Will a stock 4L60e hold up on a big block 502?

[Racie]

I have a stock 4L60e tranny and I still need to order the stand alone computer. Planned on going with Keisler or Compushift. Their prices are 700-1200. My problem is I don't want to buy the controller and end up putting a new tranny in later. It's a daily driver and will not see the track. I can have a level 3 700r4 or 4L60 built for around 1200-1500 bucks. Any thoughts on this....

[raycow]

Definitely get the tranny built before you bolt it up. The only choice you have is whether you do it now or later.

Ray

[Racie]

thanks Ray that's what my first thought was....

[cableguy0]

For about 5 minutes. Your pretty much wasting your time by using a 700r4 or 4l60e at all. You should definately be looking at a th400 or a 4l80e. Its cheaper than constantly breaking a 4l60. Dont forget you NEED a good converter stock will not work. You will blow it to pieces. You need a quality aftermarket converter.

[Racie]

Yea I already have a TCI converter...

[Bowtie67]

Have you looked at the simple shift controller? Price is about $450 and you dont need a laptop for controlling it. I came across this a couple weeks back while putting a quote together for friends 70C10 that he want get rid of the power glide. After my last couple projects utilizing factory efi and the 4L60E I dont think I will be going back any time soon to using the 700R4 and dealing with detent cables and manually tweaking the govnor for proper shifting. The directions are pretty basic on this controller and you can make changes on the fly.



http://www.powertraincontrolsolution...impleshift.php

[Ticker]

I can state with certainty that it won't, having shredded one with a 572 in short order.

I agree that a 480 is a far better investment; there are some great 460 builders out there, but most of them would think twice about those kinds of power levels. If you're being told $1,500 for a 460 build...walk; there's just no way at that price it's being built to handle that power level IMHO.

These are the guys that have built a couple of 460s for me:

http://www.performabuilt.com/

[vin63]

Originally Posted by Racie

I have a stock 4L60e tranny and I still need to order the stand alone computer. Planned on going with Keisler or Compushift. Their prices are 700-1200. My problem is I don't want to buy the controller and end up putting a new tranny in later. It's a daily driver and will not see the track. I can have a level 3 700r4 or 4L60 built for around 1200-1500 bucks. Any thoughts on this....

I wouldn't try it. My race transmission builder, Mike Stewart of Mike's Transmissions, who has built all of my racing transmissions, would not build me a 700R4 or 4L60E to bolt behind any of my Pontiacs, including my current 462 ci that only made 525 hp/590 ft-lb. I went with a 4L80E, but a TH400 with a Gear Vendors (if you want overdrive) is also an option.

[68 TT]

Originally Posted by vin63

I wouldn't try it. My race transmission builder, Mike Stewart of Mike's Transmissions, who has built all of my racing transmissions, would not build me a 700R4 or 4L60E to bolt behind any of my Pontiacs, including my current 462 ci that only made 525 hp/590 ft-lb. I went with a 4L80E, but a TH400 with a Gear Vendors (if you want overdrive) is also an option.

I agree. If anybody can build a 4L60 to handle power it would be Mike Stewart. I worked down the street from his shop for several years and ran his transmissions in everything I built. He knows his stuff and if he says don't do it then don't do it.

I broke several rebuilt 4L60E's behind a wimpy little bolt-on only LT1. A 502 in any form would flat out destroy one the first time you got on the throttle at all.

[Bowtie67]

As a daily driver a built up 4l6X transmission would hold up, at least a stage 2 or 3, but constant abuse wise it would fall short. If it is truely a DD it wouldnt be an issue, BUT! that power bolted up to one of these transmission sometimes turns us from Mr Hyde to Dr Jeckel. I have been running the same TCI built 700R4 for several years behind a 427sbc putting out over 500HP and 550Tq and has held up well going through the gears at wide open throttle, I do not race the truck at the drag strip or run drag radials which is probally why it has lasted this long. The only experience other than the 6spd auto in my Tundra and what I read online for what they can handle would not be a bad option, down sides to what I have read of this transmission is costs and on older vehicles the transmission tunnel needs to be modified.

Here is an alternative. Especially if your considering going the t400 and gear venders or even a built up 4l6x tranmission.

https://store.gmperformanceparts.com/store/SelectProd.do?prodId=8181&redir=true&manufacturer=GM&name=Supermatic%204L85-E%20Four%20Speed%20Automatic%20Transmission&model=<!--19154550-->

or even this

http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/cata...php?ITEMID=371