I just read an old article from Super Chevy dating back to Jan 29, 2018 where PerformaBuilt goes through what they do on a Level 3 4L60E transmission build. In this article on step 4 they briefly talk about machining four slots into the bottom face of a grooved sun gear to improve lubrication to the rear planetary gear assembly by allowing the oil to escape from between the bearing and the gear it rests against. And in step 26 they mention that after installing a 13-vane pump rotor that they modify the pump for full-time lubrication modification for the plants .

I don’t build all that many transmissions in year, but I am all ways reading trying to lean more to be able to up the quality of the units that I do build. In all of my reading I have never come across these two things in this article and was hoping that some of you who build these high performance units on a regular basses would share some of your knowledge on how and what is being done here.

I don’t want to put a lot of faith in this article because they talk about how a 5 pinion planet is stronger than a 4 pinion unit and how they used a BorgWarner 32-element dual cage input sprag. What???? I am sure this is a type-o.

Any way I look forward to any light that you may be able to share.
Brian

Link to article
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/tra...e-transmission

 

Uuugh.... PerformaBuilt.

They build some very decent 4L60E family transmissions... and seem to hold-up quite well.

However, they do and say some strange things at times.
You are correct regarding the 5-pinion planetary assemblies.

The slots that they make in both of the planetary sun-gears; is a modification that has been around since at-least the days of the THM700-R4 (probably much further back actually).
If done correctly, the slots will not harm anything... but i do NOT feel that they are necessary at all.






The THM700-R4 originally had some lubrication issues to the planetary gear sets...
This was one popular way of trying to improve lubrication.

Towards the final run of the THM700-R4 transmission line; the Pressure-Reulator Valve was redesigned to increase the lubrication to the planetary gear-sets.
This style Pressure-Regulator Valve was carried over into the 4L60E and so forth.

So when PerformaBuilt says that they made a "Full-Time Lube" modification to the 4L60E... That is BS!
The factory did this from the very start of the 4L60E.
Now if they said that they did this with an earlier-THM700-R4, it could be true.

There choice to use a 13-vane oil-pump is also NOT an upgrade... it is stock; and going to a 10-vane design would be better/ an upgrade for a performance built transmission.

The 32-Element sprag... has to be a "Typo" on behalf of the magazine writer/ editor.

Now the best thing you could do, if you have an issue with the captive torrington-bearing in the rear planetary gear...
Is to use the Sonnax "Smart-Shell" system.
This will redirect the thrust to the top of the inner-race of the one-way roller-clutch for low-reverse.

You can also fit 2 of the factory bushings inside of the rear planetary sun-gear at the same time...
be mindful of where the lube hole is located.

Basically both of the modifications that you mentioned (one is stock to begin with) are unnecessary.

 

Note: The lubrication system for the 4L60E family is actually quite good.

The point where I start to make lubrication system changes (enlarge and add lubrication holes) is around 600 to 700 HP and up.

 

The best way to lube the rear geartrain section as a whole is to block the 4th accumulator and omit the spring/piston in the bore.

 

Thank you vorteciroc and MaroonMonster for sharing your knowledge. I have learned a lot from you guys. Every time I learn something new I can hardly wait to try it.

 

.
^^^^ This

 

Even tho i've been building 700's and 4l60's for years, these two guys have helped me do better too.

 

We all learn together.
Goes around, comes around.
I learn stuff here and on other forums daily.
Thanks to everybody for participating

 

+1

Perfectly said!

 

How can I get details on this, and valve body mods to inlude ofifice size changes relative to other mods like 2nd servo apply area?

 

https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...tor-4l60e.html


https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...-advice-3.html


https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...60e-build.html

 

Old stuff, While I did not write the article much was taken from stuff I had written at some time, some miss understood, some miss retyped,
The Slots in theory allow more oil to sling to planets and likely do, Are they a huge plus? Probably not unless maybe in a towing pulling heavy loads might help some., Certainly do no harm.
By 2018 I was being left out of the loop on many things,

 

I think the Smart Shell from Sonnax is great

 

Smart shell doesn't really cure the lube
But it does redirect the thrust to a less vulnerable torrington...and one that can be easily serviced.