Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Transaxle My CD4E Shopping Experience...Long (sorry)

Alright! I talked to two shops today about replacing my CD4E with a reman. Would you believe that neither would do it! After explaining my concerns that I might have a 95 model tranny instead of the correct 98 model, they both still told me that it would still be more cost effective to salvage the current case and drivetrain.

Both shops have pretty much the same plan, but different ways obtaining the same end. One problem though, different results.

The first one I spoke with simply quoted me $1650 plus tax. When asked about a cooler, they said, "Ok, add $85 to that." When then asked if they could also fill it with Mobil 1 Syn ATF, they said that I would have to supply my own in that case. When asked why, the counter person responded with, "Well, ATF is ATF and the syn is really no better. If what we use is not good enough for you, then you will have to bring to us what you want to use." I was shocked to hear this. I then asked him who they would be purchasing the reman from and he bounced around the topic once. I would not let him get around it again and then he finally fessed up. Come to find out they do not buy remans and install them for the customer. They "reman" the trannys in house. This caught my ear so I asked what procedures they used in the reman process and just sort of looked at me funny. It was funny at the time, but after it was over it really ticked me off! He explained that they go back with all OEM parts, which would allow them to rebuild the unit to OEM quailty.

Not what I wanted at all! If I was gonna have to pay for a rebuild, I was not going to have a stock OEM tranny in the end!!

Next shop was a lot better.

When I asked about a reman CD4E for my car, the counter person was very up front with me. He explained that it would be more cost effective for me to salvage the current unit. When told about the whole possible 95 issue he told me that it did throw a curve into things, but some of the best race tracks in the world were road courses and they are full of turns. Only one thing to do... TURN! Even at the end of the best drag strips, you have to turn around to go back to the pits. I really liked this dude! Even if it was found that there was too much play in the current gear set, they could get a 98 core and rebuild it. And still come out cheaper then going with a reman!

So here is the plan... I am going with the second shop. No! They would not give me a quote until they could find out if they would be able to use the current case and gears. Anyway! The valve body will be rebuilt with all Sonnax valves. Clutches I am not too sure about. He did say that they do not use a single rebuild kit, also known as a master kit. Rather they use parts from different sources, that over the years, has been found to be a combination that yeilds the fewist comebacks. The Trans Go Kit will be installed and an external cooler as well. When asked what size, he simply replied with, "The biggest we can fit into the car!" Followed by a small chuckle. I then asked about if I could request that the tranny be refilled with Mobil 1, he sort of perked up and told me that they highly recommend it. He then asked if I drove the car very hard. I of course replied with, well yeah. Sometimes. He told me that I might be better served going with Redline, then told me that we would cross that bridge when we got there.

I feel pretty safe going with the second shop, but I still have until the first week of June to pick one. I might still talk to a few others, just to get more input. I really don't know if I will find a shop that will rub me the way the second one did. They just sort of read my mind and that really has an impact. I have found this to be a very stressfull experience and I have only talked with two shops! I want it to be all over with and just get my cars tranny back in working order. At the sametime though, since I have been shafted once, I am determined to not be shafted again!

Just thought I would share this little experience, since I know that this topic comes up from time to time. If anyone has any suggestions as to other questions I might be able to ask or whatever, please pass them on. I know this was long, but believe me when I tell you that I have not covered everything. I am a very wordy person, so I did not want this to get too far out of hand ya know.

Honestly I wish I would've been able to read this back in October when my tranny went out. The shop that did the rebuild was highly recommended and all, but I left it all up to the CD4E gods to get my car working again. So far, so good, but maybe things would've gone differently had I asked a few more questions.

When I asked my tranny shop about flushing with synthetic ATF, they said they use Royal Purple. I've seen mixed results from people around here, but until the warranty expires on the new tranny I don't know if I want to screw with things and end up getting burned.

except for the not being able to give an estimate, that second shop sounds VERY GOOD. no shop around here (except maybe performance shops that probably wouldn't touch my tranny) would encourage use of sythetic ATF. I like that part about them using what is best for tranny not just any ol' kit. i'd go with them, but ask them what it would cost if your tranny can be rebuilt or if they need a new case or whatever u were saying.

Good luck Phil.

Nothing wrong with a rebuilt tranny. I've had two rebuilt by the same shop. Don't know how one did, as I told them I was selling the car, so "just make it work" and for $600 they replaced the broken input shaft and changed the fluid and filter. (My wife's POS 91 Sunbird. Damn car was given to her and it still cost too much.)

The second was my 87 LeSabre. I told them, unlike the Sunbird, I was going to keep it for a couple more years. So $15xx and one week later I had a car with four forward gears again, new lockup torque converter, etc.

I drove it another 40K miles in about 18 months and sold it only because I found the 94 Geo Prizm as the new daily beater.

The shop came well recommended, and worked within my parameters both times.

TB

I agree that there is nothing wrong with a rebuilt tranny either. Main reason I wanted a reman was to know exactly what I had in my car.

See, right now I am positive that I have, at the most, a 95 model CD4E in my 98 model stiyque. Reason I know for sure, was because when talking with the second shop again today, he told me that the 95 valve body was different then the 98 and they would not work if swapped around. Now my understanding is that the TCC solinoid was changed in the middle of the 95 model year (i know I have this one), but other then that... I did not know of any other changes. Keep in mind that I am no expert on the CD4E, but I have just not read anything on it. I really would like to know if there are some difference though. Other then just the pistons in the valve body.

Kermit. I know what you mean. After talking to them the first time, I was really being cautious with them. All those horrible Sears stories just keep running through my head! But after talking with them again, later that same day, he really put my mind at easy. The main reason that he would not give me an out right quote was because of the fact that we was not for certain if we were going to be able to salvage the gears in the tranny I have now. He did tell me that they probably have a 98 lying around that they could use and since I would be able to give them a working unit in its place, they would give it too me cheap. How cheap is cheap? I have no idea. I did finally get at least a working number to work from though. He told me that if all goes well and everything falls into place, they should be able to do everything for around $1300 - $1500. Now! Tell when was the last time that actually happened to you! Don't go there... I am really looking at $1900 being alot more realistic.

One problem here I brought back up! If the 95 is OBD-1 and my 98 is OBD-2, how in the hell are they going to reuse the 95 case without replacing all sensors. That could get very expensive. He agreed and said that he would bring this up to the mechanic in the shop that rebuilds all the Ford units and see what he says. I also mentioned that I would like to at least be sure that the newer style TSS was installed and he ensured me that it would. Along with a newly reman'd TC.

Honestly I would much rather just get a 98 core and rebuild it like them were talking. Might add about 4-5 hundred to the price, but still... just for the piece of mind.

this would have been nice to read a mo. ago. but its done oa new rebuild, with shift kit. sorry no cooler forgot to ask and no moblie one. didnt ask. He did come on hear and take a look see to what you all know and whats best. So i think he treated me right. Only Problem is that i still dont have my car. $2340.00 is alot of $$ to come up with. Plus i am getting married on sat at 2pm with no car, no cash, and no way to get to my honeymoon. Oh well I know that the Lord will provide He has thus far at just the right time. Mine is not to know but Trust Him.

yeah i got news yesterday that some one in my church picked it up for me and was going to surpriceme with it. and they were driveing it home. when they came to a stop sign.then from a complte stop. they started and the car jumped in to gear. end result # 2 blown up drum any thoughts on where to get a better then OEM one. and i think they said something about needing a new wireing harness for my tranny??? not sure on that one. Thanks 2 days and counting.