Wouldn't lose boost on the shift with the auto...

 

Stay auto, but it may not hurt to look into a built 4L80e swap, it's a lot of work, but damn they're tough. You could also look into Performabuilt or Finish Line Transmission 4l60e's Perforambuilt has a Lvl 1 rated to 500rwhp, lvl 2 rated to 700rwhp, and lvl 3 rated to 800rwhp. They also offer converters, warranty, and it doesn't void the warranty to run it down the track. I don't know what FLT trans are rated to.

 

Many people have had good luck with just a shift kit, and thats something even the least mechanically inclined can pull off with their instructions. That alone has put up with over 1000hp at the crank....not bad for an upgrade that could be done by just about anybody

 

^ I'm with this guy, a 60e can be built to take moderate power(500rwhp) for awhile, but history has proven that they just don't last with the weight of a truck. I've been down the same road, got tired of pulling transmissions so I put a mildly built 80e in my rcsb, the shifts feel 1,000,000 times better, just quick and solid, don't have to be neck snapping like the 60's have to be in order to last.

 

Yeah that's what I figured.

Is the stock axles strong enough to hold up to 500+ hp?

 

Yes, unless you are unusually hard on them such as running a full spool with slicks and street driving it with a trans brake, that might break them, lol.