tnmotown

iTrader: (107)

I've been tossing around the idea of going to a built TH400. I currently have a FLT level 4 4L60e and I love it, it does it job and has never skipped a beat.

BUT, I want to get full potential and since I just got my MWC 9", I'm thinking of a trans brake and spray off the line. So I'm just trying to weigh out my options on what to do. I have a PT4000 stall and 3.89 gears with 275/50 MT DR's.

I would like to hear some pros vs. cons from you guys who have personally switched from a 4l60e to a TH400. My car is a weekend toy and I take it to the track a couple times a year which is almost a 4hr round trip. Any input I greatly appreciate!!! Thanks

mrvedit

With 3.89 gears you will be running 4000 RPM on the highway with the TH400. That sounds awful for a 4 hour trip.
I think an FLT level 4 should be able to handle 600HP, but why not call them to be sure and perhaps get some suggestions on how to extend the life.

What kind of times are you running now and how much spray are you thinking?

SnIpEz

iTrader: (4)

Agreed, for something that sees the track so little and when it does has to drive that far, the TH400 sounds like a less-than-ideal choice by far. Why not a 4L80E?

tnmotown

iTrader: (107)

Yeah those RPM's may be a bit too much for me. I did an 11.6 with bolt-ons and now I added a cam and thinking about a 100-150 shot on top.

Mainly because cost and the weight factor.

projectX

iTrader: (51)

I'd say do a 4l80e if anything if you want to keep mostly street but I'm sure your built 4l60e will hold well.

SnIpEz

iTrader: (4)

Weight difference between an 80E and a TH400 is negligible at best. ~35 pounds? When you have overdrive and lockup, that's more than fair as a tradeoff.

Price I can understand though. I would save more however if you really are going to be on the street that much on the weekends and have to make such a far away drive.

weistim

Just got my 4l60e rebuilt and regretting not spending the money on the 400 with the tbrake.

tnmotown

iTrader: (107)

Yeah its been holding well for the power I have right now.
I think an 80e would be the way to go. If I do any change I'll probably sell my 60e to go towards the 80e. It is nice having the overdrive and lockup with going out on trips.
Thats what I want, is that t-brake. But I think whenever the times comes and my car is strictly a drag car, then a th400 it is.

Kingc8r

iTrader: (21)

Ball out Tino and get a tow rig for the camaro lol. I'd go 4L80 personally since you drive it so far and the track usage will be light, you can get a T-brake too

tnmotown

iTrader: (107)

Haha, I have been talking to my wife about getting a tow rig/trailer to have on hand. I know it would be used a lot!

I do like to make long trips at times, so I guess that OD is keeping me sane from higher rpm cruising.

Yeah I think it's Rossler with the trans brake? but damn its $$$$ lol.

SnIpEz

iTrader: (4)

F..k Rossler's brake, overpriced and one of the poorest performing on the market TBQH.

Bowtiedford

iTrader: (9)

I guess its what you feel comfortable cruising at and driving around. On my car the 4l60e is excellent in driveabilty and performance. I've had a 400 on a different car but was not fun as a daily or cruising. My 4l60e also runs a 4000 stall lockup and I run single digits on the nitrous. I would never go back to a 3 spd auto.

Launch

th400.

4l60e's are JUST good enough, for a stock, unopened, untuned ls1.

trans shops can sell level 1 or level 100000000 all they want. ill smoke the 3-4 clutch pack first drive if the torque management in the pcm is tuned out.

4l60e = JUNK

Bowtiedford

iTrader: (9)

I guess you run 8's in the 1/4? Stupid remark

My 68,000 mile 4L60E was stock at first with a shift kit and a yank 3200 convertor, had it in my Mustang for about 9 years. ran 11:40's all the time and 10:60's with nitrous for all those years. front pump went out once and shift solenoid once also. Now I'm running a built 4L60E with a 4000 stall lock up convertor and can drive it anywhere, runs 10's on motor and then I have 2 stages of nitrous which brings me to single digits.

Yes the 4L60E is a weaker trans then a 4L80E or a turbo 400. Heck I remember when powerglides were thought of as a junk anemic transmission. But as technology changes and people learn more tricks these trans are getting better and stronger.

tnmotown

iTrader: (107)

Yeah it's hard to say 60e are junk when they can be built right. My tuner has a built 60e in his fox and runs low 9's threw it.

I guess you cant go wrong with th400, but seems like it'll be better off if you are dedicated drag.

los p

iTrader: (2)

it all depends ones tolerance. i switch from a 4l60 to a th400 with a tb about 3 years ago and mines sees a lot of street time when weather permits. My car sees the track at least once a month sometimes more and its never missed a beat . From what iv seen you will always have 4l60s that can get you low numbers but the question is for how long and i think thats where the 3speeds and 4l80s separate themselves. I can tolerate the higher cruising rpms in return for more reliability

Puck

iTrader: (17)

With your 26" tall MT you'll be around 3500 at 70mph with a non-OD trans like a 350, 400, or PG. If you can run a 28" tire you'll only be at 3300rpm @ 70mph, which isn't too bad if its not a daily driver and won't see the highway too often.

I'd go with the bigger trans, too many people settle into rebuild cycles with 60e's and TH350s and spend all this money going through multiple trans when they could have just went to a stronger unit in the first place. The extra weight and drivetrain loss is worth it IMO...I'd take a tenth hit to my ET to not have to worry about tearing down a trans every year.

NHRAFORMULA00

iTrader: (2)

Yes my FLT level 6 only has( 150 )runs on it in the high 9's low 10's, PURE JUNK, never skipped a beat.
O.P. why do you want a trans brake? You do know they are ONLY used to hold the car on the starting line.

kinglt-1

iTrader: (26)

I have had the torque management tuned out on mine for 6yrs and the 3-4 clutch pack is fine.

The 4l60e is a great transmission.

Dark SS

iTrader: (6)

I was in your same spot as I started planning my build. What I came up with was to get the 4L60 built. You can spray out of the hole.

4L60- I don't need another stall, least parasitic loss, lightest, moderate build price, O/D and can run a higher gear ratio.

TH400- Relatively cheap to make bullet proof, no OD, no lock up, T brake is awesome, would suck with a 26" street tire.

4L80- Best of both worlds in terms of reliability and streetability, expensive as **** to build, heavy, T brake isn't as reactive as on TH400.

Since I decided to get my 4L60 built I don't have to change much, it isn't insanely expensive and can handle a lot when built right.