Recommendations for 4L60E upgrades?

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Jul 26, 2009 | 03:29 PM

brossow

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From: Mankato, Minnesota

Recommendations for 4L60E upgrades?

I swear I checked the stickies and searched the forum (and Google) before posting this, so if I overlooked something please be gentle.

I've got a very low mile 4L60E that's going to be backing a mostly stock '99 LS1 (headers and full duals are the only planned mods right now) in my '72 Chevy shortbed project. It'll be driving a GM 12-bolt with 3.73 gears and an Eaton posi.

I just picked up a Phoenix torque converter (2400-2600 stall) to go with it. I have a Transgo shift kit for it on the shelf. What else should I really consider upgrading before I bolt it together? I don't want to get into significant disassembly, but I don't want to skip something that would be desirable as long as the tranny is as accessible as it's ever gonna be.

If this is covered elsewhere, please post a link and help a guy out.

Thanks a ton,
Brent

Jul 26, 2009 | 10:40 PM

built408

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IMO, this is what I would do in addition to the shift kit you have-

Metal 1-2 and forward accumulator pistons
Corvette 093 2nd gear servo
Transgo seperator plate
And a good cooler

You could do billet servos, but i've never been a fan of these on stock internals/shell. But all these are inexpensive items and shouldn't run too much more the $100 bucks, and all items are an easy install. A sponsor will chime in to see what they recommend.

Last edited by built408; Jul 26, 2009 at 10:45 PM.

Jul 27, 2009 | 10:05 AM

brossow

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Staging Lane

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Thanks for that info! I've done some more research and consequently have more questions.

1. With the 'Vette servo some places are recommending an improved boost valve. I'm seeing the boost valve in various sizes: .470", .490", .500", etc. How do I know which to choose? EDIT: It seems this valve may be included with the TransGo shift kit, which is still sealed in a box at home while I type this from my office. Might be a moot point unless someone says I should upgrade beyond what's in the TransGo kit?

2. Is there a specific cooler that's generally recommended for this application? Obviously there are tons of choices, but if there's one that really stands out then I'd like to know.

Thanks again!

Last edited by brossow; Jul 27, 2009 at 11:04 AM.

Jul 27, 2009 | 11:06 AM

built408

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The transgo HD-2 kit comes with a .500 boost valve, and thats what I would run. As for coolers, a plate and fin type is more efficient, a 24k or larger would probably do the trick.

Jul 27, 2009 | 11:37 AM

brossow

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Okay, cool. Just ordered the 'Vette servo, Sonnax accumulators for 1-2 and 3-4 plus the forward accumulator, and the TransGo separator plate. (Actually I ordered all that x2 so I can do my '02 Z28 as well.) I'll research the cooler a little more; no hurry on that as it'll be months (at least) before the truck's back on the road.

Thanks again! You've been a huge help!

Jul 27, 2009 | 11:39 AM

performabuilt2

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get the stock plastic accumulator pistons out and replace with a aluminum piston or sonnax has a pinless piston you have 3 of them in the tranny a forward accum which is in the VB and a 1-2 accum which is in the housing and a 3-4 accum which is in the case under the seperator plate...with a stock shell i recommend using a vette servo which you may already have stock anyway...follow the direction onthe hd2 kit and get a good cooler for it with a high stall dont use more than 1 washer in the 1-2 accumulator maybe 2 it will get violent on shifting....grind the second land from the back of the pressure regulator valve for the fulltime converter lube mod. thats about all you can do without cracking the case open and pulling it apart

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Jul 27, 2009 | 04:39 PM

PedaltoMetal

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Just an FYI. You can't put a Sonnax pinless in the 1-2 accumulator if you install the Transgo HD2.

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Jul 27, 2009 | 05:41 PM

performabuilt2

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Quote:

Originally Posted by brossow

Why is that?

you can use the pinless piston if you want to you just dont use the acumulator setup that transgo puts in it....the pinless piston cant use the springs that the TG kit has....however from the thickness of that pinless piston it pretty much does the same thing as far as accumulation limitation...soyes you can use the pinless piston withthe TG kit...however in my builds i leave the acumualtor stock and use more servo and feed..in your setup i would use the TG setup withthe stock aluminum pistons it willwork better with the vette servo

Jul 27, 2009 | 05:46 PM

#10

brossow

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Okay, thanks for the info! I haven't paid for the accumulators yet and hope I can change the order to pinned versions instead. Keep the pinless for 3-4 though, you think? In some quick research that's what others seem to be doing. Or change both to the standard aluminum pistons instead?

Last edited by brossow; Jul 27, 2009 at 05:51 PM.

Jul 27, 2009 | 05:53 PM

#11

performabuilt2

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realy no need for a pinless in the 3-4 just turn the piston upside down in other words put the spring inthe case first and then the piston this will for the most part eleiminate the 3-4 accumulator...the pinless is a very good idea for the forward accumulator in the VB though

Jul 27, 2009 | 05:54 PM

#12

brossow

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Staging Lane

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Okay, cool. I really appreciate the info. I love to learn but automatic trannies are alien territory for me.

Jul 27, 2009 | 06:03 PM

#13

performabuilt2

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lol not to bad to learn if you understand hydarualics its a ckae walk other than that just snaprings and clutches and seals

Jul 27, 2009 | 10:05 PM

#14

Frost

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make sure you have torque management removed from your PCM.

Jul 27, 2009 | 10:09 PM

#15

brossow

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Staging Lane

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Frost

make sure you have torque management removed from your PCM.

Roger that. I haven't even begun to think about PCM programming for this project (LS1/4L60E swap into a '72 Chevy shortbed). Suggestions? I'm virtually positive there isn't a local tuner for me to go to, but I do have a 2-license copy of LS1edit sitting here (long story that).