I'm wornering if anyone has attempted this. I know you can buy the built tranny for $1400 from CPT, but I have found "race" rebuild kits for under $600.

Here is the kit that I found from Pro-Built Automatics.......

4L60E Rebuild Kit Street/Strip w/vacuum modulator #38

"Complete description of the parts in the rebuild kit"

"Front pump"
Seal retainer
Late design seal
10-vane rotor w/vanes & slide assembly
Trans-Go steel rings & priming spring (under 5,500 rpm)
New replacement stator support

"Clutches, Steels And Pressure Plates"
4 Borg-Warner reverse/input clutches .068
4 Reverse/input "low drag" Turbulator steels .078
1 .078 spacer plate with reverse wave (eliminates the belleville spring)
5 Borg-Warner forward clutches .070
5 Forward steels .090
2 Borg-Warner overrun clutches .078
8 Borg-Warner Hi-Energy 3-4 clutches .080
3 3-4 steels Kolene .060
5 3-4 Steels Kolene .076
2 3-4 pressure plates .128
5 Borg-Warner low/reverse clutches .087
5 Low/reverse "low drag" Turbulator steels .068
1 3-4 apply ring 5-tabs
1 .062" 3-4 snap ring

"Other"
Sealed Power Beast sunshell
SKF 29 element input sprag
Borg-Warner low/reverse roller assembly (late design)
Vamac 3 lip rear seal (prelubed)
Transtech paper & rubber (gasket) kit
Transmission filter (OEM)
Bushings (latest updates, including Teflon front pump & extension)
Thrust washer kit
Sealing ring kit
HD Bearing kit (Timken)
Borg-Warner Hi-Energy 2-4 band
Corvette servo
Trans-Go Performance Shift kit, with .500 boost valve & w/accumulation for nice part throttle shifts
All new molded pistons for forward, 3-4, & overrun
All new aluminum accumulator pistons
Trans-Go vacuum modulator


My dads cousin rebuilds transmissions for Dodge so he would probably help me out with all of the install, but its something that I would like to learn how to do.

Would it be worth spending the extra money and buying a built tranny or do you think that if I rebuilt my own it would hold up just as good? I'm not planning building a race car, but it will see the track a couple times a year for fun and an ocassional street race

Let me know what you think or if you suggest a different kit or different parts

 

Just as a comparative referance. They charge $600 for their kit...We actually spend more than $600 on parts to build a "Pro Race" unit.

If you do a vacuum modulator conversion, your transmission will lose the 3-4 clutches in as little as 500 miles. Of course, that parts list leaves alot of room for improvement. We use a better 2-4 band, 3-4 clutches, better servos, Our Pro Race unit also includes the 4L65E output shaft, 4L65E front internal hub, and steel input piston set.
Keep in mind that the band, 3-4 clutches, and the servo in that kit are all stock parts.

As for building it yourself? The 4L60E is a "temperamental animal". Building one goes far beyond a parts list. They're are many little tips and tricks we've learned over the years to keep these things alive.
If you do decide you want to attempt it yourself, I'd suggest you take a look at our build sheet and order the parts listed there. If you need to know where to buy it all, PM me and I'll help you out. I can even supply all the part numbers for you.
http://www.geocities.com/cahallperfo...l60ebuild.html
Thanks,
Frank
CPT

 

knowing what the right parts is not even half the battle....the little tricks and tips you learn over the years is what makes it hold up.

The first trans I ever build was a 700r in my 88 camaro...Had the damn thing out 3 times in one weekend, then I built a e40d for my brother, I used the wrong valve body gasket cause it was a split year...had that pan off a few times....

I give all the trans builders my respect.....It takes years to learn these little tricks and really know what your doing

 

You can do it if its not a daily driver and you have lots of time on your hands and are doing it mostly to learn and not to save money because in most cases time you are done you will have spent as much or more than you would a built unit, But it depends as i said what your goals are , There are as stated a few additions I would make to the kit, As for little tricks if you decide to do it your more than welcome to call on us for advice anytime along the way.Just be aware it is tedious task that requires you pay lots of attention and be in no hurry and be prepared for road blocks and problems because they more than likley will arise,

 

What do you guys do for the reaction shell and sun gear that always strip out?

 

This is the kit I used from Probuilt. I am very happy with the results. My car isn't heavily modified since it's my daily driver. The mods are in my sig. I built my trans a little over a year ago and have put on around 9000 miles so far with no problems. I have been building transmissions for over 20 years and the 4L60E isn't one to learn on. I wouldn't recommend trying it yourself. There are many special tools that are needed. What ever direction you decide to go, good luck.

"Complete description of the parts in the rebuild kit"

"Front pump"
Seal retainer
Late design seal
10-vane rotor w/vanes & slide assembly (higher volume than 13-vane setup)
Trans-Go steel rings & priming spring (over 5,500 rpm)
New replacement stator support
HD steel sleeve, overrun piston, & forward steel piston for the input drum is included.

"Clutches, Steels And Pressure Plates"
4 Borg-Warner reverse/input clutches .068
4 Reverse/input "low drag" Turbulator steels .078
1 .078 spacer plate with reverse wave (eliminates the belleville spring)
5 Borg-Warner forward clutches .070
5 Forward steels .090
2 Borg-Warner overrun clutches .078
9 Borg-Warner Hi-Energy 3-4 clutches .065
3 3-4 steels Kolene .060
5 3-4 Steels Kolene .076
2 3-4 pressure plates .128
5 Borg-Warner low/reverse clutches .087
5 Low/reverse "low drag" Turbulator steels .068
1 3-4 apply ring 5-tabs
1 .062" 3-4 snap ring

"Other"
Sealed Power Beast sunshell
SKF 29 element input sprag
Borg-Warner low/reverse roller assembly (late design)
Vamac 3 lip rear seal (prelubed)
Transtech paper & rubber (gasket) kit
Transmission filter (OEM)
Bushings (latest updates, including Teflon front pump & extension)
Thrust washer kit
Sealing ring kit
HD Bearing kit (Timken)
Borg-Warner Hi-Energy 2-4 band
Trans-Go Performance Shift kit, with .500 boost valve & w/accumulation for nice part throttle shifts
All new molded rubber steel pistons for forward, 3-4, & overrun
All new aluminum accumulator pistons
Trans-Go vacuum modulator

 

Just to clarify I'm not trying to say that it isn't worth spending the extra money to get a tranny built, but it is something that I'd like to learn, but from the sounds of it I'll just have someone do it for me. I have installed shift kits on th350s and I know that this would be far more complex than a simple shift kit thats why I mentioned I would have my cousin help me, but hes a mopar guy and me might not be willing to work on a GM.

Thanks for all of the replies, but I think I'll leave this one to the pros

 

It's great that you want to learn to build a trans. Start small and work your way up. Back in high school auto shop (remember that?), they started us off building Powerglides. Start there. That is a fairly simple trans that will give you a good start. Don't try to go qualify for Pro Stock at the US Nationals the first time there.

 

Probably the best idea , But don't give up on trying maybe buy a built trans and keep your old one and take it apart and learn

 

We use "The Beast" sun shell in EVERY 4L60E we build...From stock to Pro Race.

Frank
CPT

 

agreed the beast is a great idea ,

 

I was in the same position. Building a trans was one thing I just wanted to learn to do. After doing many motors and rear gear set up's, the curiousity got the best of me.
I signed up for a course at my local motorsports college and did a few. I built the trans in my 10 second(on spray) vette, and it held up well. Now I build a few for the local racers and have fun doing them. Most guys think I am a bit strange because I do them for hobby, but there is quite a bit of pride in doing them.
Long story short, if a dummy like me can do it, you an too.