Qustion for all you Radix guys.

99Silver6.0 · September 7, 2004

Well, the time has come! That Radix whine is screaming my name. Im gonna go for the Stardust Radix instead of the polished setup. BUT, have you guys done anything about your transmissions before or after the install. Cause I know dam well my 4L60 aint gonna last when I go forced. Not after I get done. Ive been looking into a Tripp Super Duty 4L60E. $1795 built pretty hard-core from what I can tell. 5 pinion planets, Beast sunshell, hardened input and output shafts, etc, etc.

Tripp trans specs:

"Transmission is completely dissasembled, cleaned, and every part is thoroughly inspected. Each transmission is custom built to customer specifications, and is application specific to be a 100% direct drop-in replacement.

Pump assembly inspected and rotor/slide clearance measured. Pump halves are "trued" for a perfect seal. A new stator shaft installed. TransGo unbreakable rings are installed. Teflon coated pump bushing is installed then fitted with .500 4L60-E specific boost valve.

The reverse input housing is checked for warpage and fitted with Alto "Red Eagle" reverse clutches and Kolene steels.

The input shaft is hardened and the housing is sleeved. It is then fitted with Alto "Red Eagle" Forward Clutches and Overrun clutches, all with Kolene steels and set to specifications.

A Heavy Duty Borg Warner, dual cage 29-element sprag is used in the Forward Sprag assembly.

The 3/4 clutches are replaced with the Alto "Red Eagle" 9 disc setup with Kolene steels for vehicles that see mostly dragstrip use. "Daily Driven" based vehicles get Raysbestos one sided X-32 frictions (Z-Pack) and set to spec.

TransGo "hi-rev" springs are installed as well as a Viton input-output shaft seal and the unit is leak tested.

The stock servo is replaced with the "Vette" style servo and the extra wide Alto "Power Band" 2-4 band is used.

The Reaction Sun Shell is replaced with the "Extreme Duty" shell that is the strongest shell available.

New OEM 5-pinion Input and 5-Pinion Reaction planetaries deliver the torque.

The Lo-Reverse clutches are replaced with Alto "Red Eagle" clutches and Kolene steels.

All new Torrington thrust bearings are installed.

The Valvebody is remanufactured, then the TransGo Reprogramming kit is installed to enhance performance, improve reliability, and fix many of the "quirks" associated with the 4L60-E.

1-2 shift firmness is set at the "medium" level, and extra shims and instructions are included if a firmer/softer shift is desired.

A NEW TCC Solenoid and NEW shift solenoids are installed. Total endplay is set to sec.

Transmission comes with a 1 year limited warranty and an add-on transmission cooler at request of customer."

GMC_DUDE · September 7, 2004

Well, nothing's been done to my tranny, and it's held up so far. but I only have a 4.8, so the torque is not as much as with a 5.3. Also I very rarely go WOT, in fact the engine seldom goes over 2500 RPM. A tranny cooler would be nice though, if I can just figure out where to mount it.

Peace and Coolness,

GMC_DUDE

99Silver6.0 · September 7, 2004

Well, nothing's been done to my tranny, and it's held up so far. but I only have a 4.8, so the torque is not as much as with a 5.3. Also I very rarely go WOT, in fact the engine seldom goes over 2500 RPM. A tranny cooler would be nice though, if I can just figure out where to mount it.

Peace and Coolness,

GMC_DUDE

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, im gonna beat on it every now and then. But not very often. Spending this much money on it I wanna be able to without worries. You can mount that cooler right in front of the condenser on those brackets that are connected right under the hood latch. Thats where Im putting mine. Although I know the heat exchanger goes near there also.

cardoc · September 7, 2004

Having burned up 3-4 in my 5.3 Whipple-charged Suburban, I'd have to agree that some "reinforcement" is in order. Certainly you chould change the convter to an appropriate stall speed, then look at bands, servos, and cooling. BTW, the Whipple charger and the engine are doing great at 55,000mi.

If you are not towing, tranmission temperatures are less of a problem, but a tranny temperature guage always makes me feel better.

99Silver6.0 · September 7, 2004

Having burned up 3-4 in my 5.3 Whipple-charged Suburban, I'd have to agree that some "reinforcement" is in order. Certainly you chould change the convter to an appropriate stall speed, then look at bands, servos, and cooling. BTW, the Whipple charger and the engine are doing great at 55,000mi.

If you are not towing, tranmission temperatures are less of a problem, but a tranny temperature guage always makes me feel better.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yea, a beefed tranny is surely in order first. Ive been in touch with Dave at Rock-On Transmission in Denton TX. Im gonna go with one of their built 4L60E's. I was told that a 7 clutch pack is a better route than the 9 clutch setup in the Tripp units. Tripp uses thinner clutches so they can shove 9 clutches in. Thinner clutches dont take heat very well and longevity is affected. I figure this will be the best route rather than run into numerous tranny problems with my stock unit.