For that price you can get a race built trans from intense racing or ZZ performance.

Interesting idea, any other options for replacing the trans?

The trans is really not my strong point. billboost has far more knowledge in this area.

Man that'* some serious jack for a rebuild. I hops that'* not what it is.

I have a Sebring and it has a computer controlled trans and I lost OD. I took it to a shop to diagnose it and just rubs some greasy hands together and says it needs rebuilt, cost ya round 2 grand unless it needs special parts. The beginning of the classic screwing- Went to another guy, says I know exactly what it is, cost ya 75 bucks- He replaced the TCM (trans control mod) with a used one (1 yr warranty) and walla!

the SSEi is supposed to have a heavy duty version of whatever they use. What makes it HD?

Just a little research has found a couple of replacment options for around 700. I saw a used one on ebay and a remanufactured trans on ebay. Not sure if I would buy one on ebay but it is much less then what the shop is saying. Of course the tough part there is removing the trans or finding someone who will remove it and put a rebuilt one on.

Anyone know what a garage would typcially charge to drop a trans and put one back on?
How difficult is it to do your self?

I picked up a extra trans last year for $100. Keep if for spare parts. Changing a trans isn't that hard if you have a shop and tools. You support the engine on top, jack car up high. Unbolt engine from trans, Unbolt sub frame and lower. Yes, there are many other things involved but that'* the high lights.

I'd check tripleedgeperformance.com, Dave Norris is a premier builder with many years of experience and he backs that up with great service levels. He is the builder of all Intense-Racing transmissions these days.

Car-part.com is another good source for good pricing. A local place to me sells transmissions for as little as $300 with a 6 month unlimited mileage warranty on the parts they sell.

If you rebuild, you want all the updates to the valve body. On the Triple Edge Performance website you can find lots of info about what and why failures occur. In placing a call or two out to Dave, I've learned a lot about wanting the valve body fully updated as well as the 4th clutch hub replaced with a hardened one and EPC soleniod etc.

I don't think my garage is set up enough to do a transmission. Floor jack, jack stands, tools and a compressor... For the price I would like to do it and get a nice transmission but seems a little beyond what I would like to do.

I did look at the web site for tripleedgeperformance. They have my exact problem:

"Neutrals at stops, Shudders on take off: One of the most common problems I have found after the milege gets over roughly 60K miles. The scenario.... You are driving in traffic for a while OR your car has sat for a while and is a cold startup. You put the car in Drive range and it wont move, or if driving you come up to a stop light and in heavy traffic and the light turns green and SUPRISE!!! You are holding up traffic with a car that wont go anywhere. The most common cause of this problem is a worn out inner surface of the Input clutch piston. I will post pics soon so you can better understand why it IS a real problem. Once the inner sealing area wears it can prevent the inner lip seal for the piston from sealing properly. You may find that revving th engine up will finally get the car to move and it will BANG into gear. This is because the pump in the transmission is working harder and moving more fluid thus allowing the added fluid to overcome the leak which prevented the clutch from either initially applying or staying applied."

Bottom line, I still need to rebuild or replace according to Triple Edge and other mechanics I talked to.

Most of these replacements look like they push up the cost close to the same as a rebuild, so I will probably take what is the most convienent and the easiest warranty to maintain. Looks like the bonnie is good for another 10 years.....

Just a quick note, I worked with Ron at a local independant shop called TransTech and was able to get everything fixed and upgraded my trans with the good stuff such as a shift kit and Sonnex valve body. I would recommend them if your in the local area.

Just love the shift kit, nice crisp shifts.....