After I installed my Radix, I had the shift kit, and servos done by a well known local trans shop. It worked well, but I am always thinking of more upgrades. I came upon a deal on a FLT Level5, so I went that route. It's been holding up fine, so far. I agree with BC that responsible driving habits are the biggest factor in trans life. On the street, repeated 4-2 kickdowns, squeeling the tires in turns, and upshifting/downshifting manually, **** like that will grenade even the best trans.

 

I ran a stock 4L65E with shift kit and servos on my SilveradoSS with Radix. Never had an issue from it. However, I tried not to abuse it. But there are plenty of people with similar setups who have trashed their 4L65 within weeks of adding more power.

 

I couldn't have said it better

 

you can trash a built tranny on stock power if you drive like an idiot, just like you could drive forever on a stock tranny behind a blown motor, but it wouldn't be any fun, haha. Your right foot will determine how long it will last. If you are wanting more power... build a tranny IMO.

 

I've had a Radix on my 05 for 42K with no problems. The stock kit with a Vette servo.
300 HP RWHP.

 

I have 90k radixed miles on my stock 4l60e with increased line pressure and a servo. In my opinion manual down shifting heat and traction are the biggest killers. My truck is putting down 424rwhp 480rwtq.

 

The only time I did a 4-2 downshift was when some one said my truck wasn't fast enough so I booted it. I was going slow enough to break all 3 tires loose.

After I was like crap there goes a couple less thousand miles till I have to send the tranny back to FLT for a rebuild

 

Well I bragged on 42k with no problems in the post above on 2/27/09 and on 3/6/09 it was towed to the shop.
1st gear started with this noise like I was dragging brush under the truck. Shift to 2nd and it was all good.
Turns out it was trying to tell me a week earlier when I took off from a gas pump and felt a bump behind the cab like a beer cooler slid from the tailgate hitting the front of the bed. I went huh?
The same day I was backing up my 150' driveway and heard a slight gear type noise thinking I have never noticed it before.
So I goes to the shop and setup a build for the following Monday and made the last 1/2 mile home @ 2mph with flashers on and a horrid howling, clacking, grinding. She got towed in.

Getting a good build up with things like billit this, kevlar that, sunshell this, and the 4l65e parts conversion.

FYI the builder says the 1st gear planetary thrust bearing thing is common to stock trucks and not to blame the Radix. Coincidence eh?

 

i think its a waste to beef up stocker.. just drive it till she blows... then hit up FLT..

 

Hi boilermaker,

I believe I'm getting an FLT quality build. This shop is known not to do less than the best of work.

I don't want the 4l80 because of the trade-offs and I don't do the track thing or launch it on hard 1/4 mile runs. I just play around a bit.

I would like to know what the differences are in what you call a beef up and a FLT unit.