Flint/Lansing/Detroit TH400 Trans builder?

[astroracer]

Any recommendations? I am looking for a Th400 to put behind a 509 BBC in my Bad Ast Project. I am putting out some feelers for a good trans builder in my area.
Thanks
Mark

[thisisthewayilive]

i know a guy in bay city that's the best imho but that's a bit of a hike for ya and i'm not real sure how backed up he is

[birdie2000]

Rich @ Detroit Gearbox in Warren is a great choice, really knows his stuff, very professional, and easy to work with. Builds a lot of transmissions for the professional monster trucks from what I understand.

2nd choice, Joel @ Joel's on Joy (who is now in South Lyon to my understanding). He's not the most personable guy around... lol, but builds a great trans and was very reasonably priced when he rebuilt my trans. Tons of local racers use him.

Used both of them and you can't really go wrong with either. Both guys are very honest and build a great trans.

[farmington]

Joel did the trans in my Camaro last year. No problems. Back when I was into Mopars he was the "go to" guy for transmissions.

[astroracer]

i know a guy in bay city that's the best imho but that's a bit of a hike for ya and i'm not real sure how backed up he is

Thanks! Bay City isn't a problem. I worked with Pat McCarthy in Kawkawlin building the 9 inch for the van. Give me a name and number, I appreciate it. I will give Pat a call also. If anybody knows a good trans guy, he will.
I will contact the other guys also. Thanks!
Does anyone have anything to say about Chuck at CTs Transmission? He was recommended by a co-worker. I talked to him and he was just under 1200 for a TH400 with converter. Seemed kinda high to me but you know what they say...
Thanks again guys.
Mark

[Boost Addict]

i know a guy in bay city that's the best imho but that's a bit of a hike for ya and i'm not real sure how backed up he is

Who is this that you speak of?

[bri2203]

Thanks! Bay City isn't a problem. I worked with Pat McCarthy in Kawkawlin building the 9 inch for the van. Give me a name and number, I appreciate it. I will give Pat a call also. If anybody knows a good trans guy, he will.
I will contact the other guys also. Thanks!
Does anyone have anything to say about Chuck at CTs Transmission? He was recommended by a co-worker. I talked to him and he was just under 1200 for a TH400 with converter. Seemed kinda high to me but you know what they say...
Thanks again guys.
Mark

That does seem high. A stock Th400 will take alot of abuse.
If you havn't decided on a guy I have a guy I highly recommend. I will mention it to him tomorrow.

[kammi10]

Thanks! Bay City isn't a problem. I worked with Pat McCarthy in Kawkawlin building the 9 inch for the van. Give me a name and number, I appreciate it. I will give Pat a call also. If anybody knows a good trans guy, he will.
I will contact the other guys also. Thanks!
Does anyone have anything to say about Chuck at CTs Transmission? He was recommended by a co-worker. I talked to him and he was just under 1200 for a TH400 with converter. Seemed kinda high to me but you know what they say...
Thanks again guys.
Mark

1200 for a built trans with a converter is actually super cheap. i have 1000 into mine without a converter. i guess depending on what converter he is buying its not to far off. however i know my new one is 800 bucks so that puts me well over 1200..

[birdie2000]

1200 for a built trans with a converter is actually super cheap. i have 1000 into mine without a converter. i guess depending on what converter he is buying its not to far off. however i know my new one is 800 bucks so that puts me well over 1200..

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. A basic refresh of a TH400 from Joel was $500 + another $100 for bellhousing indexing, and that was just a refresh of an already-built trans. That was probably 6-7 years ago and at the time he was the cheapest BY FAR of anyone reputable and local that I called. A decent converter is going to be $300-600 from most reputable companies as well, if not more for something fancy. If it's a good quality build, $1200 is average/cheap IMO.

[SS4Matt]

I have $1200 just in a converter and valve body by itself! let alone all the machining that went into my 350 for more clutches to be packed in it. Then My shifter was another few hundred as well. $1200 for everything isn't too far out there......