Well, this winter started out as a "don't spend any money" winter. I was just going to pay attention to a few details.

Then pypes came along and offered some free exhaust. So to get the free exhaust, I didn't want my leaky tranny to muck up the new pipes, so I figured I might as well get a new one built to allow for future engine upgrades. In the process, there was this Gear Vendor group purchase going on, so what the heck.

Now I've been worried about spending over $2,500 since my new **free** exhaust deal, but that went away this weekend. As I was pulling off the old tranny's deep cooling pan to mount on the new tranny from BTE, I see LOTS of goop in the bottom of the pan, as well as a nickel-sized chunk of metal. (looks to be aluminum). :eek:

I can only imagine what might have happened some day this next summer while I was on the road somewhere, and what it would have cost both in cash, incidental damages, as well as the loss of prime driving time.

Hope your experience with BTE is better than mine.

Hello Jake! It is unfortunate that your BTE converter was not to your liking and I am certain you know how I feel about the situation. But, after I contacted BTE right after personally offering you to handle a major portion of any cost to have the converter reworked, my contact at BTE emailed me back right away and called as well to tell me they would take care of the entire deal, even though it had been quite some time ago you bought the converter. All I had to do was explain the facts. Sorry you are still unhappy, but the offer to totally take care of the cost was there for the taking! It is pretty rare to have issues arise, but for the hundreds of people who may have had no issues with a particular company, there will always be the horror story thrown in here and there.....it is just that way. But, to me a company that in the end takes care of its customers is the one I stick with. They did make the offer to do so, but I understand your decision to pass on it and go elsewhere. I at least think that we needed to show the reason for your post! In my dealings with BTE for nearly two years, I can count on one hand the number of "issues" that have arisen. Your converter, a missed stall speed with an 8" converter (which we had NO dyno sheets to go on and test results were never totally disclosed openly to me), a lockup 10" that flashed much higher than intended and later had more issues, another 8" converter I sold a good friend in which they inadvertantly installed an undersized sprag race, and lastly a Glide and converter sold to a gentleman which had metal in the pan after the initial race weekend. The trans has been sent it and if it was a part or assembly issue by BTE it will be taken care of. If the pump is eaten alive due to improper converter clearance upon installation, then it probably is not a warranty issue. I feel that I am in a position that I see enough BTE product move along to say that they are a good company to work with, and their quality and customer service rank up there with the best I have ever seen anywhere...and I do wish you good luck with your new converter choice from Kenny.

Steve... Does BTE do a good job at hitting the desired stall on milder street applications?

What are your experiences with BTE converters in the 2600-2800 stall range? (11" & 10")

Steve... Does BTE do a good job at hitting the desired stall on milder street applications?

What are your experiences with BTE converters in the 2600-2800 stall range? (11" & 10")


They are usually quite accurate if the information provided is honest, as well as a true idea of what your intended usage is. Their 10" converters have an investment cast front, and I believe I have seen some of their 11" ones as well, but I cannot confirm that they all have that feature. Fins are furnace brazed, they are balanced, pressure tested, and have a one-year warranty on the sprag and stator. In the rare instance something goes amiss they are a stand-up company to work with, and I do all in my power to help out as well.

Steve,

As I've stated before YOU are a stand up guy. Your offer to cover a major portion of the cost was appreciated, and still is.

However when I talked to BTE directly, as you instructed, they weren't very customer friendly.

I ordered a BTE because it seemed like they would back up their product. reading your posts here and on DRR and because I thought Ed was giving them an unfair test.
That was NOT my experience. When I called, they wanted full proce for a re-stall, although I explained the converter was 1000 rpm off.

If I have to have a special inside connection to get a "custom" converter that was missed by 1000 rpm fixed, I'll pass on to another company.

I told you after this whole mess that it would cost them more than 20 times the converter in lost sales, and I promise that will be true.

They only wanted to fix their mistake after you got involved and probably explained to them how many people I could easily reach to tell my experiences.

It was about 6 months since I purchased the converter, most of it being winter and not race season.
I would have sent it back in sooner but didn't have time or funds due to buying a house.


Novadude,
If you consider missing the requested and/or ideal stall by 1000 rpm, hitting it close, then go for it.
4500 rpm flash stall in a mild street strip car that only sees 5800 rpm...

A STOCK converter and $99 Summit special outperformed the custom $380 converter...

Steve,
BTE could have fixed this, they were given the opportunity, and they missed it.

Steve,

Jake was just fishing to post negative comments, and you took the hook! Having this thread shut down to avoid further negative comments.

No more negative comments to be made....

I will re-emphasize that Steve is without a doubt a good guy to work with.
His willingness to fix a problem goes above and beyond what should be expected.
If anyone needs a transmission, kit, parts, etc.. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Steve.

Jake is okay by me guys! I certainly understand his frustration and unhappiness! No harm done...thanks for the kind words too Jake.

Question here is,
Can we see a pic of the nickel sized chunk of metal? :)

That's a LARGE chunk... Wonder if it's from the case, or ?

Sorry, guys, just didn't want this to head south....

I have no idea where the chunk is from, and won't tear into the tranny myself - I will shelf it as it's the numbers matching tranny for the car. But there was so much crap in the bottom of the pan I'm sure whatever broke it off was wearing more material off regularly. Seemed to be aluminum, as a magnet did not "grab" any of it. Not sure where I put the chunk, but will post a pic if I find it.

Hmmmm, very close to a vendor bash guys, you know the rules, any more comments about BTE, do them in email, not here.

Wally, I know Jake is unhappy! But do NOT give him the boot over this please! He is so like me in many ways....trying to offer help to anyone who asks....I am sure he is just venting his unhappiness and I respect that!!!

Thanks!
Steve O.

Hmmmm, very close to a vendor bash guys, you know the rules, any more comments about BTE, do them in email, not here.

Yes... the only vendor bashing permitted on this forum is accusing Tremec of publishing BS torque ratings. :D :D :D

Yep. How did you know?

But, it's not a bash, I said nothing bad about the product, just about the information they are offering with no supporting data.

It would need to get real bad and personal for me to boot anyone, we all have our opinions and we all jump in without thinking once in a while.

Jake and Steve seem to be the go to guys on automatics and since I don't know jack about them they can run with it, just watch vendor specific stuff like "BM shift kits are trash", big Al's stomach starts to chrun when that happens.

But, it's not a bash, I said nothing bad about the product, just about the information they are offering with no supporting data.


Just giving you a hard time... all in good fun! :)

Well us trans guys can be opinionated...

I respect Steve's opinions on auto trans.

As far as bashing...
I don't personally feel telling your personal experience with any vendor is a bash. If it is it is because a certain vendor made it that way..

B&M....
I just don't use 'em...

Although I have figured out what the specific problem is with using them :)