BTS vs. ATS vs. Reputable Local Builder

It sure didn't take long for my 180k mile stock transmission to disagree with the DP Tuner. Anything over 75% throttle and it starts to slip.

Although it is only slipping slightly right now, I know things are only going to get worse.

I've talked to a very reputable local transmission builder that claims he can build a transmission that matches BTS and ATS for strength. I'm taking him at his word. He has worked on my truck as well as my friends vehicles and has always done a fantastic job. He has been building race transmissions for 35+ years. His price for the build and install was about $3,500.

For BTS, I know the reputation that they have for building awesome trannies. Are they able to ship a transmission to a shop near me for the install or do I have to take the truck to them? Also is $5k still near the going rate?

In regards to ATS, how do their stage 2 transmissions compare to BTS? ATS is just up the road from me which gives them the advantage over BTS if I have to take the truck to them.

Who is your local builder? Claims of being better than Brians trannys are pretty steep.

The Transmission Clinic in Colorado Springs. Don is the owner and after a few conversations, he said he could build me a trans that suited my needs and would be worry free.

He talks a big talk and I'm quite confident he can walk the walk. If the prices are somewhat close, I may go with BTS or ATS just because they are proven.

Brian's can build a tranny and ship it to you with a core deposit, or you can ship yours
to him and he will redo it and ship it back to you.
Doug

lone_star_dsl said:

I've talked to a very reputable local transmission builder that claims he can build a transmission that matches BTS for strength.

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I think I gotta say . I don't doubt his confidence in providing a quality product, but I doubt he is fully aware of and understands what goes into a BTS transmission.

Brian spent a lot of time pulling out and fixing 4R100 transmissions that were being broke by a 1000hp Cummins in a F-350 Superduty. He utilized this guys truck as a test & development mule. When the Cummins broke the tranny, he'd figure out what broke and make sure with stronger parts or other changes so that particular thing wouldn't break again. Brian uses a lot of propriatary parts that are stronger and unavailable to other transmission builders.

I had a BTS tranny in my old early 99 F-250 for about 8 years before I sold the truck. It NEVER skipped a beat even when pulling a 8000 lb trailer almost full time for 5 or 6 of those years.

I had a local builder do mine a couple years ago..
reason? Cost. I got it done and installed for $2900, where BTS quoted me $4500 exchange + shipping. (I still would have spent a week on my back in the barn installing it)
If I had the time to down the truck and the money, I would have gone BTS.