zbc51

What are you guys using in your 4l60e 3-4 clutch plates. My built auto has lost 3rd and 4th gear. My power level is about 800rwhp. I had a rpm level 6 that lasted several years. I was just wondering if there is anything better to put in it. Has anyone have experience with the sonnex smart tech shell?

Chris Stewart

After a couple times, I got tired of sending mine back to RPM, and decided to tackle this myself. It actually wasn't all that bad. Funny thing about high HP builds, you can talk to 4 builders and get 4 different answers. Lots of different opinion about what works.

I also installed the Sonnax drum this summer. I believe this upgrade goes a long way to the longevity of the 3/4 clutch. With the Sonnax drum, you can load an extra friction disc, run full thickness steels, and the improved end plate prevents warping, which is how mine have failed.

Currently I'm running it with Raybestos blue plates. I got some good deals and helpful tech support from Jeff at Trutech trans. I only have one season so far, but it took a beating with racing at 1000hp. Here are some other posts you might find interesting.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-rpm-4l60.html

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...ggestions.html

This thing is the golden ticket! It's also available from RPM with a Level X upgrade. I'm using this setup:
8 frictions .065 from Raybestos RCPBP-04
7 steels .097

zbc51

Thanks

I was hoping someone had some real world experience with this sonnex drum. It would make sense that this may stop the bending of the friction plates and the extra plates my help hold the power. This is my first 4l60e failure I have had. I just want to use the best parts for the rebuild. The $650 for the part may save a lot of headaches next season.

Chris Stewart

For sure it's a good investment. Before getting the drum, I just put fresh clutches in the original drum and again in 2 years they were shot. Here's a couple pics showing how they become dished/warped. They should be flat.





After watching this demo video, it makes sense why this happens. I got the bare Sonnax drum and had a shop to press out my input shaft and back into the new drum. It was hard finding a place to do it though, several shops turned me away that weren't interested unless they did the whole build. You can avoid this headache by ordering the drum with a hardened shaft installed.

zbc51

I agree 100% with you. Do you know which part to get? The summitt page lists an input shaft with a reluctor and one without


Sonnax Industries 77733-10K - Sonnax Smart-Tech Input Housing Kits

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Input Housing, Smart-Tech, 298mm Input Shaft Assembly, GM, 4L60E, 4L65E, 4L70E, Kit

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Sonnax Industries 77733-11K - Sonnax Smart-Tech Input Housing Kits

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Input Housing, Smart-Tech, 300mm Non-reluctor Style Input Shaft Assembly, GM, 4L60E, 4L65E, 4L70E, Kit

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zbc51

I's surprised we don't have a forced induction transmission forum

Chris Stewart

No doubt about the trans/drivetrain mods, they're a big deal once you start making power and racing.

According to this place that sells the drum, here are the options. So I think you're looking for the 77733-11K. No reluctor because our speed sensor in not in the trans.



transmissioncenter.org/new_patc_products.htm
Good info here. Find the word "loaded" for an easy solution, alpha drum fully assembled & ready to drop in.

zbc51

Thanks for the info.

What did you decide to do about your engine?

Chris Stewart

Yep, good luck with it. I think it's worth sharing and documenting as much as possible here. You know there's hundreds of others out there having or going to have the same problem.

Nothing new with mine yet. It's been parked for 2 months while I helped my son rebuild his 01 Firebird that popped a piston. Just got my car back in the garage and start planning a shortblock.

It turned out great though, listen to this thing.

ajrothm

Sounds good Chris!


I agree, a forced induction transmission section would be a great idea... Autos and sticks, converters and clutches.

zbc51

sounds like a stock rebuild

Ronnie_W

Chris, to get the 8 frictions .065 and the 7 steels .097 do you just order the part RCPBP-04 from the Raybestos page? I have a RPM 4l65e that is slipping in third gear. I ran it once at the track and it was slipping. The only other hard runs were on the street while tuning the engine. I am less than 800 whp and did not expect the slipping so soon. I want to order the sonnax drum and have my local tranny guy install it for me. I'm tempted to do it myself but and kind of reluctant. I do all my other work. I am running an 01Z06 APS TT that I switch over to the A4. I am controlling the tranny with a FAST/TCI controller and have 2 tranny coolers in parallel and one of them has a fan.

jimbos'ss

Click

Chris Stewart

The Raybestos RCPBP-04 is a kit to replace all the frictions, and includes the blue plates for 3/4. I used them all but only really needed the 3/4.

The steels are ordered separately. The kit I got for steels was part number 74139G. Only problem it was one short, because it's intended for a standard drum. So you would need another one via 2nd kit or find a place that sells singles.

The only place I've found that sells a 3/4 clutch & steel kit specific to the Sonnax drum is PATC (transmissioncenter.net/4l60e.htm). It's part number 14-9, and comes with 9 RedEagle clutches, 8 Kolene full thickness steel plates to fit the new Smart Tech drum. Cost $102.00

They seem to recommend the red clutches. You could give that a try and probably be happy, but they might also sell a blue plate kit if you call and ask. These are the 3/4 clutch options for the Sonnax drum they sell.

Alto Red Eagle (recommended)
9 frictions @ .060"
7 Kolene steels @ .078"
1 Kolene Steel @ .106"
Clearance @ .030-.035"

Raybestos Blue Plates
9 frictions .063"
8 steels .078"
Clearance @ .050"

Notice my stackup had less overall plates because the steels are thicker (8 frictions .065, 7 steels .097, clearance ended up about .030). The shop I was working with felt thicker steels are better, think of it like brake rotors where thinner ones glow and warp easier. Made sense to me so I went with it.

a/c man

subbed

zbc51

update
my trans got rebuilt using using the raybestos gen2 blue plates pn577540.

9 clutches and 8 Kolenes steels in the sonnax smart-tech drum. You can order the clutch plates and steels individually.

zbc51

a/c man

nice who helped with the rebuild?

madmatt9471

So subscribed- excellent info!

Thanks,Matt

zbc51

I am actually lucky; my local garage has a couple of "car" guys for mechanics. Since Dr.Phil is no longer doing any mechanical work now; I have my local garage take care of my ttix car. The mechanic was a transmission specialist at a dealership in the past and did all gm transmissions. Any one in michigan who needs help with a ttix car should give these guys a call.