Rebuilding 700r4...what HD parts?

[Stitch]

So I think I'm gonna rebuild my 700r4. I was wondering which heavy duty parts I should get. Its gonna be behind a 6.2 turbo and I don't want to ha e problems if I can help it. Also does anyone know of a good rebuild book or DVD that I should get. I also need a new torque converter. What size stall would be best. I have 3.42 gears in the rear end. Thanks.

Btw, I do t mind putting money into the tranny. I'm not on a super tight budget but if it's gonna be cheaper to buy one that's already rebuilt then I'll just do that.
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[old Rusty C10]

I know that the rebuilder that I use refuses to rebuild any of those without the upgraded shift kit in there

[MARKDTN]

You might talk to BowTie Overdrives. I know you really want a later case and guts on a 700R4 build, '88 and up have the better stuff inside. It is a good transmission if done right.

[4pilgrim4]

Go to your local Barnes & Noble and they will likely have a book on building 700R4/4L80E's.

My problem is my 700R4 (behind a Banks Turbo'd 6.2) never decides to misbehave in my driveway. I've told it, more than once, if it would, I would personally give it the tenderest of care. But I don't think it believes me! Heh! Heh! Heh!

Last time it acted up was near Los Angeles. I checked with a friend and he recommended a small shop in Pomona (The Toy Shop) that does a lot of work for rock crawlers. The owner/operator noted my camping trailer size, axle ratio, diesel, etc. and built me a transmission specifically for my application that would also allow me to tow in overdrive. The price was reasonable too for 6 to 8 years ago.

All has been well since with about 60K miles added to the clock. If I knew then what I know now I would have asked what upgrade parts he used. I just know that whatever it was, it works a lot better than it ever did.

Two semi-complaints: 1) I believe a torque converter with a lower stall speed would work better and 2) the upshifts happen about right, but in overdrive it wants to downshift at around 1/2 throttle, which doesn't let the diesel develop full power.

I asked the rebuilder about that and he said the fourth gear planetary is somewhat marginal behind a turbo diesel so the 1//2 throttle downshift out of 4th protects that part. (That was one of the parts broken when I brought it in.) Setting it up this way allows me to use 4th for most of my towing miles.

I didn't ask him about the torque converter stall RPM, but I'd think the higher stall speed might also be easier on the hard parts of the transmission.

In any case, I am satisfied and believe he did the best possible for my application. I'd recommend him.

[maynardtruckin]

the name of the book is GM Automatic Overdrive Transmission, and is part of there Performance How-To series put out by S-A Design. and will run about $25.

[spudz]

raybestos z pac clutches, vett servo, superior shift correction package, trans go spacer plate, stock stall speed converter, beast sun shell, 5 pinion 4L65e style planets, wider kevlar band.. If you go to a kevlar band, ALTEAST put a vett servo if not a billet super servo. Because if you dont it will glide into second. The kevlar actually slips a little bit. Maybe a upgrade forward sprag and upgraded pump kit. But not necessary. I would check the line pressure before you tear it apart to make sure your pump is doing its job. The book to get to get a basic know how is...Besides gm service manuals, the book I use sometimes is called "GM AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL" its a haynes tech book. Gives step by step overhaul on 200r4,700r4, th350, th400 along with some front drive units. I built a few 4l60e/700r4s one 200r4 in my grand national and two 4t65e front drive transmissions... and beside a few common sense mistakes I had to correct. I have been lucky so far. I even tore down a Allison a few months ago to replace a cracked case.. As long as you got some tools, ability to read, clean work area... patients... etc. You can do it yourself.

[spudz]

btw, I am going to rebuild my first th350 here in a month or so. I am going to take a bunch of pics and do a write up. Everyone says they are easy. WE will see. After that I got two friends that want me to build theirs.

[maynardtruckin]

Th350's and Th400 are forgiving but the 700r4/4l60 is not as forgiving. As long as you have some common sense and patience and a good manual you should be fine.

[4pilgrim4]

I did rebuild the front WD transaxle on my wife's 87 DeVille successfully a few years ago. It was somewhat of a pain getting all the clutch packs assembled into the drum correctly. The only other misstep was after I got it all together and the case bolts torqued I looked back at my bench and I'd forgotten to install the drive chain! Heh! Heh! Heh!

Unfortunately, the 700R4 hasn't had the courtesy to make its final slip as I turn into our drive. It likes to be at least 1000 miles away! Guess I need to have a visit with it about that.

Actually it is easier that way. My only physical involvement is just "write a big check". What could be easier? :>/

[BigBlocksRule]

Originally Posted by spudz

raybestos z pac clutches, vett servo, superior shift correction package, trans go spacer plate, stock stall speed converter, beast sun shell, 5 pinion 4L65e style planets, wider kevlar band.. If you go to a kevlar band, ALTEAST put a vett servo if not a billet super servo. Because if you dont it will glide into second. The kevlar actually slips a little bit. Maybe a upgrade forward sprag and upgraded pump kit. But not necessary. I would check the line pressure before you tear it apart to make sure your pump is doing its job. The book to get to get a basic know how is...Besides gm service manuals, the book I use sometimes is called "GM AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL" its a haynes tech book. Gives step by step overhaul on 200r4,700r4, th350, th400 along with some front drive units. I built a few 4l60e/700r4s one 200r4 in my grand national and two 4t65e front drive transmissions... and beside a few common sense mistakes I had to correct. I have been lucky so far. I even tore down a Allison a few months ago to replace a cracked case.. As long as you got some tools, ability to read, clean work area... patients... etc. You can do it yourself.

What he said! Not extremely expensive but should hold up to some abuse.

[rfmaster]

Originally Posted by spudz

btw, I am going to rebuild my first th350 here in a month or so. I am going to take a bunch of pics and do a write up. Everyone says they are easy. WE will see. After that I got two friends that want me to build theirs.

I have my old THM350 sitting in my garage - I would very interested in seeing step by step process. Also, a complete list of tools needed to do the job correctly.

//RF

[jitteryguy]

while I was home in Jan. one of the car mags that came had an artical on this, they had a kit with all the above stuff for bout $750 , I'll see if I can get the company name or mabey someone here read it too.
I love the 700R4 in my V8 S10, gonna put one in the Dually and the Cutlass.

[man-a-fre]

Dana is who i'd strongly recommend talking too.http://www.700r4l60e.com/

[Goats86]

Too bad your not closer. I have one I dumped every HD part in I could find. About $1100 all together. Its sitting in the shop floor because my new vortec had a 4L60E connected already. I have both ATSG rebuild books if you would like to borrow them. It is a fairly difficult tranny compared to the TH 350 and 400's I went to GM school for. (CIRCA 1977). I had to build several tools to dis/reassemble. Besides a Superior shift kit, I also used their 1-2, and 3-4 super servo's. The thing would chirp the tires behind a smog covered stock 305. If it was a direct bolt up, it would be in my truck now. The best all around pricing was Raptor out of Louisiana. But if you call with a question, they are not the least bit interested in helping.

[Greenlee]

Originally Posted by MARKDTN

You might talk to BowTie Overdrives. I know you really want a later case and guts on a 700R4 build, '88 and up have the better stuff inside. It is a good transmission if done right.

I was told the same thing when I was looking for one. However, I was told to that 87' and up are good.

[jitteryguy]

http://monstertrans.com/store/catego...-Rebuild-Kits/

this the company in the artical I read, any here had any deal'ns with em ?

[lilpoindexter]

The 4L60E in my old'95 caprice broke the sun shell...I put the beast sun shell in that was thicker...it was a shame...at 166k, the friction material in the trans still looked new..it was just that damn sun shell

[maynardtruckin]

Well not every part is equal in quality and bad parts make it threw QA sometimes.

[rfmaster]

Originally Posted by lilpoindexter

The 4L60E in my old'95 caprice broke the sun shell...I put the beast sun shell in that was thicker...it was a shame...at 166k, the friction material in the trans still looked new..it was just that damn sun shell

The reason for friction material still being good is rather simple - PCM is/was controlling shift points and line pressure. In 700R4 the TV cable is a crude implement. The 95 PCM also has anti-abuse algorithms that prevent shift points from occurring at peak torque engine RPMs. Engine torque still has to go through once correct gear is selected - weak point being sun shell.

//RF