Th400 rebuild cost
 

I have a trans that I was thinking about getting rebuilt. It’s not in a car so there is no labor for removal and install. I told a shop that I would like it built to handle 500 hp and 550 tq. They told me it would need a few upgrades to handle that. He told me it would be $2500. Is that what a th400 rebuild/ upgrade cost now or do I need to shop around?

That is the going rate for a stage 2 build, PLus the new Torque converter you will need.

You better shop around.
That guy must be using gold plated parts.

GT

Ya, I agree. $2500 US is alot for a basic stock build. You need to find out what upgrades they are going to do. That will tell you pretty much the cost. We ran a basic stock TH400 build with a few upgrades and it only cost me $1000 Canadian at the time. We were running 600 hp and 600 torque and never hurt the tyranny once. I pulled it all apart last fall for the new engine and I spent $2500 Canadian just in parts to bring it up to 1000 hp rating. Plus a JW bellhousing.

Get Sessions book and do it yourself. You just need a basic rebuild kit. No fancy steels or clutches. You can even reuse some if they check out. Find a USA made (Clevite) center support. Get a 34 element sprag and the big snap ring. Trans -Go kits have them. They are a Mopar ring I believe.
Cliff has a good book also.
T 400s are easy. Just a bunch of seals and clutches. Remember, loose is good. Tight=bad.

Get the book., some tools and do it yourself. Its a fun project and very do-able. I bought a DVD with instructions years ago but these days just buy a book and look up bits and pieces on youtube where needed..

Cost depends on where you live and who's building it.
A stock TH400 will hold up to a lot. With some upgrades of parts it will last a long time using good fluid.

I have had them built for around $500. Plus any hard parts/ upgrade parts.

This type build held up in a race car wheel standing and running mid 6's in the 1/8th mile by for years.

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I'd shop. Around here a good street/strip TH400 build is any where from $650-$1800 and higher if you try hard. My buddy likes to get $1k labor for building a TH400 and can do two a day. I've always been jealous because it takes me about week to build an engine.

Another thing worth mentioning is use Ford type F fluid. Different manufacturers make it.
https://www.napacanada.com/en/p/CAS0175842

If you like doing mechanical work and have a little transmission experience, I would do the rebuild yourself. Overhauling a turbo 400 as your very first automatic transmission experience could be a little intimidating IMO. But the nice thing is a turbo 400 is very straightforward and requires a minimum of tools beyond normal hand tools and snap ring pliers. As far as cost, using ATI, a well respected large manufacturer, the $2500.00 price quote is on the high side from an unknown independent. ATI has on their web site a complete 400 turbo ready to ship with upgrades rated to 600 HP for $2000.00. This does not include a converter. But they have been in business for decades and have a great reputation. FWIW.

FWIW...my TH400 rebuild with shift kit and HD sprag was @ $1100.

definitely shop around, if you are bringing the trans to the shop out of the car & not using expensive race parts a rebuild should be half that price or less. & as mentioned a quality rebuild with stock type parts should be able to handle 500hp on the street or some light drag racing if not using slicks. i have a friend thats a long time GM mechanic that will rebuild most trans for $300-$500 in labor & a good rebuild kit isnt that expensive. im in the midwest though & prices around here for engine/trans work seem to be a LOT less than other places in the country based on some of the prices ive seen mentioned.

can also consider a pre built unit from places like TCI or B&M or any of the other trans companies out there. i run a TCI street fighter th400 behind a 500+hp 467 & have done lots of low 11sec runs & its holding up great (knock on wood). the converter can be pricey depending on what you want/need. TCI states the street fighter can handle 700+ HP & you get a complete trans with no core charge for under $2000.

https://www.jegs.com/i/TCI/890/21139...SABEgJ9qPD_BwE

My trans builder told me to not use type F anymore. He says it can cause hot spots on the clutch discs.
A good transmission builder will show you any damage in a trans also show you or detail the mods made. I just had a th 350 rebuilt for my car and he didn't blink an eye when I told him how much power my car makes and how much it weighs. All he said was "Them Pontiacs make torque..what gear"? 308's for years..into the 10's ..I told him 373's now ..he said your trans will say thank you for years. .He went over his mods and parts with me..explained the benefits on the new part- synthetic trans fluid that doesn't break down..told me to bring the trans back in 2 years even if it feels good to check out..Meanwhile smoking a big fat cigar all the time..
These guys are worth the extra cash just for their experience and time..35 years experience plus he is a drag racer..its worth extra just for his time and his hands on the trans.

But for the do it self guys..go for it..it is just a learning curve , especially with a tough th400 and not a baby th350 like mine.

Three years ago mine cost $600 with a basic rebuild, shift kit and new torque converter. But, I've only got a bit over 400 ft. lbs. torque going through it.

I was expecting around $1000. This may have been the I don’t want to do it price. He did say that they usually don’t like to do cash and carry rebuilds because they don’t have control of the install and don’t know if people clean out the coolers and converter. I do have a few other shops to check with. Anyone have a recommendation on a shop in Wisconsin?

I just built a TH350 for my TA and had around $450 in parts. Most shops around here charge around $1100-$1500 for a TH400 build. A stock TH400 rebuild with good clutches and steels and a Trans Go Shift Kit will easily handle 600HP.

Any idea why TH400s from TCI are so much cheaper than what is offered by other companies like Gearstar or Hughes? They charge way more than TCI for a TH400 that is built to handle over 700hp.

My buddy just paid $2,600 for the same job. About 600 HP capable. That was with a converter.

I charge 400.00. Customer supplies the agreed upon parts they want and they come up with the converter.

The last one I had rebuilt by a local guy, the red eagle clutches. Boost valve and some bearing upgrades with the kit was
$1500 for parts, plus a 300 dollar TQ converter, plus labor which included a jet wash.