A fellow DSMer gave me a link to ShepTrans.com. I called them about a simple Stage 1 fully rebuilt tranny for $800 (+$90 shipping), and he said that I have to ship them my tranny first. I talked to tha shop where I am planning to do my tranny swap at, but they said that that process will take too long and that they can't have my car in tha shop for that long. That's why I was considering on rebuilding it...

Lemme know what you guys think, though...thanks!

 

[DSMcrazy3]

Depends on how mechanically inclined you are. If you have a basic array of tools, you can pull and install the tranny yourself. In which case I would recommend getting the stage 1 build.

Usually transmission rebuilds go from $1200-$2000(including pulling/installing labor). Depending on what kind of damage has been done internally.

 

[1993eclipseGS]

I hate to tell you but shepracing does not take long... He has a two-three day turn around time from what I understand, From everyone that has done business with him.

 

[DSMcrazy3]

I hate to tell you but shepracing does not take long... He has a two-three day turn around time from what I understand, From everyone that has done business with him.

A friend of mine just recently had his rebuilt by shep. For him it took about 3 weeks total, by the time it was shipped to him, apperently took a week or so for him to get to it, then another week for the build, then shipping back.

However that's my one, to your, however many friends you have that have gone through him.

I just thought I would chime in that not every build is a week long ordeal. And since the shop wouldn't want it to be there very long, he would almost have to know it would be a quick turn around.

 

[1993eclipseGS]

Even if you hafto wait, I would probably rather spend less money with SHEP, Then more money with ''just some shop''

 

[big_eskimo]

If you don't rebuild it yourself then I would strongly recomend going with the Shep rebuild. My tranny is going soon and I plan on doing it myself, but I did some research and all I hear are excellent reviews from the customer service to the actual work.

 

[Snobordin8]

I recently had my tranny go out and I decided it would be best to have the best(Shep) work on it. I had a local shop remove my tranny, then I picked it up and shipped it to Shep Racing, and he rebuilt it, and shipped it back to me, then the local shop reinstalled it. I went for the $895(I think) rebuild, but when he opened it up there were some other broken stuff that needed fixed, so it ended up costing about $1750 for the rebuild. I asked to upgrade to the Torrington bearing which usually costs extra, but John said since I ended up spending more than planned, he'd give it to me for free. The remove and reinstall cost $675, so it ended up being about $2500, but it shifts amazing and I have yet to grind a gear. John did give me great service, it's nice when you call up there and have a question, and acutally get to talk to John, so you know he's not feeding you some crap. My vote says go with Shep.

Edit: This whole process took about 2-3 weeks.

 

[eclipsh]

If you have the space and time pull the tranny yourself and send it to Shep or TRE. If you aren't confident that you can pull the tranny yourself find some other DSMers in the area and ask for help. I'm sure someone will pitch in a hand for a beer or two.

Or if you don't like working on the car, sell it (sort of kidding..) No really, just go find another shop that doesn't care if it sits around for a couple weeks. They can always throw the car on some rollers and push it out of the way. It isn't like you need a really good shop to do a yank and install.

 

[99gst_racer]

A fellow DSMer gave me a link to ShepTrans.com. I called them about a simple Stage 1 fully rebuilt tranny for $800 (+$90 shipping), and he said that I have to ship them my tranny first. I talked to tha shop where I am planning to do my tranny swap at, but they said that that process will take too long and that they can't have my car in tha shop for that long. That's why I was considering on rebuilding it...

I ran into the exact same problem a couple years ago when I was waiting for my tranny to come back from Shep. The shop that was installing it did not want to have my car inside the shop that long, and they didn't feel it was safe to leave it outside either (bad neighborhood). So I ended up picking it up with a trailer and taking it home. A couple weeks later, when I had my tranny back in my possession, I trailered the car back to the shop and had it re-installed.

 

[babiebluboi]

Towing it back to tha house does seem like a good idea, but I NEED to park my car in tha garage, but tha tow truck won't be able to put it in there...I can't park it outside ### of street cleaning and lots of people jack rice rockets around my neighborhood. I'll talk to tha shop and see if I can work something out with them. When I asked them whether or not I could leave tha car at there shop for a little while, they had to think about it. There is a possibility that I could leave it there, they just can't leave it in tha shop. They'd have to put it in tha back (outdoors) which is fine with me ### there's hella modified cars back there anyways. The thing is, how would they get it back there? I dunno about your guys' Eclipses, but mine is extremely heavy!

I got a few more questions though...

1) From the day I ship out the tranny, usually how long would it usually take to get it
back?
2) How big is a tranny? I mean is it too heavy/big for a person to carry it?
3) How would I pack the tranny and prepare it to be shipped? (boxes, cushioning, all
that)

Thanks for you help guys! Since so many of you highly recommend Shep, I'll have a talk with the shop tomorrow and try to work something out. Appreciate it!

 

[dedlewamp]

I got a few more questions though...

1) From the day I ship out the tranny, usually how long would it usually take to get it
back?
2) How big is a tranny? I mean is it too heavy/big for a person to carry it?
3) How would I pack the tranny and prepare it to be shipped? (boxes, cushioning, all
that)

Thanks for you help guys! Since so many of you highly recommend Shep, I'll have a talk with the shop tomorrow and try to work something out. Appreciate it!

1. Depends on how busy they are. Give them a call, and see.

2. See 3. They are akward, and somewhat heavy. I'd recommend a friend help you out, but not required.

3. The recommended shipping procedure is to go to a local wal-mart and head over to the auto section and pick up a Contico Pro-Tuff bin. They are very durable and cost only $35. These are ok to ship through ups or fed ex. To insure the trans arrives safely this is very important. Take some heavy cardboard and line the bottom. Put the transmission inside and then fill the remaining space with either cardboard or Styrofoam (not peanuts) after that, just zip tie the lid closed and take it to a ups or fed ex shipper. An AWD transmission will weigh in at about 145 lbs.

Courtesy of www.shepracing.com

 

[Snobordin8]

1) From the day I ship out the tranny, usually how long would it usually take to get it back?

It was under two weeks for me, but you may need a couple days more of shipping each way since you're a lot further away than me.

 

[babiebluboi]

I just called the shop today and they said that they'll allow me to leave my car there for a couple weeks (or until they finish my car). I'm planning to tow the car to the shop, have them take out the tranny and prepare it for shipping. I'll have FedEx come pick it up from the performance shop. Thankfully I work at FedEx so I get 75% discount on shipping!!! =P I'm gunna call Shep Transmission tomorrow and just ask him if he has any suggestions on how to prepare it for shipping (### we don't have a WalMart in the city).

So the turn around from the time they receive my tranny to them shipping it is only a few days?

 

[Talonman92]

My tranny re-build cost about $1000. Either they did a sh*t job at the shop or DSM tranny's are crappy at cold temps. In warm weather or when the car is at operating temp it shifts pretty nicely. Is it just me or do most stock 1g DSM's shift poorly?

 

[dedlewamp]

My tranny re-build cost about $1000. Either they did a sh*t job at the shop or DSM tranny's are crappy at cold temps. In warm weather or when the car is at operating temp it shifts pretty nicely. Is it just me or do most stock 1g DSM's shift poorly?

Shifting poorly in cold temps is usually an issue surrounding the type of fluid in the transmission, and not the transmission itself.

What kind of fluid are you using?

And yes, stock 1G DSM's generally have very medicore transmissions.

 

[wongster]

ok guys... not too knowledgable about this area.... ok.. basically if i shift normally at 2-3k it shifts fine, but if i was to race or shift at 5-6k or more its starting to get stuck shifting or i have to really push it in... is that cause of the clutch or the transmission?

 

[Talonman92]

Shifting poorly in cold temps is usually an issue surrounding the type of fluid in the transmission, and not the transmission itself.

What kind of fluid are you using?

To be honest I don't even remember. I'll have to ask my brother he remembers things like that. I want to say Red Line... but I may have opt'ed for some off-brand tranny fluid after paying for the rebuild

 

[eclipsh]

ok guys... not too knowledgable about this area.... ok.. basically if i shift normally at 2-3k it shifts fine, but if i was to race or shift at 5-6k or more its starting to get stuck shifting or i have to really push it in... is that cause of the clutch or the transmission?

It is likely either old crappy fluid, worn out tranny or just not fully disengaging the clutch.

 

[wongster]

It is likely either old crappy fluid, worn out tranny or just not fully disengaging the clutch.

well i am prob going to have my friend change the fluid this time instead of going to mr lube... what kinda fluid should i use? i heard to add in lucas with the fluid as well...

 

[eclipsh]

I use BG Synchromesh II. It's expensive, but its as close to a miracle-in-a-bottle as you'll ever get. It won't fix a worn out tranny but it'll help a slightly worn one and really help a new one.

Skip Mobil 1 or any of those other general market full synthetics. They're too slippery (according to TRE) and don't allow the synchros to work properly.

If the syncromesh doesn't work, you can always drain it into a clean container for putting back in after a rebuild (as I did). I also strained it through some paper towels and a strainer basket before I put it back in.

 

[babiebluboi]

I'm still planning to ship my tranny over to ShepTrans. How much did it costs you guys to ship out tranny? I just got an estimate today (around 200 lbs) and it'll run me like $150 for 3 day shipping. (I work for FedEx and that's with 75% discount.)

The MOST important question right now is.....

HOW THE HELL DO I PACK UP MY TRANNY AND PREPARE IT TO BE SHIPPED?!

 

[stockfornow]

Hey, if you work for FED EX, you should know about this.

 

[talonguy91]

"The quickest way to ship your transmission is to pick up a Rubbermaid, Sterilite, Pro Tuff, Smart bin or a large TV box from places like WAL-Mart, Lowes,Home Depot or Uhaul. Use thick cardboard or Styrofoam to keep if from moving around. At this time we prefer you ship via FedEx ground (not FedEx freight). Put at least $1500 insurance !! Expect to pay between $70-$90. We charge a flat $80 for return shipping and we can send out a box for a small fee.

Take your time! Completely drain all oil by flipping it bellhousing down in a drain pan for at least a few hrs. Wrap the trans in at least 1 or 2 plastic bags to prevent any leakage in the container. Pull off all the brackets, throwout bearing, clutch fork, and speed sensor (2g only). We are not responsible for returning old throwout bearings and forks ."

This is directly from sheptrans.com. If I'm not mistaken on his old site it says a awd trans will weigh in at about 145lbs.

 

[Snobordin8]

I'm still planning to ship my tranny over to ShepTrans. How much did it costs you guys to ship out tranny? I just got an estimate today (around 200 lbs) and it'll run me like $150 for 3 day shipping. (I work for FedEx and that's with 75% discount.)

The MOST important question right now is.....

HOW THE HELL DO I PACK UP MY TRANNY AND PREPARE IT TO BE SHIPPED?!

They do not weigh 200 lbs. Like ^^ said, they weigh about 145 pounds. $150 for three day shipping at 75% discount, that means they would regularly charge $600. There is no way, either that or FedEx is way more expensive than UPS, because I have firsthand experience with them.