new transmission, torque converter questions

J

JackDonkey

Registered
Hi all, I'm pretty close to forking over the 1795 + 300 core charge for a reinhardt transmission. Just a couple questions:

I don't really plan on getting too crazy on the horsepower or anything anytime soon is there an alternative transmission that I can get that would have the "shift kit" and stuff like that and be good enough for my moderate horsepower needs?

Also should I go ahead and replace the torque converter? I'm not really sure what the shudder is people speak of so logic would make me think that my torque converter hasn't shuddered. Where should I get the torque converter?

I have 120,000 miles on a 94, I need it for at least one more winter so I don't think I'll want to go with a high stall converter or I'd never get out of my driveway.
 
RE: new transmission, torque converter questions

The Rienhart transmission, better known as the Jerry tranny, has a modified valve body which is the equivalent of installing a shift kit. It's also got a host of other upgrades that make it second to none. Depending on where you live, you might want to go with a local vendor. Many places sell the Jerry tranny - and shipping is $150. If I had to do it all over again, I would have bought it from LMS West, have them install it, and save the $150.
 
RE: new transmission, torque converter questions

Seeing as how your from MN, there is a local guy that is really into the MN12/FN10 community. He's rebuilt a few transmissions, one of which is backing up his '96 Thunderbird that is putting ~460hp to the wheels, another which is behind a ~300hp blown V6 (no, not a t-bird SC). If you want, let me know and I can get you his contact info.
 
RE: new transmission, torque converter questions

yeah that would be great to find a local guy. I got time too, I've been driving my motorcycle all summer, I just need to get the transmission done before october or so :)

I planned on doing the replacement myself, so if that guy would be cool with me dropping off my transmission at his place or something and giving him a while to work on it that would be great.
 
RE: new transmission, torque converter questions

Find a used, low miles, '98 up tranny. The only major internal differences in the "jerry spec" tranny are some extra clutches for crazy horsepower and a mechanical diode one way clutch. The '98 up trannies have the mechanical diode one way clutch from the factory, as well as all the accumulator/spring upgrades. Start calling junkyards or hit up www.carpart.com. If you can do the work yourself you can have it fixed for under $500. You will have to move a couple of pins around on the tranny connector, but other than that it's plug and play.
 
RE: new transmission, torque converter questions

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
Find a used, low miles, '98 up tranny. The only major internal differences in the "jerry spec" tranny are some extra clutches for crazy horsepower and a mechanical diode one way clutch. The '98 up trannies have the mechanical diode one way clutch from the factory, as well as all the accumulator/spring upgrades. Start calling junkyards or hit up www.carpart.com. If you can do the work yourself you can have it fixed for under $500. You will have to move a couple of pins around on the tranny connector, but other than that it's plug and play.
[/div]

Don't the Jerry tranny's also have a modified valve body for firmer shifting? I know my car was shifting a lot harder when the tranny went in.
 
RE: new transmission, torque converter questions

Probably, but that's not something you have to buy a tranny for. Just drill out the holes in the valve body per the specs on the tccoa website. no need to drop $1700+ on a tranny just for firmer shifts. Now, if you plan on doing some serious mods, and making some serious horsepower, dennis' tranny would be a good buy.
 
RE: new transmission, torque converter questions

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
Seeing as how your from MN, there is a local guy that is really into the MN12/FN10 community. He's rebuilt a few transmissions, one of which is backing up his '96 Thunderbird that is putting ~460hp to the wheels, another which is behind a ~300hp blown V6 (no, not a t-bird SC). If you want, let me know and I can get you his contact info.
[/div]

Im also in minnesota and would like to talk to that local guy about my transmission. my cell # is 6512145313 if u ever want to meet up or cruise because i know 3 other mark 8 guys that would love to do the same.
 
RE: new transmission, torque converter questions

Sounds like Dennis had supplier problems, but it seems that he at least took care of his customers.

Compared to some vendors, that's pretty good. I've heard plenty of horror stories about people dropping off a car and a check, and having to pick their car up with a tow truck many months later.

Still though, i say go with a newer (98-up) low miles tranny.
 
RE: new transmission, torque converter questions

SCCOAPERFORMACE.COM has some tranny, have good deal last i look w/ a free tq conveter
 
RE: new transmission, torque converter questions

[div class="dcquote"][strong]Quote[/strong]
Sounds like Dennis had supplier problems, but it seems that he at least took care of his customers. Compared to some vendors, that's pretty good. I've heard plenty of horror stories about people dropping off a car and a check, and having to pick their car up with a tow truck many months later.Still though, i say go with a newer (98-up) low miles tranny.
[/div]

Except in my case, where he took the side of the installer (JBA Racing) even after the tranny builder found out that the tranny was faulty.
 
RE: new transmission, torque converter questions

I was going to reply to this earlier, logres, but i tend to hold my tongue when i'm sober.

I read your review before i unqueued it. Basically, you're review said that you were pissed at JBA, Lonnie and Dennis. But if you read deeper, Dennis did what he promised, even if you didn't like his demeanor. Dennis' ability in dealing with customers has been a relatively common complaint, but he did replace your tranny, which is all that can really be expected of a vendor. And judging by his replies (i have not dealt with him, so i cannot speak from experience, only from reading forums) he has taken steps to resolve the issue. As far as JBA is concerned, i'm not going to say anything, because my knowledge of their actual existance is limited to your post. And as far as Lonnie being the liason between the two, read my posts on modular depot in the mark 8 forum in the cobra intake topic. Even if dennis was an ####, he stood behind his product as much as can be expected. I understand that a lot of money came out of your pocket in dealing with your situation, but try to look at it a little more objectively before getting too pissed off.
 
Response from American Transmission

Response from American Transmission

Hey everyone, I just called Dennis' tranny supplier, American Transmission, and here's what they said about the fraudulant work coming out of there.

They said that they had a mechanic who was cutting corners on the rebuilds and not building the trannys up to spec. They say they have since fired this person and are working to rectify the situation. The person I spoke to was the same person I worked with when the first tranny they sent me was faulty. He seems like a pretty good guy. Anyway, he said that my two trannys were the first couple of trannys that they were building to that spec. I'm not sure what I can deduce from this, but I can say that my tranny is over two years old and still running well. From the link to the modular post, I read that that guys tranny was 17 months old, much younger than mine. Again, not sure what to think at this point. The guy at American told me to call next week, when his boss is back in the office. They say they can track the history of my tranny via a tranny ID number that is stamped on the housing. We'll see what happens. I do know that I am going to save my tranny paperwork for the next 20 years or so. The first thing that goes wrong, it will get an inspection from my tranny guy. If he finds something "not as advertised"...well, we'll go from there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top