Best Tranny Buy?

greggbzz · #1 03-12-2008, 10:24 AM

So,

I have close to 2,000 saved up (been hard with energy bills this winter). What are my options for replacing a blown tranny?

I'd like to get the most bang for my buck. I'm open doing work, but am no expert mechanic. I do have a garage and all the time in the world, but no lift. I don't care if the operation takes 3 weekends. I can buy 4 sturdy Jack stands. Also, the car is drivable now, just not in 2nd or 4th.

I drive around town mostly with the occasional long highway trip. I am interested in a 4.44, but will swap in a stock also, if that will be cheaper and/or easier.

TomsSVX · #2 03-12-2008, 10:57 AM

4.44 ftw

Tom

Mike621 · #3 03-12-2008, 11:00 AM

I would go with a 4.44 imo.

greggbzz · #4 03-12-2008, 11:19 AM

Anyone ever done it with 4 Jackstands?

How much clearance would I need to wrangle them in and out?

Mike621 · #5 03-12-2008, 11:27 AM

I would think you would need the car to be at least 24 inches off of the ground. It has been done with jackstands many times.

TomsSVX · #6 03-12-2008, 11:29 AM

before we got our new shop, I did everything on Jackstands... Granted they were 6 ton jackstands that got pretty high

Its def possible... Get in touch with svxfiles about a trans and a rear diff, he has great sources and gets them for good prices

Tom

Tim · #7 03-12-2008, 12:10 PM

I may have mine for sale in a few weeks depending on when I get my tax return back to start my 5 speed swap.

Hocrest · #8 03-12-2008, 06:53 PM

Harbor Freight just had the 6 ton stands on sale. You'll want at least one pair of those, the rear doesn't have to be as high, but it wouldn't hurt to have all four 6 tons.

Let me know when you're going to be doing this, not sure if I can commit to help for the whole job, but I've done enough of these and can probably help out sometime.

Harry's in Hazelton may have the tranny and rear diff you need?? I'd also be willing to help you out there if you need.

I think you have my cell, if not send me a PM.

lhopp77 · #9 03-13-2008, 08:43 AM

Unless light to light speed is extremely important with you, I would check out LAN's stock built tranny or if you have the money--the LEVELTEN tranny. Of course the Level10 is a bit pricey.

Lee

dcarrb · #10 03-13-2008, 10:03 AM

If you have almost $2000 to spend and plan to keep the car, seems it would make sense to go for a stock rebuild with some sort of warranty, rather than take your chances on salvage. Has anybody checked availability and price with an aftermarket outfit such as Jasper Automotive?

Didn't I see in some thread recently that a Subaru reman can be had for something like $1600 plus core?

dcb

greggbzz · #11 03-13-2008, 10:27 AM

I need tires soon also. I had thought, wait on that until after I do the tranny locally but... I'm strongly leaning towards driving down to the old Tom's for the 4.44 conversion.

If I drive it 250 miles, tires can't wait, so that's 400+ of my savings.
bloody roofing nail. Right in the sidewall, plugged it up last summer but I don't really want to go 65 for 4 hours on a tire plug and a weak tranny.

greggbzz · #12 03-13-2008, 10:32 AM

Dude, I could by a 50" plasma HDTV for my hard earned money..
Or, a nice used motorcycle. Or 3 nights out in NYC.

My brother thinks I'm crazy..

rvnmaniac · #13 03-13-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greggbzz

Dude, I could by a 50" plasma HDTV for my hard earned money..
Or, a nice used motorcycle. Or 3 nights out in NYC.

My brother thinks I'm crazy..

Check with OT for sure he just put a low mileage 4.44 in my SVX this week...

Mike621 · #14 03-13-2008, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greggbzz

I need tires soon also. I had thought, wait on that until after I do the tranny locally but... I'm strongly leaning towards driving down to the old Tom's for the 4.44 conversion.

If I drive it 250 miles, tires can't wait, so that's 400+ of my savings.
bloody roofing nail. Right in the sidewall, plugged it up last summer but I don't really want to go 65 for 4 hours on a tire plug and a weak tranny.

You should have seen the cars we took back from Mass. to NJ!

We towed home two, one being with a dead trans, the other which was leaking fuel. The two others that we drove... hmm...
One had a bent wheel and a really bad alignment issue and the other's gauge lights stopped working mid-trip and the rear diff was moaning and the waterpump was leaking slowly.

greggbzz · #15 03-13-2008, 11:04 AM

Just in case, what's the top speed, redlined in 1st?