On September 23rd, 2024, I purchased and received a Chevy 700R4 Automatic Transmission from Speedway Motors, 2WD (Part #91029102). The cost was $2,509.99 plus shipping ($470.99) and tax ($125.52). Total cost was $3096.50. The engine was installed in a 1972 Chevelle Malibu, replacing a manual transmission. The car had a brand new radiator, lines, and torque converter purchased from Jegs, which was in the specifications for fitting this transmission.
Dylan W., an ASE-certified Master Engine Machinist, and Master Automobile Technician installed the transmission. Dylan has a 4-year automotive degree and was employed by Jasper Engines (the nation's largest remanufacturer of gas and diesel engines, transmissions, differentials, air and fuel components, marine engines, sterndrives, performance engines, and electric motors) for 9.5 years as a lead gas and transmission specialist and as a manager of transmission failure analysis.
On Sunday, January 6th, 2024, with less than 200 miles of driving time, the shifting and power engagement began to fail. It also refused to shift down into 1st and 2nd gear. When starting from a stop, the transmission made a high-pitched noise. I recorded this on my iPhone video.
1/20/2024 - I spoke to Marty in Speedway Customer Service and explained the situation. I was told that Speedway sells this product, which is remanufactured by Stellar Automotive Group. They said I needed to contact them to resolve this issue.
Two days later, I had a conference call with my mechanic, Dylan W., and Matt (The manager at Stellar). Throughout the conversation, Dylan satisfactorily answered Matt's questions regarding the installation. Matt said he would have to inspect the transmission to determine what caused the issue. He explicitly stated that we could not open the transmission, or it would void the warranty. Since I had to buy another torque converter, I asked Stellar who they would recommend. I took their advice and purchased another for $225.
We shipped the transmission back to Stellar. Three weeks later, the rebuilt transmission arrived. It was still full of metal shavings (See photo). They informed us that the cause of the failure was the torque converter from JEGS was the problem. We have the original torque converter. We checked it, and it did not fail. I was told by Stellar I would no longer have any warranty on this unit since "they did me a favor."
Buying this from Speedway Motors cost me almost $900 more than it should have ($160 to have it towed to the mechanic for repair, $225 for another new torque converter, and $460 for labor to pull and replace the transmission.) Speedway refused to even give me credit for any of this and simply washed their hands of this.
And they won't post the negative review I placed on their product page. You only see what they want you to see, not the truth.
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