4L60e trans. Rebuild.

2942 Views 47 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Cameronluster, 5 mo ago

Cameronluster

Discussion Starter · 7 mo ago

About to rebuild my trans in my 97 Silverado. I’m looking at all the kits on summit and just had a few questions.

What are the pros and cons to the corvette servo?
Any recommended kits any of you have used?
Also what should I look for in the kits to make the trans stronger than it was from factory?

1 - 20 of 48 Posts

'49 Ford Coupe

· #2 · 7 mo ago

Servo = Sonnax 2-4 full servo kit..both pieces, 10 o-rings, the best there is.
get Steel pressure plates to replace aluminums if that's what is in there now.
Sonnax 0.500 pressure valve in the pump.
Transgo kits are good. investigate various versions.
Watch the series of videos on TransmissionBench.com... very good coverage.. I set up my phone on a stand while reassembling so I could review each chapter while putting it back together.
Inspect EACH part very carefully when disassembling. If any doubt about integrity, get a new one, particularly your planetary gears. (ask me how I know)
Watch as many YouTubes as you can on the subject, too.

I have three chapters on my website that address the rebuilding of my 700R4, which, when it comes to the drivetrain, is pretty much identical to a 4L60E (but not the controls). . scroll down to appropriate gallery, this is the home page..Good LUCK !

49fordcoupe.smugmug.com

PaulsPics

Check out how to build a classic 1949 Ford street rod with modern features and power and convenience you never thought possible. With a 383 SBC Stroker engine, S-10 front frame, Jaguar XJS/XJ6 rear end, air conditioned, power brakes, and power steering.

49fordcoupe.smugmug.com

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Reactions: 1

BogiesAnnex1

· #3 · 7 mo ago

Corvette servo has over 50% more surface area so it applies that much more force to the 2-4 band.

Typically these performance rebuild kits replace the items that the stock 700R4 through 4L60E’s are known to be inadequate for heavy duty and performance work.

That said GM constantly has put upgrades into these transmissions so not all upgrades are needed all of the time.

The cons to the Corvette servo is the shift on 2nd and 4th will be more feel-able in your butt. Opposite of GM’s long standing desire for imperceptible shifts.

Bogie

123pugsy

· #4 · 7 mo ago

The aluminum input drums have been known to crack.
I used this:

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Cameronluster

Discussion Starter · #5 · 6 mo ago

BogiesAnnex1 said:
Corvette servo has over 50% more surface area so it applies that much more force to the 2-4 band.

Typically these performance rebuild kits replace the items that the stock 700R4 through 4L60E’s are known to be inadequate for heavy duty and performance work.

That said GM constantly has put upgrades into these transmissions so not all upgrades are needed all of the time.

The cons to the Corvette servo is the shift on 2nd and 4th will be more feel-able in your butt. Opposite of GM’s long standing desire for imperceptible shifts.

Bogie
[/QUOTE

BogiesAnnex1 said:
Corvette servo has over 50% more surface area so it applies that much more force to the 2-4 band.

Typically these performance rebuild kits replace the items that the stock 700R4 through 4L60E’s are known to be inadequate for heavy duty and performance work.

That said GM constantly has put upgrades into these transmissions so not all upgrades are needed all of the time.

The cons to the Corvette servo is the shift on 2nd and 4th will be more feel-able in your butt. Opposite of GM’s long standing desire for imperceptible shifts.

Bogie

what about these two kits from summit? They seem to have good reviews and I tune the only difference is the included servo. What is your opinion on these?

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Crosley

· #6 · 6 mo ago

123pugsy said:
The aluminum input drums have been known to crack.
I used this:

View attachment 627669

View attachment 627670

View attachment 627671

That sleeve seems to bottom out on the aluminum drum ? I do not see the usual gap for oil flow to apply the over run piston & clutch pack ?

123pugsy

· #7 · 6 mo ago

Crosley said:
That sleeve seems to bottom out on the aluminum drum ? I do not see the usual gap for oil flow to apply the over run piston & clutch pack ?

There's a notch on the bottom that I'm assuming is for oil flow.

3w coupe

· #8 · 6 mo ago

Crosley said:
That sleeve seems to bottom out on the aluminum drum ? I do not see the usual gap for oil flow to apply the over run piston & clutch pack ?

When you press the sleeve onto the drum,you line up the notch with the apply hole leaving the apply path open. You can see the notch on the instruction sheet.

Reactions: 1

Crosley

· #9 · 6 mo ago

3w coupe said:
When you press the sleeve onto the drum,you line up the notch with the apply hole leaving the apply path open. You can see the notch on the instruction sheet.

It appears Sonnax altered the design of the sleeve. Which is a good thing. The 3 stand offs could damage the aluminum drum if pressed on too far.

123pugsy

· #10 · 6 mo ago

Crosley said:
It appears Sonnax altered the design of the sleeve. Which is a good thing. The 3 stand offs could damage the aluminum drum if pressed on too far.

Mine is going good after 2 years. I beat the snot out of my car. Not always, but a fair bit.

Cameronluster

Discussion Starter · #11 · 6 mo ago

what about these two kits from summit? They seem to have good reviews and I tune the only difference is the included servo. What is your opinion on these?

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123pugsy

· #12 · 6 mo ago

I would go with the expensive kit. I find you usually get what you pay for.

Crosley

· #13 · 6 mo ago

Your 1997 Siverado should have a deep pan ? Truck pan if it is oem design truck pan.. . You need the correct filter. Or, perhaps there is an aftermarket pan on this trans?

3w coupe

· #14 · 6 mo ago

Cameronluster said:
what about these two kits from summit? They seem to have good reviews and I tune the only difference is the included servo. What is your opinion on these? View attachment 627704

You should take the trans apart and see what you need before ordering parts.There we’re some differences in these transmissions like moulded pistons and filters like Crosley said.Those kits you show are pretty incomplete for a HD build.

Reactions: 1

Cameronluster

Discussion Starter · #15 · 6 mo ago

3w coupe said:
You should take the trans apart and see what you need before ordering parts.There we’re some differences in these transmissions like moulded pistons and filters like Crosley said.Those kits you show are pretty incomplete for a HD build.

It’s just a normal stock trans. I just want a kit with some good durable parts so it will last longer than this one did.

123pugsy

· #16 · 6 mo ago

Cameronluster said:
It’s just a normal stock trans. I just want a kit with some good durable parts so it will last longer than this one did.

How long did the one you have now last?

Do a Google search on building a performance 4L60e.

building a performance 4L60e - Google Search

More parts at PATC:

PATC GM Transmissions, TH400, 700R4, 4L60E, 4L80E, 6L80E & others

Cameronluster

Discussion Starter · #17 · 6 mo ago

'49 Ford Coupe said:
Servo = Sonnax 2-4 full servo kit..both pieces, 10 o-rings, the best there is.
get Steel pressure plates to replace aluminums if that's what is in there now.
Sonnax 0.500 pressure valve in the pump.
Transgo kits are good. investigate various versions.
Watch the series of videos on TransmissionBench.com... very good coverage.. I set up my phone on a stand while reassembling so I could review each chapter while putting it back together.
Inspect EACH part very carefully when disassembling. If any doubt about integrity, get a new one, particularly your planetary gears. (ask me how I know)
Watch as many YouTubes as you can on the subject, too.

I have three chapters on my website that address the rebuilding of my 700R4, which, when it comes to the drivetrain, is pretty much identical to a 4L60E (but not the controls). . scroll down to appropriate gallery, this is the home page..Good LUCK !

PaulsPics

Check out how to build a classic 1949 Ford street rod with modern features and power and convenience you never thought possible. With a 383 SBC Stroker engine, S-10 front frame, Jaguar XJS/XJ6 rear end, air conditioned, power brakes, and power steering.

49fordcoupe.smugmug.com

Are the kits on that site quality kits like some on summit?

'49 Ford Coupe

· #18 · 6 mo ago

Just do what 3w coupe says. But the kits are not going to have specialty items that will improve performance such as the sonnax items that I mentioned above..

And watch those videos on transmissionbench.com plus all the related videos on YouTube that you've got time to watch before you tear it all apart.. save the links so that you can quickly check back and follow those as you are putting it back together.

123pugsy

· #19 · 6 mo ago

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Cameronluster

Discussion Starter · #20 · 6 mo ago

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What about this kit? What does everyone think? Rigid Axel always seems to have good stuff. It’s a beefed up kit so help the 4L60E be more durable. But it’s doesn’t have the Kolene steels. And I’ll still need to get the sonnax sunshell. But what is everyone’s opinion?

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