Honestly, I have no idea how a TC can die! In the ones I've seen, I can't understand how one can possibly die. They are such beefy components, it rediculous. But, if metal shavings get into them when a tranny dies, the shop doing a rebuild will HAVE to replace the TC. B/c those shavings in the TC are hiding and will come out and ruin the brand new tranny rebuild.

I would guess it would take a large chunk of metal to really do enough damage to those gears inside the TC unit for it to die.

If I didn't have plans to put some serious HP through my tranny, I would go with a junk yard unit for a replacement. Just make sure there is some kind of 30+ day warranty on it. There usually is.

 

well here is the deal, the VE tranny didnt have one peice of metal missing out of it.... ALL gears were fine........i tore that tranny down to bare aluminum.... no stripped gears, so i suspect the torque converter.....