4L60E Teardown - The 1,000 Horsepower "Hill Killer"!

[@andywatson-mo1jr]

great information during the teardown. Thanks.

[@nickstransmissions]

Thank you, Andy!

[@jaywestfall3439]

Nick, just wanted you to know I got 4L60E rebuild done! It took the shop a week, but it is done. Love those Sonnax upgrades, too!

[@nickstransmissions]

Awesome, Jay!

[@lysawy82]

Great Video , that anti clung spring is hunting me hehe 😅 i did recheck it before putting trans back in..

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks, man...Yea, sometimes they're a pain in the ass lol!

[@longlivechina7538]

Hope you have great xmas nick, i gotta send you those coffees next pay check totally forgot. Got my Hummer H2 tuned by black bear performance. Did the economy tune. Its much quieter now. Runs great.

[@nickstransmissions]

Great to hear it's back on the road. You too, man!

[@hankclingingsmith8707]

Very honest assessment

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks for watching, Hank!

[@sandyman541]

Nice teardown vid and good observations/explanations...that snap ring on the anticlunk spring was a big oops from the prior rebuild....must have been tired not to notice it then....or rushing....rushing will cause mistakes. I've got all my parts including replacing most hard parts i need too rebuild and upgrade my 92 700r4/4l60. I planned for the worse case scenero. I'm just waiting for warmer temps. I'm not in a closed garage doing it unfortunately, but i got the time, its not going anywhere and my chevelle is far from being done so.... Wishing you and your family a great Christmas, and don't pull your hair out too much doing your taxes.

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks, Sandyman! Appreciate the view and kind words...Yea, he may have been rushing through it- all to easy to do...Especially on a Friday afternoon which when I think this one was put back together, lol. Merry Christmas, Happy New Year to you/your family as well🎄.

[@douglash3129]

Hey Nick, Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

[@nickstransmissions]

Hey Doug, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well! Hope you have great holidays with your family/friends🎄

[@longlivechina7538]

If you take a heat gun. Get those bolts to 200 or so degrees for a few minutes they come off super easy.

[@nickstransmissions]

Yep, a small propane or benzine torch works well also...Every once in a while, you'll get a bell w/bolts that won't want to come off with those methods....In such situations, either OA torch and/or cut the bolt heads off.

[@larryschaum6280]

The pan has raised bars made into it. That is what is supposed to hold the filter in place. I have dealt with those pans before. If you. Can’t nt get a replacement gasket. They seem to be reusable, if in good condition. I have only had a couple in 30 plus years, that the air trick wouldn’t remove. But never fails. It’s on camera, it will give you fits. lol Every time I hear. It’s been built for x amount of horse power. I make the customer stand there with me, as I take it apart. Because, inevitably someone. Customer or prior shop. Will try to accuse you of taking the high dollar performance parts. And hardened shafts or darn expensive. As far as 5 pinion planets go. You are correct. Only GM. I have had a lot of problems previously with after market 5 pinion planets.

[@nickstransmissions]

Yep, figured it out after carefully looking at the pan....I haven't messed with the gasket itself as it's in good shape so should be fine. Re stuff giving me fits on camera: it's guaranteed to happen, lol!😆 I've taken apart transmissions a few times w/customer watching when they felt they were deceived/lied to and genuinely wanted to know why the unit failed. Thanks for watching, Larry!

[@chadadececco]

Hi there! I appreciate all the videos and honest work. If you have time to answer a quick question? Would a 2005 4l60e be a direct a direct swap into a 2003 Silverado? I have an opportunity to buy both very very cheap! If I wasn't up in Canada I would drop the trans off at your shop! Thanks for all the great content 👍

[@nickstransmissions]

Hi Chad, thanks for watching - those units will interchange. I have a 2005 4L60E in my 03 Tahoe that I built eight years ago, still runs strong. Check out my 4L60E interchange video if you'd like more details on all the diff versions of that transmission as well as what years will interchange and what wont: kzbin.info/www/bejne/apyoq5qcm9acbdk

[@chadadececco]

@nickstransmissions I will watch it for sure! Thanks for the reply! With all of your detailed videos I am getting close to building my first 4l60e.

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks, Chad!

[@bradarmstrong6919]

Hello Nick, Have you ever used the 4l79 input drum? If so what are your thoughts on it?

[@nickstransmissions]

Hi Brad, I havent had a chance to yet but would like to try it out. If I get one in, I will do a video on it.

[@bradarmstrong6919]

@nickstransmissions It would be great to have your opinion on it. I rebuilt my first 4l60e last month and decided to go with that drum. I don't have much experience with new transmissions in vehicles or high power vehicles, for that matter. I can say that I love the way my truck pulls after doing a full rebuild.

[@nickstransmissions]

Great man, congrats on your first 4L60E rebuild!

[@LSXTtype]

Hi Nick This is Walter, i had to buy a new VB One of the Bathtubs was mashed bad, So was the separator plate, i got a rebuilt from Central, got all the parts together to build up my 4L60E VB, i am using a Sonnax Performance pack and TransGo SK-4L60E mini kit, Sonnax O-ringed end plugs (2), and that Sonnax HD 2-3 shift valve, i have a few questions if you dont mind, For peace of mind, When it comes to the 3-2 kick down why Block it off? Yes this is a High Performance ALL out build 700HP, I believe in the TransGo HD-2 kit they give you a tight wind spring to stop 3-2 down shifts, To Be honest i like the 3-2 shift But i guess its not needed in hight HP applications , Can you elaborate on it Just for my own knowledge, You help is always Much Appreciated, Walter

[@nickstransmissions]

Hi Walter, blocking the 3-2 downshift valve in the 200-4Rs, 700R4s and 4L60Es simplifies the 3-2 exhaust cycle by streamlining the exhaust circuitry enabling faster downshifts and consequently, less band slippage (the slip im referring to here is not like a slip that you'd feel if the band or clutch pack was burnt...This slip is much more subtle and usually never noticeable by the driver or occupants).

[@LSXTtype]

@@nickstransmissions Thank you for explaining that, so the transmission will still down shif then I have a few more questions if you dont mind, TransGo supplies a 1-2 shift valve-spring-check ball etc in the HD-2 kit, I dont have it in the kit i bought, should i get one? Walt

[@nickstransmissions]

Contact Transgo and see why it wasn't in your kit - perhaps they recently deleted it for some reason. If not, ask them to send you the missing parts.

[@LSXTtype]

@@nickstransmissions Hi Nick, it wasnt missing, i bought the smaller SK-4L60E kit they dont give it to you in that kit only in the HD-2 kit, Do you use that TransGo 1-2 valve in your performance Builds?

[@nickstransmissions]

Oh, ok...no worries it wasn't clear whether you bought the HD2 kit or not; had assumed you did based on your previous posts...I don't normally use it unless the customer specifically wants to back-shift to 1st gear at any speed, which is what that special valve and spacer does.

[@mackbee5763]

I had my 60e rebuilt and it has a leak between the converter and the pump and I have already replaced the front seal and still leaking while running. My question is what you think it could be.

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks for watching Mackbee...How long ago in terms of miles was the transmission rebuilt? Do you know if they replaced the bushings, including the pump body bushing? What about the converter - hopefully it was replaced with a new/re-man converter. Let me know on the above and I'll try to narrow it down for you.

[@scottbarker3935]

What is the benefit of blocking off the 3-2 downshift valve?

[@nickstransmissions]

Hi Scott, I think I will do a separate video on the 3-2 downshift circuit as I get this question frequently, and it's a good question... Nutshell: Blocking the downshift valve simplifies the exhaust hydraulic circuitry for the 3-2 downshift, resulting in less designed-in slip on the band between the downshift being commanded.

[@scottbarker3935]

@ cool deal. Ill definitely keep an eye out. Keep up the good work man. Hope ya had a good Christmas and New Years!

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks, Scott - will do! Hope you and your family had a great Christmas and New Years🎄🥳

[@TheProchargedmopar]

😮👍💪

[@nickstransmissions]

Thanks, PCMopar!

[@keysautorepair6038]

Always use oem electronic parts on any sensor you will appreciate it down the road.

[@nickstransmissions]

OEM = Borg Warner, AC Delco, Delphi, Rosta and Bosch...Those are the only parts I use on any GM unit...Thanks for watching, KAR!

[@keysautorepair6038]

@ That kind of thing have bitten me more than once in my life now I just get oem parts and forget about it lol.

[@nickstransmissions]

Yep, the aftermarket can be very hit and miss (mostly miss, unfortunately) when it comes to parts in general.

[@gailtaylor1636]

Curious why you didn't remove the 3/4 servo before removing the pump?

[@nickstransmissions]

Hi Gail, I mentioned the reason in the video, in the beginning for not removing the 2-4 servo assembly...Please take another listen/watch if you have the time...Thanks for watching!

[@gailtaylor1636]

@@nickstransmissions Was doing couple other things while watching. I'll go back and look.

[@nickstransmissions]

No worries.

[@GrandPitoVic]

What state are you out of brother?

[@nickstransmissions]

Hey GPV, I'm in Nevada - where are you located?

[@GrandPitoVic]

@nickstransmissions OH cool. I'm in North Carolina!!!

[@BillyWillicker]

Looks like a stock-ish rebuild. Did you see a 1000HP build there?

[@nickstransmissions]

You already know the answer to that question.

[@keysautorepair6038]

Can you even build one of these to hold 1000 hp and what would it cost if you could?

[@nickstransmissions]

I can but how long it lasts, assuming all or most of that 1,000 horsepower is actually used by the driver on a regular basis, is another matter. To make it last, you'd have to spend an infinite amount of money, IMO. I'd never recommend anyone use one of these transmissions in a 1,000+ horsepower application...Whomever built it simply lied through their teeth to get the job then did a half-assed job to boot, even for a factory-level rebuild.

[@keysautorepair6038]

@@nickstransmissions I usually just tell people who want something that will hold up for a long time is build a th400 in my opinion is the best option to hold 1000 plus hp for years.

[@nickstransmissions]

Yep and most with 1,000+ horsepower are racing that vehicle full time so OD isn't needed...Can't go wrong with a built TH400.

[@Pitman556]

What about 450whp range. How much would I have to spend in parts to make the 4l60e from a gmc 1500 stout?

[@christopherhernandez9115]

Hey Nick question happy holidays btw, The2nd gear feed hole on the plate drilled to .080 is going to make 2nd gear shift feel hard hard having a vette servo and wide band ?