I was in the exact same position as you in Oct of last year. I spent $2700 for a complete HiPo rebuild AND a 36 month / 36k warranty. Thank gawd for the warranty, since it puked up a forward apply piston in OCt 2005. I would never have paid $2700 for a 4L65E by itself, but the 3 yr warranty at a local shop made sense for my needs. Thta's the most important decision is what you need / want. I would have loved an 80E, but I didn't wanna dick around with all the fabrication...once again, based on MY needs. If you can get a warranty, preferably longer than 12 months, then it might be worth every penny of $3200. Get the total cost in writing, as you would be amazed at what other little expenses can pus even that amount higher before all is said and done.

 

OK got a list of parts for the trans:

New front and rear gear set with 5 pinion planetaries and sun gear
Hardened ring gears
Hardened splines
Wide bands
All metal accumulators
Billet servo
All new thrust bearings
Valve body disassembly and cleaning (already has a TransGo shift kit)
All new internal electronics and electric motors
All new friction elements
3-4 z-pack (12 clutches I think he said)
Heavy duty drive shell

Price also includes R&R, rebuild/cleaning of my existing converter since it was full of metal shavings, all labor, and re-routing of the tranny lines that are a fraction of an inch from my headers. He will give me a 2 year warranty (doesn't have a mileage restriction, so for me that's about 60-70K miles). I think I'm gonna have this one rebuilt and avoid the hassle with the 80E. Call me stupid if you want, but I think this makes the most sense at this point, mainly because of the warranty. I may reconsider when I do the 6L swap (if I ever get there), but then I will have a good built tranny to sell and recoup some of the cost. Thanks again for your replies everyone!

He did tell me that the only thing that was broken was the parking gear, all of the stuff that normally breaks was fine, and that even though I have beat on the tranny a little bit he said it was in great shape. The thing that f**ked me over was the metal shavings that went everywhere internally. I guess they damaged a bunch of stuff. He said there was a little bit of glazing on the clutches, but none were burnt. Told me again that the only way he can think of this type of damage happening was that I was bumped in a parking lot while the truck was parked. It looks like if whatever happened didn't happen that the tranny would have kept living for quite awhile.

 

Make sure the planetaries you're getting are OEM's. There a lot of cheap import versions going around that aren't powdered metal. Also do a little research on the wide band/drum setup. I wouldn't go that route if I were you. What kind of band is he going to use? How is he planning on hardening the gears and splines? Does he do this in house? What is he going to do with the converter exactly? Hardened input and output shafts?

If he'll offer you a 2 year parts and labor, no questions asked warranty then I say go for it...what the hell.

 

Todd, I got your number from Beto and left you a message...I'd like to hear what's wrong with the wider bands and any other comments you might have.

I verified that all of the parts are OEM, and I think hardened parts are factory? Maybe the ones from the 4L70E? Does that sound right?

Here are some pics I took of the parking gear (split right up the side) and the sun gear from the rear planetary set (lost one tooth). I think the metal shavings are from the gear that sits inside the parking gear grinding once the parking gear split. I apologize for the poor quality, came from my camera phone.

 

I think that the price tag is way to high for the 600 hp mark, ive been told that the 60e will hold 500rwhp fully built if anything i would go with FLP in texas they have a great Reputation and they will treat you right, if this thing breaks after you pay 3000 whos gonna fix it? i doubt that he will. anything over 600 rwhp go with an 80e from FLP no questions asked.

 

The builder will fix it. That's what a warranty is usually about. This guy is local to thunder, so there isn't any need for shipping or excessive down time. From what I've gathered, this tranny will be very close to one of FLT's and they can't offer him a 2 year unlimited mile warranty. That's pretty exceptional especially since he knows thunder abuses it off road, towing and on the track.

 

I think you made a good choice. not that what I think matters much, lol

 

Thanks for all of the information all of you have given me. I decided to let him rebuild it, when I'm done I should essentially have a kick-*** 4L70E. Plus the warranty seems to be pretty unbeatable. I should have the truck back Wed or Thurs, can't wait to drive it again. I dunno how you guys who have your trucks down for months do it, it's been almost three weeks and I'm going nuts! I think I'm gonna have a drive-around party once I get it back

 

now that you have decided, congrats. Will this guy be around in 2yrs? is it his shop? what about references? just curious, I'm sure you've checked him out thoroughly.

 

I wish you the best with the new transmission.

My 4th 4L60/65 is now starting to slip and will be going to the shop tomorrow. I did what you did and got a warranty, except for 2 years and unlimited miles.

Im worried about when the year and 2 months is done.