Automatic Transmission 2-Speed thru 10-Speed GM Autos | Converters | Shift Kits
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

4l60e suck 3rd transmission

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 12:01 PM
  #1  
khoward8509's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Default 4l60e suck 3rd transmission

I put 2 in my old Camaro and now the one in my firebird is bad after only having about 4k on a rebuild with a new converter

I was wondering if 700r4 would drop right into there with no problems or what everyone suggests my car has heads and cam on it put 390 to the tires so its not crazy and I don't really beat on it that bad.... what do you guys suggest I don't wanna spend a fortune on this thing just seeing if anyone has any suggestions im in Michigan if anyone has anything for sale but I would need paperwork on what it is
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 02:48 PM
  #2  
jimmyblue's Avatar
Moderator
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 12,604
Likes: 7
From: East Central Florida
Default

If you're eating transmissions again and again, you need
to look for some reason other than the transmission. A
lot of failures are heat (trans cooler, fan settings?) and
state-of-tune (bogus low airflow readings, like you get
from some ghetto mods or letting your MAF get all gummy
from that sweet K&N horsepower sauce).

Letting it run hot and starving it for line pressure is not
going to change when you swap in the next victim.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 05:04 PM
  #3  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

What year were the 4L60E? What were the symptoms when they went bad?
390rwhp is too much for a stock rebuild. Was it a stock rebuild?
It needs at least a 7 friction 3-4 clutch and a bigger boost valve to increase line pressure.
As jimmyblue says, with that much HP and especially if you have a high stall converter, you need an aftermarket cooler. Line pressure should be checked to make sure the PCM is commanding the correct pressure and it isn't low due to a bad TPS or MAF sensor.

A 700R4 has basically the same internals, but an earlier and weaker version of them. IIRC, many use only a 5 friction 3-4 clutch (usually upgraded during a rebuild). GM hardened the sunshell around 2002 and failure of that are very rare after that, but common before that, e.g. in 700R4 at your power level.

Sure a 700R4 can be rebuilt to handle your power, but so can a 4L60E.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 05:36 PM
  #4  
khoward8509's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Default

it is a 98 and the tranny guy said he put a few lil things into it to help beef it up a bit not sure what they were though it just has a trailblazer ss converter 2600 stall I have a b&m tranny cooler with a fan and the fan has never kicked on from being to hot usually runs about 150 in the summer I have a new ls 6 with a new maf sensor and I have a new tps when I put the new t/b on it was probably basically stock he said since its the same tranny that goes in the c5 350hp vette it should hold for what im doing but that is 350 at the flywheel im probably about 430 at the flywheel
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 05:40 PM
  #5  
khoward8509's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Default

i have heads cam intake t/b professionally dyno tuned by baker engineering (there a sponsor) on a dyno
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 07:28 PM
  #6  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

It would be good to know what failed and exactly what "lil things" the rebuilder did. I also check the line pressure when I install a new trans, including checking it during WOT shifts.

Since you locally rebuilt trans failed, I would suggest getting one from one of the sponsors like FLT, RPM or Performabuilt.
I would also be willing to sell one of more "spare" (rebuilt every few months with performance parts and tested) 4L65E to a local person. I sent you a PM on that.
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 08:34 PM
  #7  
khoward8509's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Default

appreciate the message im taking it back to the guy on Monday to see if he will warranty this thing first... if he doesn't then i will be interested in talking about your trans a lil more. i took it to aamco transmissions i paid to much and didn't get what i want i got a friend that works there i should not have taken it there. i have a local owned transmission shop i was gonna try and see what they say if he will not warranty i will keep all posted on Monday 3-4 are slipping and 2nd shifts really funny so im sure it is toast
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 10:44 PM
  #8  
mrvedit's Avatar
Moderator
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Default

Hopefully they will warranty it.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 20, 2013 | 11:17 PM
  #9  
RevGTO's Avatar
Pontiacerator
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (12)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 6,216
Likes: 236
From: Wichita KS / Rancho San Diego
Default

Most of the rebuilt tranny failures reported on this forum sing the same old tune: local shop rebuild and the 3-4 clutch pack fries itself. Maybe he'll warranty it, but what good is that if the next rebuild is of the same quality as the first?

Mrvedit is right - if you want a reliable performance built 4l60e, look to one of our sponsors.

A 700R4 isn't going to do anything for you. It's an earlier non-electronic version of the 4l60e that won't work with an LS1 without a lot of senseless modifications.
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2013 | 08:31 AM
  #10  
khoward8509's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
Default

if they warranty it at least I should get another 5 k out of it then ill buy a new better one I don't feel like putting the money into it right now I just put heads on It and dyno tuned it and I just had a baby and im trying to do a long drive contest stuff and am trying to buy 15 cres so I got other things to put my money towards if he does not warranty it I might put it back into storage till next year
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:35 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE