[Cameronluster]

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?

 

[Cameronluster]

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

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?

 

[Cameronluster]

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?

 

[Cameronluster]

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.

 

[Cameronluster]

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 !

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

 

[Cameronluster]

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?

 

[Cameronluster]

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 you think?

 

[Cameronluster]

Looks good to me.

Do you think that the steels that come with it are just as good a Kolene or close enough?

 

[Cameronluster]

Okay I disassembled my trans. All the normal worn out stuff is present and will be replaced. But look at this drum. It’s the only one with anything like this on it. Is it a casting flaw? Or what? There’s nothing else with any damage on it at all. What could cause this?

 

[Cameronluster]

That's fine.
It's casting that hasn't been machined.
Check for cracks in the aluminum around the input shaft.

OK that makes me feel a whole lot better, I may take something to smooth all that out just so no metal pieces can break off in the future

 

[Cameronluster]

Also is it worth is to upgrade to 5 PLANETARY front and rear? Or is that overkill?

 

[Cameronluster]

Also I’m going to go with 1 of these upgraded kits mainly for durability. The main difference I see besides the different brands of parts are 1 kits offers sprags (which mine look completely fine) and the other offers an extra wide band. Now I could get the cheaper kit and buy the band separately. For about $60. But I just want some of your opinions on these two kits and if any of you have used any of them. Basically are the parts in the kit from cyclone transmission just as good as the one from rigid axle? If so I could get that one and save some money.

 

[Cameronluster]

That's fine.
It's casting that hasn't been machined.
Check for cracks in the aluminum around the input shaft.

If I take something abrasive and clean it up some will it need to be balanced or anything?

 

[Cameronluster]

For your purpose I would buy the cyclone kit with the sprags and add a corvette servo, a set of accumulator pistons,hardened pump rings,new boost valve and a shift kit.

Not too sure if I want that kick when it shifts into 2nd. Why do you recommended the cyclone kit?

 

[Cameronluster]

The corvette servo works fine and doesn’t shift real hard if you stay with a stock feed hole size, or slightly larger.Worth it to gain the extra clamping power in 2-4. I have never bought complete kits.I would buy everything separately according to what the transmission was going to be used for.The cyclone kit with the extra parts I mentioned and a hardened sun shell would be a decent build in my opinion,but all rebuilders have different opinions.

What about the extra clamping the wider band would give? What do you think about that?

 

[Cameronluster]

The corvette servo works fine and doesn’t shift real hard if you stay with a stock feed hole size, or slightly larger.Worth it to gain the extra clamping power in 2-4. I have never bought complete kits.I would buy everything separately according to what the transmission was going to be used for.The cyclone kit with the extra parts I mentioned and a hardened sun shell would be a decent build in my opinion,but all rebuilders have different opinions.

Also what is your opinion on the different clutches and steels in each kit ?

 

[Cameronluster]

The wider band is a great upgrade when used with a new drum.I prefer the carbon lined band instead of the red. Borg Warner,Raybestos and Alto are all good friction plates.Kolene steels are more expensive than plain steels.Are they any better? Again personal preference.Your not rebuilding a trans for racing, so don’t over think it,you’ll never stop buying parts.

Pretty much just want one that’ll be stronger and not wear out as fast.

 

[Cameronluster]

Also I would like for you guys to look at the notches on this gear. Does it look like they are worn into the teeth or are they manufactured there to sit in a certain place l?

 

[Cameronluster]

How bad does this look to y’all? When I put it back in the valve body it doesn’t exactly want to slide back and forth very smooth or easily. The others slide back and forth pretty smooth and easily. Worth replacing or is there enough pressure while it’s running for it to not matter?

 

[Cameronluster]

Also what does anyone think about this separator plate with the smaller shift feed holes?