New transmission going in. Need build advice

[E'sStrokr01]

The newly rebuilt 4R-100 is beginning it's rebuild tomorrow! I need some good solid build advice. The transmission just had a complete failure so it's coming out tomorrow and my local trans guy is going to start ordering parts.

I have an idea of where I want to start, and while I would like to just buy a BTS transmission (or similar transmission), the local shop guy is going to do the build.

Long story short. This transmission that failed is under a one year warranty and it failed just short of it's warranty expiration so I'm at the mercy of the local trans shop to fix it and they are cooperative and going to do so on their own dime......obviously.

I want a choice in some of the parts though, and I know that they won't go as far as a full BTS type build, etc., but they HAVE agreed to speak with me about convertor choice, valve body choice, and clutch choice.

Any and all advice would be appreciated but if someone could tell me if I'm on the right track to start out with:

A good triple disc convertor and suggestion on make/model of same
suggestion on valve body
should I get a new pump installed as well?
aftermarket pan (3 or so extra quarts)???
clutch suggestions?

I'm good with a cooler for now but may go with a 6.0 trans cooler while i'm in there or VERY shortly after.

Thanks

[HVAC SuperTech]

Hey eric.....

IMO, use Red Alto clutches, or Borg Warner Clutches.

Torque Converter, use Precision Industries. Hands Down.....
As far as a aftermarket pan, its hit or miss really. If you wanna spend the extra for the cooling fins and the extra capacity, go ahead. youre probably looking at 350.00 or so.

Use synthetic fluids.

If you go with a new valve body, call BTS on theirs. its 225.00 IIRC and its the best out there I have been told.

And on the pump thing, I would go ahead and have em replace it. couldnt hurt. Esp. if they dont want this thing to come apart again.

Sorry to hear about your bad luck buddy. I knew something had to be up, I hadnt heard from you guys in a while. Hows the fam?

[E'sStrokr01]

Hey Man we're all doing great. Hope you guys are too. I should have called you sooner no doubt. Lot's of things happening and now the truck. I was kinda waiting on this to happen though and I'll tell you more about it.

Thanks for the build suggestions. Just waiting on a call back from the trans place. So far they are working with me and they are agreeing to letting me pick certain parts, etc. We'll see how it works out in the end but right now I'm not going to be out of pocket so that's a relief.

Man I guess I want it built to tow. Nothing more than 10,000 lbs really plus or minus a few. Anything else for towing that amount, or am I covered?

I'll try to hollar at you later today......

[StrokinVA]

Be careful with the pi converter, Without a doubt they are the best. But if some of the other internals are not up to par you could do some damage to other parts. I only mention this because it is exactly what happened to me and when that converter locks it really locks, I ended up breaking an intermediate shaft. Just my 2cents good luck with the rebuild.

[E'sStrokr01]

You're .2 cents count. Tell me exactly what other things I should consider changing to hold up to the new convertor. Thanks

[CT Performance, Inc.]

Suggestion..ask your trans guy the question concerning the PI mods required, if he doesn't know the answer just have him rebuild it then sell it..get a BTS and as hard as it is eat the loses.

[HVAC SuperTech]

I twisted my input shaft on mine, and I dont really have anywhere near the HP/TQ to do that, but it happenned. Chalk it up to weak spots found in the metal I guess. The intermediate shaft sanpping could be related to weak parts too.

I have a friend who hs a PI converter, who sled pulls, has Borg warner clutches, and a valve body and it locks and pulls HARD. hes had no failures in it in 3 years. And hes not exactly easy on his truck all the time.