Hello all.
I have a 2003 Duramax (Chevrolet), and I've got some questions regarding transmission cores / swaps.
So, I don't want to start a debate on the merits of a DIY transmission build versus paying a professional to do it, but I'm planning on building my own sometime later this year with parts from Mike and/or Evan. There's nothing wrong with the current transmission (minus having 200k+ miles), but I bought the truck specifically to play with (eventual goals of running competitively in 7.70), so a built trans is the very first mod on the list of many.
After some consideration, I've decided it'd be better to get a core to build versus pulling mine out and building it. This way, I've got a much more relaxed time-frame that I can really go at my own pace without rushing. Plus, if anything goes wrong, I know I've got a known good trans I can go back to to get the truck back on the road. That's worth a little extra money, IMO.
That said, my questions:
1. I know there's differences from '01-'02, '03-'05, and '06-up. But I also read somewhere that there's mid-year changes for '03 also. What are those differences, and how can I easily identify what I've got in my truck (early or late)? And followup: how could I identify a core labeled as an '03?
2. What's a decent price for a core?
3. Bonus question I just thought of: since I've got the choice, is there any year model that's "better" than the others? Or are they all roughly the same?
I ask these questions because a local junkyard has an Allison out of an '03 for $700. That seems like a decent price to me, but I'm unsure if it's a direct swap for my truck, or if it might take a little extra work (not necessarily opposed to that).
Thanks!
I have a 2003 Duramax (Chevrolet), and I've got some questions regarding transmission cores / swaps.
So, I don't want to start a debate on the merits of a DIY transmission build versus paying a professional to do it, but I'm planning on building my own sometime later this year with parts from Mike and/or Evan. There's nothing wrong with the current transmission (minus having 200k+ miles), but I bought the truck specifically to play with (eventual goals of running competitively in 7.70), so a built trans is the very first mod on the list of many.
After some consideration, I've decided it'd be better to get a core to build versus pulling mine out and building it. This way, I've got a much more relaxed time-frame that I can really go at my own pace without rushing. Plus, if anything goes wrong, I know I've got a known good trans I can go back to to get the truck back on the road. That's worth a little extra money, IMO.
That said, my questions:
1. I know there's differences from '01-'02, '03-'05, and '06-up. But I also read somewhere that there's mid-year changes for '03 also. What are those differences, and how can I easily identify what I've got in my truck (early or late)? And followup: how could I identify a core labeled as an '03?
2. What's a decent price for a core?
3. Bonus question I just thought of: since I've got the choice, is there any year model that's "better" than the others? Or are they all roughly the same?
I ask these questions because a local junkyard has an Allison out of an '03 for $700. That seems like a decent price to me, but I'm unsure if it's a direct swap for my truck, or if it might take a little extra work (not necessarily opposed to that).
Thanks!
