Hey everyone, just wondering what i will need for a transmission upgrade when the time comes. the suncoast stage 4, do i need the whole kit or just a t/c and a shift kit? i read that it is like $3k for the entire kit but im not gonna be a hardcore drag racer all the time but i want a reliable upgrade that will handle the power with no prob. so the whole kit or what do ya'll recommend?

Thanks alot.



Mike

The convertor and Transgo shift kit is just that.Will have a limited power holding capacity.Could be well in your range as to what modifications you are going to make.

A stage IV will have additional internal mods such as clutches designed for additional power holding capacity.

your sig says MS..........Id make the trip to Ft Walton and let joe do it in house

Depends on the power you "plan" to make.
The tranny upgrade seperates the degree of fun you can have.
Labor alone for a kit install will cost you $1400 and up. Mostly up.
I once paid a labor charge of $1600 drive out and I furnished the Suncoast Stage II kit. You might say I learned the hard way.
By the time you buy the kit (worth having) and pay for the install, you can nearly have the best tranny made.

Well i don't know how much power i will get, whatever hot xcelerator + Van Aaken will add for the lb7, cold air intake, and exhaust. Any idea what i get get at the wheels with that setup? I would think that the suncoast stage III would be enough. thanks

Mike

Go with the stage IV. It's only a couple hundred more now, if you need to upgrade later it is several thousand.

Max do you wish you had gone with a higher stage or are you happy with what you have?

Go with the stage IV and have a Allison dealer or Joe at SC hooke you up. When mine was being built the shop showed me the difference in the parts. Side by side comparison. THe SC parts are a lot more durable than the original. ALso the labor to go ahead and do it while it is out of the truck is sheap compared to pulling it again later. Just my $.02.

Max do you wish you had gone with a higher stage or are you happy with what you have?

Well mine is a stage 3 with some of the mods of a stage 4. Basically with a stage 4 not everything works on an LLY.

If you don't mind doing it yourself, the SC converter and trans go kit with a couple other little parts will only set you back $1700.00 or so. I have talked with a few guys w/LB7's running 12's consistantly with this set-up.

If you're going to have someone do the install, I'd opt for the stage IV over the III.

Agree with sdaver--short trip to Ft Walton Beach and get Joe to hook you up. I'd go Stage IV as the labor for the install for a III & IV is probably about the same. When it comes to trans mods overkill is better--gives you room to play harder down the road.

What parts are not required for an lly? I didn't realize there was a difference. Do you specify to SC if you have an llly or lb7?

I am on my second "built" transmission, because the first one was too light. My fault.
I should have known I would not stop adding HP. ha

Anyway, I seriously recomend purchasing the whole tranny if you do not have a good Allison transmission shop local. I had my original Allison built with Suncoast Stage II parts by a local Allison shop. $1700 was labor and fluids. That did not include the parts. A local Chevy dealership installed the second complete tranny for $300 (as side work) You do the math. I could have put about another $1300 into the first kit and bought the whole higher rated tranny.
And as others say here, do not go with anything less than a Suncoast Stage IV or ATS equilavent, converter and all.

Man, these transmissions will seperate the players real quick.