C6 to rebuid or not

[zgtw03]

I have a C6 behind a 390. The C6 is used leaks out of about every spot you can think of. I was going to have a local tranny shop rebuild it with a shift kit, seals ect.. I also see that there are a lot of after market Companies on the web that will send you a rebuild with a torque converter and free shipping for about the same price and warranty. I really don’t know anything about the transmition guys around the area that I live. Thanks for any input.

[ximy]

Summit has some nice options at decent prices.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/depa ... roductName

[toddspeed]

Around $1150 at Summit....what did they quote you at the local shop?

[zgtw03]

1100 and up, depending what they find. Sometimes talking to mechanics is painful. I would like to keep the money local, but I dont like the.. we wont know till we open it up. I dont want to be ripped off, or have to take it out and ship it off.

[toddspeed]

Yeah for that price I think a TCI trans would be a better alternative, and just use yours as a core.

I just obtained a spare C6, so I may tinker with rebuilding it myself if there are kits available and it's not overly complicated. Seems like there wouldn't be much machine work....mainly replacing wear items. Maybe someone can chime in with info....?

[Donnie]

Hi, any good trans shop can tell you to the $$$$ how much it is going to cost you to build a C6...
The tear down & report is used only on the real late model units that are not seen often enough to yet know what the High fail items are !
I respect your attitude in wanting to support your local economy...My feeling's too...
Most shop's that can't give you a price, to the dollar on a C6, which has been around 45 years.......is being evasive..........
Some shops are reluctant to give a price because, if the customer is unknown to him & suspected of PRICE shopping..he will not commit,
but there are better ways of handling price shopper's.........This one is easy & most often used...Gotta have a look-see first>>>>>>
THE REASONING IS : " I just came from Billy trans shop & he told me a thousand bux to OH my trans, to which the low-baller say's>>>>>>>
AHH shucks Joe, I can do that job for $900------------then the 1st shop will lose the job.
THE LAST THING ANY SHOP OWNER WANTS TO DO IS GIVE A PRICE OVER THE PHONE ! ! !
IF YOU HAVE A SHOP THAT YOU KNOW, go to him & let him drive it & put it on the lift & look around, by all means, if you can support your local shop, do it ..........ask for references......do your home work.........THE MASS merchant's are killing our economy.........Donnie

[Art]

zgtw03 post your location if you are willing to share. If you are close to SE Wisconsin, I could rebuild it for you.

[colnago]

I'm hoping to pull mine out next year and rebuild it myself. I keep being told that it's not that difficult, as long as you keep it clean and you keep track of the order of everything.

Joseph

[vwfreak]

I'm hoping to pull mine out next year and rebuild it myself. I keep being told that it's not that difficult, as long as you keep it clean and you keep track of the order of everything.

Joseph

Joseph,

You have a C6 in that truck or the original COM? Like you I have heard the C6 isn't too difficult with careful attention, but I understand that COM is a finicky trans. NOT a simple shade tree rebuild.

[flyboy2610]

I have a copy of Haynes Transmission repair book

http://www.amazon.com/Automatic-Transmi ... =Haynes+C6

They cover step by step tear down and rebuild of the C6. Lots of pictures! They will also tell you how to do the job without a lot of special high dollar tools. If you are contemplating rebuilding your C6, I would recommend this book.

[Donnie]

There is a downside to the Haynes manual..........I have seen this book, it tries to cover 5 or 6 transmission's in 1 book. In doing so there is a general description of tear down & build that may get you where you are wanting to go, but the clearance's, snap ring thickness option's & a lot of critical detail is missing. There is very little in theory, VALVE BODY DETAIL, & the little squeaks & tip's are not there...
They are simply trying to cover too many units in one manual......THE VALVE BODY, for example is the brain's of the unit---How well is it covered?
Do you know that there are different thickness snap rings to adjust the clearance in each of the clutch drums?
The ATSG & ATRA manual's are dedicated to ONE trans. The C6 only covers the C6, with larger photos, full teardown of the valve body, etc..
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.............and this is mine............Donnie

[toddspeed]

Where would one get those manuals? I was going to get the Haynes but I see your point...

[colnago]

Joseph,

You have a C6 in that truck or the original COM? Like you I have heard the C6 isn't too difficult with careful attention, but I understand that COM is a finicky trans. NOT a simple shade tree rebuild.

Yeah, the truck sprouted a C6 somewhere in the last 45 years. I would love to find a COM, but that seems to be an impossible task.

Joseph

[papabug71]

$1100 & up is a little steep for a basic rebuild & a shift kit. Talk to the shops in the next town over North, South, East & West of you & see what they say.

Whatever you do stay away from TCI. Google "tci transmissions reviews" & find out why.

[Donnie]

Hi, as I stated in a prior post " the production trans builders".......AKA..factories, are putting the smaller independent shops out of business.
As a result many are closing their doors & selling their possessions, tool's, manual's etc. I would look on Ebay & see if there are any of the above 4 sale.......C6 is an easy trans to build & most manuals for them are no longer used........The market has now over 300 automatic units in production & most manual's are geared (pun intended) for the later tranny's. I think you can find one if you search a bit....
good luck, Donnie