MaroonMonsterLS1

I've done it both ways.
I like to leave that check ball active.
Either way will work.
To each their own

2BFAST

iTrader: (11)

I see what you mean, but I did test fit the plate to the VB and it fits in the cavity for the check ball nice and doesnt contact the casting. The other side is flat though

matermark

I saw a 4-pinion torn up pretty badly; the pinion hole looked like a hockey rink--and a batwing was found in a valve body passage--what would have caused it if not power?

matermark

Did you mean "Especially if you ARE running the sonnax input" instead of aren't? Had to reread that a few times...sorry.

bbond105

He is saying that if you are not running the Sonnax billet input shaft, that you will break the stock input shaft before you will the 4 pinion carrier. Lack of lubrication or failed thrust bearings is what kills plant pinions, not hp.

matermark

I don't think their input shafts are billet, especially the way billet would be designed & achieved, Generally, a hunk of metal is machined from many angles until it ends up with the end result. To get there, grain is interrupted, machined, notched, etc. Think of what a crankshaft must be made into and how much breaking a grain flow is involved. I'm sure an input shaft is much less flow interruption than a crank with throws and counterweights.

I have noticed that their Smart-Tech housing ad with shaft, the 77733-11KA model as an example, says they use only the latest, brand new GM parts... and their shaft says:

"Smart-Tech input housing kit with heavy duty input shaft 77733-11KA fits 300mm non-reluctor style units. The high-strength shaft features many unique refinements available only from Sonnax, including a unique design that protects against failure from stress cracks. Both the housing and shaft also are available separately."My bet is there's some type of heat treating as well as shot-peening too. You'd be surprised what a soothing overnight bake and shot-peening can do for input shafts and forward drum shafts--in 200-4R's, those 2 processes ended the snapping & fracturing.

BY THE WAY--the 11KA had that reduced diameter ring/step less than a half inch tall on the shaft, like found on some of the 4l65e's I've seen...

MaroonMonsterLS1

to your first post:4 pinions don't fail from power.
you saw a lube failure

to your second post: No, I did not make a typo. I don't think it was that tough to understand but read it again.
I said you won't break a 4 pinion, if you are running a stock input shaft. Implying that the input shaft will break long before the planetary does...
the input would be a 10a fuse and the planet is a 30a fuse...if those are in line together...you know which will blow first

to your third post: mentioning "billet" shafts is common in the industry
sometimes they are a forging and are roll formed in the spline area
some start as raw bar stock and get turned into a shaft...easily considered billet...meaning coming from a billet blank "semifinished iron/steel/aluminum etc bar or block"



And

pdxmotorhead

Great read,, question,, so why did GM make the 5 pinion change? I have a 4L65E recently rebuilt. Haven't used it yet..
Was it a RPM thing ?

Just pondering thanks!

Dave

MaroonMonsterLS1

GM did alot of screwed up stuff with transmissions that didn't make sense
at all

they did it because they went to a different material and process for the carrier and they needed an additional pinion to distribute the load of the carrer. Ultimately, it is my personal opinion that they made a CHEAPER planetary setup to offset the cost of the shafts in the 4l65 and 4l70 transmissions.

by all measures, the 5 pinions are objectively worse than a 4 pinion...in my opinion

pdxmotorhead

Interesting,, in the transfer cases from New Venture (NP231 and 241) the 241 6 pinion is SOOO much quieter than the 3 pinion in the 231.
I always kinda associate wear with noise..

We shall see how the 4l65E survives in the Jeep.. Its not a crawler or bogger so I didn't go too fancy, minor upgrades only and had the
builder set it for a "just firm" not hard slamming shift. I'll see how he did this weekend!

Running with a Terminator X-Max so I can adjust a bit..

vorteciroc

As I have said many times now... the 5-Pinion Planets were a cost savings measure.
They are absolutely inferior!

GM was not trying to offset cost, but just increase profits.

There are now several Threads on this forum going over why the 5-Pinion Planets are inferior.

vorteciroc

This should come down more to Tooth-Angle than anything else.

vorteciroc

I am kind of thinking that I would like to request a "Sticky" be made regarding 5-Pinion Planets...
Nobody seems to search for info regarding this.

Anyone have an opinion?

dixiebandit69

Yeah, we could make a sticky for it, but do you think that the average noob will look at it?

Either way, I say it can't hurt. I vote yes.

MaroonMonsterLS1

Vortec I'd be happy to write that up with ya

as well as covering other parts that are an utter waste of money haha

Tranzman

I get asked about them all the time. It would be nice to have something to direct them to. Cause you know if its on the internet it's gotta be true!!!😄

98CayenneT/A

I agree that you will still see the repeat threads but it will be easier because any less knowledge member (like myself) can just reply "check the stickies" in order to help as opposed to one of the much more knowledgeable guys taking the time to give a detailed response time after time.

I don't know why people don't do searches tho. You literally punch your question into Google and just simply type Ls1 at the end and the info is endless. (Not directed at you dixiebandit69 )

Example: Google search....5 pinion planetary 4l60e Ls1



I think this is a good idea to group a few things together that you guys see fit all in the same thread (Example: Red Alto clutches in the 3-4)

bbond105

Or the worlds greatest 3-4 clutch the Z-Pack. Haha

vorteciroc

Sounds good to me.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

so a billet 7 pinion planet is a waste.....got it