Rebuild your 4l60e yourself

I've been seeing a lot of 4l60e posts lately regarding rebuilds. I have rebuilt 2 of these myself. The only reason I did so, was because I didn't want to drop $1200-$1500 on a rebuild. So here is some encouragement and a few good sources for buying parts and getting information.

It cost me about $250-$350 to do a rebuild. The first one I did was on a junk tranny I picked up for $100 off of eBay. It was going to be my guinea pig, but it's now in my car. I built it up and swapped out my 100k miles tranny before it had a chance to go out. Built up my old tranny and sold it for $750.

There are a few tools that would be nice to have for the rebuild, but most can be improvized. Be sure to pick up a rebuild manual. There are even some videos out there that walk you though step-by-step.

Most important thing to keep in mind is KEEP IT CLEAN! After I dismantled and cleaned out the old tranny, I took if from the garage into the house where I had a very Clean area to work while I put everything back together. The discussion forum below has lots of great tips and suggestions for making all the necessary upgrades for performance. It took me about 2 days to do it. For me, it was a cool learning experience. The tranny always seemed like this magical taboo device that I never wanted to break. Now, it's not so bad. It's not for everybody, but if you are patient and have good technical logic, you could save big money. Not tryin to toot my own horn, I just want people to know it's far from impossible. People always seem to be ripping into their engines, but never into the tranny.

Discussion forum.
http://answers.netgearhead.net/ubbthreads.php

Parts Source
http://www.bulkpart.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MDITP&Category_Code=700R4

Thanks for the info. I can't stand it when something seems like it works by "magic" like you said. I have always wanted to try to build my own transmission.

Thanks again
Dustin

Where did you get the rebuild manual and on the link with the parts what all exactly do you need? all the products, or just get one of the several kits? thanks.

Parts, Manuals and videos are also available here:
http://www.kdsperformance.com/tecmanvid.html

and books here:
http://www.bulkpart.com/cgi-bin/miva?Merchant2/merchant.mv+Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=MDITP&Category_Code=700R4tm

There is also a good deal of info in the GM Helms service manual if you already have one.

Here's what I put in my last one:

Master Kit, 4L60E w/ Red Eagle Friction & Kolene Steels
Code: HP35004R-K
Price: $199.20
1993 - UP Master Kit includes:
Gaskets, seals and sealing ring kit.
Red Eagle friction clutch kit
With Kolene Steels clutch kit
This kit includes a 3/4 PowerPack friction & steel kit !!
PowerPack allows you to add extra friction and steels to your 3/4 clutch pack

TransGo Reprogramming Kit 4L60E-HD2 1993-1997 Performance / heavy duty kit SK 4L60EHP
Code: 98361
Price: $91.13
# 98361 Performance / heavy duty kit SK 4L60E-HD2 Crisp muscle car shifts. Puts the driver in command. Holds 1st, 2nd and 3rd to any speed. Backshifts to 3rd, 2nd and 1st at any rpm.
# 98361 Performance / heavy duty kit SK 4L60EHP
Automatic shift: Competition, off road and heavy duty Caution: when using this kit with 1998 & Up. May retard timing if your cars has Torque Management on chip.

Band 700 / 4L60 / 4L60E Power Band Red Eagle
Code: 35995PB
Price: $22.00
# HP35995PB Alto Red Eagle Power Band
60% thicker band anchor for HD use
2 5/8 wide

Bushing kit, 4L60E 93-up
Code: 35602
Price: $13.18

Bearing kit, 700 / 4L60-E 1982-up
Code: 35669
Price: $16.80
# 35669 Thrust bearings

Washer kit 700-R4 / 4L60/ E 82-up
Code: 35670
Price: $5.25
# 35670 Basic washer kit w/common Input housing selective

The Beast heavt duty 700-R4 Sun gear Shell *
Code: 35823B
Price: $45.00
# 35823B The Beast from SPX Filtran REACTION SUNGEAR SHELL TH700-R4, 4L60 4L60-E 1982-ON Heavy Duty

Corvette Servo kit & boost sleeve, 700-R4 only *ON SPECIAL
Code: 35952-K
Price: $17.50
# 35952-K servo kit, accumulator piston and boost sleeve .500

The discussion forum up above has more info on parts recommended/needed for a rebuild. Just spend a little time there and you'll get a good feel for the project.

did u have any major problems. plus if u do it ur self, won't there be more chance of early faliure in the transmission.

i am just asking, not flamming. just curious

Well, the first one I did is still in the car and it has 10k miles on it. No problems so far. For the rebuild it was completely taken apart and put back together with all the appropriate replacement parts. I suppose if it's done right, should last as long as any tranny. The instructions cover pretty much every step. The videos demystify the process even more.

Originally posted by plappo
Well, the first one I did is still in the car and it has 10k miles on it. No problems so far. For the rebuild it was completely taken apart and put back together with all the appropriate replacement parts. I suppose if it's done right, should last as long as any tranny. The instructions cover pretty much every step. The videos demystify the process even more.

thanx for the info. it's very helpful

I going to start the rebuild on mine today. I just got done reading through the GM 4L60E manual I got off Ebay and it doesn't look nearly as complex as I though it would be. The manual is very step by step.
If you search 4L60E on Ebay you can find manuals and parts. I picked up a unopened rebuild kit that costs over $450 from Level 10 from a guy for less then $200. I've been saving up parts and I think I finally have it all. I am going to have allot more money in mine even though I've got some good deals. I'm replacing most everything with heavy duty parts. Hardened shafts ect. I want to make sure I only do this once and it can handle what ever I do to the engine in the future.

plappo, this is excellent info!
Thanks for taking the time and putting this together!

My major concern is how to drop the tranny. So, for those who have dropped it whats the easiest way to do it. Jack it up as high as you can then use another jack to lower the trans? I cant afford to go buy a trans jack. Thanks.

Dropping the tranny is the easiest task of all. Getting it up and bolted down is an other story! ;)
Support the engine with some blocks of wood, then support the tranny oil pan with some 2x4 and lower it with a jack.

I agree with plappo, I've already done a 700r4 using the sources he's mentioned. KDS Performance is a great site along with Bulkpart.

I'm going to be doing my brothers 4L60E next and am looking into a rebuild kit from Pro Built Automatics.

http://www.pro-built.net/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewproduct&productid=48

It's a bit more but comes with a little more performance oriented parts than just the standard kits.

But these things are rebuildable if you take the time to be organized and clean.

Mike