Well here, Ill just pose my base question. I am getting a free rebuild under warranty from my builder. He will completely rebuild it replacing all the broken or worn parts with new stock ones for free. I want to upgrade some of these parts however and have about $1500 to do so (this includes the TC). So I want to find the best combination of parts and a TC for my application that will be under that $1500. I use my truck for a daily driver, and I want it to last. But i also want to take it to the track a couple times to see what she can do. I want a transmission that will hold up to 400-500 hp for many miles.

Wow that sounded really demanding haha. Iv made a parts list with a bunch of stuff. I know alot of the options overlap and what not but here is a list with prices and links to each part. Hopefully you guys (who are awesome btw) can help me decide what I do and dont need.

Input Shaft-$150-300

http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-4R100-TRANSMISSION-INPUT-SHAFT-BILLET-300M-HARDENED-STEEL-/251222605259?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D6435960255746717945%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D1%26sd%3D251222605259%26
or

John Wood Automotive - Products

Intermediate Shaft- $50

John Wood Automotive - Products
Valve Body-$250
John Wood Automotive - Products

or

BTS valve Body

or

https://racerxusa.com/product_info.p...919f87f994d3b3

Spiral Snap Ring- $15

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E4OD-4R100-OVERDRIVE-SPIRAL-SNAP-RING-SONNAX-36744-01-/290452526592?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item43a051d600
ZPAK- $120

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E4OD-4R100-ZPAK-INTERMEDIATE-RAYBESTOS-Z-PAK-1989-ON-/260112093279?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3c8fe3905f
Direct Powerpack-$100

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E4OD-C6-4R100-ALTO-RED-EAGLE-DIRECT-POWERPACK-1966-ON-/260118927042?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3c904bd6c2
Intermediate Powerpack

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E4OD-4R100-ALTO-RED-EAGLE-INTERMEDIATE-POWERPACK-89-ON-/260041619181?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3c8bb036ed
Coast Clutch Powerpack that works with Cast Iron Coast Drum

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E4OD-4R100-ALTO-RED-EAGLE-COAST-POWERPACK-89-99-/260041619137?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3c8bb036c1
Torque Converter $600-1000

4R100 Stage 4 Torque Converter

or

https://racerxusa.com/product_info.p...919f87f994d3b3

or

Stallion Torque Converters | Precision Industries
link>>> http://www.converter.com/images/stal...owerstroke.pdf
4R100 Precision Industries "Stallion" 3-Clutch Power Stroke Torque Converter :: FORD Stallion Torque Converters :: Pro-Built Automatics

Cast Iron Coast Drum w/ new planetary- $350 __From builder or….

Sun Coast Diesel Transmissions*-*Ford 4R100 4 Disc Coast Clutch Drum | Catalog Products | Sun Coast Diesel Transmissions

Coast Clutch Powerpack that works with Cast Iron Coast Drum
http://www.ebay.com/itm/E4OD-4R100-ALTO-RED-EAGLE-COAST-POWERPACK-89-99-/260041619137?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3c8bb036c1
Overdrive Powerpack- $75

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E4OD-4R100-ALTO-RED-EAGLE-OVERDRIVE-POWERPACK-1989-97-/350025150101?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item517f1fee95
Front Hub to Forward Drum Washer-$5

http://www.ebay.com/itm/C6-E4OD-4R100-METAL-FRONT-HUB-FORWARD-DRUM-WASHER-/260164320557?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3c93007d2d
Possible complete kit, but need to see if he can make the kit for the Cast Iron Coast Drum Style- $500

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4R100-ALTO-RED-EAGLE-KOLENE-FRICTION-STEEL-KIT-98-ON-Powerpacks-Heavy-Duty-/290463849697?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item43a0fe9ce1
or

Sun Coast Diesel Transmissions*-*Ford 4R100 Xtreme Rebuild Kit 1999-2003 | Catalog Products | Sun Coast Diesel Transmissions

Do I want this? Bushing kit- $65

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4R100-FORD-BUSHING-KIT-w-TEFLON-TAIL-BUSHING-1998-ON-/290404880285?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item439d7acf9d
Do I want this? Overdrive Sprag Assembly- $100

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E4OD-UPDATED-2ND-DESIGN-OVERDRIVE-SPRAG-ASSEMBLY-89-ON-/260157170225?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item3c92936231
Do I want this? Boost Valve and Sleeve Kit-$40

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E4OD-4R100-NEW-BOOST-VALVE-SLEEVE-KIT-SONNAX-/8075009815?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item1e14edf17
Steel OD Planet Kit-$100

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E4OD-4R100-FORD-LINCOLN-STEEL-OD-PLANET-KIT-/8075009783?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item1e14edef7
Center Support Kit-$90

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E4OD-4R100-NEW-UPDATED-BEARING-TYPE-CENTER-SUPPORT-KIT-/8075009842?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item1e14edf32
Servo Piston-$13

http://www.ebay.com/itm/E4OD-4R100-UPDATED-NATIONAL-BAND-SERVO-PISTON-NEW-/8075009850?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item1e14edf3a
Solenoid Pack-$240

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-4R100-98-2005-Solenoid-Pack-E4OD-Transmission-Electronics-Powerstroke-Only-/380604794181?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item589dd04545&vxp=mtrDual Load Center Support-$230
Sun Coast Diesel Transmissions*-*Ford 4R100 Dual Load Center Support 1989-1997 | Catalog Products | Sun Coast Diesel Transmissions

Line Mod Valve-$32

Sun Coast Diesel Transmissions*-*Ford 4R100 .500 Line Mod Valve 1989-2003 | Catalog Products | Sun Coast Diesel Transmissions

Thanks so much for any help/suggestions.

 

I really don't think what you're looking to do is possible on that budget. Others will chime in but, a quality TC is going to cost almost your whole budget. I would use a precision industries torque converter. I also truely believe that stock parts are not going to hold up to 400-500HP.

Adding up the parts you have listed above looks like you are over budget. I would just get it rebuilt on stock parts for what's covered and start saving for a new transmission.

I can't see dropping $$$$$ on injectors, turbo and such to bring you to 400-500 HP and not have a reliable transmission behind it all.

 

My opinions are included within the quote and are in italics and underlined. There a few other things not on your list that should be addressed; like torrington bearings, thust washer kit, 45 element intermediate sprag, and hardened sun shell. Possibly a few more that escapes me right now. I don't know what parts have were already replaced during the first build to elaborate further. There are many things that can be done during the rebuild process to increase reliability/longevity and is too much to discuss in this thread.

 

Now I think Roland touched on alot of the parts you are talking about and I agree with him 100%. But here lies the problem you can't build your tranny & TC for under $1500 in parts to hold up to 500hp. It just won't happen so personally give up on wanting to make 500hp or plan on spending alot of money on the trans. You say you don't tow heavy well when you are making 400-500hp that is about the same as towing heavy as far as wear and tear on the trans parts if NOT worse!

Now like I said I agree with Roland on the parts but Roland and I believe in using 2 different clutchs. I like BW clutchs and he likes Alto. But he is making 500hp and I'm NOT and the BW clutchs work for my needs. And whatever clutchs you go with use the same one all the way through your build. Don't use the Zpak with Alto's. Now I like the Zpak clutchs but honestly they are more geared towards gassers and very fast gassers with head snapping shifts. All clutch materials work differently.

When it comes to valves and OD retainer rings you need to decide whether to go with the Sonnax or Thugger kit. I would talk to your builder on that. Roland used Thugger and I myself used Sonnax. They both are very good but they just go about solving problems alittle differently. Here is the Sonnax kit I used. Sonnax - Aftermarket replacement transmission, torque converter, and high performance automotive parts

And like Roland said do NOT use that dual load center support kit you had posted. He had learned that one the hard way. Now here is the center support I used #A36636BK or you can use the D36636BK https://www.wittrans.com/SchematicPa...0&LinkCode=636
Also this kit comes with Sonnax - Aftermarket replacement transmission, torque converter, and high performance automotive parts

I believe in using center support feed bolt shim Sonnax - Aftermarket replacement transmission, torque converter, and high performance automotive parts

Now I would also like to add the key to a good rebuild is not only parts but getting all end plays and stacked clearances set within specs. You might have to pay your builder alittle more to spend the extra time to get the right size retainer rings and right clearances. And that alone will make a big different in the build. Blueprinting a trans takes time and time is money.

 

Thanks for the suggestion guys. Ill have to talk with my builder more this coming week. I needed some ideas and combinations that others are using. And you guys gave me that. Ill probably give up on making 500hp for right now. Right now im still on stock injectors so Ill be fine for a while.