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I am building a 4L60E to replace the 700R4 in my 5.3 swapped squarebody C10. The engine will be getting some sort of power-adder in the near future so I am wanting to build the trans with good parts. I built the 700R4 some years ago so I have some trans experience.
For various reasons I am starting with a 1996 trans as a core. I picked this one up off Cglist, It has a "Goodwrench transmissions service replacement" sticker on it. Tearing into it I can't find any signs of failure. The valve body appears to be original with a '96 casting date. The seperator plate has some bad wear around the check ball locations, one of them seems like it would almost fall through. The '96 plate seems to be a one-year only part, Is there any problem with using an aftermarket universal one to replace it?
I thought I read somewhere that the 4l60E valve body was prone to wear in a certain valve bore, Is this true ? How can I check ?
The Pump has 13V on it and '99 casting dates. Is that common for the pump to be 'upgraded' to a later model by GM rebuilds?
The forward/overrun/3-4 pistons are all the steel type with molded-on seals. They appear in perfect shape and I planned to reuse them unless thats a bad idea.
I have some parts on hand I have picked up over time to build this trans:
Sonnax smart-tech input drum assy with BW oem 3-4 frictions/steels
Sonnax smartshell
Sonnax performance pack
Thanks for the advice.
Last edited by gjestico; Feb 18, 2019 at 05:16 PM.
Reason: typo
I would add the sonnax input drum reinforcement sleeve and the sonnax 2-3 shift valve to your list.
Edit: I think the sonnax input drum comes with it already installed but you may need a different overun piston with that sleeve
You are correct, the smartech drum comes with the reinforcement sleeve installed. The sonnax kit also comes with an aluminum overrun piston ; It may be that the steel type pistons cannot be used with it ?
You are correct, the smartech drum comes with the reinforcement sleeve installed. The sonnax kit also comes with an aluminum overrun piston ; It may be that the steel type pistons cannot be used with it ?
Someone would have to confirm this but im pretty sure the steel forward apply piston can be used with the supplied overun piston.
I picked this one up off Cglist, It has a "Goodwrench transmissions service replacement" sticker on it.
Keep in mind the Goodwrench valve body get a bore job done to the TCC regulator valve. It can be identified by a blue dye spot with "SERV" stamped in it. it's bored to .472 instead of .442 like the factory set up. TransGo is the only ones I am aware of that makes something for the service replacement VB.
Since this is a "Good Wrench" transmission, it will have the oversize PWM valve in the valve body. If you want to change this to a on/off setup, I carry the TransGo oversize on/off valve for this. I have the TransGo 1996-2006 separator plate for these too. I can help you with any questions you might have on this. Let me know if I can be of help.
OK, Thanks all for the advice. I examined the parts and it doesn't look like the valve body has the "Serv" stamp on it, Which apparently would be in the area of the pic I have shown of the VB. This stamp and reamed VB is also mentioned in the Sonnax perf pack instructions.
Given the wear on the seperator plate I am wondering if the VB has similar wear. I wonder if I will be hunting for a new VB.....
Heres some of the parts I have so far :
Missing is the new reverse input drum and band, and new stator support tube.
I found This post from PBA that looks like it has some good info on building. I plan to harvest some of the parts from the old 700R4 once I get it out, It has a vette servo and some other parts that I rebushed and should be in good shape.
If it is a "true" GM reman, it most likely will have the oversize PWM valve. As mentioned, best to check. The standard diameter of this valve is .440" in diameter and the oversize is .471" in diameter. Separator plate wear in not indicative of valve body wear. Most separator plates do not wear well in performance vehicles. That is the reason to use Torlon checkballs to prevent this.
So this is the TCC valve in question ?, I hope. It measures .44" OD. There is some slight scuffing of the VB bore but real hard to tell trying to inspect it through the ports etc.
This trans must have had a few miles on it, before or after the "GM" rebuild. The clutch plates and band all looked perfect, but there is quite a bit of wear between the interlocking fingers of the band drum and the sunshell. Those parts are both being replaced
Started pulling the old trans today. I had forgotten the joy of having hair soaked with ATF.
So I will be reusing these parts that were in the old 700R that I built some years back. But there seems to be a possible issue with the thrust bearing according to this sonnax link : (special taller thrust bearing for the later reaction carrier) https://www.sonnax.com/tech_resource...embly-problems
I was not aware of the 'special' thrust bearing at the time I built the 700R and ran it with the old style. It seems to have worked fine, No indication of wear or any endplay issues. I cant seem to find any data or part number for the newer one either.
Edit: I found an old post by MrVedit on this exact issue that was very helpful. Thanks Mrvedit !
Last edited by gjestico; Mar 12, 2019 at 10:50 AM.
That link literally lays out and spoon feeds you the info you need to determine if you have early or late style. Get out the calipers and do some basic measuring.
It appears from your pic that you have the "extra step" as indicated by pointer A in figure 3. Which indicated early style...and the bearing you have pictured. Run it.
Yep, I measured it according to the sonnax link. It comes out as the later style (I should of mentioned that). The important details like the .130" deep X 2.49" recess match right up. That extra step in the (dark) pic is the wide chamfer to the bore.
The later bearing appears to have an extended lip on it which I might guess helps with centering it on the planet hub.
So then you know what you have and which bearing you need. I guess I'm not sure what your question is.
Run the proper bearing and measure endplay when you rebuild the unit.
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4l60E build....few questions 
