4R100 recipe

Seabass · Jul 20, 2012

Im piecing together a trans and I was wondering what internals to put for the best price. Suncoast clutches(they went up in price), BTS VB and converter and suncoast input shaft. Any suggestions or ideas?

DocBar · Jul 20, 2012

I would just piece together the cash for a BTS and be done with it.

Seabass · Jul 20, 2012

ummm 4300 vs 2500...Ill have it my way thanks, already thought about it

SouthFlstrokin' · Jul 20, 2012

Bts has a Life time warranty though

DocBar · Jul 20, 2012

Seabass said:
ummm 4300 vs 2500...Ill have it my way thanks, already thought about it

2500x2 is more than 4300...just sayin...I hope it works out well for you, though.

Diezel Dawg · Jul 20, 2012

DocBar said:
2500x2 is more than 4300...just sayin...I hope it works out well for you, though.

I agree. I guess in 6 months we can say, "I told you so"

Sent from my EVO 3D on the East Side

dentexpowerstroke · Jul 20, 2012

Look at John wood site for shafts, get a good tc like a pi stallion to hold up and look around other places for the rebuild kit. They are $500+ through suncoast but they don't actually make them, you can find the same kit for 375ish. Or Google patc transmission their level 4 kit is $1400

TARM · Jul 20, 2012

I agree with BTS John Woods being the best and great warranties. I have a BTS in a crate in my show waiting to go into my Excursion right now. But one thing on the lifetime warranty to remember. After two years you have to pay the shipping and with fuel prices that has gone way up. I am in Va and the shipping each way was $300-$400. So thats still $600-$800 to send it. Sure you are still getting a great thing there is no doubt. I think its great and why I got it but there is still cash out lay. Consider if it was just a few clutch plates that went bad. You now paid $600-$800 to have a $100 in parts replaced for free. For those that can do their own work its not a bad thing to build your own as long as you understand what you are getting into and the +/- of it all. Just my opinion.

DocBar · Jul 20, 2012

TARM said:
I agree with BTS John Woods being the best and great warranties. I have a BTS in a crate in my show waiting to go into my Excursion right now. But one thing on the lifetime warranty to remember. After two years you have to pay the shipping and with fuel prices that has gone way up. I am in Va and the shipping each way was $300-$400. So thats still $600-$800 to send it. Sure you are still getting a great thing there is no doubt. I think its great and why I got it but there is still cash out lay. Consider if it was just a few clutch plates that went bad. You now paid $600-$800 to have a $100 in parts replaced for free. For those that can do their own work its not a bad thing to build your own as long as you understand what you are getting into and the +/- of it all. Just my opinion.

I pretty much agree with your post, but not very many DIY'ers have access to the same quality of parts used by Brian. Another way to look at the points you brought up: would you rather pay shippijng to have the best guy in the biz fix your tranny or would you rather spend ~equal amount of cash+time invested repeatedly fixing the same issues due to inferior quality parts. I'm even assuming an equal level of knowledge and expertise with Brian.

I am biased, though. I also live out of a 5th wheel, job to job, so not having a place to do it properly usually influences my thoughts.

SouthFlstrokin' · Jul 20, 2012

Where is the op located?

Viking · Jul 20, 2012

Also, john and brian tweak parts with welding and machining to get everything into their spec. you cant get that by yourself.

I applaud the DIYers, but I am going with an open and shut case on this one and buy a built one.

TARM · Jul 20, 2012

DocBAr,

I fully agree that is why I said any DIY has to weight the +/-. Can they build a trans that would hold up to 500/1000 I think so certain one from stock up thru the 400s. The great thing par5ts wise that separates the guys like Brian and John is the custom machining and parts they use.

Take for instance I am always going to run a BTS in my top HP truck but any I going to buy 3 more to put behind each of my kids trucks when they start to drive? Ah no not unless my cash flow changes significantly. But it would sure be nice to at the very least have the knowledge to do a BASIC performance build on a trans. Or even just a HD level build. The point for me is I like to be able to do things myself and know I can as then I am making a real conscious choice whether to do it myself or let a pro do it. ME with the knowledge vs say letting a place like AAMCO as far as I am concerned is not even a question unless I was in a real jam.

DIY even with a good upgraded performance parts kit vs JW / BTS is just apples to oranges as far as I am concerned. When I want to know I have the best chance of something not breaking and being the best it can be that is the direction I am going hands down.

DocBar · Jul 20, 2012

TARM said:
DocBAr,

I fully agree that is why I said any DIY has to weight the +/-. Can they build a trans that would hold up to 500/1000 I think so certain one from stock up thru the 400s. The great thing par5ts wise that separates the guys like Brian and John is the custom machining and parts they use.

Take for instance I am always going to run a BTS in my top HP truck but any I going to buy 3 more to put behind each of my kids trucks when they start to drive? Ah no not unless my cash flow changes significantly. But it would sure be nice to at the very least have the knowledge to do a BASIC performance build on a trans. Or even just a HD level build. The point for me is I like to be able to do things myself and know I can as then I am making a real conscious choice whether to do it myself or let a pro do it. ME with the knowledge vs say letting a place like AAMCO as far as I am concerned is not even a question unless I was in a real jam.

DIY even with a good upgraded performance parts kit vs JW / BTS is just apples to oranges as far as I am concerned. When I want to know I have the best chance of something not breaking and being the best it can be that is the direction I am going hands down.

Tarm,
I wasn't trying to argue with you, more like discuss. My thoughts are just about like yours. There are only a handful of people that can build a trans that can handle the torque even slightly modified motors put out. A place like AAMCO can't even begin to.

A few guys on here might be able to build up a trans that will hold 500/1000, but not many. My posts were meant to steer the OP towards spending less down time and cash by doing it right the 1st time ( a BUILT trans) rather than trying to track down the individual parts and piecemeal them together and see how long it lasts. Unless I was very, very experienced at building transmissions, I'd suggest sticking to the basics like adding a VB from the builder of your choice and a proven TC like a PI Stallion.

littleredstroker · Jul 21, 2012

The pi converter. What's it run$ I can't find any pricing

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mattman347 · Jul 21, 2012

Around $1200.

Buffalo444 · Jul 21, 2012

Where in the hell can you get a 4x4 BTS, or hell, even a 2wd, for 4300?

Viking · Jul 21, 2012

Buffalo444 said:
Where in the hell can you get a 4x4 BTS, or hell, even a 2wd, for 4300?

You didn't get that coupon?

Buffalo444 · Jul 21, 2012

Viking said:
You didn't get that coupon?

Nope, or I would have had a BTS in my truck 8 months ago -_-

littleredstroker · Jul 21, 2012

I was told a shift kit and VB do essentially the same thing. Would it be better to have both ot just one of the two

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Cat_rebel · Jul 21, 2012

$4300 + shipping + brand new V10/6.0L cooler + Schaffers fluid + mailing your core back.....

Big investment to make, if you want the most proven E4OD/4R100 with a second to none warranty then call Brian.

However, there are plenty of guys running local builds with the parts the OP listed he wants to purchase into the 500hp+ range daily. Is it a BTS.....no.....does hold power....yes. If you have good parts & a builder that knows how to make them all come together then you should be fine.