Thread: 700r4 WHICH BRAND TO BUY? HELP!

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Just ripped out my engine and trans last weekend. Ready to buy 700r4. Which one? TCI, ART CARR, BOWTIE OVERDRIVES, PHOENIX, ETC. I am concerned that what is supposed to be inside wont be there? Any help or past good or bad experience would be very helpful. Thank you, Phil...

People seem to like these guys.http://www.transmissionhead.com/

I asked the same question a few months back and not to many people buy transmissions. Theres Mad dog transmissions,his e-bay site has like 1 complaint out of hundreds of buys.

.....I use California Performance Transmissions @ 877-278-2277. The shop is owned by Art Carr. Art Carr sold what is now called Art Carr Transmissions in the mid to late '90's. So the Art Carr Transmission shop that is located in Texas is NOT owned by Art Carr. Anyway give 'em a call {their web site isn't all that informative}. I believe they do the transmissions for the show Overhaulin. Art Carr was originally recommeded to me by Kenny Duttieller {the tubo engine builder guy} back in the late 80's. He used to use there transmissions until they had to go to Lenco's do to so much HP. I would & do trust them. I'm using a Turbo 400 that they originally built for me in the 90's & they just re-built for me for my '32... BUT I myself would not use a 700R4 unless in was in a low HP application.... Bill

California Performance Transmissions
877-278-2277
714-901-3777
Huntington Beach, California
cpttransmission.com

There is a guy in Hendersonville NC that builds performance 700R4 trans, warranties them for one year.
$600 with convertor if you have core
$700 with convertor if you don't
Jackson's performance transmissions (828) 685-8850, leave a message and he will call you back.
I am going tomorrow to pick mine up.
Thanks,
Wade

Originally Posted by midnight1957

There is a guy in Hendersonville NC that builds performance 700R4 trans, warranties them for one year.
$600 with convertor if you have core
$700 with convertor if you don't
Jackson's performance transmissions (828) 685-8850, leave a message and he will call you back.
I am going tomorrow to pick mine up.
Thanks,
Wade

That is the same guy I got the TH400 for the Firebird from. I haven't put any miles on it yet 'cause it's still in the build up phase. If you would, let me know how your's works out.

Thanks,
Dutch

I'm facing the same dilema on one of my Camaro's. I've heard so many bad reports about the 700R4's I'm about to sell mine and get a 400 turbo.... Nobody seems to be to sure how well or long they will stand up to 400 horse or above engines......

Originally Posted by Firechicken

That is the same guy I got the TH400 for the Firebird from. I haven't put any miles on it yet 'cause it's still in the build up phase. If you would, let me know how your's works out.

Thanks,
Dutch

I've bought 3 trans from Jackson, and am about to buy a C4 from him. Super great people, with an ebay rating over 2000 / 100% positive. These are my guys when it comes to trannys. They also seem to be somewhat religious, not that you can always bank on that for a straight deal, but they seem to walk the walk. I think if anyone can make one hold up it is them.


Don

Before you buy on-line or order one from Calif. do some asking in your area. Call a few speed shops and talk to them. Ask anybody at a car show who does their trans work. I would MUCH rather buy local to have the support readily available and happily pay a "little" more to have that and not pay shipping.
Just a thought, but I have found it much easier to work with someone local on these things and I guarantee you will find someone who will take care of you.
Mark

While I would normally agree with you about the local thing, I know of nowhere where you can buy a built-to-handle 500 HP 350 turbo for $ 450.00 delivered to your door. Or a built- to- handle 700 hp C6 for $ 550.00 to your door. And this isn't a fly by night company, or they would not have the rating they have on ebay. When 2000 people unanimously say you do a good job, that is pretty solid proof. Plus, I am one of those 2000 people.

So, I will continue to pick up the phone and have my transmissions delivered to my door a few days later by UPS.


Don

The one Don has used looks good and is a deal. Here is the main page for the link I gave,these guys are exspensive but really know whats going on.I have talked to guys that really beat on the trans from here and they hold up.
http://www.transmissioncenter.net/highperflist.htm
I cant imagine the work this website took.

MIKES Transmission in Lancaster CA has a great reputation and ships
world wide. Check out the place.
Ron

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

I've bought 3 trans from Jackson, and am about to buy a C4 from him. Super great people, with an ebay rating over 2000 / 100% positive. These are my guys when it comes to trannys. They also seem to be somewhat religious, not that you can always bank on that for a straight deal, but they seem to walk the walk. I think if anyone can make one hold up it is them.


Don

Thanks Don.

I got the same impression when I did my research and talked with Jackson on the phone. Before talking with him, I actually did a google search on him to see if there were any complaints (because he didn't have any on eBay) about his work. I only found one posting anywhere about his work outside of eBay and after reading it I was even more comfortable buying from him.

That particular posting came from a forum much like ours and wasn't really related to the transmission so much as it was a car that was being built up and had a couple problems. When the guy that owned the car thought that it was the Tranny, he called Jackson up and Jackson told him that he didn't believe it was the tranny but he would ship him another one free of charge just to be sure. He didn't even make the guy return the original before he shipped the new one out. The guy said that he had the new tranny in his shop before the old one had been put back in the crate to ship back. He installed the new one and found that it indeed wasn't the tranny causing the problem. So he ended up shipping the new tranny back to Jackson. The problem turned out to be in the rear end if I remember correctly. Anyway, the point is that he does seem like a pretty fair guy who is willing to stand behind his work.

I think I gave $875.00 for my TH400 and it included a 2400 rpm stall convertor, race sprag and a few other goodies and came with a 2 year warranty to boot. I didn't think the price was too bad for what I got and was pretty sure based on what I had read, could count on the service if it wasn't right.

Cheers,
Dutch

I have only had one very minor hiccup with Jackson, and it was my fault. I paid them up front for shipping and was supposed to wait to pay the truck line. So, I paid the trucker too, and then called Jackson. He refunded my shipping money that day into my Paypal account.

Like I said, they are building me one more right now, and it won't be my last either.


Oh, sort of a funny story. First trans I bought from them was a C6. UPS shows up with it in this wooden crate. I put it into my truck and head for the shop. My truck has one of those webbing tailgates. At a redlight I forget it is there and decide to play games with some car next to me at the light. The crate slides back and goes right thru the webbing and ends up upside down in the middle of the intersection. Some guy helps me put it back into my truck, and when I opened the crate the trans is in perfect condition. They package them that well.

Don

The 700r4 can handle way above the 400hp mark ,but it will be very expensive.