What is the weak link on a properly built (upgraded hard parts like billet shafts, etc) 4L65-e? 3/4 clutch? Anything else like the band or ?????

Wondering if a built 4L65-e will put up with a 408 and Kenne Bell or maybe turbo? Or will it break hard parts or smoke the 3/4? I can deal with the 3/4 being a maintenance item every season type thing if I rage on it all of the time. Or do hard parts start breaking like left and right with that kind of torque.

Thanks.

 

I plan on doing a maxed out N/A 6.0 in mine with my 65e. I'm even nervous with that. If I was doing a stroked or bored out 6.0+ I wouldnt even consider a 65e, I would be all over a built 80e

 

I completely agree with you, but.....

I just sank a ton of money into this unit to get it back up and running. My t-case just failed, so I had the trans ckd out to be safe as well as tighten up my converter while the trans/t-case was out. The trans was working but when my builder got into it, he found some signs of slippage in the forward clutch, the band was a little burnt, and the forward sprag showed signs of skipping/chattering. This resulted in a full fledged rebuild along with upgraded parts. It pretty much has Sonnax's catalog in it along with billet input and output shafts from RPM Trans and that new wider forward sprag. Some other mods added were a billet rotor in the pump, billet servos for 2nd and 4th, pinless accumulators, Sonnax's new sunshell, etc.

Bottom line, I needed my truck (daily driver) and I didn't have time to screw with it. Had a builder/friend of mine do the work. Very happy with it, but not happy that I just sunk all of this money into a trans that may not grow with me.........If I had my choice I would build an 80 and do the swap. A little late for that now. I'm leaning towards a 408/427 with some good heads and a 2.8 Kenne Bell. That is the direction I "think" I would like to go. Hoping that setup will get me into the low to mid 11's with a tight converter (2800ish) and not spit out the 4L65e at every other stop light....

 

In that case I would throw the motor in there and start saving for an 80e right away as backup and just have fun. Different people are able to set aside money at different rates so it pretty much depends on your budget. Takes me forever

 

My buddy says I need to sell these speed parts off my truck and spend the money on my race car and quit screwing around with fast daily drivers. Especially 5500lb ones that are supposed to "reliably" drive me around 365 days a year........but what fun would that be!!!

Good advice, that is probably what I'll do.

 

No, a 65 wont last behind a 408 with FI.

You guys just need to get it in your head to put an 80e in now and save your selfs the time and money.

I went thru 4 sets of 3-4 clutches in 1000 miles on my truck.

The weight and power of my combo was just too much for the 65e.

This is just my experience, now i see guys with AWD are having good luck with the 65e.

But if your going to take time to build a trans and install it do the 80e and be done with it.

I love my 80e.

 

Who built your transmission? I agree with your advice, but in my case I had to get my truck up and running right away so we fixed my 4L65-e. Now I have a LOT of money in this and hope it will work.

It's crazy but even some of the guys who have units that are going really fast reliably may not be an apples to apples comparison for me because of their use. I'm starting to find that a lot of them may only put a few thousand miles or maybe 10,000 miles on their ride in a whole year. I've averaged 25-30,000 miles a year since I've owned my truck. It is truly my daily driver right now......

I probably need to quit screwing around with these thoughts of 700-800 hp and just put another 6.0 in the truck...

 

Get a used 80e tranny and forget about it.

 

I've heard a lot of people say that the 80 still needs some upgraded hard parts (billet shaft, etc). What do you have in your truck? Would be nice to dump a boneyard replacement 80 with a shift kit in there......

 

I ran a used 80e for 2 1/2 years, bone stock. I drive 30-35k per year. Ran the #s in sig with it. The clutches started slipping and I had a friend rebuild it to stock specs and put a shift kit in. If you look at the internals of a 60e vs an 80e you will understand why they can handle the more power with ease.