Cost of Transmission Rebuilt
 

Z Fam,

I'm in need of your opinion and experience. I'm headed in the direction of Forced Induction using AAM TT Kit, and plan on rebuilding my 7AT transmission. I found a place called LevelTen and I was quoted 5k (not including tax) to rebuild my transmission. According to the gentleman there, the rebuilt trans should hold 700 HP. from your experience, what do you think?

if it helps, I plan on putting 500-550 at the wheel and would prefer to do a rebuilt instead of body valve because, I might want to upgrade my block down the road to crank out 600-650.

Thanks in advance!

P.s I hope this is the right place to post this topic

This is the reason I got rid of my 7AT and got a 6MT. The 7AT is good for N/A but terrible for boost.

LevelTen built transmission is what you need. The stock AT can't handle much more than 450-500 ft-lbs of torque.

5K seems a bit high to me. Had mine completely rebuilt using the factory case and it was only around 3800. that price also included some rear Dif work too

I have seriously considered this option but I wont much for my car with the loan on it

I agree, 5 grand is a lot, who did your work?

I have a really close friend that has a built AT in his 350z from level 10 and it hardly downshifts into 1st gear and whenever it does it makes a nasty crunch sound. Level 10 claimed installer error and wouldn't warranty anything even though it was installed by a highly reputable Z only shop and was dropped for re inspection and nothing was found.

Level Ten price went up significantly recently, but it's pretty much the only proved working option.

I can see their point of view but I also know where your friend is coming from.

they definitely capped a market because they know people want it, but 5k? I would rather sell my current Z and get a stick instead, way over priced.

I agree with you, it is something I need to handle all that power but the cost seems a bit high, don't you think?

This is what I thought. I think it was nearly 45% price increase. I think they just realized they could charge a lot more and not lose a significant amount of business.

I'm sure there are shops that can do the work. It's just a matter of finding a competent one.

It's not like the Z AT is some magical transmission. But like virtually every other aspect of the car, the demand dictates the aftermarket market. The Z doesn't sell many cars in first place. Even fewer have ATs. And far fewer go boost. So it follows there aren't a whole lot of companies willing to throw money at R&D for AT built transmission option for the Z.

There are a number of guys who just tune down the torque to accommodate the stock AT weakness.

1.) Find a good local transmission shop. A shop that does the local performane/racing transmission rebuilds and talk to them.

2.) Order Exedy performance transmission clutches from Z1 or a Level 10 rebuild kit

3.) Find local torque convertor shop and rebuild to desired stall speed

4.) Order transmission flex plate from Fast Intentions(may be able to get something comparable somewhere else ... haven't checked)

5.) Order Valve body from Level 10

6.) Add up the expenses and realize that Level 10 isn't that expensive after all. One stop shop with warranty. Notice that Level 10 has most of the parts and expertise in the Nissan 7AT market.

Do your research and decide on your own what course of action is best for you.

Good luck.

5k is nothing for a rebuilt tranny for boost. I have 5K in just parts for my diesel truck tranny. Be ready for it to break also when you go boosted. It's just part of the game. If you are not ready for this, I would rethink your mods.

I agree with you, their name seems to come up the most and seem very reliable. I live in Michigan and my car is considered unique in here because of our weather. We are Motor City so you see more of the American muscle here so the market for this kind of work is very minimal.

There is no argument about their work but I still go back to the cost. like someone mentioned, a 45% increase? not sure about those numbers but still... I appreciate your insight and knowledge I done a lot of research and this is conversation is part of it.

hey! thanks for the info, I do hear that often "be ready for things to break" this is the reason why I chose AAM as my turbo kit and LevelTen for the trans. But Keep in mind, I don't drive this car and beat it to death, I don't drag but maybe street race with friends here and there. I want that kick when I need it

how much did you get your aam tt kit for?

I'm waiting to get mine this November on black Friday. They currently have It listed for $9,750.00 with Tuner and $9.250.00 without it. They might offer discounts on black friday

Go SC and you could afford that trans build from level 10. TopgunZ will be putting out a kit soon that will meet your power needs.
And super charging is easier on our auto transmissions.

from my understanding, Super Chargers like stillen only produce 400-450 tops. what will the TopgunZ produce? I'm looking at 550

You would be better off financially and reliability if you went domestic and with a V8 for your desired power levels. Putting a turbo or SC on a Nissan now is very expensive and hardly worth it, considering what is available and in the end very little resale value for your efforts.

I'll never will again and will buy the GTR instead.

I agree with you 100% my friend and I was talking about this last night and I just started cussing out Nissan in my head haha, how many years have they gone without making any major improvements on the engines? don't get me wrong, I love love my 370z but it comes to a time where I have to accept the fact that this engine will not produce what I want it. for the cost you put into a 370z to make it push 550, you can buy a 2008 z06 and spend a little extra and have it 600 at the wheel.

They decided to badge the nissan sentras with nismo and stock turbo.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

yea.... lol

Update:

I spoke with Pat at Level 10, and it looks like I might be headed towards his direction for an auto rebuilt

Let us know what the cost ends up at.

As of right now, I am getting a quote of $5300 out of the door, nothing more or less. Pat, the guy who I been dealing with and the owner, is a really nice guy from the conversations we had.

update:

decided to go with LevelTen transmission rebuild.

Sounds like you made the right choice. It's not cheap, but you gotta pay to play :driving:

You're absolutely right Jay, it isn't cheap but it's worth it at the end. The trans should hold very well. so far, Pat from levelten has done a great job with customer service via phone. looking forward to meeting the team there.

update:

going to level 10 transmission to have my A/T rebuilt on the 15th-18th this month

Update:

new trans installed. capable of holding 1000 HP.

thanks to Level 10, I am really happy with the new trans, Pat and his team are some of the most amazing people I met. Pat took care of me like I was family, he even called to see if I made it home safely, love this guy!

the trans feels good, slightly "heavier"? I would imagine something like this feels different.

Overall, the trans feels bullet proof, needing to install turbos next and that should complete the project.

Update:

the trans will be put to the test next week as my car will be on the dyno at Dynosty with AAM twin turbo kit.

This is good... We need more boosted 7AT's.

Any up date, pictures or dyno of this car

Yes we do lol P.s I wont mention my name on here but we are friends on facebook from the 370z page haha

/Hi Prec

sorry about the delayed response. The trubos are finally installed and dyno begins Monday 01/29/2018

What was the final result?