Does This Sound Like A Decent Price?

jvmorgan · July 27, 2009

I am comming up on the 50,000 mile fluid change here and the stealership is wanting way too much and is not willing to put Amsoil into my transmission.

I just spoke with a reputable transmission shop about getting the 50,000 mile job done and I spoke a little about firming up the shifts. He recommended a shift kit and replacing the 4th servo. All of this for $350 plus tax and me brining the fluid (Amsoil). He said he would drop his cost since I am bringing my own fluid. Does this sound reasonable? I thought about having a deep tranny pan put on while there also since I don't access to a lift right now and he will be dropping the pan anyways. Though I will have to drop the pan again to get more fluid out and replace it with Amsoil (thus the deeper pan because they usually have drain plugs).

Thanks

Justin

LawmanSS · July 27, 2009

I am comming up on the 50,000 mile fluid change here and the stealership is wanting way too much and is not willing to put Amsoil into my transmission.

I just spoke with a reputable transmission shop about getting the 50,000 mile job done and I spoke a little about firming up the shifts. He recommended a shit kit and replacing the 4th servo. All of this for $350 plus tax and me brining the fluid (Amsoil). He said he would drop his cost since I am bringing my own fluid. Does this sound reasonable? I thought about having a deep tranny pan put on while there also since I don't access to a lift right now and he will be dropping the pan anyways. Though I will have to drop the pan again to get more fluid out and replace it with Amsoil (thus the deeper pan because they usually have drain plugs).

Thanks

Justin

I'm not sure how a shit kit is going to help you, but hey...go for it!

To me, that sounds like a fair price for a fluid swap and install of a shift kit.

jvmorgan · July 27, 2009

Thanks for that...case of the mondays

had to edit that one this is a PG forum...

LawmanSS · July 27, 2009

jvmorgan · July 28, 2009

Anyone else have an opinion? Bump...

dlewis1111 · July 28, 2009

Anyone else have an opinion? Bump...

What type of 4th gear servo? a corvette one or another brand like TCI? And why just the 4th gear servo and not the 2nd gear servo also. They are stacked on each other through the same access cover on the side of the trans. You literally have to remove the 2nd gear servo the get the 4th out and seperate them......a corvette servo from any trans parts place with all the seals is at most going to be 20 bucks. do it too.

The "shift kit" You probably have to drop the valve body and do some modifications to it in order to install a shift kit and I am wondering how this will affect your electronic controls.....a good shop will have the answers.

I say do the servo swap and do a little more investigating on the shift kit. As for a deeper pan, spend the money on an external cooler to help reduce the temperature. You still get addiditonal fluid based on the lines and cooler itself, and you also get the added benefit of having it in the wind cooling off the fluid.

jrrod2004 · July 28, 2009

Question: How do you use your truck?

jvmorgan · July 28, 2009

This is my daily driver, I tow on the weekend a smoker to BBQ competetions and sometimes a pop-up camper, I should have got the 5.3L but this is what I could afford at the time...anyways I take it to the strip for fun drags like once in a great while but mostly commuting. I am in the process of getting diablew tuned when I get my bonus at the end of this month. Like I said I am at the 50,000 mile marker and if the transmission guys is going to be there might as well take advantage of it.

jvmorgan · July 29, 2009

I talked with the guy yesterday and I am just going to have him put a cooler on and put regular fluid in it until I get back home so I can then change it out for synthetic one afternoon when I feel like getting soaked in ATF.

He added the 50 for the extra fluid and the cooler so total I am looking at $400 does that price sound reasonalbe for this kind of work or am I getting screwed?

bigdogxx · July 29, 2009

I talked with the guy yesterday and I am just going to have him put a cooler on and put regular fluid in it until I get back home so I can then change it out for synthetic one afternoon when I feel like getting soaked in ATF.

He added the 50 for the extra fluid and the cooler so total I am looking at $400 does that price sound reasonalbe for this kind of work or am I getting screwed?

Why would you switch out already synthetic fluid, the dex fluid required by oem for that year of a truck is already synthetic from factory or atleast your mechanic should be using it.

jvmorgan · July 29, 2009

I like Amsoil, they make great products and stand behind all of their products, I also like to support our vendors if possible if they offer a good product and are willing to help you in any way possible. Thanks Nick by the way for the help with the oil and now the tranny fluid.

I have nothing against what GM offers but the dealership here is such a pain to deal with that you are better off talking to a tree most days then talking with the service manager. I try to do all the work myself on my vehicles but this one I feel is a little out of my ballpark since I know almost nothing but the basics about automatics. Manuals are a different story...

Spurshot · July 29, 2009

I would stick with whatever GM specifies for lubes. If Amsoil meets those specs, have at it. If not, I wouldn't put it in. Simple as that. If you have any failures and haven't used products that meet specs, you may be SOL on a warranty claim. Just something to consider.

jvmorgan · July 29, 2009

That is true.

jbeall · August 31, 2009

Amsoil's products should be 100% compatible (and better) than other transmission fluids, you can just go go read about it:

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atf.aspx

It's Dexron III. If you need (or want) Dexron IV:

https://www.amsoil.com/storefront/atd.aspx

Amsoil really believes in their products, because they actually offer a warranty to pay for the repair work if putting their products in your vehicle causes problems. The fact that they have that in print suggests they have a high level of confidence in their products. Here's the doc on that:

https://www.amsoil.com/lit/g1363.pdf

They also have a legal analysis of the Magnuson-Moss Act in which they assert that it would be illegal for vehicle manufacturers to deny you warranty coverage based on your use of Amsoil products. I'm not lawyer, so I can't tell you if their analysis is legally sound or not :-) But here it is:

https://www.amsoil.com/magnuson_moss.aspx

Combine that with the fact that any searches for Amsoil are going to result in lots of praise and very little criticism. The only criticism I tend to hear is that it's "not worth it"--I have yet to hear a single incident where somebody says it's actually a bad idea. And having been around since 1972, I think there would be ample opportunity for lawsuits, bad PR, and so forth, if they had any products out there that caused problems--lawsuits about equipment failures (if they happened due to Amsoil) seem especially likely considering their bold warranty statement.

So anyway, for what it's worth--when I consider all that together, I personally have a very high degree confidence in Amsoil. Maybe my engine would be fine with something else, but I figure, why take the chance? Just go with the best. I spent more on my truck than I ever have on any vehicle--in fact, aside from my house, it's the largest purchase I've *ever* made. I'm willing to spend a few more bucks here and there to make sure it's got the best fluids and is well serviced--because I don't want to have to replace it or do any costly repairs!

Disclaimer: I'm not an Amsoil dealer, and I have no association with Amsoil aside from the fact that I've been impressed by their products, from what I've read. Naturally, you should do your own research--don't take my word for it!