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.Update on Bowtie Overdrives: I have been unsuccessful in getting any monetary help from Bowtie Overdrives. I paid a reputable shop to install the trans purchased from Bowtie. Bowtie claims we did not follow their warranty instructions by providing line pressures and other items to make sure it was shifting correctly, etc. They said they would rebuild the trans if I returned it. That's a start but shipping costs, paying the shop to R&R and the time involved with shipping/waiting on return was unacceptable and would cost nearly the same as what my local shop said they would re-rebuild and warranty the trans for 3 years. Bowtie verbally said if I had given them line pressures etc. before the failure they would have covered all expenses. That contradicts their official warranty on the website.
I "feel" like if the roles were reversed I would accommodate a customer who used a professional shop to install one of my rebuilds that failed within technically 65 miles. Not to mention inspection showed it was something very rare to both builders and neither can understand how the failure could have happened. Either way, that is how I feel, but feelings don't matter in this situation. The fact is I paid Bowtie for their product. In doing so I was told there was a warranty but did not look into the details of the warranty and the steps to make it valid. Turns out, after going to their website you have to earn their warranty. Please read the warranty attachment below. After reading this, I would not suggest anyone buy a trans from Bowtie, unless Bowtie physically installs the transmission themselves. That way there is no way they can blame a mistake on you and refuse warranty work. Plus that warranty would cover removal and reinstallation.
I have nothing against Bowtie Overdrives. If they were in my home area I would use them. My advice to anyone considering a trans swap is to purchase all necessary parts except the trans(unless it needs a rebuild) pay a local shop for rebuild/installation and get a real warranty that covers the build and installation. If you have a trans shipped in and installed by another shop you are rolling the dice.
My .02 not that anyone asked
That's pretty crummy. Somehow though people like that continue to stay in business. I understand a warranty - but slipping in the sneaky way for the vendor to get out of it "Just Ain't Right". Then again too, I guess that reading the paperwork is what we have to do to survive.
I agree that it only makes sense for you to use your local transmission shop to do the repair. Though I would make DARN SURE what their warranty will do for you if something goes wrong. AND if whatever they claim your new warranty will do isn't in writing it isn't worth having.