Conversion to Turbo LS6 update......

[Tydriver]

Re: Conversion to Turbo LS6 update......

You don't need the 5 pinion planetaries but if your 4 pinion planetaries are damaged, you can go with the 5 pinion since you'll be paying the money for a new planetary set anyway. Your trans is a late model unit. I can tell from the pin in the case that keeps the OD backing plate from rotating. Your unit came the thicker planetaries already. The problem area will be the input shaft and the clutch hub.

I guess when I was talking about planetaries I figuired they were all the same.. The actual plantetaries in the rear of the tranny are OK, as you mentioned the one I had/have the issue with is the one on the input shaft & clutch hub assembly.. They would probably be OK, but I really dont wanna chance it.. I'm gonna check around tomorrow @ local tranny places to see if anyone has the set on the input shaft they wanna part with.

Are you aware of any upgrades for this planetary ?? This is the one that Sonnax sells a rebuild kit for but you cant get the actual GEARS(or I havent found them yet) and thats whats worn on mine or appears to be....

As far as cryo is concerned, I'd like to go that route, but where do you stop ?? At the end of the day its just another expense and I am doubtful that its necessary for MY build.. Others perhaps but I just wanna get this thing together while its still somewhat fresh in my head.

Also, is it possible that the 99+ 80e's came with the 34 Element Sprag (mine is a '99 4L80e) ?? When I got to it on my transmission it was already installed and in great shape.. So I still have the brand new Borg/Warner part in the plastic I no longer need :-/ I dont think anyone has been in the transmission prior to me, but I have no way of being sure..

Thanks for the 411 on the bushings, I have been going along and changing them out as I run across them, theres only been ONE that I have left because it was a bitch to get to.. FWIW, they all appear almost new with very little wear at all.. The weird thing is, why would the planetary on the input shaft be the only WORN part in the tranny ? Hell all the frictions look almost brand new !!

 

[Tydriver]

Re: Conversion to Turbo LS6 update......

Oh, and the only thing thats really got me concerned about the transmission overhaul is the seal replacement/install on the teflon shaft washer thingy-mabob-dealies (technical term).. I remember on the TH350 that I did before they were a bitch and if ya roll one over its time to start over..

For anyone seriously thinking about converting to this transmission.... I cant stress this enough !! DO IT !!! and you will never look back..

I promise its worth while.. I cant believe how awesome this transmission is..

 

[George Blake]

Re: Conversion to Turbo LS6 update......

Todd, can you mic one of the rollers in the od clutch assembly and see if they are the .195" or the .310" type? I've got 2 possibilities you could have in yours.
I'm waiting on a call back on how much they are to just replace the whole planet.
That's what so cool about this trans. OD and overrun have their own designated planetary. It's just amazing how this trans is set up.
They called back. This is just the planetary, you still need a roller clutch if yours is damaged.
If yours is the .310" style, it's $135 to replace.
If yours is the .195" style, it's $170 to replace.
That's my prices, check around see how others compare.

 

[George Blake]

Re: Conversion to Turbo LS6 update......

Sorry, forgot to mention. If you do the Transgo HTRK, you don't have to worry about installation issues with the seals and it is a very worthwhile upgrade at the same time. I've done over 30 of the 4L80E's and have used them in every build. The really nice thing about the 4L80E is that the bores are all tapered so it's less likely to tear up a seal. Go through every bore and make sure there's no gouges that can cut a seal. The guys that do my dyno's are really surprised how quickly pressure comes up on startup. Instead of heating things up and the seals working from expansion, they work right away even when the trans is cold and they are relatively easy to install. Instead of using the front stator bushing in the HTRK though, I use the sonnax wide bushing and hone it to fit the shaft. Did you go with a billet input shaft?

 

[Tydriver]

Re: Conversion to Turbo LS6 update......

Sorry, forgot to mention. If you do the Transgo HTRK, you don't have to worry about installation issues with the seals and it is a very worthwhile upgrade at the same time. I've done over 30 of the 4L80E's and have used them in every build.

I gotta plead ignorance here.. I dont exactly know what the HTRK is.. I have the HD2 kit and I am gonna install that if thats what you mean.. I am not going full manual tho..

Instead of using the front stator bushing in the HTRK though, I use the sonnax wide bushing and hone it to fit the shaft. Did you go with a billet input shaft?

No Input billet shaft.. I dont think Hp/Tq demands are gonna be anywhere near that, I think Parish was well over 900hp before his stocker let loose.. I dont know about the bushing either.. I havent gotten to that end of the transmission yet.. I'm shooting for 600hp max, if I make more I will be surprised.. I am going for longevity, not all out mean ass race numbers..


On a planetary related note, I took the input assembly down to a respected trans builder place here in Indy and they scoffed at what I was concerned about.. He said he'd install it and run it another 200k miles.. So I guess I am ready to go..

Thanks for all the helpful information..

 

[George Blake]

Re: Conversion to Turbo LS6 update......

HTRK is the heat ring kit made by transgo. They run ~$40.
Good deal on the OD planetary. That planetary in your pic from Transmissioncenter isn't the OD planetary. OD planetaries are 4 pinion only. No upgrade there. Once you get all the guts apart, you'll feel much more comfortable.
Todd, your VERY good at documentation and taking pics. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them on my forum and include any pics your willing to take time to take. I'll respond with the same when possible. I'll be more than happy to keep everything there intact for others to learn from.
Did you go with a custom converter set up for the LS1 bolt pattern and flywheel? That way you don't need the adaptor. I can get them if you don't already have one.
For anyone watching Todd take this apart, it's easy for Todd because he's very mechanically inclined. Look at all the other projects he's tackled. He's good. The only reason I mention this is that just anyone can't rip one apart. So take that into consideration before you tear one down at home.
Take care.

 

[Tydriver]

Re: Conversion to Turbo LS6 update......

Got heads back today from Indy Cylinder Head.. Check out the flow sheet :

These are basically lightly ported stock 6.0L heads.. I am going to bolt them to the heads to lower the compression ratio a bit.

I also got a bunch of transmission goodies over the last couple of days.. I think everything I need for the transmission build is finally here.



This is the output sensor and sensor ring assembly as the transmission was originally a 4x4 tranny. I wont be re-using the original Tcase where this is normally located. The 2wd trannys have this already:

High Energy Reverse Band and High Friction Front Band:

Forged Clutch Hub, this replaces the stocker thats stamped, should help out if I decide I wanna throw the Juice at it at sometime:

I am soo excited about this project.. I can hardly contain myself.. Its been a long time coming, but I can see a distant light at the end of the tunnel.. I just hope its not the train :wink: