I am debating on whether or not to get an upgraded turbo, specifically the ZFR but have one concern... How hard is it to find a new transmission once mine goes out? Stupid question but I figured you all could help me out.

And how much do they cost? Labor?

 

Hard to find and save up at least 2.5k for a used one plus labor.

 

I had a lot of difficulty looking for one and they are very expensive. Luckily Powell helped me out and found me a lsj for 550 plus shipping. Labor plus all fluids and alignment was another grand. So all in all, 2k. If u want the ZFR and don't want to spend another 2k for the tranny then just simply boost ramp it. Even Powells 4.45 blew after 8 months of "spirited" driving. Lol

 

Damn 2k more plus labor. That's a $5k investment if I bought the zfr. What exactly is boost ramp?

 

The boost ramps up (increases) as the RPM's increase, so you don't have full boost at a low rpm and torque the hell out of the transmission, blowing it up.

 

That is what I thought but wanted to make sure. Thanks

 

U can find f35's for cheap sometimes(rarely) but the labor is always going to be 8 hours. Which is usually about $800 itself.

 

Aren't stock trans in a turbo f35?

 

Yup that 100/hr labor sucks

 

dont go big turbo unless you can swap trannies yourself.

 

This.

 

$800 for a trans install. There's no way I'd pay that. I paid $300 and I had my car dropped off at 8 and they called me at 3 and said it was done.

 

Why don't you set up other cobalts with that shop so everyone can get that AMAZING deal.

 

Lol. Don't worry 3 of my buddies already went there and got their clutches done. Haha.

 

So basically u got charged for 3 hours of work. Yea, no where in my area would even come close to that price.

This.

 

Seems like they really screw you in labor with a new transmission. I wish I knew how to replace a transmission to save me money. I guess in order to buy a big turbo I should have enough money aside to get a transmission too

 

It really isnt that hard to swap the trans.

If you can turn a wrench and follow instructions, its all you

 

Yes. Save money.

 

Haha I love these answers. I can turn a wrench but can also say for sure that a trans swap isn't that easy.

 

Then stage 1 cams with fuel lobe it is with and e85 tune

 

Doesnt require anything special. I did it on the floor in my garage.

 

It's called don't go to a dealer or a large garage. Place I go to is $50 an hour. It took them approx 6 hours. Done deal.

 

Then you have to trust the "small garage" and hope they do a good job

 

See my whole idea of going "big turbo" is out the window for this car. The trans is too much of a let down and why buy a quick spooling turbo if you're going to boost ramp it. In my area, having a k04 on 22.5 psi is plenty to beat most of the cars around town. Big turbos on the lnf just seem to be for dyno numbers. But in all honesty I feel all the "usable" power for the street can be accomplished with the stock turbo.
Now on the other hand, if u plan on track days or roll racing past 130 mph then yeah I would say a larger turbo is for you. Remember though this is just my opinion. Hope no one takes it to heart.

 

I'd love to see a rate that low here in NJ. But damn Wert that was a great deal.