I actually didn't look at my invoice, I just assumed that was the tube you sold me because it was for 97 to 00.

So why didn't you tell me I needed a different dipstick or at least tell me how to properly check the fluid level for a performance built transmission, since after all, you are a performance build shop are you not? Not to mention, you are well aware that I'm a total novice.

 

He just said the dipstick is the same.

 

yeah for the 2001 and LATER. Mine is a 96 and earlier - the transmission Chuck TOLD me he was going to build is a non LS style trans

 

Thanks for clearing up the LS truck tube part # Chuck. No way the 60E tube has enough bend in it to work with a 80E.

#15832205

 

Putting all the pieces to the puzzle together, this is what happened to both of my transmission failures in my opinion: I purchase a lvl 4 FLT high performance transmission from Chuck about a year ago, Chuck tells me I need a different dipstick tube and says I can re-use the stick from my 60e but sells me the tube. Chuck then tells me to fill the trans to the factory marked fill line on the dipstick. At this point my truck just has a few bolt ons - headers, exhaust, tune, cai and stall but informed both Chuck and first converter builder of my very near future TVS 2300 plans, heads, cam, etc.

After the first trans was installed, I immediately complained of a soft 1-2 shift (documented on SSS.com and here) so Zippy adjusts the shift pressure as much as he can and it did have SOME improvement. A few months later I install the TVS2300 and the 1-2 shift gets softer, complain again to Zippy and he tells me the pressure can't be adjusted any higher. Chuck tells me that's just the way the gears are in the 80e. Few months later (last fall) I install the custom grind cam, IW pulleys, 3.3" pulley, etc. and 1-2 shift gets even softer, only this time the trans loses second gear only at WOT...won't shift into second. Result has now been determined by myself and research I've done here, that the trans was never filled to "high performance" specs, even though I purchase a "high performance" transmission from FLT and filled to Chuck's direction. Chuck warranty's the trans, I pay for shipping back and fourth and upgrade to a billet shaft and 6 pinion low planets with 2.75 first gear. Chuck tells me he's going to build me a pre '97 80e and also tells me he's using Coan gears for this build, I say ok great. Pay Chuck's bill for the shipping, gears and shaft, pay shipping to PI to have my converter cut and cleaned, then pay my tech to install everything again. Do two WOT runs and find the exact same extremely soft 1-2 shift at WOT, immediately call Chuck to inform him, add one additional quart of trans fluid - no improvement, add another quart - still no improvement, do a pressure test to find a 20psi drop at WOT during that 1-2 shift. Chuck tells me he's out of town for a week and he can't help me out. I post a thread here under the transmission section to find a solution. I find out that the trans wasn't filled to "high performance" specs: 1/4" above the pan to transmission mating surface, I also find out the Transmission Chuck sold me requires a different dipstick and tube but Chuck never tells me this when I purchased it. The very day Chuck returns from his vacation, instead of calling me to see how my situation is going, he posts on my build thread here basically saying he agrees with Rob that it's not the trans but that it's been under filled!

End result: I went to FLT for a high performance transmission, but due to Chuck's and my own ignorance to the "high performance" fill guidelines, ended up roasting two transmissions because they weren't filled properly.

I have yet to receive any kind of apology from Chuck for not telling me about the different dipstick or how to properly fill his "high performance" transmission to "high performance" specs. Why would I expect an apology you may ask? Because I informed Chuck I was a first timer and trusted he would help guide me through any pitfalls with his 35 years in the "high performance" transmission industry, and because I'm having to spend another 3+k on a new transmission being built locally as we speak.

To date I have spent just over $8,000.00 on this issue

 

In my opinion it's your own fault if this is a fill level issue.

Anytime your working with something not directly from the factory (100% stock), it is your responsibility to pull the pan, install the tube and dip stick and mark the level on it.

FLT has been one of the premier transbuilders that supports this site with hundreds if not thousands of guys on this site and ls1tech using their transmissions. Don't you find it strange that this is not only a "non-common" issue, but the only issue of it's kind that I have seen reported here?

This thread is full of you blaming everyone but yourself for a failed build. Instead of being humble about it, you think this **** should just be handed to you on a silver platter. Not to mention your complete disregard for other opinions who are clearly smarter than you. Much like when you full retard on Chris at Circle D.

Do you have any other hobbies?

 

This thread is full of you coming on here stirring up **** is about the only thing that has any real truth to your statement above.

Had Chuck not DIRECTLY TOLD ME TO FILL THE TRANSMISSION TO THE FACTORY FILL MARK ON THE DIPSTICK, I would tend to agree with you. I'm sure every single first timer on the planet would ignore the builder's fill instructions. ...nice try though

Personally, I like Chuck and I think he's a really great guy, but he's the one who chose to come onto my thread and post something like; the last time he experienced an issue like this, the trans ended up being under-filled. Instead of picking up the phone and calling me to see how my pressure drop issue was being handled...AND not air all this on a public forum for everyone to read. Had he chose to communicate with me directly to resolve this matter, I would have never posted anything further about my issue.

As far as your statement of a "non-common" issue with FLT, my belief is total bullshit there. Scroll down to the 7th post of this page https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...-536443/page2/ and you'll find a strikingly similar scenario. In addition, I believe if Chuck has been directing all his performance built vehicles to only fill to the factory mark, we've just discovered why he's having to rebuild so many transmissions under warranty for free and this information should save him thousands in future rebuild costs. Not to mention, I've heard of at least a half dozen other FLT customers who have had a similar experience too.

As far as Circle D is concerned, when I order a 2800 to 3000 stall for a truck that has been built thousands of times similar to mine and then find out my truck is stalling at 3700 before the supercharger, cam and heads. In fact, here's a quote from Chris at Circle D about this issue...

"Thought I would jump in here to help out... We sold Randy our 258mm 2A, which is typically 3K range on similar setups. Like mentioned by others sometimes the torque curves are a little different and thus the stall can be off some. If every setup was exactly the same, then a canned tune would work best. Sometimes we have to go back into the converter to tighten or loosen it up based on how it works in the vehicle, just the nature of the business. Which is why we offer the free restall. We have a lot of data to reference when speccing a converter for different setups and sometimes go one step too much. We should have gone with a 258mm 1A or even step up to our 265mm. Sadly we have an angry customer and wish we had the opportunity to make it right."

Chris

 

Here's the truth of the matter:

You blew your trans up twice, due to installation error. You then came on here and directly accused FLT, a longstanding respected high end transmission builder, of building you a defunct transmission despite the fact you had multiple people telling you it sounded like low fluid (install error). Once you realized that you in fact were wrong, you still refuse to take full responsibility for the error.

It is my opinion that you should issue FLT an apology and then remove yourself from this forum. You are a terrible customer and any sponsor should avoid doing business with you.

 

Whatever dude, you're just butt hurt from that trans thread I posted when I called you out about you rather having a Rossler over your existing Jake's.

If Chuck comes on here and calls me a liar about me speaking to him while my first transmission was being filled, me directly asking him how much fluid to put into my transmission and Chuck responding to just fill it to the factory fill line, then and only then would it be my "install error".

The information I'm sharing here is very valuable to FLT and any other potential customer considering and 80e swap and wondering about high performance filling procedures. I spoke with Chuck from FLT on the phone and he was completely unaware of this fill procedure, that's a fact. Not to mention two different GM Master techs who installed and filled both my transmissions were also unaware of the additional fluid needed.

 

What I'd really like to see here is no more finger pointing.

The bottom line is this. It's not specifically the transmissions fault. Chuck and FLT build great transmissions. This was a fluid level problem. Why it was underfilled seems like it could be argued from both parties forever. Let's move on.

Randy keep pushing forward and get the truck finished. Let's see what this combo is made of!

Where does the new transmission stand?