When was the fuel filter last chaged? You need to check rail pressure actual vs desired. Low rail pressure will make an allison hang shifts bad.
Built Trans on a budget
- Thread starter 1brokekid
- Start date
Oh yah Raybestos did manufacture the solid C-3s in my transmission specifically for Suncoast huh.
Speaking from my experience, I believe I did more research than most and talked with every supplier of performance Allison kits I could find and all but Suncoast had made a claim that I debunked or had said something that just didn't set well with me.
I built my transmission using the Suncoast GMax 6 I have held the parts in my hand and after doing so looking back at what I had learned and the gut feelings I had were all confirmed.
Thanks to Evan (above) Mike L. , Gorge and Andrew at Suncoast and Dave Goerend I was able to assemble an Allison I couldn't be happier with.
That being said the good builders are set up, I didn't save all that much doing it myself and I have learned a couple things since that I would have done had I know at the time.
If I were to point you in any direction it would be too Evan or Mike.
I beat my stock trans in my LLY for 5 years, guess you only get lucky once Lol, I almost had a thought about doing a stage 3 and a single disk, then I saw my tow bill from last week being 70 miles from the house.
Frankly, I don't think you're in a position to do a "budget-build" - They don't really exist(quality) and will end up costing you more later.
One problem is your transmission has quite a bit of mileage and needs someone who can go threw the hard parts with a fine eye. E.g., bearings, shafts; bushings,retaining rings, pump etc.. Otherwise, you'll be running a nice $2-2.4k in parts and a simple hard part or bearing fails and risks taking everything with it.
These cheap builders people are going to are cheap for a reason, they couldn't make profits replacing all the parts without passing the cost to the customer.
Get a hold of a 1k 2k allison technicians guide and see if you want a cheap builder, there's a TON more that requires attention than just clutches and pressure mods.
One problem is your transmission has quite a bit of mileage and needs someone who can go threw the hard parts with a fine eye. E.g., bearings, shafts; bushings,retaining rings, pump etc.. Otherwise, you'll be running a nice $2-2.4k in parts and a simple hard part or bearing fails and risks taking everything with it.
These cheap builders people are going to are cheap for a reason, they couldn't make profits replacing all the parts without passing the cost to the customer.
Get a hold of a 1k 2k allison technicians guide and see if you want a cheap builder, there's a TON more that requires attention than just clutches and pressure mods.
Just put it off til it blows up or apart, then budget don't matter when its sitting and you need the truck.
James that old "horse to water" thing comes to mind
OP go talk with Josh In Van. He has built some stout trucks and can handle your needs.
I posted this thread to get info on how to save money without cutting corners, and a few have pitched in with helpful info, but a lot have only given me the "just fork over the cash" lecture. I fully understand I'll need to spend quite a bit of money, but even if I can save just a few hundred, then that's a few hundred I can spend elsewhere.
The truck has a fuel issue, I have to change the fuel filter like ever 2000 miles and it comes out absolutely filthy every time. It needs a lift pump at least, and that's coming before a built Trans.
Edit: so what I've learned so far from this thread is, don't skimp on who builds the Trans, and don't skimp on parts. Are there any other areas to save any money?
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The truck has a fuel issue, I have to change the fuel filter like ever 2000 miles and it comes out absolutely filthy every time. It needs a lift pump at least, and that's coming before a built Trans.
Edit: so what I've learned so far from this thread is, don't skimp on who builds the Trans, and don't skimp on parts. Are there any other areas to save any money?
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Everyone is telling you to fork the money over because that will in the long run save the most money.
On the fuel issue, I'd watch where you're getting your fuel from or your tank has excess sediment and needs to be dropped and cleaned - without fixing that underlying issue, you're going to just clog the lift pumps filter(s).
Just make sure when it gets built it gets; Good clucthes, transgo jr shift kit, transgo converter flow valve (stops kickdown of main line pressure), Mike L.'s shift valve springs ALONG with his pump spring (he says you want line pressure in the 300-315psi area), and make sure every seal gets replaced. Most kits dont come with full seal kits. The kit I have from PATC did infact come with every seal and gasket. But then again I had to order a couple things that also didn't come with the kit. If you're going to use a shop that isnt a big known allison shop, but they have done them before type deal, make sure to educate yourself what should be in that trans and go over with your builder what you learned and make sure you get the parts it needs.
BTW; if you go through Mike L's posts you can really learn alot and get some helpful pointers. The info is fortunately free for us members to read and view, I like to take advantage of it! If you're like me, even when you know someone has knowledge of how to do something on your truck you still second guess them. I do this alot, I can't help but worry. Too much money is on the line to do "just enough". I'm not saying I know alot, because I dont. However I do feel I know enough to cover my butt in certain things. I was in your same boat a couple months ago. Do some searching, and pull info from reputable guys on here to get an idea of what you need. Good luck!!
BTW; if you go through Mike L's posts you can really learn alot and get some helpful pointers. The info is fortunately free for us members to read and view, I like to take advantage of it! If you're like me, even when you know someone has knowledge of how to do something on your truck you still second guess them. I do this alot, I can't help but worry. Too much money is on the line to do "just enough". I'm not saying I know alot, because I dont. However I do feel I know enough to cover my butt in certain things. I was in your same boat a couple months ago. Do some searching, and pull info from reputable guys on here to get an idea of what you need. Good luck!!
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If you build your own trans you will spend around $1500 for a suncoast Kit. I wouldn't use any other kit just my opinion. You will also spend a few bucks on bushings and Torrington bearings. And if you replace all solenoids,wire harness, ims switch etc, that's several $100 more. So between $1800-$2400 not including torque converter. You just won't have the warm and fuzzy of a reputable builder getting it done.
welp, best of luck to ya. your other thread makes it pretty clear this is not a cheap hobby to go fast. you will find out the hard way
You can build an OK tranny out of a kit bit remember what MikeL always says, a well built tranny doesnt come from a "kit". Meaning the shit he does to them is above and beyond what any kit will offer.
I paid $3,000 for my trans. Thought it was a beast until i lost the stock turbo and turned the fuel up. Its shit. So do a budget trans build and spend the money again later. Thats how it goes.
I've been reading good things about the PPE stage V kit with the included triple disc converter, and it's quite a bit cheaper than a sun coast kit/converter. I know you guys swear by sun coast, but does anyone like Mike L that sees these transmissions daily, have any input on these kits?
A few guys local to me use the PPE stage V kit, and they're pushing a lot more power than I ever will, and they love it.
I know you guys think I'm beating a dead horse with this, but i like to see facts, real world experience etc before I dump 4k+ into this. Basically I want to hear why the suncoast kits are so much better than others, and worth the extra 1-2k over other kits. Maybe you guys can link me to a few threads where I can do some heavy reading to better understand.
I'm sorry if I'm coming across as hard-headed :lol: I'm a teenager, it's what I'm supposed to do.
Edit: I've also decided that Josh @ top notch garage will be building the trans, if not pulling and installing it too, regardless of what parts I decide on.
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A few guys local to me use the PPE stage V kit, and they're pushing a lot more power than I ever will, and they love it.
I know you guys think I'm beating a dead horse with this, but i like to see facts, real world experience etc before I dump 4k+ into this. Basically I want to hear why the suncoast kits are so much better than others, and worth the extra 1-2k over other kits. Maybe you guys can link me to a few threads where I can do some heavy reading to better understand.
I'm sorry if I'm coming across as hard-headed :lol: I'm a teenager, it's what I'm supposed to do.
Edit: I've also decided that Josh @ top notch garage will be building the trans, if not pulling and installing it too, regardless of what parts I decide on.
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