700r4/4L60 question
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Joined: Feb 2004
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700r4/4L60 question
Alot of people hate this transmission because it does not hold up to the power they are making. I have been very LUCKY. I put in in caps because I am smart enough to realize that luck is sometimes a big part of the equasion. As many of you know, I build them and race them as a hobby. Without bashing anyone or any company, share the horror stories and broken parts. Pics are good if you have them. I am especially interested in broken hard parts and the power it takes to snap them. Unfortunately, I do not have the budget to build enough power to tear up my own trans, in the name of r&d.
I am very interested in focusing my attention on the weak links I have not found yet
I am very interested in focusing my attention on the weak links I have not found yet
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 921
Likes: 57
From: Muskoka Ontario
Hey Pete I am considering one of yours trans. I am making 350 to the wheels now with 450 in the future. Which trans would you suggest. I am 7 hours away and would consider driving down for an install with a converter from your buddy. What would you give me for my stock 4L60 and could you install down there. PM me and I will give you a call this weekend.
Thanks
FredK
Thanks
FredK
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Pete K
Alot of people hate this transmission because it does not hold up to the power they are making. I have been very LUCKY. I put in in caps because I am smart enough to realize that luck is sometimes a big part of the equasion.
Luck is overrated. Have you ever noticed how often the usual winners at the track get LUCKY? The good get luckier more often than the rest. HUMMM, maybe it really isn't so much LUCK, after all.
RACE ON!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,875
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From: Olive Branch (Memphis suburb) MS
Cruise-In II Veteran
Pete, Jeb had my car pulling 389 hp at the wheels with my current tranny slipping. Here are some parts from what it did to the first trans. 
I want to eventually add about a 250 shot at the track, but it sure doesn't seem like a 700 will handle it. 
I want to eventually add about a 250 shot at the track, but it sure doesn't seem like a 700 will handle it.
Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by Ramrod92
Pete, Jeb had my car pulling 389 hp at the wheels with my current tranny slipping. Here are some parts from what it did to the first trans. I want to eventually add about a 250 shot at the track, but it sure doesn't seem like a 700 will handle it.
I want to eventually add about a 250 shot at the track, but it sure doesn't seem like a 700 will handle it. The parts shown are the rear planetary and the lo roller clutch assembly. I have heard of the snout snapping off the planetary, but it is rare. The lo-roller clutch breaking so violently suprises me. It is quite strong. Luck was not with you. I almost suspect a bushing failure caused improper lubrication to the back of the trans resultion in the breakage. Thanks for posting. If anyone has more please post them as well. Everything I can learn on this thread can help me do a better job down the road.
Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by fredk
Hey Pete I am considering one of yours trans. I am making 350 to the wheels now with 450 in the future. Which trans would you suggest. I am 7 hours away and would consider driving down for an install with a converter from your buddy. What would you give me for my stock 4L60 and could you install down there. PM me and I will give you a call this weekend.
Thanks
FredK
Thanks
FredK
The trans I have listed in the 4 sale section (listed as Hardcore) is, in my opinion, slightly overbuilt for your needs. Nothing wrong with overbuilt. I would recommend the same components in your trans. I appreciate that you may want me to do it, and would be happy to. If something changes, and it is more convenient for you to do locally, use that parts list. It is quite complete and is what I would use in my own car. I will pm you on the weekend.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 2,875
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From: Olive Branch (Memphis suburb) MS
Cruise-In II Veteran
Pete, it did this to the Dana 36 w/3:54s before the tranny failure. 
I saw your post in the for sale section and was wondering if that tranny could handle my 396?
I saw your post in the for sale section and was wondering if that tranny could handle my 396?
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Originally Posted by Ramrod92
Pete, it did this to the Dana 36 w/3:54s before the tranny failure. I saw your post in the for sale section and was wondering if that tranny could handle my 396?
I saw your post in the for sale section and was wondering if that tranny could handle my 396? With that said, I feel I could look you square in the eye, shake your hand and tell you it "should" easily take the power you are making. All I can honestly say is, if it were my car(with your 396) I would expect it to work well.
That is a roundabout way of saying- It should!
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Elite Torch Red Member
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
I don't want to jinx myself, but I haven't touched my trans in the 5 years I've raced it, but then again, the engine is still stock, only change was to a 2800 stall converter and I added a trans cooler.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,302
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From: Tomahawk WI
Mojo, how's the driveability w/ the 2800? a couple of friends advised me that anything over 2500 owuld be irritating to drive. I'd sure like to hear from one w/ experience driving it like you have.
Thanks,
Steve
*if this ia a hijack..... apologies.
Thanks,
Steve
*if this ia a hijack..... apologies.
Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by AZC4Guy
Mojo, how's the driveability w/ the 2800? a couple of friends advised me that anything over 2500 owuld be irritating to drive. I'd sure like to hear from one w/ experience driving it like you have.
Thanks,
Steve
*if this ia a hijack..... apologies.
Thanks,
Steve
*if this ia a hijack..... apologies.
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
You'd hardly know you have a high stall converter.
The car behaves very well on the street. I drove it to Bowling Green this year, on my crab trip and to Carlisle with no issues at all.
With the 3.45 gears and only overdrive(not double OD like the 6 speed) I'm only getting about 360 miles per tankful(actually about 17 gallons).
The car behaves very well on the street. I drove it to Bowling Green this year, on my crab trip and to Carlisle with no issues at all.
With the 3.45 gears and only overdrive(not double OD like the 6 speed) I'm only getting about 360 miles per tankful(actually about 17 gallons).
Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by Mr Mojo
You'd hardly know you have a high stall converter.
The car behaves very well on the street. I drove it to Bowling Green this year, on my crab trip and to Carlisle with no issues at all.
With the 3.45 gears and only overdrive(not double OD like the 6 speed) I'm only getting about 360 miles per tankful(actually about 17 gallons).
The car behaves very well on the street. I drove it to Bowling Green this year, on my crab trip and to Carlisle with no issues at all.
With the 3.45 gears and only overdrive(not double OD like the 6 speed) I'm only getting about 360 miles per tankful(actually about 17 gallons).
The beautiful part about a lock up converter is that stall becomes a non issue once the converter locks up. On the highway and locked up, a 5000 rpm stall will yield the same fuel economy as a 1000 rpm stall. Same heat generated and same efficiency when they are locked.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,636
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From: Lafayette IN
Originally Posted by Pete K
Without bashing anyone or any company, share the horror stories and broken parts.
I probably messed something up during the rebuild but that's my story of carnage.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,174
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From: NW MN
For what it's worth. Last year I had my 700R4 done by a local guy who does alot of trannys for drag racers. I was concerned about the toughness of the 700R4 and when I told him my mods and and an estimate of my HP he just smiled and said "If you double the HP I'd still not worry about a warranty issue"
In other words he believes the 700R4 is a solid tranny if built right with attention to the details. Not the best drag racing tranny but a good tranny for our cars.
In other words he believes the 700R4 is a solid tranny if built right with attention to the details. Not the best drag racing tranny but a good tranny for our cars.
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Originally Posted by HighHopes85
When I was 16 I rebuilt a 700R4 for my 69 Chevelle, open diff, street tires. I used the B&M complete rebuild kit set for the second level of shift firmness...I think out of a possible 3 levels. It was over 10 years ago. Anyhow, it worked great for 3 weeks and then on the 1-2 shift I snapped the 2-4 band lug (the one in the VB). Just a mild SBC so I rebuilt it the same way again and the same thing happened within 2 months.
I probably messed something up during the rebuild but that's my story of carnage.
I probably messed something up during the rebuild but that's my story of carnage.
Thread Starter
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Originally Posted by 86Pacecar
For what it's worth. Last year I had my 700R4 done by a local guy who does alot of trannys for drag racers. I was concerned about the toughness of the 700R4 and when I told him my mods and and an estimate of my HP he just smiled and said "If you double the HP I'd still not worry about a warranty issue" In other words he believes the 700R4 is a solid tranny if built right with attention to the details. Not the best drag racing tranny but a good tranny for our cars.
In other words he believes the 700R4 is a solid tranny if built right with attention to the details. Not the best drag racing tranny but a good tranny for our cars.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,636
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From: Lafayette IN
Actually I meant above the valve body, not in but you seemed to catch my drift about the band anchor pin. I found the B&M manual that I used to rebuild it and the second level seems to have been RV and towing so actually I most likely did the highest level because it was titled "street and strip" 
Looking over the directions, it had me replace the 1-2 accumulator spring that looks like it fits under the piston with 2 spacers (3/8" + 3/4") that went on top of the piston. That was the only thing I think I could think of at the time that was causing it to apply the band so violently. I ran a trans temp and a trans pressure gage...they had been normal.
Looking over the directions, it had me replace the 1-2 accumulator spring that looks like it fits under the piston with 2 spacers (3/8" + 3/4") that went on top of the piston. That was the only thing I think I could think of at the time that was causing it to apply the band so violently. I ran a trans temp and a trans pressure gage...they had been normal.