pharestutt

I have had many problems in the past with the tranny in my car mostly the 3-4 clutch pack so this time im going to beef it up a little im plannning on installing

Sonnax Smart tech input Drum
Beast Sunshell
Sonnax overdrive and intermediate billet servos
Alto carbonite band

I am stuck on which clutches and steels i should go with i was going to go with full thickness Alto Reds and steels but i see where alot of people recommenced Borg Warner Hi-Energys, raysbestos and other brands i dont know what would be my best option my car is daily driven and i want to get what will hold the most HP

Chris Stewart

Interested in this myself, after burning up the 3/4 a few times. I'm doing a Sonnax drum in the next few weeks, for a 1000hp 4L65 setup. Looking at tranmissioncenter.org they sell a built Sonnax drum and claim it's capable of holding 1500hp. I'm going to call them this week because they haven't responded to email. Sonnax recommends a .050 clearance but I'm curious to talk with PATC about the reds they're recommending with a .030 clearance.

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"

According to Sonnax instructions for 77733-06K:
Increased 3-4 clutch torque capacity will accept either:
Eight .067" frictions with seven .095" steels
Nine .062" frictions with eight .077" steels
Clearance should be between .050" and .060"

DRIVER456

I use the the z-pac with the extra 2 clutch's,Works really well.Get it from pro built automatics. This "modified" Raybestos Z-Pak, 16 one sided clutch/steel setup for the 3-4 pack.The price is not bad either.I have used other 3-4 clutch setups and burnt them up.

Contents:
16 one sided clutch/steel arrangement
1 oem bottom pressure plate .225"
1 top pressure plate .125"
You will reuse the .093" snap ring
Details

Part Number Part Number: 3UGRAYMOD34PAK

Price: $78.81

pharestutt

Will this work with the smart tech input drum ? How many hp do you have and how long has it held up?

Chris Stewart

Notice he says reuse the snap ring. We will soon be throwing that sucker in the trash.

I emailed Dana at Pro Built a couple weeks ago about the Sonnax drum, and got no answer. He helped me setup the 3/4 clutch pack I have now, that just burnt up after 1 year (Pro Street Elite). Sometimes it's hard to reach him. I'll be shopping for a clutch pack this week for the Sonnax drum.

pharestutt

What trans combinations have you tried in the past not just clutch wise and what has worked the best

Chris Stewart

I started with an RPM level6 with a transbrake, and upgraded to level7 on a rebuild. That was the best available before level X came out. I got tired of shipping back to RPM and wanted to rebuild it myself.

Since RPM doesn't sell replacement parts, that led me to working with Dana at Pro Built to try more components like different servo and valve body. It's a solid performer and can even do WOT OD, but still kills the 3/4 clutch. Hopefully the Sonnax drum is as good as they say.

I use a Precision Vigilante triple disk with turbo stator. Started with a 3200, and had it loosened several times. Eventually went too loose and settled on at 3600-4000 that works best for me.

pharestutt

How much hp do you have?

Chris Stewart

I run about 1000rwhp with a goal of getting into the 8's.

DRIVER456

I don't see why not,I'm going with the smart tech drum & the z-pac this winter.I have the car set up to run mid to low 10's,I haven't burnt one up yet.I freshen up the trans every 2-3 years and just replace the 3-4 clutch,But its never burnt,Alittle worn though

Chris Stewart

This is what happens to mine. They get dished and won't hold anymore. The harder I run it, the quicker it happens.

Chris Stewart

I made some calls today asking about clutches for the Sonnax drum and here's what I got. Hopefully this helps.

1) Sonnax tech support
They don't sell clutches, and suggested GM high energy for "best results". Ok, let's leave it at that.

2) PATC, large selection of parts online. When I called for additional info, all I got was here's the part number, not really much more. I might have ordered but wanted to check around some more.
transmissioncenter.net/4l60e.htm
part# 14-9
RedEagle clutches and Kolene full thickness steels for the Smart Tech drum

3) Trutech, where I ordered the Sonnax drum (ebay sale!) and also offers "free tech support". trutechtrans.com
It took some phone tag to get thru, and even though they were very busy, still willing to answer questions and explain things. He asked the application and suggested blue plates, then offered anything else I need like seals/gaskets etc. When I asked his opinion of blue vs red, he says to put it simple, the color options from low to high starts with tan/brown being basic, red as a step up, and blue being the best for really high hp/torque. Enough to get my business! One blue plate kit with supporting parts on the way.

mdaniel

Chris - any idea how many passes you got out of your last rebuild?
Have you considered a glide?

Chris Stewart

Normally I avg 50 passes but this build maybe half that with the power turned up at some events. I haven't thrown in the towel yet on this 4L60. Parts are all here now for the Sonnax drum and going in over the weekend.

pharestutt

what do u normally have to replace when u freshen it up?

cmiller8006

Chris, looks like them drums are not as much money as I had guessed they would be, I may have to learn to do the trans myself like you did, I can do everything else lol. We will push this lvl 6 first.

ajrothm

Hey Chris, how about a build thread with pics when you re-do your 4l60 this time around? I also am stuck with the 4l60 forever so....I am very interested in the upgrades. I was looking at the Sonnax smart tech drum and clutch pack options just last night... Its definitely going in mine next time around.

I'd love to build it strong enough to handle wot 3-4 shifts...

My level 7 is still going but I can only imagine its just a matter of time before the clutches go. I'll probably ship it to RPM for the level 10 upgrade which is basically just the smart tech drum/clutches...but after that, I will want to keep it local and possibly do it myself. I don't always want to feel like the 4l60e is treading on thin ice at 900+ hp

cmiller8006

Honestly buy the parts and find a reputable trans guy in your area and save money is what I would do. And from how they look they are easy to work on, with the proper tools.

Chris Stewart

Since RPM originally built the trans, it's been a solid performer. The only issue I've had is losing the 3/4 clutch. After sending it back and learning this, the 2nd time it happened it just didn't make sense to do a full rebuild when it only needs a new 3/4.

To do the 3/4 all you really need is new gaskets for the pump, valve body, and oil pan. You can also get an overhaul kit pretty cheap that has all the seals/gaskets you'll need. I'll have mine apart and hopefully done over the weekend. I'll get some pics as I go and start a thread for it.

ajrothm

So you aren't changing the rest of the clutches (besides the 3/4 clutches) and bands?

The auto trans internals look way more complicated then I want to mess with.

Also why do you suppose RPM says not to dyno the car as it can hurt the transmission? I don't see how dynoing it is worse then running it down the track.. Apparently it's hard on the 3/4 clutches as well... I really want to dyno my new combo but I don't want to hurt the trans.