I've been gathering research for my next build before I buy a truck. Of course the truck will more than likely have at 4l60e in it. Some research has yielded a few different companies offering a "well built" 4l60e that can handle 1000whp but "warranteed" for 700hp. The more I read, the more those numbers seem like smoke and mirrors.

My goal is to have an extended cab half ton, turbo, around 600hp. I'd love to be able to keep it simple and run a built 4l60e but it's sounding like the trans won't be much good for my goal.

What kind of life are you guys seeing from a well built 4l60e in a 5500lb truck with some decent power? The truck will never tow, just a daily driver and weekend warrior.

 

My RPM Level 7 hasn't had any issues.

 

What kind of power are you making?

 

Id go 80. Less issues (or potential for) in the long run.....and thats coming from someone who has two built 60s that have been very good to me.

 

Yes, I think that will be the best option.

 

^^^^ Broke a stock 4L60E in 38k behind a stock 350 and the 4L65E spec build lasted 40k. Broke hard parts in both. 4L80E for me for now on. For that matter GM did not even trust the 4L60E in 3/4 and 1-ton vans with the 4.3 or 4.8.

 

so heres my story. I work in a small performance transmission shop and we spent 3 years building and testing 4l60e's in our shop truck, a crew cab 4x4 1500 with a turbo ls1 that made 600 whp. we spent "wasted around $25000 in parts only to develop a 600 hp reliable package, 300m shafts 5&6 pinion planets, sonax smart tech input drum, we explored the readily available aftermarket as far as it goes. our last 2 units had over $6000 in parts (no labor/fluids)and thought we had done it, till the case broke. rear bearing pushed through the case , so new case, rebuild/repair reinforce the rear bearing area. lasted two months and broke the same. we were using a 4x4 case which just has a different output shaft and tailhousing but the bearing area is the same. I will never recommend a performance build of a 4l60e. 4l80's are so tough in their stock trim, our 5000 lb truck now makes 1000rwhp with a 4l80e we built for $2200. circle d converter,300m input, 300m forward clutch hub, transgo shift kit, red alto clutches. goin 2 years strong now and I beat the snot out of it. 4l60e max 450 hp with the best build is as far as I would go.

 

I ditched the 4l60e idea and picked up a 4l80e. I ordered all the swap parts also. I put a transgo shift kit and bought a circle D converter for it. Hopefully have the swap done in 2 weeks or so since I'm still waiting for parts to show up.

 

Your experience is the same as mine. I stripped the case lugs off mine that hold the clutch pack. Sheared completely off the case. Naturally aspirated 350. Resealed STOCK $700 junkyard 4L80E with 110K , a converter and a Transgo shift kit is still going strong nearly 40K later. I beat the hell out of it in my 6,200 lbs Express van often towing a 6,000 lbs travel trailer. Has a tendency to spin the tires on the 1-2 shift at 45 mph.

 

So, to go along with this post...I contacted Performabuilt asking about their baddest built 4l60e. It appears they gave me false hopes. I asked them several questions and told them my application, weight and HP goals (4x4 extended cab, roughly 5800lbs, 550-600hp+/-) and they said I'd be fine. $4000 for a good converter and 4l60e or $1600 for a 4l80e swap.

Yea, I went 4l80e.