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How much can the 4L60E take ?

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Old 09-28-2005, 01:07 AM
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Smile How much can the 4L60E take ?

Ok, I know you guys might be bored of seeing tittles like that but here goes what I am asking.

I have a 2002 Camaro SS, A4, Nothing done to it yet but a Lid and K&N.

I am starting to mod the suspension first, I want to be able to put the power down first.

My concert is this, Once I have all my suspension done, I will go ahead and get a TC, a Yank 3200 is what I want. Im just wondering how much abuse the stock tranny can take and what kind of launches.

People have been telling me to go ahead and get a TransGo shift kit while im at it but what will the shift kit do ? WHat are the benefits ???
Old 09-28-2005, 07:13 AM
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i ran my stock tranny all the way up to 500rwhp. yank ss4000 stall. it let go at 41,000 miles. had a rock on trans built. it lasted 1 month. my car is a convt. 3800 lbs. best time 6.9 1/8 1.58 60' 12 bolt etc. i would run the stock trans till it drops. then go for a total rebuild. don't know where you are but the guy's at fastech in dallas texas have a great tranny guy ( stephen) & their prices are fair they are a sponser on this board 972-288-9500 talk to Sean or Bob.
Old 10-05-2005, 09:12 AM
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I found a place that is selling 4L60's on ebay that claim thier tranny is good for 700hp+ and it has a no hassles warranty, you break it within one year they will replace it. They list every detail that goes into the tranny, a pretty good read. I'm thinking about getting one but not sure if a TH400 or glide would be better in a 10 second ride.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT
Old 10-05-2005, 09:57 AM
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There is a multitude of failure modes and one thing
that kills trannies early, especially on low-mods cars
where you'd think they would survive, is messing
with the MAF and altering (reducing) the load value
computed to drive the trans line pressure. This comes
from MAF ends, MAF porting, and MAF contamination
(like an over-oiled K&N is liable to do over time, see
GM TSBs that will void your warranty claims if found).

Aftermarket converters greatly increase the torque
applied to the front parts of the transmission, the
converter you indicate should up that by over 20%
just by the STR, never mind that the torque multiplied
will also be higher from the engine being more into the
powerband while multiplication is going on.

Next you probably want to get some superior rubber
on there which along with a well set up suspension
will put the trans between a rock and a hard place,
with no choice but to slip internally.

I recommend that with a converter going in, you get
the best biggest tranny cooler you can find, and get
the transmission parameters tuned for the converter.
This is not necessarily the forte of the dyno tune shop,
it wants asking about and can be a bit time consuming.

I'd ditch that K&N unless you're really confident about
your "filter hygeine" not drifting the MAF calibration.

Last edited by jimmyblue; 10-05-2005 at 10:07 AM.
Old 10-05-2005, 10:23 AM
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I also heard that the tranny cooler is a big one!
I have also heard two different opinions about shift kits and line pressure. I know there is a big write up by PSJ about line pressure but I didn't understand any of it, LOL. Talking to a few buddies on here told me that shift kits are the way to go, and if setup right, it can preserve the life. But also keep in mind, setting the shift kit too firm can fry your trans as well. Line pressure... I had a local shop tell me they do not suggest shift kits, rather mess with the line pressure a bit to make it shift a bit firmer... I will let the guru's answer that lil debate...
Shift kit VS line pressure adjustment.
Old 10-05-2005, 02:51 PM
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The thing about it is that shift kits in some way will have you alter the line pressure mechanicly. So line pressure adjustments when made at the shift level is the best of both worlds. (IMO)

Mec
Old 10-07-2005, 02:44 PM
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well i will add my 2 cents worth and probably get change back. i have had my car for exactly one year. i started mods to engine within the first month and have progressed every 2 months or so with all bolt on adds and a zex kit and have sprayed exactly 7 full bottles thru it. i installed a 2800 to 3200 stall yesterday. it lived almost 10 minutes and only wot once thru 3rd gear shift. it now will not shift into 3rd or 4th. it shifted perfectly before and now it has taken a dump with the verter. car has 28000 miles on it and maybe 70 miles worth of 1/4 mile hell. im in process of looking at the megamax and the rock on. will decide by next week i guess and post how i like it.
Old 10-07-2005, 03:05 PM
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bshonda, by my signature, you can obviously see which one i'd recommend
Old 10-08-2005, 01:43 PM
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Guess it's the luck of the draw...

You will probably call Bullshit.. but i have 190K on my 4L60E on my 2000 Z28 ( that i bought new) in 1999...

Check my sig for mod's... I have dynoed @ 372hp/368 tq... not bad @ all for an A4!!!!

BTw... my car has never seen a track! It is daily driven. It has seen it's share of light to light, hwy races though...

Good luck..
Old 10-08-2005, 07:26 PM
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Originally Posted by PewterY2KZ28
Guess it's the luck of the draw...

You will probably call Bullshit.. but i have 190K on my 4L60E on my 2000 Z28 ( that i bought new) in 1999...

Check my sig for mod's... I have dynoed @ 372hp/368 tq... not bad @ all for an A4!!!!

BTw... my car has never seen a track! It is daily driven. It has seen it's share of light to light, hwy races though...

Good luck..
I've had my share of higway races too and up to now the transmission has held up pretty well for the number of miles. However, with the new motor and stall I wonder for how long it will last, even though I don't beat on the car too much.
Old 10-08-2005, 10:21 PM
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youre more likely to have your rear or DS break before your trans.
Old 10-09-2005, 03:52 AM
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Originally Posted by ULTIMATEORANGESS
youre more likely to have your rear or DS break before your trans.
Not sure on that one! I havent heard of a single A4 guy breaking the DS, however there are threads upon threads of blown 60E's. I have blown the 3-4 clutch pack in the stocker, and now in a Cmotorsports Level 2. Not sure what the hell is up, but my car doesnt like the 4 I guess. No alterations to the line pressure or shift time, other than the TransGo Shift Kit with 3 washers installed during Cmtrs rebuild. And Street racing is in now as stressful as full on 1/4 mi racing, with its sticky 60', and hard nitrous launches etc.
Old 10-09-2005, 07:46 AM
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My stock tranny is still holding up no problem. Only things that I have added is a Trans-Go shift kit, and a 24K cooler. The poor thing has been taking a 225 shot almost dead out of the hole.

I would suggest getting a tranny temp gauge and keeping an eye on it, don't unessesarily beat on your tranny and it shouldn't give you a hard time.
Old 10-09-2005, 05:22 PM
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well, how much power can a 4L60E is kinda hard to pin point, I blew mine with a 3500 stall in it, and only pushing about 340rwhp at the time, I have heard of people running more than 600 rwhp on the stock 4L60E. So just count your blessings is all I can really think.
Old 10-09-2005, 08:43 PM
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imo its all in the tranny my friend had his stock tranny holding running 11.00's for about 20 passes the damn rearend didn't hold but the tranny did. when it finally did go he's been through about six since then. hell i just blew number 3 on friday. once it goes they don't seem to hold. oh yeah he's also blown a rock-on, so i guess it's hit and miss. as for me i'm tired of pulling the damn thing so i'm debating sixspeed or th350.
Old 10-09-2005, 10:14 PM
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I rebuild tranies myself and find it to be little hit and miss. Myself I can beat em up pretty good and not have problems. I still see modded stockers as being pretty damn strong. There is a lot that can happen during the rebuild to lessen the life of the trans and vise versa.
Old 10-09-2005, 10:43 PM
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we have a bunch of >500 rwhp and 10 second 4L60e pure street cars here in tampa alone (myself included). its no problem. i know of guys that have put 50+ bottles of nitrous into their stock 4L60e.

when you see guys breaking them over and over again its a shitty tranny builder or massive abuse in daily driving conditions.



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