4R100 Tranny Upgrade..Best bang for the buck?

[howardtm]

Yep..it's me again, with part 2. This beastie of mine, (an 03 E550, 13350 empty weight, pics posted in my "garage") is about to get some upgrades as soon as money becomes available. My Second upgrade potential referrs to the tranny. On RARE occassions, I will max her out weight wise @ 19,000 pounds but usually, I will only hit at most, 16-17,000. Mind you I don't drive like a maniac, don't try for 80 MPH down the freeway, not looking to blow away some moron in a Nissan. However, it is my understanding that the stock tranny really isn't that "stout", especially since one of the first mods I plan on doing is a 3 pos chip from Jody @ DP Tuner, (possibly 40/60 tow and 80 econ) along with a 4" exhaust system, which I've got to find someone who can fabricate one for me, and a better intake system.. which again, I'll have to design and fabricate myself. I understand that my best bet is a new, beefier TC and perhaps a different valve body and shift kit. The tranny itself still shifts quite well, and doesn't seem to slip. Temp guage ready a steady 180-195 pulling a load up long grades so I don't think theres any internal problems...yet, HOWEVER...I'm fully aware of both Murphy's Law and that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". This Beastie is how I earn a living, and it'd really suck to have my tranny laying on the road 150' behind where she coasts to a stop because I didn't "think" I needed that part upgraded..
Any and all recommendations as to what to upgrade, where to get them and the approximate costs will be accepted.
Thanks guys.

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

Originally Posted by howardtm

Yep..it's me again, with part 2. This beastie of mine, (an 03 E550, 13350 empty weight, pics posted in my "garage") is about to get some upgrades as soon as money becomes available. My Second upgrade potential referrs to the tranny. On RARE occassions, I will max her out weight wise @ 19,000 pounds but usually, I will only hit at most, 16-17,000. Mind you I don't drive like a maniac, don't try for 80 MPH down the freeway, not looking to blow away some moron in a Nissan. However, it is my understanding that the stock tranny really isn't that "stout", especially since one of the first mods I plan on doing is a 3 pos chip from Jody @ DP Tuner, (possibly 40/60 tow and 80 econ) along with a 4" exhaust system, which I've got to find someone who can fabricate one for me, and a better intake system.. which again, I'll have to design and fabricate myself. I understand that my best bet is a new, beefier TC and perhaps a different valve body and shift kit. The tranny itself still shifts quite well, and doesn't seem to slip. Temp guage ready a steady 180-195 pulling a load up long grades so I don't think theres any internal problems...yet, HOWEVER...I'm fully aware of both Murphy's Law and that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure". This Beastie is how I earn a living, and it'd really suck to have my tranny laying on the road 150' behind where she coasts to a stop because I didn't "think" I needed that part upgraded..
Any and all recommendations as to what to upgrade, where to get them and the approximate costs will be accepted.
Thanks guys.

there is quite a few things you can do.. you can either have someone rebuild it with heavier duty parts and a new TQ... or you can just purchase a complete tranny from people like suncoast or TCI.... price range will depend on what you want to do....
1) rebuilt tranny can cost from 3k to 5k
2) have a tranny shipped to you will cost from 3500 to 7000

both companaies can custome build a tranny to your application... i had TCI make me a kit that is rated to 600+HP of course i will never get that high but i figured if i would over do it i wont be able to break it again

hope this answered some of your questions..let us know if you have any other

oh and if you have a complete tranny to you there will be a core charge so you have to add that on top of your price...

-Raul