2005 Tahoe LT, autoride, 4X4, 5.3L

Looks like ill be towing my buddies '97 Malibu ski boat a lot this summer since its more comfy for 4 people to ride in instead of cramming into his 2wd extended cab Ram pickup. I towed it out to the Rock River here in IL, about a 45-60 minute trip. Pulled really well, kept in D and was in tow/haul mode. She stayed in 3rd gear most of the time anyways. But would like a lil firmer shifts, so

1) Do you guys recommend a tune to bump up pressures or just install a classic shift kit. What other things do guys recommend(any servo upgrades, etc) ?

2) Is there a drain plug in the torque convertor to drain the fluid out? Need a fluid change and wanna change the filter.

3) What brand of fluid/filter do you guys use?

Thanks in advance guys!

 

Tune and Corvette servo (about $16) at the least. You don't need to drain the trans to install it, but you will lose a little bit of fluid, maybe a cup or so. Search for corvette servo and you will find some good install threads. Transgo HD2 shift kit would be the next step, $120 and would probably need to be professionally installed. You could also throw a Sonnax billet OD servo in when you put the vette servo in for good insurance, about $100.

Take it for what you will, but many times I have read of people changing their 4L60E fluid and having transmission problems afterwards. I'm not saying the fluid change is the cause, but as long as it looks red and doesn't smell burnt, I wouldn't bother changing it.

 

Tru Cool trans cooler would be a good investment too, 40,000 GVR for $120, mounts in place of the stock cooler, if you have one.

 

Think that answers all your questions!

 

Forgot to add I have 137K on the clock.


Its not as red as I would like it as smells pretty used. The failing trans issue is due to people not taking care of the fluid in a timely manner, IMO. If the trans fails after a change, it was on borrowed time anyways. Thats what Ive learned from my schooling and working in shops. Right now the fluid is right at that point where it needs to be changed and will be ok.

 

Thats true.
the very least i would do is a vette servo, tune, trucool 40k.

 

I will look into these. My buddy is outta town for a week, so wont be on the river till late next week. Ill see if I can get it done.

 

I've dropped my pan every 20k since 80k and am at 175k w/no slippage. I will be upgrading my tranny before my engine rebuild!

 

If you're pulling all of your tools out and getting greasy, might as well put a blower on there while you're at it

 

It seems when people change it regularly, it isn't a problem. The threads I see are something along the lines of "haven't changed my fluid in 100k miles so think it's time for a flush" then they post back that their trans started slipping after the flush.

I have changed mine three times in the 85k miles I have owned it (135k total) and don't plan on changing it again. I am pushing around 500rwtq and 450rwhp through a mildly upgraded 60E and it hasn't missed a beat. Though I feel I have been extremely lucky as it seems to be the exception, not the norm, at those power levels.