The Cheapest I have found to install my converter is 250 bucks. All the others seem to want 300+. Im thinking about doing it myself. Anyone have any pointers or tips?

 

$250-$350 is the going rate in my area also. I thought about doing it myself too, then decided to let a shop do it after reading the LS1 install article on modernmusclecars.net. Dropped it off in the morning...picked it up that afternoon...paid $300.

 

Mine just cost a little blood and sweat.


Here's my advice on installing: It makes sense to me....might not to you....lol

Easy install with two people--that way you don't need a trans jack....just put a board on a GOOD jack...not those little junk ones....and when you put it under it to support it put it closer to the frontside, and have someone else steady it and hold the tailshaft so it doesn't whip up if you don't have it balanced...you can judge it pretty good though....mine said on the board by it'self.

Another little trick i would do is this.....some people on here might say not to do this, but i found it's the only way at least for mine. This could have cut my install time by a few hours. The trans line on top...it's usually stuck on real hard and hard to get to. I'm skipping some...like driveshaft, Torque arm removal, electrical plug, etc. So just take the lines off from the cooler in the radiator--carefull not to round off the nuts on the cooler...they are softer fittings--they should come right off, if not use a flare-nut wrench so you don't round them off. Then there is one bolt on the frame that holds the lines in place....it's like halfway back--take that off, and now the lines can slide back with the trans. Don't forget to take off the bolts that hold the converter in they are 13mm i believe. You might need someone to hold the flex-plate when you take them off.....i held it with a leather glove while my dad turned them out. Take the bolts off around the tranny....ones on the side are pretty easy.....have patience. The ones up top you are going to need a REAL LONG extension....i mean like 2-4ft and a swivel end. That is the only way to get the ones up top. It helps to have someone hold the wrench while you get the socket lined up[ and on it....and to brace the extension, while you turn. After those are off, slider her back slowly and watch the lines.....adjust them a little and help them slide back a little. Get it back just enough to give you a little room to work---it only goes back so far...and only lower it a little bit just enough to get the new converter in....fill up the converter with trans fluid 1-2 quarts.....swish it around in it. and slap it in and bolt it up with the new bolts and slide the trans back on. Not having to put the lines on top saves a ton of times. Now i could do one real quick That trick after you do it once saves a ton of time. maybe 2 hours now maybe a little more

 

Good advice about those tranny lines, will make my next tranny swap easier.

As for doing it yourself, I say go for it.
Its not bad at all, I would rather R&R a tranny than install LTs and I installed LTs on my car after getting quoted 750 bucks for install.

Just make sure the converter is completely seated so the pump fully engages, this can be a little tricky so make sure its all the way on.

 

Good Advice,
Yea, look when you take the old one out and take note about how much clearance there is between the flex-plate and the torque converter. Don't get out the dial indicator, but just take notice....so you can tell when you have it fully seated.


If you didn't live so far away I'd come help

 

http://www.zmydust.com/converter.html

He has a great guide to doing a converter swap. Pretty much word for word how I'd explain it. I can't get the stupid hyperlink button to work so you'll have to cut and paste.

 

Thanks for the link that helps a ton!

 

Oh yeah no problem. That site helped me out a ton too my first time pulling the tranny.

 

is this set up the same for the LS1?

 

Should be pretty simalar, I just installed my converter a few days ago. Pretty simple.

 

can i reuse the torque converter bolts? or do i have to get new ones? who sells these bolts? and what size are they?

 

I would contact the company and they should be able to send you out new bolts.

 

I got my TC used from my brother, called PI with the same question and they sent me new bolts free of charge.

 

who's PI?

 

Precision Industries - Vigilante