Merchant ma1000 opinions?

[Pwinland95]

Hey guys I'm looking at possibly buying an lly with a ma1000 trans and I believe he's running a goerend converter. Just curious if anyone has had good luck with this trans. I haven't heard much about them. Didn't want to buy the truck not knowing much about it. Any info would be great.

 

[DefiantArms]

Think Rgullett has a Ma kit in his I seem to remember reading.

http://www.duramaxdiesels.com/forum/member.php?u=1564

 

[Hernpj01]

id pass on it

 

[Ne-max]

Merchant is a damn good shop. Erics been around forever

 

[SickLL7Crenshaw]

id pass on it

What's your reasoning then?

 

[Mike L.]

Merchant is a damn good shop. Erics been around forever

Not when it comes to building an Allison.

 

[Big Chris]

What's your reasoning then?

X2

Back in the DP days his work was well thought of. What's changed? In the earlier days of Duramax performance you would go to Mike L, Big Dipper , or Eric Merchant if you wanted your trans built right.

 

[PureHybrid]

Not sure what parts they are using, but that wouldn't make me NOT buy the truck. If it shifts good and handles power, why not.

 

[Hernpj01]

they sell parts and are good at that. Im not pointing finger or bad mouthing work, there are just many others in the area I would use.

I have known of several ma700 failures and I myself have owned at ma700 in an lbz a long time ago that let go. I know some of the people had theirs warrantied but its still a hassle to be without a truck while they fix it. I bought the truck with mine and decided to use someone else for the rebuild.

 

[rgullett83]

Yes mine is a MA kit in mine that I built my self. At that that time it was suncoast clutch packs. Goerend converter, transgo kit, new bearings, pump bushing, turbine shaft bushing. Not had a problem with mine. Currently I am using kits from Evan now.

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[SmokeShow]

I must have an MA trans pre ma700, ma1000 nomenclature. Mine is/was called a SunCoast III that was built by MA. At that time SCIII & SCIV could be built by other shops besides SC but the SC V was only from SC iirc.

Mine isn't perfect (especially with the ATS 5 star convertor in it now) but it has lasted about 100,000 miles at 450+rwhp.

That said, I think it is fairly well known who the go-to guys are for having an allison built.

I don't think I'd necessarily shy away from a truck with a MA trans just because it has an MA trans in it. Especially if the price was right and it seemed to be functioning right.

 

[Pwinland95]

Thanks for the input guys just wanted to try and get some opinions and guys that have had them personally. I suppose I'll just have to drive it and see how it does.

 

[Chevy1925]

X2

Back in the DP days his work was well thought of. What's changed? In the earlier days of Duramax performance you would go to Mike L, Big Dipper , or Eric Merchant if you wanted your trans built right.

alot since the DP days.

 

[Big Chris]

alot since the DP days.

That's right up there with when Dad used to say "because I said so" when we were kids! :roflmao: I was hoping to get actual reasons like his good help quit or quality control went to sh*t because he grew too fast. I don't really care either way but it would be nice to be able to get a good trans built less than two hours from my house if I needed one. :thumb:

 

[Awenta]

That's right up there with when Dad used to say "because I said so" when we were kids! I was hoping to get actual reasons like his good help quit or quality control went to sh*t because he grew too fast. I don't really care either way but it would be nice to be able to get a good trans built less than two hours from my house if I needed one. :thumb:

Or you could have a real good one sent to your door

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[Big Chris]

That's a given. I know I can get one from Suncoast or I'm sure I could have Evan or Mike build one and ship it to me. Still doesn't answer my question.

 

[Mike L.]

That's a given. I know I can get one from Suncoast or I'm sure I could have Evan or Mike build one and ship it to me. Still doesn't answer my question.

I don't think we want to get into that here. How about All Seasons? Tony does a great job.

 

[Big Chris]

Thanks Mike, good to know. I was going to ask about Tony's shop.

 

[TheBac]

No issues with my now-10 year old MA build, and I havent been nice to it. EVERY builder has transmissions that go bad, even "the best there is". As for why MA's name went to hell, well...thats just something best left unsaid.

 

[Big Chris]

I guess if I really want to know I can read old posts on other forums. I knew you had good luck with yours Tom.