Well my truck ate its third tranny this morning.
2-4 band broke during a wot take off. That was fun. I almost got bucked out of the cab when it tried to do the 1-2 shift, then hit the rev limiter, tried to go back to 1st, then 3rd. WEEEE!!!!!

So I'm driving around for the next 2 weeks doing the 1st to 3rd jump. I broke out the Visa and called Chuck at FLT. Level 5 - 4L65E is in the works.
I think the day I go to install it I'm gonna see what the old tranny will take and try to get a 24" smoke show.

I'm planning on reusing the TC. I figure if it is just the 2-4 band there shouldnt be anything too crazy in there. I will flush all the lines but I think the TC will be ok with a drain and flush.
Oh well, gotta go tell the wife the cruise in cancelled. (j/k)

 

What were you running for trans? I'm very happy with my level 5 - so far! lol

 

it ain't easy being a 4L60/65 with FI in front of you. Especially with a blower that puts some low end power to it. good luck with chuck, heard so many good things about his level 5.

i went through 1 60e/ 2 65e's/ 2 80e's. first 80e was a junk trans sold as new from JET when they had a trans section and the second 80e died when my transfer case decided to dissengrate and push the 80e into itself.

on the lift as we speak with a busted pinion gear. i have more in repairs than i do mods. in other words, I feel your pain, screw the cruise anyway, print some pictures from the internet and paste them to your windows in the house. Hire a temp butler for the week. LOL

 

A non-sponsor, ebay tranny. It actually held up pretty good for the year its been in. But you get what you pay for. Mine was about $1200. Not gonna dog him because he built a good tranny but, I dont think it was ready for my 6000lb lead sled.

 

It's gotten to the point where I am somewhat afraid to read any posts you have authored...seems like the past 3-4 months have been nothing but problems for ya. Sorry to hear you are getting the FLT Lvl 5...lol. I still need to meet up with ya sometime (while the Truckster is operational, of course) for a beer and a ride.

 

This truck has been nothing but problems since the day I started adding things besides exhaust. But I'm learning a lot about LS based engines and engines in general so, call it tuition.


My only issue so far with swapping the trans is the new true dual exhaust. There is not Y pipe to remove to drop the tranny. I will have to unbolt the collectors from the LT’s and then CUT the driver side pipe after the tranny to remove that section of pipe because it runs under the tranny pan. X marks the spot. Is there any way to not cut the pipe? Can I get a clamp to put it back on or am I going to have to become a welder that day?

 

Hey Coontoot,
I actually talked about you today when I called Andrews transmission for a quote. They were talking about the tranny they built you. They wanted $2600 to rebuild my trans and then $500 to install. I said thank you, goodbye. For $2600 I can get a FLT and I can install it my damn self.

 

see that clamp in the middle of the Y-pipe. That clamp works like a champ!

 

I've only had my level 5 for a couple weeks, but I love it so far. The shifts are perfect. It's very quick, but not a violent shift, like I've seen in most "built" units.

We ended up cutting my pipe.

I'm so nervous about breaking something that I haven't even bothered to fill my nitrous bottle.

 

Yea, I imagine they are a bit more cautious after dealing with my truck
My total, with labor, was $2600 AND they gave me a 3 year warranty. I don't think they'll be doing that again! The warranty length is what sold me, otherwise I would have done the FLT deal. They actually ended up putting about $700 in additional labor into it after all was said and done, so they may be still wincing from that. Great folks - I still recommend them, but it may be a bit more expensive for those that come after me.

Curious - did you bring up my tranny or did they?