need advice in-dash GPS? best code scanner? rebuild a 4L60E? rebuilding 350 TBI?: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Dec. 29, 2009 7:14 p.m. jhaas New Reader
OK guys, as the title states i need some advice on these subjects. i'd like to here from those of you with first hand experience this these topics.
1. I need an in dash GPS unit for the wifes 03 denali. we have lcds in the headrest for the 3 kiddos, but the current dvd player is mounted under the rear seat and is a pain to use. I have been looking at eclipse and pioneer. I need to be able to play a dvd for the kids, while using the gps up front. i want ipod control, and steering wheel control that will work with the denail. i also want a back-up camera input. looking at but not sold on eclipse AVN-6620, pioneer Avic-X710BT, others?
2. I want a GOOD code scanner. I work on alot of cars, and help alot of buddys with their cars. I mostly have GM's 88-03, lots of Audis 90-01, and tons of oddballs. i want something that will work on anything i work on.
3. I have 4 chevy 4x4 automatic transmissions i need to rebuild. 89 and 90 700R4, 94 and 95 4L60E. I have looked at kits for about $125-200 just basic rebuild kits. no pumps, of valve body stuff. all are slippin, none seem to have major failure. i figure i'll get the hang of it after a couple teardowns. i've heard it's not to hard, i've also heard it's impossible. I plan on gettin a ATSG manual/dvd. thinkin about goin autozone or summit kits? discuss
4. I have 5 350 TBI years 88-95 that i need to freshen-up/rebuild. i dont want to do any machining on the blocks. i was thinking just bearings rings oil pump maybe new cam/lifters? also thinkin autozone or summit $200 rebuild kits more for a cam etc...
I'd prefer first hand experience with any advice. i'm gonna be spending some coin here, so i need to stay in budget but get the best results i can.

let me know what you guys think...

haas
Dec. 29, 2009 8:00 p.m. patgizz Dork

trans parts from bulkpart.com

i buy all my auto rebuild parts from them and did my 700r4 with their bit that had upgraded frictions. i do the 13 vane pump upgrade to all my 700r4/4l60 rebuilds. you will need to make a couple tools, one to pull the pump and one to compress clutch pack springs. you should pick up the input shaft sleeve installer because it is cheap, and you will need snap ring pliers. also once you assemble the clutch pack sub assemblies test them with air pressure to make sure you got it right. on teardown keep old steels and frictions as you may need one or more to shim the new stacks into spec.

350 TBI re-ring and bearing job is easy. get a full gasket kit, new standard rings and bearings, a new oil pump, IS55E hardened oil pump drive with steel sleeve, cheapie double roller timing set, and go to town. while at it new water pumps are under $20. pick up a ball hone that will do 4" bore since you have so many to do. summit parts work fine and are cheap especially on the rings and bearings.
Dec. 29, 2009 9:19 p.m. mel_horn Dork

There are a few inexpensive code scanners that will do the pre-OBDII GM cars fine, but you may play merry hell finding one for the Audis. Everything from '96 on has the same connector, older than that everybody had their own. IIRC there were 14 for Japanese cars alone.
Dec. 29, 2009 10:34 p.m. CLNSC3 Reader

As far as the in dash nav systems I am partial to the Pioneer AVIC series myself, they are a double din head unit. I had an AVIC N1 in one of my previous cars and I absolutely loved it!
Dec. 30, 2009 4:57 a.m. foxtrapper UltraDork

You ever tried to navigate while driving using a dashboard mounted GPS? It ain't easy! Driving while staring at the radio doesn't work well. A portable GPS mounted up in your line of sight is much safer and easier to navigate by while driving.
Dec. 30, 2009 8:42 a.m. 16vCorey SuperDork

If you want a simple scanner, the cheap autozone ones will scan anything '96 and up. If you want a serious tool that will read individual sensor values, etc., you probably need to go with a Snap-On scanner. We've got the Solus Pro at work with all the adapters, so you can scan ANYTHING that has a plug, but it's freakin' expensive. If you mostly work on Japanese and Euro cars, the VAG-COM is pretty damn cheap, and can do just about everything the Solus can, but last update I got still wouldn't read a lot of Ford and Dodge vehicles. Not sure if they've done anything about that or even plan to.