Is It hard to Rebuld A allison

heynow2203

New member
Nov 28, 2011
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0
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looking into to possibly building up my tranny but I am short on cash thinking about doing it myself. How long do you thing it would take and what kind of special tools would I need if any? I was thinking about a suncoast 5-3 gmax kit and try to find a used 1056 conveter. I just did the head gasket on the truck and have rebuilt trannys before (little ones) but this oneseem duanting.
 

lddrew

shootin for 13's
Jan 10, 2011
216
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West Georgia
professional builders (real professionals) know tricks to get these kits to hold more power. real builders see a lot of transmissions that have been home-built that come in needing A LOT of work. but it can be done.. i just wouldn't recommend it
 

Sledhead

Mountain Pass Machine
Nov 29, 2008
884
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BC
I am very proud of doing my own Gmax 5, first trans ever. At first I wanted anybody else to bench it but around here there were NO reasonable options.

I do thank Mike L, Trent and The Fermanator for the help, plus the various resources online and the local Allison dealer. The ATSG manual and kit instructions were also invaluable. I had a core and the luxury of not being rushed at all; prolly only took me 300 hours :spit:

The drum clip is the hardest part, I jury rigged a press using a small floor jack;
 

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THEFERMANATOR

LEGALLY INSANE
Feb 16, 2009
3,890
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ZEPHYRHILLS, FL
Are they hard to build, not really. Is it hard to build one the first time in one and make it hold HP, yes. I was fortunate enough to have some previous experience building up autos, and I got ALOT of help from Mike L and George from SUNCOAST. These guys though don't just share there trade secrets as that is what sets there builds apart from any home built kit. Comparing how my trans shifts now to how it did when I built it the first time is night and day though, so like others said there are ALOT of things the at hame person just doesn't pick up on right away as it takes time and trial and error to learn the ins and outs of them.
 

duratothemax

<--- slippery roads
Aug 28, 2006
7,139
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Wyoming
Is that where the C4's go ?

C1's/C2's.


You dont need to compress/remove the spring cage to just replace the C1/C2 clutches in an allison...you need to compress/remove the spring cage to install the [5-speed] transgo mods.

Thats why 6-speed front rotating assemblies take like 2 seconds to do vs. the PITA 5-speed front drums. :)
 

RENODMAX

Dead Wrong
Mar 4, 2008
3,602
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You can do it. Will it be as good as one built by Inglewood, All Season, Big Dipper, Fleece, EPR etc? Definitely not, but for a standard 500hp tuning only truck it will be fine. You must be prepared to spend time pulling it back out if everything isn't right, and if you cant afford that time your best bet is to take it to a reputable builder.
 

DPC

Member
Jan 2, 2012
323
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Adams, TN
The first one I did has been holding for almost 4 years. I had to pull it 3 times to get it right.:eek:
 

PureHybrid

Isuzu Shakes IT
Feb 15, 2012
3,492
472
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Central OH
I built mine with a PPE stg IV kit (basically just alto power packs). I went through a couple Allison 1000's in school (we had a trans dyno so we know they worked) so I felt comfortable building it. After reading up on the web about doing the transgo mods and a few other things, I dove in. It turned out good, when I took it up to Danville for tuning Mark said it shifted good and it holds the hot tune without hesitating on the shifts at all. Guess I did OK :woott:
 

MACKIN

Smell My Finger...
Aug 14, 2006
3,948
1
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Connecticut
If you can have a pro do it your better off. Can you do it yourself ? If your mechanically inclined and trust your ability then you can do it. You'll need a engine stand with a PTO adapter plate and just a way to compress the c1 c2 drum. Someone designed a tool to do just that IIRC So Cal diesel sells it or Merchant? Someone I don't recall. Also having access to a lift to remove and put the transmission back in is real help full.

Other than that get the Book Transmission Times ,it was a book released from Trans-Go I believe and have at it. Many have done it very successfully others have failed miserably ! :roflmao:
 

taylorbok

Member
Jan 31, 2011
113
0
16
if your going to do it your self

buy the atsg manual

get a good trans jack

take your time and double check everything

I figure I could do it in like 8 hrs or so but that is having already done one, I would say it will take you a weekend if you go slow.

Mine went in first time no problems. 50,000km still running strong

again everyones perception of hard is different. I would way rather rebuild another trans than change the effing turbo in a duramax again
 

MACKIN

Smell My Finger...
Aug 14, 2006
3,948
1
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Connecticut
Socal made it. You can also use thick pvc or exhaust tubing with a notch cut out.

Ahh I thought so thanks for refreshing my memory. I didn't see it on his website although maybe he stopped making them do to lack of interest or Looks like you can get the Kent Moore tool cheap on Ebay so maybe it isn't worth the time and material.

Yes I heard of the PVC pipe trick too. I think thats how the Moonshine man and I ( go-fer) did his.
 

Operator1

Member
Nov 20, 2009
477
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16
NC
I used a big drill press. And lots of help from Mike. The best advice I can think of is to find a reputable builder who will agree to help you beforehand. That part is getting less and less available. Although, you can buy one now for what a kit cost a couple of years ago.