Some tranny help for the noob.

[withac]

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.

[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

[withac]

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

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.

[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

[withac]

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

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?

[withac]

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

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

[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...

[withac]

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.

[withac]

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...

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.

[casey23]

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.

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