4L60E dead (RIP)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Athens Alabama
4L60E dead (RIP)
O.K. all you vette experts. I have a 94 LT1 with 150,000 miles, transmission decided to give out today 
on the way home from work. I have never rebuilt a transmission before sooo, here are my questions. 
Should I attempt rebuild myself? If so what do I buy to go in it and am I going to need alot of special tools?
The parts store can get a remanufactured for $1,800.00. Then I will have to give up the original for a core.
Should I go to GM and really get "bent over".
Any input/criticism is welcome.
Thanks in advance...
on the way home from work. I have never rebuilt a transmission before sooo, here are my questions. Should I attempt rebuild myself? If so what do I buy to go in it and am I going to need alot of special tools?
The parts store can get a remanufactured for $1,800.00. Then I will have to give up the original for a core.
Should I go to GM and really get "bent over".
Any input/criticism is welcome.
Thanks in advance...
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
Another 700/4L60 poofed. 
Sorry to hear it.
Based on seeing/hearing about them, I'd try this company called Pro-Built. Ski_dwn_it has one, beats it relentlessly and it laughs at low 10 second passes again and again.
If I still had my C4(ironically, the tranny in it now needs attention) I'd be sending it to pro-built.
You COULD do it yourself....that's always an option. I'm sure there are some on here that could walk you through it, or advise you if you we're to be in a rut.
Good luck with your decision...sorry to hear it.
Sorry to hear it.Based on seeing/hearing about them, I'd try this company called Pro-Built. Ski_dwn_it has one, beats it relentlessly and it laughs at low 10 second passes again and again.
If I still had my C4(ironically, the tranny in it now needs attention) I'd be sending it to pro-built.
You COULD do it yourself....that's always an option. I'm sure there are some on here that could walk you through it, or advise you if you we're to be in a rut.
Good luck with your decision...sorry to hear it.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 1
From: Springfield Missouri
that SUCKS man!
I bought a new re-manned unit from Race Ready Transmission for 955 bucks total. it has a 1-year warranty for engines up to 600 horsepower, including nitrous applications (like me!
) with 2500rpm stall converter and 5-pinion planetaries, "the beast" sun shell and a host of other cool stuff.
I bought this AFTER I dropped about 200 bucks to rebuild it myself. it was about a 4 day process, having never attempted a tranny rebuild before. I was successful, but it was essentially a patch job that couldn't hold indefinately.
I pulled my trans out, and now, almost a MONTH later, i STILL don't have it back together, thanks to the shipping company's (DHL) screw-ups...one after another.... they botched the pick-up, the delivery, and now the return.
Stupid Stupid Stupid.
I bought a new re-manned unit from Race Ready Transmission for 955 bucks total. it has a 1-year warranty for engines up to 600 horsepower, including nitrous applications (like me!
) with 2500rpm stall converter and 5-pinion planetaries, "the beast" sun shell and a host of other cool stuff.I bought this AFTER I dropped about 200 bucks to rebuild it myself. it was about a 4 day process, having never attempted a tranny rebuild before. I was successful, but it was essentially a patch job that couldn't hold indefinately.
I pulled my trans out, and now, almost a MONTH later, i STILL don't have it back together, thanks to the shipping company's (DHL) screw-ups...one after another.... they botched the pick-up, the delivery, and now the return.
Stupid Stupid Stupid.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Athens Alabama
I guess from what I read on the forum, I am lucky to have have gotten over 150K miles. I bought the car over 3 years ago with 92K on it so I am not going to complain as I knew engine/transmission work would be in the future somewhere.
Was hoping I can get some folks to chime in that have tackled a transmission rebuild.
Thanks jay 383 and crkemppainen for the reply to my post
Was hoping I can get some folks to chime in that have tackled a transmission rebuild.
Thanks jay 383 and crkemppainen for the reply to my post
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 13,793
Likes: 0
From: St. Peters MO Sometimes you have to prove yourself by doing alot of killing or alot of dying...
B4 I start this... I'd like to say I've never rebuilt a tranny... but I have been there from beginning to end when they were done. They are not real difficult, but it is confusing the first time you do it. I know you can score a rebuild guide or video tape from somewhere... but I don't remember where from.
If you do the purchase route, I'd try to get one from a reputable "racing" or "performance" tranny company. I've seen too many 'AutoZone' or 'PepBoys' trannys let go after 2 years... I'd bank on either a performance build up... or a GM tranny.
Check hpsalvage.com and see if they have one too.
If you do the purchase route, I'd try to get one from a reputable "racing" or "performance" tranny company. I've seen too many 'AutoZone' or 'PepBoys' trannys let go after 2 years... I'd bank on either a performance build up... or a GM tranny.
Check hpsalvage.com and see if they have one too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
You might look into Ebay and type 4L60E into the search field. Right now I am working with a seller named custom_transmissions. Great price, guy(aaron) communicates well with me. Expecting the tranny in the next day or so.
Good parts are
"the beast" reaction shell, 10 vane pump for more lubrication, wider rev input drum and wide kevlar bands, more clutches with thick steels( I feel thicker steels absorb heat better than thin steels), shift re-programming, full time lubrication to the planetaries, ....the planetary thing I can't figure out. Some guys say 4 is better, some guys say 5 is better, some say the fiver will still break, I dunno.....
ah,
have a look at 4L60-E.com
I'm not sure if it's on your year, I worked on one with a sensor called a "PRNDL" (neutral safety switch)on the outside of the case. It's connectors need to be heated up with a heat gun so the factory applied superglue inside the pigtails will release(this in addition to the locks and seal). Dumb huh?
Good parts are
"the beast" reaction shell, 10 vane pump for more lubrication, wider rev input drum and wide kevlar bands, more clutches with thick steels( I feel thicker steels absorb heat better than thin steels), shift re-programming, full time lubrication to the planetaries, ....the planetary thing I can't figure out. Some guys say 4 is better, some guys say 5 is better, some say the fiver will still break, I dunno.....
ah,
have a look at 4L60-E.com
I'm not sure if it's on your year, I worked on one with a sensor called a "PRNDL" (neutral safety switch)on the outside of the case. It's connectors need to be heated up with a heat gun so the factory applied superglue inside the pigtails will release(this in addition to the locks and seal). Dumb huh?
Last edited by pablocruise; Jan 6, 2005 at 09:51 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Athens Alabama
Thanks for the advice kwik_ta.
I looked at the service manual and there are two pages of special tools that I don't have soooo, I am thinking that I may be able to pull it apart and get it back together but I don't think it will be a repair that will last. Come to think of it, I understand a good C5 is quite affordable these days. Hmmmm?
Also, Advance Auto can get a remanufactured for about $1,300.00 with TC and it comes with 18 months unlimited mileage warranty. I would have to pay another $350.00 for core if I want to keep my OE tranny.
I am in the Huntsville AL area so I will do some investigation tomorrow and see what is available as far as new/remanufactured/used, and will also check some of the High Perf shops.
I looked at the service manual and there are two pages of special tools that I don't have soooo, I am thinking that I may be able to pull it apart and get it back together but I don't think it will be a repair that will last. Come to think of it, I understand a good C5 is quite affordable these days. Hmmmm?
Also, Advance Auto can get a remanufactured for about $1,300.00 with TC and it comes with 18 months unlimited mileage warranty. I would have to pay another $350.00 for core if I want to keep my OE tranny.
I am in the Huntsville AL area so I will do some investigation tomorrow and see what is available as far as new/remanufactured/used, and will also check some of the High Perf shops.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 175
Likes: 0
From: Athens Alabama
89 Paul in Cal,
I appreciate you chiming in. Not sure what I will do yet, I would rather part with money than have alot of problems so I am thinking that I will not attempt rebuild.
Looked on ebay, not much going on there right now, but it was good advice.
Your comment on the connection that is glued together reminds me of another Air Cond connecter I had problems with. Dynamite would't have separated it, don't know why they do such irritating things...
I appreciate you chiming in. Not sure what I will do yet, I would rather part with money than have alot of problems so I am thinking that I will not attempt rebuild.
Looked on ebay, not much going on there right now, but it was good advice.
Your comment on the connection that is glued together reminds me of another Air Cond connecter I had problems with. Dynamite would't have separated it, don't know why they do such irritating things...
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 1
From: Meadville PA
i have rebuilt transmissions.. to put it as simply as i can.. i think your trying to it yourself is going to haunt you... if i was you and you have never tried this sort of thing or had training then don't give yourself the headache.. there are alot of things to do to make a tranny right ( checking end play ,clutch clerences, ect.. ) all this takes specialized tools .. not to mention all your spring compressors, lip seal installers , bushing installers ect... i am sure there are guys that taught themselves and will say just buy an atsg manual and you will be fine.. well even a blind squirel gets a nut sometimes.. the call is yours and i'm sure people will help .. but i think you would be better off to buy a quality trans ... not some POS from advance either.. but something from a transmission builder such as some of the ones above,, jesse is a good guy and would surely help ya get in touch with the guys that did his... if i had a slush box and knowing the abuse he puts his through i would have them do mine in a second.. good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 1
From: Meadville PA
thats his real name his screen name is ski_dwn_it and he lives around st mary's pa... he seems to do alot of drags and help the rest of us out by posting his finds on what works and what doesn't..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,699
Likes: 2
From: The Black Hole LA
