Improve Transmission Longevity

[JonnyTahoe]

It's not bad really. I did it in my driveway no problem. Getting the snap ring back in is the hardest part. I found an excellent write up I saved if you guys need it.

Yes I too have heard about the dreaded Snap Ring. If you don't get it on correctly its going to come apart.

 

[GranPrix]

For the ones that did the corvette servo upgrade, which brand did you guys go with?

 

[SnowDrifter]

It's not bad really. I did it in my driveway no problem. Getting the snap ring back in is the hardest part. I found an excellent write up I saved if you guys need it.

IMO a ~3ft pry bar, if you don't have one, is the most useful tool for this. Seconded only by a flathead screwdriver with a 70 degree bend in it (I use that for everything it seems).


I'd just like to echo this: MAKE SURE THE SNAP RING IS IN ALL THE WAY. Check, check again, recheck, go have lunch, come back and check again! If it's not, there's enough pressure exerted against that thing that it can **** off to one side and actually crack your transmission housing. Push the thing in a few times, go around the clip to be extra friggin' sure.

That's all. it's an easy job otherwise. Just bend the heat shield back maybe a half inch and everything will clear no fuss.

What I learned from doing mine: Put the teflon seal on the 4th apply piston, then put the whole assembly into the servo housing cup, then put that on the transmission. If you try and put the 4th on the transmission side then slide everything over it, the seal will pop out and pinch. I learned that one the hard way when I went "huh 4th gear feels fucky," pulled it apart, and found my error.

Oh yeah and take pictures during removal or otherwise have a good guide up. There are some bits in there that are orientationally sensitive - like the two heads on a coin and easy to mix up

 

[SnowDrifter]

For the ones that did the corvette servo upgrade, which brand did you guys go with?

I got mine from oregon transmission as well as an extra set of teflon seals

https://www.oregonperformancetransmission.com/product/NTP-K51828C.html

 

[GranPrix]

Looks like I have a new mini project to do now.

 

[SuperOldSchool]

Keep fluid clean and cool is #1.
If you tow a lot, longevity is decreased of course.

I personally would not spend time and money on ‘mods’ for a transmission with almost 200k on it.

 

[latvius]

Take this guys advice, don't choose to do this lightly. Ask me how I know and why I am replacing my transmission.

I'm not exactly sure what happened on my attempt to install the corvette servo with 4th gear but the first install I tore the 4th apply piston seal, the second install not getting the snap ring on sounds as good as any explanation of why it blew the cover off and cracked the ear off the servo housing. End result is a $1700 new trans.
On the good side I am replacing my oil pan gasket and rear main and will have a new "beefier" trans with new trans cooler.

IMO too much risk for too little reward in installing this. If I were to do over and really wanted to install one I would take it to a trans shop.

IMO a ~3ft pry bar, if you don't have one, is the most useful tool for this. Seconded only by a flathead screwdriver with a 70 degree bend in it (I use that for everything it seems).


I'd just like to echo this: MAKE SURE THE SNAP RING IS IN ALL THE WAY. Check, check again, recheck, go have lunch, come back and check again! If it's not, there's enough pressure exerted against that thing that it can **** off to one side and actually crack your transmission housing. Push the thing in a few times, go around the clip to be extra friggin' sure.

That's all. it's an easy job otherwise. Just bend the heat shield back maybe a half inch and everything will clear no fuss.

What I learned from doing mine: Put the teflon seal on the 4th apply piston, then put the whole assembly into the servo housing cup, then put that on the transmission. If you try and put the 4th on the transmission side then slide everything over it, the seal will pop out and pinch. I learned that one the hard way when I went "huh 4th gear feels fucky," pulled it apart, and found my error.

Oh yeah and take pictures during removal or otherwise have a good guide up. There are some bits in there that are orientationally sensitive - like the two heads on a coin and easy to mix up

 

[EfrainlCazares]

I was told by a owner of a mom and pops shop to keep it cool and do t hot rod it. I've installed an additional cooler and run about 135 winter and 145 summer .

 

[D -money]

Regular maintenance is key

Don't do any of the half ass mods like turning up the pressure valve. You'll shred your valve body

There's a TSB about installing a second magnet in the pan

Upgrade factory cooler. Trucool 40k is what I used. HPT has an install kit that's about as close to plug and play as you can get.

Bypass the factory radiator loop if you can, install a t-stat in the transmission. The radiator loop is just a heater if you're in stop and go or working with the trans. Goal is to keep temps low. I spoke with a few builders, they all told me the lower the better. Mine runs between 110 and 120. Higher than that and I flip on my radiator fans. I don't have an oil thermostat on it but it'll be on my to-do list if/when I need to replace my radiator

Corvette servo - better holding power. While you're in there, look into a pin set. Move to a longer pin if needed, there's a few YT tutorials on how to measure tolerances for the second gear band

Drive with a light foot. The v8 in these trucks has the 4l60 at its limits. Keep the torque off it

Who is HPT?

 

[SnowDrifter]

High performance trucks. Another forum. Can find them on google, not sure if it's frowned upon here to link directly to a competitors site