Transmission woes...again.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 596
Likes: 1
Transmission woes...again.
With the rain the last few days I've been thinking that my rear tires were breaking loose between 1st and 2nd gear shifts. Today on dry roads I realized that the transmission is slipping again. NOT the vette, the tow vehicle, a 2003 Chevy Silverado. It's a 5.3L auto, replaced with a reman. tranny under warranty 15 months ago. I'm still under warr., but I really don't want one of these light duty units put in again. A friend of mine with a Pool Service Co. warned me that the Chevy trannys wouldn't hold up. It appears he was right. I'd like to offer up a deal to the warranty company to take their $2400 (paid last time) and put the difference up myself for an Allison or other HD tranny. I don't know if that's even considerable. Any thoughts?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If an Allison out of a Sierra will fit in your truck, and you can handle the technical issues, do it. Great transmission...tough as nails. Whatever you decide, you might think about an extra tranny cooler and using synthetic oil; they'll add a lot of life to any box.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,341
Likes: 6
Unless you are using the tranny in an abusive way, there is no reason for it to fail, however "light duty" you fail feel it may be. Look into the specs of the vehicle. Are you doing anything with it that you shouldn't?
Take the vehicle back and let the tranny shop deal with it. That is what the warranty is for. You may feel the fundamental design of the tranny is not up to the task you have in mind, but if that were the case, the tranny shop would not have given you a warranty at all. Never mind honoring it once already!
That 5.3 (assuming it is stock) shouldn't be able to hurt that tranny. That said, are you running a nice big cooler? Heat is what almost always kills autos. Doesn't matter how carefully it is assembled or if big dollar parts are used. If you overheat it, it will die.
Take the vehicle back and let the tranny shop deal with it. That is what the warranty is for. You may feel the fundamental design of the tranny is not up to the task you have in mind, but if that were the case, the tranny shop would not have given you a warranty at all. Never mind honoring it once already!
That 5.3 (assuming it is stock) shouldn't be able to hurt that tranny. That said, are you running a nice big cooler? Heat is what almost always kills autos. Doesn't matter how carefully it is assembled or if big dollar parts are used. If you overheat it, it will die.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
With the rain the last few days I've been thinking that my rear tires were breaking loose between 1st and 2nd gear shifts. Today on dry roads I realized that the transmission is slipping again. NOT the vette, the tow vehicle, a 2003 Chevy Silverado. It's a 5.3L auto, replaced with a reman. tranny under warranty 15 months ago. I'm still under warr., but I really don't want one of these light duty units put in again. A friend of mine with a Pool Service Co. warned me that the Chevy trannys wouldn't hold up. It appears he was right. I'd like to offer up a deal to the warranty company to take their $2400 (paid last time) and put the difference up myself for an Allison or other HD tranny. I don't know if that's even considerable. Any thoughts?
in 2003, its a tough trans ??
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
If you feel you need a heavier duty trans, the 4L80E would be closest to a bolt in swap. The Allison has a larger case, and GM raised the cab to get the fit. Look at the trucks with the Dmax or the 502 (8.1) you can see the spacer at the top of the front bumper.
Maybe rebuild the 4L60e you have and get an aftermarket programmer to improve the shifts?
Maybe rebuild the 4L60e you have and get an aftermarket programmer to improve the shifts?
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
There are several folks who feel the larger GM trannies will "do the job" for you. Unfortunately, that is exactly the reason PowerTrain went to Allison for a sturdy design. The existing transmissions didn't last as long as they were expected to in difficult applications. You can rebuild "weak" designs all you want to...they will still be weak. They might be strong enough for a street application, but not for a heavy "puller". If rebuilt well..and WITH an extra oil cooler and synthetic oil, the 4L80E and 4L60E might do OK. If you need something "tough as nails", get a used Allison and make it fit.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2005
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Thanks for the replies- have things worked out- apparently no big deal- the servo isn't doing it's job. This truck is used for more than light duty, and I have a tranny cooler in radiator(same as vette) And an air cooled exchanger forward of the A/C and radiator that's plumbed in series. That's the stock set-up. I just got an Autometer trans. temp gauge and will install it this weekend. I've also got a Superchips Max Microtuner that has the ability to adjust shift points....I didn't make any changes to stock settings, but would if someone with knowledge advised doing so.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Thanks for the replies- have things worked out- apparently no big deal- the servo isn't doing it's job. This truck is used for more than light duty, and I have a tranny cooler in radiator(same as vette) And an air cooled exchanger forward of the A/C and radiator that's plumbed in series. That's the stock set-up. I just got an Autometer trans. temp gauge and will install it this weekend. I've also got a Superchips Max Microtuner that has the ability to adjust shift points....I didn't make any changes to stock settings, but would if someone with knowledge advised doing so.
My pickup has the Duramax/Allison and that's the stuff.
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