Tranny...Rebuild or buy a new one?

[ridin_on_rails]

After 180,000+ miles my tranny is finally going in my '89 chevy. I'm getting a nice slip from 1st to 2nd. I'd kinda like to just rebuild it, slip in a new shift kit, and a billet servo and be done. But on the other hand a nice B&M tranny with a lower geared 1st and 2nd could be sweet (I've got my eye on one that Summit carries). Does anyone know what kind of options I have with just rebuilding my tranny? Thanks.

[James B.]

I don't know what you mean by a lower first and second gear. There are no different gears available for a 700R4/4L60. (There are for a 4L80 and TH400)

You would not want a lower gear in a 60 anyway - as it is it has a wider gear ratio range than any other 4-speed auto trans. First and second are already way too far apart. (This was done for economy)

As for the rebuild, it depends on what you want to spend, what you want to end up with, and how long you can be without your truck.

If you order a complete transmission you can be done with it in half-a-weekend. If you can wait, for less money you can get it built mean enough to handle 600HP.

Choices...

[ridin_on_rails]

I'm not worried about being without my truck. I'm with in 2 miles of work and have a few friends that can give me rides if needed. I really want a mean street/strip tranny, but I doubt I'll have an engine that ever produces over 350 horses. Longevity is an issue. I'd like to get 150,000+ miles out of my next transmission too. I guess I'm thinking of just getting a mild rebuild, but I just wondered what kind of options do I have? And while money is technically an issue I'm always willing to spend a little more now vs. having to redo something later or have that I wish I would have kinda thing hanging over my head.

Also, with my little a$$ 305, I have no need to get a higher stall torque converter right? Or could it benifit down the road if I went ahead and got something like a 1500 stall torque converter?

[ridin_on_rails]

Well...well. Come to find out I don't need no stinking tranny rebuild. All this time it's been my dilfering jet chip. And I thought my tranny wasn't computer controled. My truck is running damn good after some $530 in repairs (superchip, throttle position sensor, oil pressure sending unit, oil change).