Stock trans behind a blown 6.0

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JKmotorsports

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I took a chance and wanted to see for myself how long the stock trans would last. The trans only has a vette servo and heavy duty Fluidyne cooler.
The trans has been behind my fairly stock 5.3 for about 115K miles with no problems at all, at which time I installed the s/c. Around 125K miles, I swapped in a 6.0 LQ9 with cam, s/c, exhaust. I'm not exactly easy on any of my cars when I drive. I've broken the tires loose around 35mph plenty of times on the street and spin 'em all the way thru 2nd when I feel like playing around. I've towed the boat plenty of times in the summer and even BOSS' 'hoe when his trans broke down. I've yet to make any passes at the track with the setup for fear of breaking the trans at the track due to the stickier surface, then having to find a way to get it back home about 70 miles away.
Now at 131K miles, I finally lost 2nd and have slippage in 4th. I'm honestly very surprised the trans lasted as long as it did in such a heavy vehicle with a good amount of tq/hp. I thought about rebuilding it with all new upgraded hard parts, 5-pinion planetaries, beast sunshell, Alto red eagle clutches, kolene bands, billet servos, BW sprag, etc etc. But the rebuild kit alone runs almost $1k with no warranty but my own once I put it together. I can get a Performabuilt trans good for at least 700rwhp for a few hundred bucks more, with an unlimited mileage, 1 yr warranty (2 yrs with a converter). They dont care if you beat on it or race it everyday. Their trans hold up very well from my experience and their customer service is awesome, so I am probably going to go that route. After I replaced the trans three times in one of my camaros, I finally ended up buying a Performabuilt Pro-Race 700r4 trans and never had a problem with it.
Anyway, just thought I'd share the current state of my truck:)
 

01yukonslt

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thats awesome jk im surprised as well that the trans held up that long with as much power as you had going i know my dads went out at 120k with a stock 4.8 and again at 170k im guessing because the rebuild wasnt that great the first time and my yukon had third gear replaced a week before i bought it at 159k. what kind of things did you do to keep the trans lasting so long without fail?
 

Travieso

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damn that sucks, but at least now you're getting something that's a lot more future proof and don't have to worry when your mashing out. Good luck with the install
 

ecordell

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Sorry to hear the trans is done, but you seem like you've already got the situation under control. :Handshake:
 

blueflamed03

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I was looking at their tranny's if I do the 6.0/LS1 swap as well. Mine is new and has good parts, just don't think the L60e's can handle it.

Sounds like yours is putting some power to the ground!
 
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JKmotorsports

JKmotorsports

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.... what kind of things did you do to keep the trans lasting so long without fail?

Controlling heat is the main thing. Heat is what burns up the clutch packs and warps the steel rings, especially the 3/4. Slipping when the clutches engage causes heat, but the better you can keep the fluid temps down, the less heat buildup will occur and the longer the clutch packs usually last. There are far superior clutch packs out there, but even too much heat on those will eventually wear them out quicker than it would if you kept the temps cooler.
So....time for a visit to the track, eh? :burnout:

Anxious to get to some times on this thing. I know its no 11 sec vehicle, but still good enough to spank lightly modded LS1 f-bodies and GTOs, which isnt too bad considering the truck's weight and the extra 100lbs of wheel/tire on each corner:) (with a 32" o.d. and only 3.73 rear w/stock tc).
Still need to work out a couple things in the tuning (shift points, fine tuning afr, etc).
 

Bromaguire

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What blower are your running? How much power are you making

I have a Yukon Denali with a whipple and its taken out a couple built 4l65 transmission. I would just swap to a 4l80e if you going to be ******* it.
 

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