Rebuilding a 4L60E for off road?

[OldMan57]

Currently parts collecting to rebuild my sons 2001 4L60E, 5.3L Z71 4x4.

On the list so far:
-Beast sun shell
-trans go shift kit
-mag hytec deep trans pan
-17x5" trans cooler (upgrade from a small 3x7" cooler)

... and that's it for the list so far.

What else should be added to the parts list? I'm going to be rebuilding it myself following a DVD and manual. This is my second 4L60E but the first one was a 2wd for a street rod.

[chevmech1969]

part# T74171E transgo shift kit.
beast shell(yes i know you put it on your list)
corvette servo
.500 boost valve
red eagle 3-4 powerpack or raybestos' Z-pack
and a high friction power band
ive done many 4l60e's and 700r4 with this combo absolutely amazing shifts.

[Black06]

http://www.oregonperformancetransmis..._Code=TRU-COOL


tru-cool 40,000 cooler

[OldMan57]

That cooler is pretty neat. I like the thermostatically controlled aspect of it for cold weather, being in MN.

I've heard of the Z-pack clutches in the race car scene, would you prefer those over the Red Eagle clutches?

[Black06]

Originally Posted by OldMan57

That cooler is pretty neat. I like the thermostatically controlled aspect of it for cold weather, being in MN.

I've heard of the Z-pack clutches in the race car scene, would you prefer those over the Red Eagle clutches?

they also have the cooler without the thermal bypass and it is cheaper, most guys run the cooler through the factory routing..... trans>radiator>external cooler

[hmatiak]

Check out yourcovers.com for a trans pan. Had a pan of theirs on my last 4l60e. Had provisions for temp sender and a drain plug. Great customer service too.

[Big Red 88]

depending on how hard of wheeling you're gonna be doing you might want to look into 5 pin planets too. make sure they are the gm ones, we have had problems with the overseas ones

[BLAZED]

Does that mag hytech pan relocate the filter into the bottom of the deep pan or does it just add more fluid capacity with the filter pickup at stock position above all the added fluid??

Shows a filter and it looks like stock pickup tube length..

[chevmech1969]

I like the red eagle powerpack as instead of 7 double sided frictions its got 9 clutches with the back side steel and the front side friction they hold amazing. i have a customer i built one for that tows in overdrive he has yet to burn it out its been 2 years and i dont know on the miles.

BIG RED 88 is right about the planetaries if your going to abuse it alot then get the GM 5 pinion planetaries.

[SHARPMACHINE]

Where do most people get there parts?

makco seems decent?

[Wheel28]

I use Patc.

www.transmissioncenter.net

Great guys to deal with

Wheel

[dirty_k]

Great tech guys, this thread belongs in a bible somewhere. Good, simple answers for anyone with a 4l60e(like myself)

[OldMan57]

The Mag Hytec pan came with an extension for the trans filter, but when ordering I tacked on a deep pan filter for $7 more. The Hytec pan included a temp sensor fitting and a gasket/hardware.

I have always run the trans cooler BEFORE the radiator. Plumbing goes from the trans, to the cooler, through the radiator then back to the trans. This has been my method of attack for over 35 years since I got my first hot rod in high school. The thinking behind this is to cool the trans fluid before it's sent to the radiator and warm up to engine temp before returning to the trans. I know for sure this DOES NOT help cool the radiator, but it surely helps to decrease the load on the radiator by not having hot trans fluid go through it.

[Black06]

Originally Posted by SHARPMACHINE

Where do most people get there parts?

for 4l60E parts, they are also on Ebay

http://www.oregonperformancetransmission.com/


for complete rebuilds, many of the Silverado SS and 99-06 silverado crowd use these guys
http://www.finishlinetrans.com/

[chevmech1969]

Originally Posted by chevmech1969

I like the red eagle powerpack as instead of 7 double sided frictions its got 9 clutches with the back side steel and the front side friction they hold amazing. i have a customer i built one for that tows in overdrive he has yet to burn it out its been 2 years and i dont know on the miles.

BIG RED 88 is right about the planetaries if your going to abuse it alot then get the GM 5 pinion planetaries.

sorry guys i had that backwards the zpack has the single sided friction not the red eagle. ive used both and cant really recomend one more than the other. they both kick the shit out of stock replacement. ive used makco, patc, monster. i tend to lean more towards patc. there customer service is great.
also if you needed to upgrade the pump there is a 13vane rotor available.

[OldMan57]

Any discussion on torque converters? The truck is used for towing and weekend off road trips. Lots of rock gardens, a few mud runs and seasonal hunting. The truck is ~4800lbs on 1/2 ton axles, 35's, 4.56's and a healthy 5.3L. I was going to just have the torque converter flushed to keep the final cost in check but if there's something for a couple hundred more I'll spring for that.

[Black06]

check out www.gmfullsize.com/forum

search around there since they are more catered to the 99-06 trucks

I go by the same username over there

[OldMan57]

Originally Posted by Black06

check out www.gmfullsize.com/forum

search around there since they are more catered to the 99-06 trucks

I go by the same username over there

Hmm, not sure I agree with some of the tech over there but thanks for the link. I'll look up that site in the future if I'm ever into the sport truck scene.

[chevmech1969]

i would definatly buy a new torque converter. that is one thing that is too important to skip. even if you flushed it the lockup cluch could be worn.
for your applications id recomend just a stock stall speed converter.

[my96z]

Don't use this http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/...-000047345.htm

Use this (which should be in your transmission http://media.photobucket.com/image/4...d/100_3929.jpg

[hmatiak]

For better 99 and up tech go over to www.performancetrucks.net

[Big Red 88]

personally i have had good luck with the z-pack, i got several 4l60e's out in camaro's and firebirds that are running 10-11 seconds in the quarter mile and driving home afterwards. a few towing as well, and of course mine getting beat on whenever i wheel, i dont have a trailer so i have to drive to the trail and home afterwards

[Rinkrat456]

Interesting thread. I was just browsing this in my search for a better 4L60E torque converter.

Anyone know of a good off-road converter built mostly for towing with the 4L60E? The stock converter leaves a lot on the table with a well built torquey motor. Looking for something that has a low stall.

[PedaltoMetal]

I'll throw in my 2 cents. I used B/W High Energy frictions and Kolene steels in the 3/4 pack (8 frictions) with Alto Red Eagle and Kolene steels in the other packs. I also used Torlon check balls as the steel ones can pound the sep plate hard enough to punch through. Any good converter builder can recommend one to your specific needs.

[turtlesdove3]

Originally Posted by Black06

they also have the cooler without the thermal bypass and it is cheaper, most guys run the cooler through the factory routing..... trans>radiator>external cooler

I didn't know about the thermal bypass. Cheaper is good news but how's the performance? Can I get it on Ebay?