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mgmsleeper
08-09-2009, 09:21 AM
i know this may be too broad of a question, or maybe not.
but anyone in FL had a TC installed for under $300 labor? if so what were your labor charges?? im trying to see if i should stick to DR which is probably in the $300 range or if there is another successful route. also the 31stall TC would run $700+ from what Ive seen online ....anyone getting deals on them?
Glenn
08-09-2009, 09:31 AM
You have to consider one major issue - will it be done right by an experienced mechanic who is very familar with MM and our trans. DR will do it right.

Glenn :burnout:
babbage
08-09-2009, 09:59 AM
+1 there is a LOT involved. If you get a shop that doesn't know what they are doing - like not seating the converter properly - you will probably loose the converter AND your transmission. Then you have to get a new: converter, transmission, transmission cooler AND pay labor AGAIN. Yes this has happened to quite a few.

I'd pay DR to do it even if it was $600 - don't be foolish. Order it from DR and install from him, then if you have a problem he can cover your warranty with no finger pointing.
james1986fox
08-09-2009, 10:06 AM
I tryed to go at the job myself but stopped half way through and towed it to a local mechanic shop and they finished up the job and everything worked out great. Also it was a 3100 stall PI tc from dr that I bought off of another member. Good luck with everything.
mgmsleeper
08-09-2009, 11:26 AM
You have to consider one major issue - will it be done right by an experienced mechanic who is very familar with MM and our trans. DR will do it right.

Glenn :burnout:

yes i do know he will do it right, i was just asking for options i never doubt DR's work
mgmsleeper
08-09-2009, 11:28 AM
DR it'll be
Fourth Horseman
08-09-2009, 01:10 PM
My only regret in buying my parts from DR is that I don't live near Florida to have him install the stuff for me. :D
mgmsleeper
08-09-2009, 01:26 PM
My only regret in buying my parts from DR is that I don't live near Florida to have him install the stuff for me. :D

lol take the trip, ive seen plenty out of state MM's at the shop. DR shop gets an A+ from me any day
ImpalaSlayer
08-09-2009, 01:50 PM
do it yourself with some friends, its easy. remove cat pipes, remove DS remove cross meber then trans. then reinstall. not very hard
mgmsleeper
08-09-2009, 02:31 PM
do it yourself with some friends, its easy. remove cat pipes, remove DS remove cross meber then trans. then reinstall. not very hard

i thought about it but then if i "F" it up then im stuck scratching my head. so i'd rather let someone do it right the first time
twin03
08-09-2009, 02:39 PM
do it yourself with some friends, its easy. remove cat pipes, remove DS remove cross meber then trans. then reinstall not very hard ImpalaSlayer, you were on the phone three or four time with Zack, making sure that you it installed right. Its not hard. Nothing to fear but fear it self...
ImpalaSlayer
08-09-2009, 04:04 PM
ImpalaSlayer, you were on the phone three or four time with Zack, making sure that you it installed right. Its not hard. Nothing to fear but fear it self...


yes but it is still very easy. the only really "hard" part is that the trans weighs 089798687586 pounds
justbob
08-09-2009, 05:37 PM
Fitting the TC to the trans is not as hard as most make it out to be. Turn and insert, not a biggy. Like dave said, its just the lifting the trans in and out that sucks. However, if you get the car up high enough and have a transjack at your disposal, then you don't need to lower it down. Just roll the jack back a little and slide the TC off.
fastblackmerc
08-09-2009, 05:41 PM
I've heard that you might have to use a BFH to get the PI converter to seat in the pump due to very tight tolerances on the input shaft (I think).
ImpalaSlayer
08-09-2009, 07:48 PM
I've heard that you might have to use a BFH to get the PI converter to seat in the pump due to very tight tolerances on the input shaft (I think).


mine went on ezpz. you need the BFH for the cross member if its never been out
mgmsleeper
08-10-2009, 03:18 AM
...and i have no trans jack
Stranger in the Black Sedan
08-10-2009, 05:52 AM
Any trans shop will get the converter in right. I don't know how people ever mess it up doing DIY installs. Any car with a lock up converter installs the same way. It will go clunk in, clunk in one more time, when you turn the converter, supporting its weight so its not hanging and binding and pressing inwards, to engage the splines for the lockup clutch, and the pump tangs.

Suffice it to say the converter needs to be far enough into the pump that there is a gap between the converter lugs and the flywheel when you bolt the trans up to the block, such that you need to slide the converter up to meet the flywheel w/ your hands. If there is no gap when you start bolting the trans up, between the converter lugs and the flywheel, stop, the converter is not seated.