So I killed my 4L60E...
07-18-2011, 04:01 PM
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So I killed my 4L60E... Can a 4L60E be built to withstand use on a road course? I just cooked mine over the weekend at The Heidts Performance Car Challenge. (At least I got one good track session in... ) Should I bother having it rebuilt & running a trans cooler, or should I bite the bullet & look for a 4L80E? What does it take to swap to a 4L80E? I'm not too concerned with fabrication, but what about electronics? I see Jake's is running a sale on their Stage 2 4L80E for $2350, but I'd like to keep costs to a minimum... (My wife is already telling me that I should look into selling a kidney.)
Running about 380 hp/ 380 ft. lb. LS1 in a '77 Camaro.
Running about 380 hp/ 380 ft. lb. LS1 in a '77 Camaro.
07-18-2011, 04:07 PM
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With that power to weight ratio heat is going to be the defining issue. You're not making killer power so you're definately not in danger of braking shafts or anything like that.
The transmission does not generate the heat. The torque converter does. So, when you're constantly running up and down through the gears you are generating tons and tons of heat because it never goes into lock up, which allows it cool off.
How long is this track? How many laps do you run?
I'm certain that with the correct converter, a well designed cooler system and between round maintenance whereby you use a fan to cool down the converter you should be able to run a very, very well built 60e.
An 80e would suffer the same fate as the converter will generate heat just the same.
The transmission does not generate the heat. The torque converter does. So, when you're constantly running up and down through the gears you are generating tons and tons of heat because it never goes into lock up, which allows it cool off.
How long is this track? How many laps do you run?
I'm certain that with the correct converter, a well designed cooler system and between round maintenance whereby you use a fan to cool down the converter you should be able to run a very, very well built 60e.
An 80e would suffer the same fate as the converter will generate heat just the same.
07-18-2011, 07:22 PM
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I would love to have a 6 speed, but I just finished my LS1 swap and I'm not up to tacking another huge engineering project.
For the record, I was using the stock converter. The track was about 1.5 miles long. We ran 15 minute sessions (not sure how many laps that was) with probably only about 30 to 45 minutes between sessions. I was into my 2nd lap in the second run session when the trans started jumping in & out of gear, then nothin'. It was around 90 degrees out that day, so I don't think the trans got much cooling between sessions. I have seen guys with generators using fans on their cars, now I know why...
Actually, I'm not too bothered that it happened. I just look at it as an opportunity to get something stronger! (But don't tell my wife that! I'm hoping the rearend breaks sometime next fall. Hmmmmm...)
For the record, I was using the stock converter. The track was about 1.5 miles long. We ran 15 minute sessions (not sure how many laps that was) with probably only about 30 to 45 minutes between sessions. I was into my 2nd lap in the second run session when the trans started jumping in & out of gear, then nothin'. It was around 90 degrees out that day, so I don't think the trans got much cooling between sessions. I have seen guys with generators using fans on their cars, now I know why...
Actually, I'm not too bothered that it happened. I just look at it as an opportunity to get something stronger! (But don't tell my wife that! I'm hoping the rearend breaks sometime next fall. Hmmmmm...)
