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700R4 Transmission Issues

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Old Sep 6, 2024 | 06:23 PM
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Default 700R4 Transmission Issues

Hello all, recently just got hit with some upsetting news that my Corvette needs a new transmission. I’ve never had a slip, delay, or grinding noise and all of a sudden I can’t shift into 3rd or 4th. I was going up hill when it happened and I was by no means pushing it hard. On my journey limping it back home the car died on me at a red light and when I woke up the next morning to take it to the mechanic, I had an ABS light on. I can’t help, but think it’s something electrical or just something easier than replacing the whole transmission. Has anyone else had something like this happen? This car is built to 460 hp, 550 tq, but the transmission was advertised to be built as well.

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Old Sep 6, 2024 | 07:19 PM
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What's the fluid like, I agree that a transmission that was not giving grief all of a sudden is dead/rebuild. I almost wonder if you don't have a sticky valve body. Or govener
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Old Sep 6, 2024 | 08:18 PM
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I would say drop the pan and look at the fluid and filter to get an idea of what you're looking at.
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Old Sep 7, 2024 | 06:57 AM
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Unfortunately this is pretty common with guys here with built motors. I know there are people who have had good luck with building 700r4's but most don't. These transmission shops that sell a "built" 700r4 should be ashamed of themselves. It's not usually the customers fault. They were sold snake oil. For most people, the 700r4 can't be reliably built to handle the power you have in a street application. For a drag car you can get away with it for a bit. But a car you plan on driving and putting miles on no way.

i know people will disagree with me. But I've built several 700r4's now. And I've also built many more 4L80e's, 4L60e's and one 2004r. I'm not a pro. But I at least have an understanding of how they work. If you do indeed need a new transmission I would consider upgrading to something better instead of an expensive rebuild that will probably just fail again.
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Old Sep 7, 2024 | 07:41 AM
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I would not just go ahead and replace the transmission without rearching the problem further as it could be something simpler. Keep searching as to what it could be.
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Old Sep 7, 2024 | 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by YeagerSP
Hello all, recently just got hit with some upsetting news that my Corvette needs a new transmission. I’ve never had a slip, delay, or grinding noise and all of a sudden I can’t shift into 3rd or 4th. I was going up hill when it happened and I was by no means pushing it hard. On my journey limping it back home the car died on me at a red light and when I woke up the next morning to take it to the mechanic, I had an ABS light on. I can’t help, but think it’s something electrical or just something easier than replacing the whole transmission. Has anyone else had something like this happen? This car is built to 460 hp, 550 tq, but the transmission was advertised to be built as well.

Clarify what you mean by "can’t shift into 3rd or 4th.".
The car stays in 2nd and won't shift up or it shifts and revs up as if it were in neutral? Big difference in the diagnosis.
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Old Sep 7, 2024 | 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by arbee
Clarify what you mean by "can’t shift into 3rd or 4th.".
The car stays in 2nd and won't shift up or it shifts and revs up as if it were in neutral? Big difference in the diagnosis.
If I was to shift it to Drive or Overdrive they act like neutrals. It feels like it doesn’t engage, no noises or anything, will feel like there’s maybe some power under like 2,500 rpms.
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Old Sep 7, 2024 | 10:12 AM
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Originally Posted by s carter
What's the fluid like, I agree that a transmission that was not giving grief all of a sudden is dead/rebuild. I almost wonder if you don't have a sticky valve body. Or govener
The mechanic did pull the pan, changed the filter and fluid. Said it continued the issue afterwards. I do not know what it looked like, he mentioned he took a video. It would be Monday before he will be back in the shop and could send it to me.

Last edited by YeagerSP; Sep 7, 2024 at 10:17 AM.
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Old Sep 7, 2024 | 10:15 AM
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Originally Posted by dentalfloss
I would not just go ahead and replace the transmission without rearching the problem further as it could be something simpler. Keep searching as to what it could be.
Definitely, I think there’s a smaller problem causing it put it into a limp mode.
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Old Sep 7, 2024 | 10:17 AM
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Originally Posted by drive it
I would say drop the pan and look at the fluid and filter to get an idea of what you're looking at.
My mechanic has done that, but I have no idea what it looked like. He didn’t note anything out of the ordinary. He said he went ahead and tried replacing the fluid and filter. I will know more from him Monday morning.
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Old Sep 7, 2024 | 10:39 AM
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It's good that he pulled the pan and inspected from inside pan but that still doesn't answer what was in the pan ( yes Monday video) if pan was full of flakes mud because that's a hurt transmission. But if it's little dark to clean that leans mo towards a valve body or sticky bits within
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Old Sep 7, 2024 | 12:49 PM
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Originally Posted by YeagerSP
Definitely, I think there’s a smaller problem causing it put it into a limp mode.
Judging from your description of the symptoms, your 3-4 frictions are fkd. Classic 700R4/4L60 fault. A 700R4 does not go into "limp mode". It is hydraulic, not electronic.
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Old Sep 7, 2024 | 01:14 PM
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It is a very difficult transmission to get good at building properly.
The only person I would ever recommend to build a 700/4l60 is Dana at probuilt
700R4l60e.com

he posts on this forum , and pretty much all automotive forums for 25+ years

The only other option is 4l80e but I wouldn't do that to a vette unless it was 1000+rwhp
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Old Sep 7, 2024 | 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Kingtal0n
It is a very difficult transmission to get good at building properly.
The only person I would ever recommend to build a 700/4l60 is Dana at probuilt
700R4l60e.com

he posts on this forum , and pretty much all automotive forums for 25+ years

The only other option is 4l80e but I wouldn't do that to a vette unless it was 1000+rwhp
Ditto on the above-I'd say Dana is exceptional. I and many others have had his 700R4 behind high HP with no problems. I now have his 4L60E. He does specify that you have to get a smaller 10 inch convertor for it to handle his rated 750HP.
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Old Sep 7, 2024 | 02:05 PM
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Originally Posted by YeagerSP
Hello all, recently just got hit with some upsetting news that my Corvette needs a new transmission. I’ve never had a slip, delay, or grinding noise and all of a sudden I can’t shift into 3rd or 4th. I was going up hill when it happened and I was by no means pushing it hard. On my journey limping it back home the car died on me at a red light and when I woke up the next morning to take it to the mechanic, I had an ABS light on. I can’t help, but think it’s something electrical or just something easier than replacing the whole transmission. Has anyone else had something like this happen? This car is built to 460 hp, 550 tq, but the transmission was advertised to be built as well.
that's a lot of HP for a 700R4. I don't know what's wrong with your transmission. It could be something small. My 3-4 clutches went out. car did slightly slip before it went completely out. If the 3-4 clutches failed. I think mine was worn clutch piston failure. Heat is hard on the rubber. input housing clutch flex could have something to do with it.
if there is no trans cooler I would add one. cooler running trans last longer. Hope it's something small.
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