I didn't say $20 on a thinner top plate was a waste. I have bought them myself. I don't appreciate when people put words in my mouth. I responded to having the plate machined. A machine shop I know would charge a lot more than $20 to do that process. I'm responding on this thread to guide folks who want the best out of their trans for the least amount of expense; most bang for their buck. I recommended against $140 for that rebuild kit because it included thick frictions; for one reason. Now you'll have five frictions; that's great, but I think most builders wouldn't want to spend near that much money to get there. Anybody can put five frictions in a stock drum. Five red eagles, stock steels, and usually a stock top plate; or the $20 one, and that takes care of the weakest point on the 727. That direct drum mod and a shift kit and it's good for 500 horse easy. I just don't want folks thinking that they have to spend a ton of cash to do it right. Did you measure the direct clutch clearance from the top of the wave?
