Which Transmission to Choose?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Camden, SC
Which Transmission to Choose? What's up everyone... I just bought a 2001 Trans-am A4 off of a buddy of mine, i'm having a problem trying to figure out what to do about the transmission. the automatic thats in there now just won't hold up to it(4L60E) I'm new to automatics and I was wondering what other automatic's will work with little or no problem's ex. turbo 350 or 400 or should I just get the 4L60E rebuilt again. by the way the car has a Heads/Cam package and some other odds and ends. I will greatly appreciate the help.
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FormerVendor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: D-F/W
If you would like to learn more about the conversion you are considering, give me a call. We do these same jobs and are in the middle of a nice job now.
There are some details you need to know about. I can give you options and help you understand some of the pros and cons of conversions.
g
There are some details you need to know about. I can give you options and help you understand some of the pros and cons of conversions.
g
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but yeah it has Heads & Cam 
11 Second Club
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh, PA
If you want this car to be "everyday driveable", you probably want to keep your 4th gear, so that would eliminate the 350 or 400. you either need a 4L80E conversion or you need FLT. FLT is in Illinois, ACE is in Texas, which one is closer for you? Don't make the mistake I made and trust a local builder. Take it to FLT and sleep well at night. What part of this great country are you from?
so u plan on adding more power in the future(forced induction)? if so decide if u want overdrive if so do yourself a favor and just start with the 4l80e , it will save u money in the long run.ask me how i know
Easy as pie, if you plan to go with allot of power in the future whether nitrous of FI, etc. Either the th400 or 4l80e, choose accordinely pertaining to O/D and overall weight needs. Both will hold a crazy ammount of power!
I say 4l80e for the win myself but if mostly track car and not much highway miles than go th400.
I say 4l80e for the win myself but if mostly track car and not much highway miles than go th400.
If you are going to leave it with only heads and cam the stock 4l60-e built by a sponsor will be more than enough and the less hastle to istall. Some even get away with spraying with the built trans. I'd go either rpm or flt's best or midline even if you aren't gonna add a power adder. If you do end up though, you'll be sorry. I've heard story's the rpm's stage 5, it think thats the top one, holding up to 600-650rwhp no prob but ballsy IMO. People reccommend atleast a 'refresh' once a year at that level. Better route IMO with a 4l80e. so to answer your question, lol, I think you are fine with the stock one beefed up a tad.
FormerVendor
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,123
Likes: 3
From: D-F/W
It is not uncommon to see guys running healthy Stroker engines, 400 + cid, with healthy 200 shots of N2O and running stout 4L60E's. We have quite a few of those out there.
600-650 H/P is not out of the question for a 4L60E. It needs a High End build by a very seasoned biolder who knows this unit inside and out though. It is not for the faint of heart or a job for a "good local builder". It is done often.
But, as quick as I say that.... I tell everyone running the higher h/p engines that it is all about ones expectations. If you know that you are running a Medium duty transmission that has been highly modified to handle the job and expect broken parts from time to time, then that's one thing. But, if one runs a 4L60E in this harsh combination and does not expect his share of broken parts over time then he is kidding himself. Shafts, Sprags and Plantary gear sets can fail, clutches can flat wear out after a couple hundred hard hits... just like a Manual Clutch does.
So if you go into it with the right frame of mind you'll be just fine. And of course at the end of the day you could indeed go with a Heavier Duty unit like the 4L80E. But in my opinion at the power level you are at it is just not necessary. Go with a solid unit from a Sponsor here... one just like ACE as a matter of fact
, and you'll be just fine.
Just be sure to do your homework by talking to Professionals that handle this hardware each and every day before you make your decision!
Good Luck!
g
600-650 H/P is not out of the question for a 4L60E. It needs a High End build by a very seasoned biolder who knows this unit inside and out though. It is not for the faint of heart or a job for a "good local builder". It is done often.
But, as quick as I say that.... I tell everyone running the higher h/p engines that it is all about ones expectations. If you know that you are running a Medium duty transmission that has been highly modified to handle the job and expect broken parts from time to time, then that's one thing. But, if one runs a 4L60E in this harsh combination and does not expect his share of broken parts over time then he is kidding himself. Shafts, Sprags and Plantary gear sets can fail, clutches can flat wear out after a couple hundred hard hits... just like a Manual Clutch does.
So if you go into it with the right frame of mind you'll be just fine. And of course at the end of the day you could indeed go with a Heavier Duty unit like the 4L80E. But in my opinion at the power level you are at it is just not necessary. Go with a solid unit from a Sponsor here... one just like ACE as a matter of fact
, and you'll be just fine. Just be sure to do your homework by talking to Professionals that handle this hardware each and every day before you make your decision!
Good Luck!
g