Some tranny help for the noob.

Okay, I've got a lot of good info from you guys on my 4l60e so let me ask for some more.

Lots of you have suggested I need a shift kit because these things are prone to early wear. I've got a B&M 28 K cooler on its way. I won't be out trying to kill any ricers, or anyone for that matter. I don't need to hold any gear to any RPM and I don't need to downshift at any RPM. The Tahoe is the family ride but if the tranny is prone to early failure a little preventative medicine would be money well spent, I just want to get what is truly needed for my usage. It will likely end up pulling a 23" camping trailer a half a dozen times a year but that's it. It's been suggested I get the Transgo shift kit for the 1993-up 4L60E, P/N 4L60E-HD2

eBay Motors: TRANSGO 4L60E SHIFT KIT 93-UP TRANSMISSION STAGE 2 (item 8002094110 end time Mar-08-08 20:01:32 PST)

This B&M looks like it does the same thing.

B&M RACING - Transpak

This B&M sounds like it does the same thing just not the ability to down shift at any RPM or hold a gear to any RPM.

B&M RACING - Shift Improver Kit

If I'm not looking for high performance, just to help reduce wear on the transmission, do I need the higher end kit? If it's needed it would be money well spent but if it's not needed for my usage why go there?

Thanks guys.

HD-2 is the best and most expensive... the rest are just Copys... HD-2 is a great kit... how many miles on are on the trans now?... I would also go ahead and install a corvette sero since you have a stall ... it will help firm up 2nd gear a bit.. The stall will dampen the 2nd gear shift alot

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Originally Posted by casey23

HD-2 is the best and most expensive... the rest are just Copys... HD-2 is a great kit... how many miles on are on the trans now?... I would also go ahead and install a corvette sero since you have a stall ... it will help firm up 2nd gear a bit.. The stall will dampen the 2nd gear shift alot

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Thanks for the time. Yeah, I plan on the 'Vette servo too and possibly an accumulator piston, I've been told they're plastic and can break so as long as my mechanic is in there I should replace it as well. The tranny has 90K miles on it. I'm sure the HD-2 is a great kit but do I need a top end kit if I'm not out trying to burn it down every weekend or will the other kit do what I need, which is help the tranny wear longer? I mean the HD is obviously cheaper than a tranny rebuild but if it's overkill for my needs why waste the coin? I'm not trying to get out of buying the HD if it's what I need I just want to make sure it's what I need. You guys are into the high performance, I'm just trying to keep the thing from going T.U. on me.

I work for a trans shop... what happens most times... The trans will lose converter lock up and that overheats the unit ... Pukes Fluid ... 1600-1800.00 job ... We install a trans go JR with pwm update and will get rid of the modulated converter lock up and make it a simple on/off ... service fluid fliter and gasket .. also check the black box on the side call a Prindle/neutral safety switch .. if you cannot unplug it (two plugs) then plug them back in..( most times you cannot) You need to use heat to warm the switch and remove the connector .. carefull not to pull the wires out of the back and replace that switch it will cause some weird problems at times.... Its a litle late the life of your trans.. but at a shop like mine.. I would install the kit for 300.00 fluid,filter,labor .. and give a 1 year warranty if something happens I will pro rate this repair on the charges of overhaul ... So if it goes to **** in 6 months at the drag strip.. You dont feel like your at a total loss... KC

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Originally Posted by casey23

I work for a trans shop... what happens most times... The trans will lose converter lock up and that overheats the unit ... Pukes Fluid ... 1600-1800.00 job ... We install a trans go JR with pwm update and will get rid of the modulated converter lock up and make it a simple on/off ... service fluid fliter and gasket .. also check the black box on the side call a Prindle/neutral safety switch .. if you cannot unplug it (two plugs) then plug them back in..( most times you cannot) You need to use heat to warm the switch and remove the connector .. carefull not to pull the wires out of the back and replace that switch it will cause some weird problems at times.... Its a litle late the life of your trans.. but at a shop like mine.. I would install the kit for 300.00 fluid,filter,labor .. and give a 1 year warranty if something happens I will pro rate this repair on the charges of overhaul ... So if it goes to **** in 6 months at the drag strip.. You dont feel like your at a total loss... KC

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Thanks Casey. I'll never be takin' it to the drag strip so is the top end kit still needed? You say it's a little late for the tranny, so is there any sense in the shift kit at all, am I wasting my money, or will it still help?

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Originally Posted by casey23

HD-2 is the best and most expensive... the rest are just Copys... HD-2 is a great kit... how many miles on are on the trans now?... I would also go ahead and install a corvette sero since you have a stall ... it will help firm up 2nd gear a bit.. The stall will dampen the 2nd gear shift alot

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Since I'm a total noob at this what is a stall?

a stall is what people call torque converter... it will help track times.. and make the truck alot more fun to drive.. a Transmission does not have a top end... Top end is Engine lingo... has the truck been abused? have you raced it its whole life... have someone at a trans shop inspect the pan before they install the shift kit and use judgement ... Ask them to follow my lead... If you shift kit it now.. and something happens.. will they deduct anything for a total overhaul...

Gotta call it a night. I gotta get up early and I'm losing an hour of sleep. I'll catch up tomorrow. Thanks again for the time and input, I really appreciate it, especially given what you do for a living.

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Originally Posted by casey23

a stall is what people call torque converter... it will help track times.. and make the truck alot more fun to drive.. a Transmission does not have a top end... Top end is Engine lingo... has the truck been abused? have you raced it its whole life... have someone at a trans shop inspect the pan before they install the shift kit and use judgement ... Ask them to follow my lead... If you shift kit it now.. and something happens.. will they deduct anything for a total overhaul...

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Okay, I'll stick around a little longer.

When I said top end I meant top of the line shift kit as opposed to a lesser kit. This was bought used three months ago. It's a Tahoe and I'm sure it was a family vehicle. I'm sure it's never been raced and I will never race it. It will be the family DD. The most abuse it will have is pulling the trailer when we go camping.

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Originally Posted by withac

Okay, I'll stick around a little longer.

When I said top end I meant top of the line shift kit as opposed to a lesser kit. This was bought used three months ago. It's a Tahoe and I'm sure it was a family vehicle. I'm sure it's never been raced and I will never race it. It will be the family DD. The most abuse it will have is pulling the trailer when we go camping.

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You just need to ask for a Trans go JR with PWM update.. HD2 is overkill for your needs... and its cheaper to have installed... and it will last longer

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Originally Posted by casey23

You just need to ask for a Trans go JR with PWM update.. HD2 is overkill for your needs... and its cheaper to have installed... and it will last longer

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Thank you, that's what I needed to know. While everyone here is very helpful they are also very performance oriented and that's not me. I mean I'd like to be but I don't have the pocket book for it. I just want to do what I can to protect my investment. It won't be a formal shop that does the work. My mechanic is retired from a local GM dealer and does some work in his garage. He does good work, knows what he's doing, has treated me right in the past, I can trust him and I know he won't try to screw me. I think there's a lot be be said for that. But where your specialty is transmissions I value your thoughts on the matter.

Once again thank you. Like I said, everyone here has been a big help but since transmissions are what you do for a living I REALLY appreciate your time.

Later.

One last question.

Are there any online or chain stores you would recommend I go to for the Jr kit?

Contact REDHEARTBEAT I think he likes to use transmissionpartsusa.com

that or bulkpart.com , transmissioncenter.net or oregonperformancetransmission.com

Casey--what are your thoughts on a Superior kit vs. the Transgo?

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Originally Posted by txarkitekt

Casey--what are your thoughts on a Superior kit vs. the Transgo?

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Shift kits have alot of updates and fix alot of problems that haunt OE units ... Like TTC problems weak shift or even a harsh shift due to a failed spring.. We install Superior kits in everyday drivers.. They are very mild and seem work really well for a daily driver soccer mom tahoes,Suburbans... the more throttle the fimer they shift 95% of fly by night shops dont install Trans go Kits They have more parts.. more to read and more updates then any other shift kit they do shift a bit more firm all over most people.. it gives us options here.. some people never tow... They are a little older or women and dont want a harsh shift of they feel something is wrong. and of course time is money the superior kits take alot less time then a transgo If I missed something or you want to know more just ask ... KC

I'm not going to towing anything super heavy and not often so it sounds like a Superior would be okay for me. The step down Transgo is actually a few bucks cheaper than some of the Superiors.

Interesting side note. In a thread I started asking for servo install. instructions I was given a link to another forum. In those instructions the author said these tranny's don't need shift kits because you can get better results by replacing the servo's, plural, not just the one you use the 'Vette servo for.

FWIW.

I hate to look so helpless guys but this is all new to me. Everyone has been real patient and real helpful. Here are two less intensive shift kits, something more fit for a daily driver I would assume. Any opinions on one or the other? Yeah, I know opinions are like a**holes but I value the opinion of the guys with the experience.

Thanks.

eBay Motors: SUPERIOR 4L60E SHIFT CORRECTION KIT 1998-UP 1870 Code (item 170039988048 end time Apr-08-08 22:20:11 PDT)


eBay Motors: TRANSGO 4L60E 4L60-E SHIFT KIT ESCALADE DENALI YUKON H2 (item 4594783360 end time Mar-19-08 20:35:12 PDT)

Yes sir.. your looking at bolth of them... The trans go is more work.. No matter what it cost ..

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Originally Posted by casey23

Yes sir.. your looking at bolth of them... The trans go is more work.. No matter what it cost ..

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So it sounds like I'll spend more in labor than I will likely save with the less expensive Transgo.

Thanks.

Yeah, from what I have heard, the Superior is the better kit to go with... I just asked Casey about it cause he is the Tranny Man and he knows his stuff. I just wanted another knowledgeable outside opinion...

I hope I read it right, this is what you would do? So you would use Superior and Corvette servo for a daily driver, and the Transgo 4L60e-HD2 shift kit with servo for daily and more performance? I hope I read it right.

You can do either. IMO, the Superior is the better and easier to install kit. But a Corvette servo is recommended no matter what...

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Originally Posted by Chevy-Art

I hope I read it right, this is what you would do? So you would use Superior and Corvette servo for a daily driver, and the Transgo 4L60e-HD2 shift kit with servo for daily and more performance? I hope I read it right, that is what I

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That's my understanding. The Transgo HD2 is for high performance. I'm not looking to burn any ricers down just make it shift a little firmer and quicker to reduce the wear on the tranny and it did that. There is a lesser Transgo kit that is actually a few bucks cheaper than the Superior I used but it is more difficult to install so you could spend more on the installation. And yes, from what I've gathered here, the 'Vette servo is a good thing to do with or without any shift kit.

Thanks for the info.