I'm looking at buying a 97 Z28 right now and the transmission is an automatic. The transmission only has two gears left in it. Has anyone ever had problems out of the transmisson? Are they weak? But I guess my real question is would it be better/cheaper to rebuild the transmission(also put a shift kit in it) or just buy a better/used transmission and put in?

 

you can't put a "better" used tranny in it...meaning a stronger tranny unless you want to go th350 or 400...which is only a 3 speed and you'd lose overdrive.

the tranny's aren't the strongest things in the world but it should handle stock power plus some...assuming you aren't beating the crap out of it. i'd just pull the tranny and have it rebuilt

 

in stock form , they are acceptable , a shift kit will help for sure! if you could put one.
in 97 they where the 4L60-E, which is just an electronic 700r4. so it might even just be a shift selenoid keeping it from making the other gears.
the 700r4 is good for up to 750 hp if you put the right stuff in it.
also there is a reason to put it in drive if your going to beat on it!
when in overdrive, all the power goes thew a one way clutch and fewer cluctch packs are ingaged in order to give a smoother ride to those picky costomers the dealers have to please.
if anybody ever told you it was hard on a tranny to be aways shifting the gears manualy...it is acctually better for it in the long run.

 

you need to re-program the computer, to trick it into seeing the tranny is slipping a little basicaly, so that it changes the shift firmness.
the 4L60-E and all electronic trannies are always monitoring the shifts for just the right amount of slip every time, and can ajust the pressure in the tranny for each gear as the tranny ages. until it codes for slipping and the check engine light comes on

 

Thanks for all the information! I am hoping I can get the Z28 before it is sold. All of this will help out if I can get it.

 

heres a couple places to look at. first is for the most part trany only, the other two u can get parts and kits as well.
http://www.performabuilt.com/About2008.html

http://www.700r4l60e.com/

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/highperf700r4.htm

 

Assume the worst and that the tranny needs a rebuild when making your offer.

Then, assume that you can't do it yourself and need to take it somewhere to be removed, rebuilt, and then re-installed and assume between $1500-$2,000.

I dropped the tranny myself and had it rebuilt for $700. But, I also slapped in new U-joints and rebuilt the rear end while I was at it. I had some bearing noise and it was as good of time as any to just do it all. So, for what would have been spent paying someone to do just the tranny, I did a heck of a lot more and still had a few bucks in my pocket.

 

the 4.6 has been time tested ,I still want an ss in red though ,there harder to find around hear ,the stangs are like 40 to 1 .but the cost is more for ford ,I had grand marquise 2001 was good car too,some guys are getting 550 to wheels the little baby engine ,just add roush super charger for about 8k

 

Keep an eye on the dates of the threads.