Rebuilt 4L60E issues. Finally fixed!
TECH Regular
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 463
Likes: 179
The gold spacer from transgo is kind of a hack way to get the servo pin travel into spec. the recommended way is to get the sonnax extra long pin and grind it until you get your desired travel (about 0.060"). this spec is way smaller than what is recommended in manuals BTW. i don't think "pushing too hard on the band" is your problem. if the travel is too tight or too loose and would cause weird shift timing into 2nd which I don't recall being a problem? if the clearance was way tight i would think your band would be burnt and slipping into 2nd. i had a 700r4 i did where the servo pin had been cut incorrectly and actually dug into the band and causes slipping into 2nd.
I still think your problem is cross leaks (valve body) related but I have no evidence at this point
I still think your problem is cross leaks (valve body) related but I have no evidence at this point
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 98
Likes: 4
You could be correct and I am not doing all of this because I think youre wrong. I am doing this as a learning point and also to make sure that there isn't anything else wrong. If I knew for certain that the second valve body I have would work, I would try to use it, but I am not certain. I also do not know for sure how to get an exact match of the VB for the year I have.
TECH Regular
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 463
Likes: 179
Ok, let's clarify here... The OTHER valve body you have is a '95 correct?
Which valve body did you get vac tested? The original '97 or the '95?
EDIT: i believe the 95 units had a PWM 3-2 solenoid and 96+ went to an on/off arrangement. i also think the tcc solenoid was different. blocking the 3-2 valve is a normal practice around here, just use the correct solenoid to avoid CEL, so that isnt a problem. I believe same with the TCC solenoid, install the correct one and move on.
you could use a 95 transgo plate and gaskets and it should work. however i have never done this so cannot recommend it. maybe @MaroonMonsterLS1 could help here? i have asked him interchange questions before. I still think fixing your '97 VB is the way to go...
Which valve body did you get vac tested? The original '97 or the '95?
EDIT: i believe the 95 units had a PWM 3-2 solenoid and 96+ went to an on/off arrangement. i also think the tcc solenoid was different. blocking the 3-2 valve is a normal practice around here, just use the correct solenoid to avoid CEL, so that isnt a problem. I believe same with the TCC solenoid, install the correct one and move on.
you could use a 95 transgo plate and gaskets and it should work. however i have never done this so cannot recommend it. maybe @MaroonMonsterLS1 could help here? i have asked him interchange questions before. I still think fixing your '97 VB is the way to go...
Last edited by tayto; Jun 25, 2022 at 06:14 PM.
TECH Junkie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 716
From: Poplarville, MS
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 98
Likes: 4
Multiple things. All the apply pistons in drum were so loose that they wouldnt stay together with the seals. I also found two metal plates in the bottom that were upside down I believe. If I am correct, there is a notch in the ring that has to face a specific way, two were backwards. I did not measure clearance of clutches as I am going to be getting a new kit anyways, with a Zpak. all gears and splines looked nice. Im not sure how to tell about bushings though.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 98
Likes: 4
the exact kit I was going to get.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Nope, perhaps the worst choice available now. They might have better than the frictions in the original 1994 4L60E when engines were 300HP, but they absolutely do not hold up with modern LS engines.
They haven't been mentioned much here lately because all the pro building tried hard 5-10 years ago to get everyone away from them. They are disappointed that Raybestos still sells them, especially because their GPZ frictions are much better.
Back when I was testing everything and rebuilding/swapping my trans every few months, I recall testing the ZPak; I installed them with their recommended .050" clearance and a few months later they had worn to .100" clearance.
They haven't been mentioned much here lately because all the pro building tried hard 5-10 years ago to get everyone away from them. They are disappointed that Raybestos still sells them, especially because their GPZ frictions are much better.
Back when I was testing everything and rebuilding/swapping my trans every few months, I recall testing the ZPak; I installed them with their recommended .050" clearance and a few months later they had worn to .100" clearance.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 98
Likes: 4
Nope, perhaps the worst choice available now. They might have better than the frictions in the original 1994 4L60E when engines were 300HP, but they absolutely do not hold up with modern LS engines.
They haven't been mentioned much here lately because all the pro building tried hard 5-10 years ago to get everyone away from them. They are disappointed that Raybestos still sells them, especially because their GPZ frictions are much better.
Back when I was testing everything and rebuilding/swapping my trans every few months, I recall testing the ZPak; I installed them with their recommended .050" clearance and a few months later they had worn to .100" clearance.
They haven't been mentioned much here lately because all the pro building tried hard 5-10 years ago to get everyone away from them. They are disappointed that Raybestos still sells them, especially because their GPZ frictions are much better.
Back when I was testing everything and rebuilding/swapping my trans every few months, I recall testing the ZPak; I installed them with their recommended .050" clearance and a few months later they had worn to .100" clearance.
okay, sounds like i need to find a different kit. something 300 or less if anyone can help me with that. for a 97.
TECH Junkie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 716
From: Poplarville, MS
As mrvedit said the Zpak is an inferior product.
I get my parts from Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts. It you can find a local distributor you can get the parts cheaper than ordering online. Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts allows you to pick and choose the parts you need without having to buy a kit full of parts that you don't need. With your trans having just been rebuilt you shouldn't need to replace all of the fictions and steels.
I get my parts from Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts. It you can find a local distributor you can get the parts cheaper than ordering online. Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts allows you to pick and choose the parts you need without having to buy a kit full of parts that you don't need. With your trans having just been rebuilt you shouldn't need to replace all of the fictions and steels.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 98
Likes: 4
As mrvedit said the Zpak is an inferior product.
I get my parts from Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts. It you can find a local distributor you can get the parts cheaper than ordering online. Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts allows you to pick and choose the parts you need without having to buy a kit full of parts that you don't need. With your trans having just been rebuilt you shouldn't need to replace all of the fictions and steels.
I get my parts from Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts. It you can find a local distributor you can get the parts cheaper than ordering online. Whatever It Takes Transmission Parts allows you to pick and choose the parts you need without having to buy a kit full of parts that you don't need. With your trans having just been rebuilt you shouldn't need to replace all of the fictions and steels.
Okay, I will keep all the parts I have other than the pistons. Would you recommend chaining any o rings or seals?
TECH Junkie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 716
From: Poplarville, MS
Depends on if they are still pliable, damaged and if they fit correctly. It may be a good idea to get a paper and seal kit, that way you will have any o-ring or seal you may need and a new pan gasket. I always order a few extra pan gaskets just in case I need to make an adjustment.
TECH Regular
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 463
Likes: 179
I would contact Dana @ Probuilt Automatics. He can sell you a complete kit with all of the updates, along with thw correct cluthes and steels. He also sells a modified Transgo shift kit that is pretty good vs DIY shift kit.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 98
Likes: 4
New “performance high heat resistance” bonded pistons and a full seal kit is on the way in today. Will be working on this a lot during the week and will most likely ask questions through the process. I appreciate everyone’s input and patience with me through this.