4L60E Improvement For Towing

[gamitch]

I see lots of correspondance about the 4L60E transmission. This looks like a place that I can get some useful information about improving my transmission.

I have a 2000 Silverado, 5.3 L, 3.73 rear gears. I tow a 5th wheel with it several times a year. What I would like to know is, what components or kits should I install to improving towing?

I've considered a shift kit, and good things have been said about Transgo HD-2. Also I would like more holding power in 4th gear. What would help the trans to hold better in 4th gear?

What would a Superior Super Servo Piston, 4th apply so on this transmission (I know nothing about this piece, I just saw it in another post)?

What do I need (components?) to improve towing and reliability of the L460E? I have removed the valve body and change components in the valve body on a 700R4. Would this trans be similar?

Thanks,
Gary Mitchell

[GMCwantsLS1]

JMO but I would get both servos, HD shift kit and the biggest tranny cooler you can fit. Also get some tuning so you can make good use of the improved shifts you will have. A temp guage would be a good thing to have also.

[SlammaDingdong]

Originally posted by GMCwantsLS1@Jun 1 2005, 08:27 PM
JMO but I would get both servos, HD shift kit and the biggest tranny cooler you can fit. Also get some tuning so you can make good use of the improved shifts you will have. A temp guage would be a good thing to have also.

on the shift kit, servos and cooler.

Your timing is excellent. I'm in the process of helping my 4L60E. Plus, there are plenty of other guys here, that are much more knowledgeable than me, who can help you.

Here's a post from today that includes the parts list I'm using:

http://forum.ls1truck.com/index.php?showtopic=4154

Another thing that helped me out ALOT are the ATSG 4L60E manuals. There is the "GM ATSG Techtran Manual" and "Update Manual". It was $50 well spent. Check out the web site ATSG

If you get a Transgo shift kit, you can go with the PSK, which includes a pretty decent instructional video. The HD-2 is the same thing, sans the video.

Just as GMCwantsLS1 said, a TG kit would require a PCM tune. You may have noticed by now Nelson Performance can really help you out in this area.

B&M racing makes some nice coolers.

The 4th apply Superior Super Servo will help with 4th gear holding capacity and 4-3 release.

If you've already worked with the 700R4 VB, stepping up to a 4L60E will be cake for you.

[Gordy M]

I am in a similar situation and what I did was add Thorley headers and to the trans I added corvette servo and the Billit OD servos. When my torque management gets under control--about 30-40 miles of driving, I can tow level roads and small rolling roads at 75mph in OD with no problem. I pull a corvette in a 24ft enclosed trailer (about 7500 lbs).Hope that helps

[gamitch]

OK SALMMADINGDONG, I see your parts list. Are you building a transmission for race or towing?

Looks like I would want to install:

1 x Transgo Shift Kit (HD-2/PSK)
1 x Corvette Style Servo Piston Kit
1 x Superior Super Servo Piston Kit, 4th apply

Since I would already be in there, would I want to install the hardened seperator plate?

What about the other parts? ie, the 3-4 accumulator piston kit, the servo release check valve, and the servo release check valve?

Oh yeah, I allready have a big B&M cooler.

Thanks again,
GM

[SlammaDingdong]

Originally posted by gamitch@Jun 3 2005, 06:02 PM
OK SALMMADINGDONG, I see your parts list. Are you building a transmission for race or towing?

Looks like I would want to install:

1 x Transgo Shift Kit (HD-2/PSK)
1 x Corvette Style Servo Piston Kit
1 x Superior Super Servo Piston Kit, 4th apply

Since I would already be in there, would I want to install the hardened seperator plate?

What about the other parts? ie, the 3-4 accumulator piston kit, the servo release check valve, and the servo release check valve?

Oh yeah, I allready have a big B&M cooler.

Thanks again,
GM

Hey GM, been real busy the last few days, but finally got some time to follow up on this...

Basically, I'm building my trans to handle my lead foot

Seriously, I do some medium towing and will eventually do some limited 1/4 mile runs. My main goal I guess is "sporty" shifting and better control, but not too extreme. On the street I just like getting up to the speed limit really fast My goal was to do the maximum possible w/o taking the trans apart.

The Transgo HD-2, Corvette Servo and OD Super Servo are like the base upgrade. Just doing these will yield a big improvement.

A Transgo plate is a nice upgrade in quality, plus like you said you're already in there.

The Sonnax Servo Release Check Valve is a nice piece. It improves 2-3/3-2 shifts/downshifts and helps extend 3-4 clutch life. Guys who have tried say it works as advertised. It goes into the case right behind the servo check ball capsule.

The other pieces in the list are kind of optional. Sonnax pinless accum kits can be used in the forward and 3-4 bodies. They are vastly better in design and durability than the OE type. The Transgo replacement spring for the 3-4 accum will work with the pinless piston.

In the 1-2 accum, the Transgo kit changes the spring setup in such a way that the pinless type won't work. The OE accum pistons for 98' and above are plastic (it says right in the manual that GM was trying to save money). The aluminum type is an upgrade to the plastic. Note that the 1-2 and 3-4 pistons use a .310 pin for 82' (??) and above, but the 94' and above is a .230 (small bore) pin ONLY in the 1-2.

The Forward/Reverse Bore Plug is an upgrade to the OE version. It's designed to reduce plug wear and better maintain the hydraulic circuit.

At a minimum, I'd add the Servo Check Valve to your list, it's only about $10. Doing the aluminum accum pistons and/or pinless ones is under $20. Two sonnax bore plugs are about $15.

Not counting the deep pan and remote filter, everything else on my list ran about $250 total. The Transgo kit and OD Super Servo is about 2/3 of that cost.

Hope this helps.

[gamitch]

Hey thanks SlammaDingDong. That helps. I got the Super Servo and the 4th apply servo today. The TransGo kit is on the way as well as bigger pan.

Thaks again,
GM