ORAKLE1 had a good question in a PM today, and its a question that I get asked often. So with his permission (I hope) here is my answer,

Good questions, I do get asked these questions from time to time. We rebuild F35 transmissions, have since 2004; we have done one with cryo'd case and gears, but dont believe the extra cost is worth the result, which so far is undefined. So we dont market "stage 2" as such, we try and do straight up no BS rebuilds here. Here is what I know:

New transmissions from GM are $4,000 plus core plus shipping.

Our pricing at the moment: 1900 exchange plus shipping, F35 LSD, 2900 no exchange, all rebuilt. shipping to **** USA would run about 300, and clearly if you do the exchange you have to ship the core back, thats a little easier, as you would ship to NY state 14303, not Canada where we are located.

Your choice of ratios and pricing would be:Rebuilt Exchange with LSD 1900= 4.45, 1500 = 4.05 or 3.82. I dont recommend 3.82 for a modified SS turbo.

I currently have one 4.45 ratio left they are rare and no longer available new. I have one new 4.45 ratio but it is spoken for, we have lots of 4.05 and 3.82 cwp. If you dont have an LSD in your core, add 500.00.

We have done our best to give decent value to folks for transmissions. We do see a lot of scrap cores and that raises the question, what next? let me provide this summary:

• The quaife LSD is 1000.00 new
• the 4.45 ratios are difficult to find and none new
• we are looking into making ratios but potentially that is expensive, the helical cuts are proprietary.
• stronger closer ratios for 2/3/4 are available. Expect to pay 3,000 extra.This would clearly be our idea of a stage 2, but realistically these are telephone number costs.
• we can do the quaife 6 speed add 3500.00. no one has done that yet.
• there is no point in making the case stronger, its the gear that breaks. Generally 3rd gear, and always in a high torque LNF and a 3.82 ratio. The gear debris jams in the bearing pocket and breaks open the case.
• I have heard of a 4.45 trans breaking after a couple of years of hi torque hard use; INFE had it, we built it, never got it back to find out what happened.
• I have seen open diff star gears and diff bearings failing in 4.05 LSJ Transmissions.

Hope this helps. cheers John

 

Good info!
I know I was asking you about that a few weeks back glad to see some clear pricing.

Would a blown gear be considered a bad core? Or is that expected when you are receiving a transmission? Would a bad core be something critical making it not worth rebuilding?

 

So glad I got my 4.45 a month or two ago. I love it and it's nice knowing I don't have much to worry about with my ZFR. Well done John.

 

Thanks Good luck ! Bro! lol Slap belt the core must have a good case or it will cause a price increase. No LSD same thing. If LSD and a cracked case it is worth more,but less than a good case, but we can harvest the LSD at least; the quaifes are bullet proof. so far. guaranteed for life. 06black said he blew his up a few years ago but I never saw that. He got some eaton thing but never heard what happened with that he hit a deer car is gone and he is an evo now.
As quaifes have a life time guarantee, its hard for me to figure out why anyone would want to switch.

 

Ha I asked the same question not long ago as well. I am tempted to send in my LSD 3.82 trans to get rebuilt into a 4.45 .

 

Awesome info...and great prices too imho..... Def keeping this mind I case I need a rebuild

 

^i'd suggest getting his last one while you can if you are even thinking about it. Replace the gears before they break costing you even more money!

 

Awesome info.

But damn Powell you know how to take my money. Increasing my parts to purchase from Powell fund.

 

Good info John.

 

lol at Cory^^ I have a set of 4.45 put aside for him .

 

Good maintenance always saves money in the long run!

John hope you guys are down soon, let me know if you guys are in the area. Definately drinks on me for all your help and info that you have given me over the years.

 

Let me know if you want me to send in my core John, it's off the car so I can ship it anytime!

 

Still waiting for the Powell shop America division lol

 

Good stuff.

 

email gloria she will prolly have you ship to NY but let her make the decision. cheers

 

subd for summer

 

Going to see how far this transmission will take me. But still plan on having you build me a purpose built tailored to my car at whatever cost.

 

For those of you who have an aftermarket turbo OTHER than a ZFR the 4.45 will really help your spool. The shorter gears and the extra revs put it right in the spool zone. Your car will become more lively than what you had with the 3.82 if you can believe it.

2nd is always a spinning gear even with a 3.82. 3rd and 4th gear are perfect, will help you pull on almost anything.

Very happy with my 4.45 from Powell.

 

are you still on a stock trans?

 

I so wish it was summer, i miss HP lol. Excited to feel the new gear setup. My buddy wants to race me on his cbr 600, i think i can take him 60-125

 

So for 1900 plus shipping I can send you my lsd f35 right now, perfectly operational for a 4.45 swap?

 

^id email Gloria and see if his ONLY 1 that is available is actually available. Id be surprised with this thread that somebody hasn't already scooped it up.

perhaps he has found more, but as of the date of the OP, he only had 1 in stock.

 

If people are still breaking 4.45 trans, why is everyone so ready to drop the money on one of these?

John, have you installed any Quaife 6 speed conversion kits for the F35 yet by chance? How does the 3rd gear hold up on those?

 

Who has broken the 4.45 trans? This is news to me...

 

I can search back on the forum to find them, but pretty sure I've read of at least 3 people that still managed to break them. I don't know the details, could of just been bad driving or something. But just saying...