4L60 help needed

Red99T/A · 03-21-2010, 07:54 PM

Well after having some shifts feel real lazy at the track yesterday and finding trans fluid all along the bottom of my car I will be getting the T/A up in the air for some maintenance. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what trans fluid to use or any tips of things to look for? This will be my first time messing with my transmission. Thanks in advance!

04ctd · 03-21-2010, 08:02 PM

PM Robert, MonteC on the board,

itSSlowZ28 · 03-21-2010, 09:43 PM

i have a performabuilt level 2 in my car. from what i've always been told, and what performabuilt recommends, regular non-synthetic atf is the best to run in it. i've also heard if its slipping the old atf has a tendancy to hold it together. don't know how true that is. but if i was you i'd be saving for a new trans and convertor

BigdaddyDupree · 03-21-2010, 09:48 PM

hes making alot of power i knew that tranny wouldnt last long

gearmesh, inc. · 03-21-2010, 10:18 PM

Regular Dexron III will be fine in your application. When you get your pan off, look to see if there is a dark looking "mud" covering the bottom. If so, your 3-4 clutches have probably seen better days. This is usually the first friction element to bite the dust when you feed a lot of power to a stock internal 4L60E.

Give myself or MonteC a pm if your trans service doesn't solve your problem. Both of us see each other regularly and we both know how to keep a 4L60E alive with a lot of power. I personally have a couple of my customers putting about 700 horsepower through their 4L60Es and surviving as daily drivers. It's all about good parts and attention to detail while building the unit on the bench.

Red99T/A · 03-22-2010, 08:08 AM

The line about me putting alot of power through it was a joke, my car is pretty much bone stock lol. Thanks for the advice guys! I'm going to try to get the car in the air this week and see how it looks, I think I just got the trans a little hot on my second pass (okay that what i'm hoping). Because it drove home from the track with no problems once it had cooled down.

Illusions · 03-22-2010, 08:23 AM

My trans temps have been real good since MonteC (Rob) rebuilt it. It has also handled everything we have thrown at it so far. The only high temps is when we are blowing through the converter. but it recovers fast and drops back down to 170 deg. We'll fix that with a multi-disc here shortly. just have to figure our troubles out first.

Red99T/A · 03-22-2010, 08:30 AM

Unfortunately I don't have a gauge for my trans temp yet, so I have no idea what its running. Thats another thing on my list of things to do.

04ctd · 03-22-2010, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearmesh, inc.

. Both of us see each other regularly and we both know how to keep a 4L60E alive with a lot of power.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red99T/A

Unfortunately I don't have a gauge for my trans temp yet, so I have no idea what its running. Thats another thing on my list of things to do.

Gearmesh, should i have a temp gauge on a TH400?

where would you put it?

Illusions · 03-22-2010, 09:04 AM

mine's installed before the cooler inlet in a tee with the trans fluid flowing out the branch connection to the cooler and the sensor in the straight flow so the sensor read fluid directly on it. it's installed how we install temp elements in piping systems in the industrial plants. it's more accurate with flow hitting the element.

Harry · 03-22-2010, 09:18 AM

I had an aod with a bung welded into the trans pan.

Illusions · 03-22-2010, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry

I had an aod with a bung welded into the trans pan.

That will work too. It's just cheaper if your installing a trans cooler and you do not have welding skills. you can just place it inline but you have to make sure you know the flow direction or your reading it after the cooler. which is not accurate.

Red99T/A · 03-22-2010, 09:24 AM

Would it be a good idea to go ahead and mount an additional trans cooler now when I do this maintenance? I was going to wait until I put my new stall in.

Harry · 03-22-2010, 09:51 AM

You need to seperate the trans from the radiator.

Illusions · 03-22-2010, 11:01 AM

I run a over sized trans-cooler for an RV. First Mod I do to any of vehicles is install a trans-cooler. after the brutal summers along the gulf coast in Alabama you learn fast to separate the trans fluid from the heat of the radiator. Next will be it's own fan

Red99T/A · 03-22-2010, 11:12 AM

true, but my car does have a trans cooler from the factory.

itSSlowZ28 · 03-22-2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red99T/A

true, but my car does have a trans cooler from the factory.

built into the radiator yes. but if the radiator gets hot from the engine temp then where do you think it transfers the heat?

a cooler is definately a good idea. mine is mounted in front of the radiator and i bypassed the factory cooler for the reason i just mentioned

soccerspike15 · 03-22-2010, 03:37 PM

mines mounted on the condenser so it cools my ac faster too lol

LXtasy · 03-22-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soccerspike15

mines mounted on the condenser so it cools my ac faster too lol

Shut the f up. This isn't ls1tech where people actually listen to you

1 Slow Z · 03-22-2010, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soccerspike15

mines mounted on the condenser so it cools my ac faster too lol

Thats one of the dumbest things I've ever heard.

03-21-2010, 07:54 PM	#1
Red99T/A Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Goose Creek Posts: 749	4L60 help needed Well after having some shifts feel real lazy at the track yesterday and finding trans fluid all along the bottom of my car I will be getting the T/A up in the air for some maintenance. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what trans fluid to use or any tips of things to look for? This will be my first time messing with my transmission. Thanks in advance! __________________ 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: Bright Red, A4. Unicorn 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6: Arctic White, A4, 3.73. 243, K&N, LM1, !AIR/EGR, SLP Lid. DEAD...for now... 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Z28: Monterey Maroon Metallic, A4. Stockish daily driver... 1994 Dodge Intrepid : Emerald Green Metallic...217,xxx miles DEAD 1997 Infiniti QX4 : Sahara Beige Metallic...237,xxx miles DEAD

03-21-2010, 08:02 PM	#2
04ctd Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ladson SC Posts: 4,388	PM Robert, MonteC on the board, __________________ 1 Timothy 3:16 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

03-21-2010, 09:43 PM	#3
itSSlowZ28 Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Aiken, SC Posts: 48	i have a performabuilt level 2 in my car. from what i've always been told, and what performabuilt recommends, regular non-synthetic atf is the best to run in it. i've also heard if its slipping the old atf has a tendancy to hold it together. don't know how true that is. but if i was you i'd be saving for a new trans and convertor __________________ '95 Camaro Z28 - stockish

03-21-2010, 09:48 PM	#4
BigdaddyDupree Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: MACEDONIA Posts: 4,967	hes making alot of power i knew that tranny wouldnt last long __________________ . What you wanna do?

03-21-2010, 10:18 PM	#5
gearmesh, inc. creepy azz cracka Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 1,587	Regular Dexron III will be fine in your application. When you get your pan off, look to see if there is a dark looking "mud" covering the bottom. If so, your 3-4 clutches have probably seen better days. This is usually the first friction element to bite the dust when you feed a lot of power to a stock internal 4L60E. Give myself or MonteC a pm if your trans service doesn't solve your problem. Both of us see each other regularly and we both know how to keep a 4L60E alive with a lot of power. I personally have a couple of my customers putting about 700 horsepower through their 4L60Es and surviving as daily drivers. It's all about good parts and attention to detail while building the unit on the bench. __________________ "I came into this world kicking, screaming,and covered in someone else's blood, I have no problem leaving the same way!" ÔÇ£If you carry a gun, people will call you paranoid. ThatÔÇÖs ridiculous. If I have a gun, what in the hell do I have to be paranoid about?ÔÇØ -Clint Smith, Thunder Ranch.

03-22-2010, 08:08 AM	#6
Red99T/A Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Goose Creek Posts: 749	The line about me putting alot of power through it was a joke, my car is pretty much bone stock lol. Thanks for the advice guys! I'm going to try to get the car in the air this week and see how it looks, I think I just got the trans a little hot on my second pass (okay that what i'm hoping). Because it drove home from the track with no problems once it had cooled down. __________________ 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: Bright Red, A4. Unicorn 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6: Arctic White, A4, 3.73. 243, K&N, LM1, !AIR/EGR, SLP Lid. DEAD...for now... 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Z28: Monterey Maroon Metallic, A4. Stockish daily driver... 1994 Dodge Intrepid : Emerald Green Metallic...217,xxx miles DEAD 1997 Infiniti QX4 : Sahara Beige Metallic...237,xxx miles DEAD

03-22-2010, 08:23 AM	#7
Illusions Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: In the Pits Posts: 2,247	My trans temps have been real good since MonteC (Rob) rebuilt it. It has also handled everything we have thrown at it so far. The only high temps is when we are blowing through the converter. but it recovers fast and drops back down to 170 deg. We'll fix that with a multi-disc here shortly. just have to figure our troubles out first. __________________ Illusions Grafix A Pair of "Jackstand" 01 Xtreme Blazers

03-22-2010, 08:30 AM	#8
Red99T/A Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Goose Creek Posts: 749	Unfortunately I don't have a gauge for my trans temp yet, so I have no idea what its running. Thats another thing on my list of things to do. __________________ 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: Bright Red, A4. Unicorn 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6: Arctic White, A4, 3.73. 243, K&N, LM1, !AIR/EGR, SLP Lid. DEAD...for now... 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Z28: Monterey Maroon Metallic, A4. Stockish daily driver... 1994 Dodge Intrepid : Emerald Green Metallic...217,xxx miles DEAD 1997 Infiniti QX4 : Sahara Beige Metallic...237,xxx miles DEAD

03-22-2010, 09:04 AM	#10
Illusions Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: In the Pits Posts: 2,247	mine's installed before the cooler inlet in a tee with the trans fluid flowing out the branch connection to the cooler and the sensor in the straight flow so the sensor read fluid directly on it. it's installed how we install temp elements in piping systems in the industrial plants. it's more accurate with flow hitting the element. __________________ Illusions Grafix A Pair of "Jackstand" 01 Xtreme Blazers

03-22-2010, 09:18 AM	#11
Harry Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 3,321	I had an aod with a bung welded into the trans pan.

03-22-2010, 09:24 AM	#13
Red99T/A Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Goose Creek Posts: 749	Would it be a good idea to go ahead and mount an additional trans cooler now when I do this maintenance? I was going to wait until I put my new stall in. __________________ 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: Bright Red, A4. Unicorn 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6: Arctic White, A4, 3.73. 243, K&N, LM1, !AIR/EGR, SLP Lid. DEAD...for now... 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Z28: Monterey Maroon Metallic, A4. Stockish daily driver... 1994 Dodge Intrepid : Emerald Green Metallic...217,xxx miles DEAD 1997 Infiniti QX4 : Sahara Beige Metallic...237,xxx miles DEAD

03-22-2010, 09:51 AM	#14
Harry Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 3,321	You need to seperate the trans from the radiator.

03-22-2010, 11:01 AM	#15
Illusions Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: In the Pits Posts: 2,247	I run a over sized trans-cooler for an RV. First Mod I do to any of vehicles is install a trans-cooler. after the brutal summers along the gulf coast in Alabama you learn fast to separate the trans fluid from the heat of the radiator. Next will be it's own fan __________________ Illusions Grafix A Pair of "Jackstand" 01 Xtreme Blazers

03-22-2010, 11:12 AM	#16
Red99T/A Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Goose Creek Posts: 749	true, but my car does have a trans cooler from the factory. __________________ 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am: Bright Red, A4. Unicorn 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am WS6: Arctic White, A4, 3.73. 243, K&N, LM1, !AIR/EGR, SLP Lid. DEAD...for now... 2000 Chevrolet Camaro Z28: Monterey Maroon Metallic, A4. Stockish daily driver... 1994 Dodge Intrepid : Emerald Green Metallic...217,xxx miles DEAD 1997 Infiniti QX4 : Sahara Beige Metallic...237,xxx miles DEAD

03-22-2010, 03:37 PM	#18
soccerspike15 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 999	mines mounted on the condenser so it cools my ac faster too lol __________________