animuL

iTrader: (3)

My transmission had about 150k miles on it and started slipping bad. I tore it all apart and rebuilt it along with installing a TransGo HD2 kit. It worked great, better than ever except I could tell the 2-3 shift felt a bit slow and soft. Eventually at WOT it would hit the rev limiter on the 2-3 shift and after a while it has no third gear until I hit about 5k rpm at which point it grabs and goes pretty good (everything else works great, first gear is solid, 1-2 and 3-4 shifts are nice). After pulling the pan off the fluid is dark purple and has quite a bit of clutch matl in it. So I'm either looking at trying to figure out whats wrong and rebuild it again or just buying a new performance transmission. My question is: should a healthy stock transmission with the HD2 kit be able to handle my setup (1.70 60', 112 mph 1/4 mile) or am I pissing in the wind with it?

Thanks in advance!

Leeroyws6

iTrader: (4)

a healthy 4l60e should be able to handle that.not stock though.its gonna have to be upgraded for sure.

animuL

iTrader: (3)

My predicament is that I am going to get a new converter with a higher stall and the last thing I want to do is risk rebuilding again, not catching the problem, and sending clutch material thru a brand new converter. It looks like performabuilt has a very reasonably priced 4l60 rated at 500 whp (im guessing im around 400whp) with a one or two year warranty. Its pretty tempting but at $1650 its practically half the price of othets I have seen so it makes me wonder why the big price difference.

mrvedit

Do you remember what 3/4 clutches you used? Did you just use stock ones from a basic rebuild kit?
(Even stock ones should last reasonably long with your power level.)
Do you remember how big the 3/4 clutch clearance was?
(More than .090 could cause premature failure.)
The 0.093 3rd feel hole drill recommended by Transgo should be enough; I assume you drilled it.
And the BIG question - did you check the 3rd accumulator check ball in the case by the servos? If this leaks, you will burn the 3/4 clutches almost immediately. Lots of first-time rebuilders miss it.
Last, low line pressure and a leaking/worn AFL valve in the valve body will lead to premature 3/4 clutch failure.

IMHO, I would recommend against the cheapest trans from any vendor and go at least one step up from that which will then include some nice upgrades.

ShiftRiteTrans

Hi, in order for it to burn up that quick there had to be a problem with the build or kit install, did your transgo HD-2 Kit have the Input Durm 3/4 capsule replacement in it? How much horsepower do you have on this motor? Did you air check the 3/4 Clutch pack at all? Did you replace the EPC Solenoid?

animuL

iTrader: (3)

I used the oem style Raybestos clutches and did not check the clutch pack clearance nor did I air test it. I did however replace the 3/4 capsule. This engine I'm guessing makes around 500hp n/a and I sometimes run a 125 shot. The more I think about it I am tempted to go with a TH400. I see Performabuilt has them, as well as FTI for $1700 and $1500 respectively. Looks like they can handle much more power (1000whp and 800whp respectively), plus they are more efficient. I never drive on the highway so losing OD is not a big deal to me. Id rather have the piece of mind that I'm not pushing the transmission to its limits.

runtwrestlin

iTrader: (3)

I just installed their stage 2 with a 2800 stall over the weekend. I got their tranny because of the price and good reviews. Give me a few more weeks and I'll let you know what I think of it.

Personally, I can't give up OD b/c I do so much highway driving. If the car isn't your daily driver, or your only vehicle though, I'd say go for it.

animuL

iTrader: (3)

I average under 40 miles a week on my car and do very little highway driving so the TH400 is very tempting but I need to go add up all the other items I need to make it work to see where I am at on overall cost to swap to the TH400 vs buying a 4L60e with 700 or 800 hp rating. Mostly I just want what works best for me, not the cheapest but also knowing that I have no plans to make more than 600-700hp I don't see the need to buy the best there is.

animuL

iTrader: (3)

okay, after much debate I'm back to the 4l60e I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a lvl 2 from performabuilt. I can find nothing but good reviews about this company and that's the best selling point imo.

my1994z28

iTrader: (3)

I have the performabuilt level 2 and love it,the 1-2 shift is nice and the 3-4 is even better..best of all it acts like a stock trans until you go WOT,it will put you in your seat..I am making 525hp with a 120 shot..So for 1800.00 shipped its well worth it..Plus if you break it after the warranty period send it back and for I believe 950.00 you get it rebult like new again..I have gone 10.4 and with 1.42 60ft..

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

I think you will be happy with the Performabuilt.

You sir need to stop giving advice.

animuL

iTrader: (3)

lol. I think he means well but basically he says "yes. And by yes I mean no."

animuL

iTrader: (3)

Ordered the Performabuilt lvl 2 4L60e today and trying to decide on a converter but I'm leaning heavily towards a 3800 or 4000 stall FTI hard hit.

animuL

iTrader: (3)

....and converter has been ordered! Can't wait to try this new setup. The last two times I went to the track I couldn't get a single solid pass due to transmission issues.

runtwrestlin

iTrader: (3)

Awesome man!

Orangemagic

iTrader: (2)

Good luck. Gotta keep us updated on how the FTI stall works out

Beatdown Z

iTrader: (18)

Anyone else have experience with the "Hard Hit" converters from FTI?

animuL

iTrader: (3)

Two days ago was the first time at the track with the ATI... I ran a new pb of 1.77 60' on 3yr old dry rotting nitto 555 street radials. My previous pb was on drag radials and was only 1.84.