Opinion Needed: J mod or Level 2 Trans

[RedMerc04]

Hey guys,
I soon will finally be modifying my tranny. I know for sure that I want a PI converter (3500) but I am on a fairly limited budget because I am going to have to pay my tuition bill for college in the near future. Anyway, I have about 1600 bucks to play with. I like the Idea of the level 2 package but will my tranny hold up well enough with a J-mod, Art Carr pan, and an extra cooler? This is my only car and I really cant afford to have anything go wrong. Also what kind of differences will i see in installation costs? Im really dying to have this done.
Thanks much,
Matt

[fastcar]

I hear people talking about these levels all the time. Whose packages are they? Reinhart's site has no delineation between levels, etc. Only random parts for sale. WHAT LEVEL?

I'm not sure what level 1 is, but I hear the stall converter is REALLY worth it. In fact, based on what I am reading, it may be the most effective mod you can do, save for nitrous or a supercharge. Some report a full half second or more improvement. I believe if you put a cooler on it, you will have no trouble at all.

Fastcar

[sailsmen]

What are your plans for RWHP?

The stock soft shifts put a load on the trans.

[magindat]

If your gonna have the trans out for the TC, got with an art car level 2. It includes the J mod. Call DR and talk with him. He may do a core swap with you or some such thing which just might fit into your budget pending on the R&R costs.

I did the 3K TC and the level 2 with a finned pan. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. It would be my first mod if I ever bought another MM.

I think, if you call DR, and set things up well and have relatively inexpensive local R&R you could get it done for close to your budget. Definately call Dennis. He's got this tranny thing down to a science.

[ckadiddle]

....................... but I am on a fairly limited budget because I am going to have to pay my tuition bill for college in the near future. .............................. ......... This is my only car and I really cant afford to have anything go wrong...........

Dude, it really hurts me to say it, but if that is true, put the 1600 into a bank, please. Things are going to go wrong with your MM and you will need the cash for repairs.

School is much more important than car mods.

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Did I say that out loud?????????

Seriously. It has taken me a lot of years of experience to compensate for not having a piece of paper salary-wise.

[sailsmen]

There are more grants/scholarships/loans available then ever before.

No employer or customer has ever asked me my education past my first job.

I do tell them though.

School is a important, a car is not.

[magindat]

You guys are right, but....

Our man here has a budget. It appears to be a carefully thought budget. His goal (like mine) is to bullet-proof the car and avoid a 'surprise' repair.

I was in a similar situation with the MM as my only car and I am a single father and NEED transportation. So, I spent my money on things like rear cooling mod, Level II tranny, driveshaft, etc. I DID have some 'play money' and did other mods as well, but the idea and spirit (even on the dyno) was to make the car reliable AND fun with the emphasis on reliable.

I agree, school should come first, however, I didn't 'live a little' while in school and burnt out at the end of my junior year. It took me over a decade to do what I could have done in one more year.

So, I say live a little, but be conservative and don't leave yourself 'up a creek' financially or with lack of transpo.

If it's been thought out (and it appears it has), let's be supportive!

And I still think you should be on the phone with DR!

[RedMerc04]

The 1600 I have set aside is basically just extra beer money so Im probably better off throwing it into the car anyway. I wanted to do this mod last year but couldnt because I had to pay for school so I held off until now. Im currently working 2 jobs and if I absolutely need to have emergency repairs done I can probably still swing it. I am going to community college so I live home and am still able to work. Im just itching to have this done but the last thing i want is to rush into it and have it done half assed due to lack of funds... Also, I feel good about bulletproofing things because it adds some justification for performing modifications other than just for kicks. Ill probably give dennis a call when i get the chance, probably sometime next week... I am probably going to ask for a tune too to help this monster have some decent road manners..
Thanks again,
Matt

[glassman99]

Once ya start modding, it is like a boat. Don't mod until you can afford it. SAVE the money and finish school. There will always be opportunities for fast cars.