so I got some major decisions to make. the 6 year old built 4l60e pump was on its way out, and the 3800 stall was way too loose for this turbo build. after installing the summit stage 2 turbo cam, I find that my trans developed 4 neutrals... won't come off the ramps. Found no fluid making it to the cooler.

so im at an impass of which route I should take.

The cheapest, fastest option $2400
I could order an immediate replacment and get a Summit 4l60e and Summit 3200 tc and play now. this also leaves me more room for a rearend as I'm still on the stock 10bolt and 2.73 gears, at the very least I can put some 3.42 gear and better diff while I save for serious components. While this is a bandaid route, it allows me to at least enjoy driving my car on the street for a little while, as well as finish the tune on the car.

or

Mildly expensive option, $3500+$300-800
buy a built TCI 4l60e that can handle 750hp, which is twice the amount of the summit 4l60e, but won't have to worry about it until I swap the engine out for something beefier, and have the tc restalled by revmaxx for $300 which im not sure how long it will take, but I'm sure at least a month, or just buy a better tc from yank or vigilante for a little more.
This route is the better option, but dropping the kind of money right now just hurts right now lol

OR

Expensive Option $4000+
start scrounging for a 4l80e, which is slightly cheaper than a TCI 4l60e, but with the relocation and adaptor pieces still comes out to more than the TCI 4l60e.
the other issue is I'm on a 98 PCM, so I'd have to get a stand alone tcm to control it. This is the most Unrealistic current route. I'd love to cut and stuff a 4l80 in there and call it a day, but id still need to have it built to handle 800hp at least, and even then, sourcing parts is going to take a minute.

I just put the car together for the cam, so im really hesitant to not be able to drive it for another year because of this crap, and I havnt even been able to dial in the map yet for the new cam on the street, and trying to tune a 4l80 on top of it would be a nightmare if i could even get the 98 pcm to talk to it.

 

I am not a fan of the Brands/ Products that you have used and looked at.
(although Summit Racing as a Retailer is actually great!)

Based on the situation that i think you are in...
If you wish to just make a Purchase, toss everything in and get back at it...
I would recommend (based on where you live):

-Purchase a PerformaBuilt Level-3 4L60E: $3,800 for the Transmission with 1-year Warranty up to 900 HP/ Ft/Lbs.
-Purchase a Torque Converter from Dalton at FTI Performance + a Cooler, ATF and Misc Items.

Turbochargers are a much more gentle "Power Adder" than a Supercharger, Nitrous, or more sinister alternatives...
More gentle on the Power-Train... Engine, Transmission, Etc (including your little stick-figure of a Differential).

750 HP made via Turbocharger, will create "wear and tear" that of a 500 HP Normally-Aspirated Engine (less the few fun seconds spent Ejaculating... sorry, at 7,800 RPM with 15 Psig of Boost).


So, you should be in good shape for some reliable fun!
I am a Builder Myself and do not want to "Knit-Pick" the PerformaBuilt Transmission Parts...
But overall, for your situation, in your location...
This is what I would recommend for you!

 

I won't buy anything with the name TCI on it.

 

The TCI route was only because I'm looking through Summits catalog recently but I'm starting to expand my view. never thought trying to find a built 4l60 would have so many variances in pricing. Was the other reason I was just thinking of grabbing a Summit unit for cheap.

Came across Monster Transmissions as well, and although their prices are a lot friendlier, im not liking the BBB reports or slew of bad reviews on them and their built units.

Seem to not have any local builders where i live by Fredericksburg VA. I think there's a place in Richmond, but im not sure yet.

The torqe converter route isn't as difficult other than which manufacturers to go with or have the revmaxx rebuilt

 

Monster Transmissions have a horrible reputation. definitely avoid.

 

I was kinda liking the performabuilt route as well, still wondering if I should go this route as well. I see a lot of good info on them. the LEVEL 2 4L60E they sell is right up my ally, and like you said, I'm pretty sure ill break the rearend now before I break a this trans lol for now

 

Oh man, I hope MaroonMonster chimes in with his take on Monster Transmissions... That's always a good read.

 

Is Monster Transmissions the same company that makes Monster Cluches?

 

No...

Monster Transmission (the Company) is the Cockroach of the Automatic Transmission Industry.
Horrible Products, Horrible everything really!
Scam scam scam, Stay the Hell away!
They can simply just suck it!
One of the Worst Scum of the Earth kind of Businesses, that somehow just will NOT DIE!

 

yeah I'm not getting a good feeling from Monsters, but
I'm also wondering, since the trans was working until I parked it to do the cam swap, if I possibly I could replace what's ailing the pumping issue, I might be able to save money for a built 4l80 and a rearend for later. my current 4l60 is already built, and it was working, but its pushing fluid out what I'm assuming is the vent without being able to see on top of the trans after i shut the car off. it does try to move fluid barely pushing fluid if any in the cooler, and I want to restall the car anyway, so I was gonna pull the trans anyway

 

Did you pull the engine or unbolt the torque converter while installing your new cam? Is it possible you kinked one of the trans cooler lines?

 

A stock 4l80E with the adapter harness and crossmember can be done on the cheap.
https://www.mrk-motorsports.com/stor...rsion-harness/

 

well I'm giving it the old college try and making sure that I didn't overlook something.
I pulled the stock trans line and I'm not sure in the process of swapping the cam, if I twisted the lines by chance. I also checked under the car and I did somehow miss getting the dipstick tube grommet back into the hole. might explain the leaking some. looking closer at the trans I don't see anything being pushed out the vent.
I now am running 6an lines to a tube and fin cooler to mitigate any restrictions in the cooling.

after some careful negotiating of the old lines and fittings, the new 6an fittings and conectors went right in.

the old lines didnt look like that lol had to bend them on the way out.

a low restriction tube and fin from autozone to make sure nothing is in the way.

 

well no dice.. after a quick run, looks like it's still not shifting. didn't add any fluid, and with new lines and a cooler is for sure not clogged, it's pushing fluid out the base of the dipstick tube only when the car is shutoff. fluid is up to warm section on the dipstick, and didn't change between running or shutoff. either i have a leaking circuit or stuck checkball somewhere inside the trans or the pump is pushing fluid where it's not suppose to go for some reason... either way this 4l60 is now a boat anchor and needs to be dragged out from under the bird😭

 

Try over filling by 1 quart.

 

well, I guess my best course of action is to just get a 4l80e. Just so im clear, im gonna need:
4l80e
411 pcm
repin pcm plugs?
trans adaptor harness
new trans mount
new Torque converter (going with a 3600 of some kind)
flexplate that can bolt to a 4l80 TC
new yoke with some kind-of u joint adaption

I already have HPtuner and new 6an hoses and cooler.
Anything else?

 

well, I found a used 4l80e, gotta get a few support items for it and prepare the bird to accept it.

 

Ordering a new 411 pcm loaded with some presets to make it easier to tune the car with my current setup. waiting to see if it will have the 4l80e edit, or if i have to do something about this. I also have the adaptor harness ordered.
So im curious which flexplate I'm suppose to get to mate to the 4l80e torque converter? I'm planning on getting a FTI bilet 3200 stall.
Also does it matter what yoke to get?

 

I'm wondering if things the right one

Dirty Dingo LS Conversion Flexplate with Bolts https://a.co/d/hCufcxN

 

Ordered some more stuff

Hate to have to spend that much but love to see pretty stuff go on thw car lol too bad its under it lol