How much to rebuild my automatic trans??

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Jarred.73dart

Jarred.73dart

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Huntington Beach
Hey everyone,

Well I’ve been saving my pennies and am now ready to start looking for a good shop to rebuild the transmission. Before I start getting quotes from some shops I got a few questions for you fellas. This is my first project car so I want to make sure I do it right. I got a 73 dart swinger with a 318, not sure if I have a 904 or 727 in the car but it needs a rebuild bad. I will beef up the engine a bit but nothing too big, I want to get it up to about 300hp (nothing scary just perfect for cruising). My question is how much will I be looking at for a rebuild and also will I need to replace the torque converter for a higher idle stall or will my stock one be able to handle roughly 300hp? Also does anyone know of a good shop here in Huntington Beach California area?
Thanks!
 
2k or under. Depends if they are removing it or not. Go off of your cam recommendation for converter when you beef up the motor.
 
I had mine done here in phx for 1000$ with shift kit. I would think anything more than 1200$ would be a scam.

Jake
Jarred.73dart said:
Hey everyone,

Well I’ve been saving my pennies and am now ready to start looking for a good shop to rebuild the transmission. Before I start getting quotes from some shops I got a few questions for you fellas. This is my first project car so I want to make sure I do it right. I got a 73 dart swinger with a 318, not sure if I have a 904 or 727 in the car but it needs a rebuild bad. I will beef up the engine a bit but nothing too big, I want to get it up to about 300hp (nothing scary just perfect for cruising). My question is how much will I be looking at for a rebuild and also will I need to replace the torque converter for a higher idle stall or will my stock one be able to handle roughly 300hp? Also does anyone know of a good shop here in Huntington Beach California area?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
 
That was with a new converter as well. Nothing special, just a stock replacement.

Jake
Jarred.73dart said:
Thanks Jake! Did you replace you’re torque converter at all or did they just reseal it for you?
Click to expand...
 
If you have the ability you'll save a lot of money removing and putting the trans.back in yourself(with help of coarse) I took mine to a friend who is quite experienced with mopar transmissions gave him all the parts I wanted installed, cost me $500.00 with him assembling it (with his clutches and bands) money well spent(seeing as I have never rebuilt one) got 6 seasons on it now,not 1 issue to speak of
 
I'm sure it's a 904 unless someone changed it. Look at the pan and compare this picture is the quickest way to tell. I would think a good rebuild with a converter would be just about a grand. Maybe a touch more if you need any hard parts. Plus what type converter you use. Just make sure you match your converter stall with what camshaft you pick.

727904gasket.jpg
 
My trans guy charges me $400 for a bench rebuild, he won’t take em out, he has a day job. I always just buy my own converter
 
Depending on what you need for work, the transmission rebuild itself should be around $8-900 witht he stock parts and convertor. If you need it removed and installed, add another $3-400. That would be my guess anyway.
 
My buddy who owns a trans shop, quoted me for a stock 904 rebuild with a new converter $800, that is a bench build.
 
If you think you can do one as a business owner for 1000 or less, you're delusional. You seen the cost of a GOOD banner kit lately? Give the transmission shop their 15-20% markup and add labor and a good converter. Yeah. 1200 or more all day long. And some of yall call honest transmission shops a scam? Yall wouldn't know how to run a business out of a wet paper bag.
 
RustyRatRod said:
If you think you can do one as a business owner for 1000 or less, you're delusional. You seen the cost of a GOOD banner kit lately? Give the transmission shop their 15-20% markup and add labor and a good converter. Yeah. 1200 or more all day long. And some of yall call honest transmission shops a scam? Yall wouldn't know how to run a business out of a wet paper bag.
Click to expand...

Who would want to run a business out of a wet paper bag??
 
A mold company? I'm drying a basement and my shop & garage after a flood incident. Seems a good mold or mildew business.

I do agree with RRR though. You won't say it's way overpriced when the shops close because people refuse to pay them for their work and expenses, and (gasp) some money to live on. The last shop I worked at had a decent labor rate, but held parts markup to 5% because anybody could buy anything from anyone and there was always an argument. So things like salary, benefits, and shop equipment suffered. The fact that one doesn't have the money to do it, does not make costs unreasonable.
 
My long time trans guy just up and closed last year. He had a few employees a couple years ago, but let em all go and was just doing them by himself! He just got tired of it, and I’m sure Rusty’s post content had some play in it. The combination of rising everything, doing all of the work himself, and whiny customers cannot be denied!
 
JEGS Performance Products 603421: A-727 Performance Transmission for 1967-1979 Big Block Chrysler 383-440 | JEGS
We're not talking about a computer controller transmission that take 8 hours to get out of the car. Hell I could have that transmission out in 45 mins easy. Just a stock rebuild. If he was closer I'd do it at my shop for a grand. Now if he what's better hard parts, 9" holeshot converter, kevlar bands, ect... It's gonna cost more. I long for the days of these transmission cause let me tell you the new ones suck BIG time!
 
I recently had mine done. I removed and installed it. The 904 rebuild w/converter was $900.
 
Shop owners also have to cover the warranties when a trans comes back because the TV rod fell off, and the customer won't fess-up. Or didn't install the right oil ,or enough of it, before blasting off.
 
Years ago, I had a customer, that had a comment for me. I quoted 1 hour to do a job, simple one. Wound up only taking about 15 minutes. I sorta felt bad charging the 1 hour labor. Customer said " young man, I'm not paying you for what you did, I'm paying you for what you know", and paid me the 1 hour.
If you have the knowledge, and tools to do the job, do it and save some money. Otherwise pay for the persons knowledge.
 
Prices are weird.

I went to a car shop a friend used to work at which will remain anon when I first got my dart.

I needed new intake gaskets put on and had the gaskets. I asked how much they would charge and they told me the hourly rate.

I said that sounded fine and asked how long they thought it would take and they didnt know. Told me their books didnt go back that far and they would have to call some union in another state to find out what to charge????

I said screw it and went to another guy i know and he replaced those gaskets and a bunch more that came in the gasket kit for 60$ which was less than the hourly rate quoted at the other shop.

If you dont like a quote askings free so shop around imo.
 
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