4t60e HD Dynotech Trans Installed

[manitcor]

Since I had alot of you ask me about this when I mentioned that I was having dynotech assemble an HD t60e for me Ill post the info here as well:

 

The trans is done now and almost every single orignal part was dumped for better parts. Most every part of the trans was toasted so its all been replaced with the excpetion of some accumulator springs, diff casing and some other basic parts.

 

Dynotech performance are the guys that did my trans. The owner Eric does the rebuilds himself. I watched much of the rebuild process personally and he is extremerly meticilous and pays careful attention to detail. He was also very cool and had no problems explaining to me what each part did,what the difference was between the old part and the newer better part he was putting in and why its better. His mechanic Justin is an awesome guy too and was extremely helpfull and knowledgeable. The shop never really once asked me "why mod a car like this" and they took a genuine intrest in my project.

 

And let me say the results are AWESOME. This has to be the smoothest/fastest t60e trans I have ever driven in any car. As the gears have settled the shift are no almost impreceptiple. Many times the only way I could tell there was a shift was because the tach would drop or jump and the engine note would change. The shift itself was instant and smooth. The famous 1-2 shift is nice and easy, no rolling, slamming or loping into gear (which is something I notice even on stock rebuilds though not bad). It simply snaps into the next gear. I havent really romped on it yet because I was told i need to give it 500-1000 miles to break in (not entirly neccassary but i was told its much better to break in a new trans easy to ensure everything seats).

 

 

Over all the car runs tons smoother now, has a much easier time matintaining speed and accerating. I once again will be at 85 - 90 + if im not careful as the engine can easily get its power to the ground.

 

As for what was done, I really should have taken notes but Ill try to list all I remeber:

 

ProTorque FL086 HSC Torque Converter 3500 stall

Upgraded roll pin 15/16" wide drive chain w/ gears 3:29 fdr 35/35

LSD with 30 tooth sun gear and steel washers

Modified valve body (blueprinted and modified for better more responsive shifts)

Modified hub assembley

Shift kit

HD Clutches with rolled lip to prevent cutting into hub (common problem)

HD bands

Rolled lip seals

Some gears and parts are HD others are OEM replacements for Volvo transmissions

Of course standard rebuild stuff like upgrade to current electronics, gaskets, seals, o-rings etc.

 

According to dynotech this transmission is rated to about 400hp

 

Thats about all I can think of off the top of my head as far as the trans build went, im sure theres more but its all I can think of right now. Thier attention to detail is awesome and they also do all sorts of little things I never even expected:

 

Cleaned and repainted engine cradle, replaced old mounts

Cleaned bottom of engine and engine bay area (normally not cleanable when everything

Replaced rear main seal on the block (they noticed it was leaking so the fixed it)

Re ran some of the harness wiring to prevent damage

new trans dipstick, re-routed so that it doesnt rub aginst the headers.

 

Cost at the end of the day?

 

about $3500 after taxes includes a 12 month/12,000 mile warranty

 

So far im really happy, time will tell how it goes, but with a trans built by someone with over 15 years expierence rebuilding perfomance transmissions I think it will last me quite a while.

 

Pics here: http://www.mymonte.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=134

 

See page 2 for lots of GNs and Turbo Regals

[manitcor]

that was written a few days ago I have been to the New England Auto show in Boston and back to Annapolis MD in that time. Over 600 miles later Im still being pretty easy on it, but have worked it over on the top end and done some semi hard launches.

 

I can say from a stop the 3500 stall converter is something to get used to. Ive yet to brake torque it and launch hard yet as I want to give it another 400miles. Pics are still forth comimg. Any hints from teh guys with 3500 stall converters would be welcome :-)

 

I can say that even when floored from 2-3 and shifting at about 6100rpm the shift is nice and clean though I need to computer tune some because im definatly loosing power from 5800-6100 and I dont think I should be. I may just be starved for air though (stock top end)

[Guest TurboSedan]

so....does this mean you will be going with a turbo again? i was never sure why you removed the turbo....was it the old transmission?

[manitcor]

partly the transmission, partly bad oil line draining the engine in a construction zone with only one lane and a mile to go before I could pull over

 

Trans is solid now, the engine can breath out well, next stop is working on breathing in. Topend rebuild with better valve train and cam this spring/summer. Would like to shoot for 260+ NA crank (defintaly possible based on what im seeing with other 3400s). Once dialed in and working, then onto forced induction of some form. Not sure which way Ill be going yet. Thats still over a year out.

[z34_nut]

sounds like a good deal. I remeber when I had my tranny built. I'm starting to think I got a deal.

[slick]

Hmmm.... Sounds like your tranny and mine are similar in many ways, but different in how they perform.

 

Mine has 3.73 gearing, 3000 stall convertor, HD clutches and bands, and a shift kit.

 

I noticed you said yours shifts very smoothly? Mine is quite the opposite. Maybe I need to get a video up, but there are times where I wish it wasn't as harsh as what it is. Almost not streetable...

[manitcor]

intresting, all I can say is like anything else and espically transmissions, what goes into building is more than just the parts but the building process itself

 

of course I have less than 1000miles on the trans yet and havent put any hard launches into it yet. Ill be hitting Atco in about 2 weeks for one of the last T&Ts of the season, should get some nice hard runs in there. Ill keep you guys posted.

 

btw

 

here are some pics:

http://www.mymonte.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=134

[slick]

Thats exactly it, i'm not sure on the quality of the build, as the previous owner had it done. I think he had the work done for $2000, but he also gathered all the parts himself to save the money from the shop raping him.

[19Cutlass94]

I deff gotta look into stuff like this. Even though almost everyone knows Im not hard on my car and the tranny is prolly pretty close to perfect condition, would be nice to put a little more power to the ground without the tranny going.

 

Good to hear its working out for you. Just means that they gained good credit from you.

[mfewtrail]

Nice. Do you know if Dynotech offers kits/upgrade packages for those that wish to rebuild their transaxles themselves? I need to borrow a couple of those Turbo Buicks!

[manitcor]

im pretty sure they would be able to hook you up. The problem is with some parts there are so many variations in the t60 trans throught the years that unless you know excatly what you have or you intend on completly replacing everything then it would be hard for them to get the right parts for you.

 

There are 3 different input shaft desgins for the t60 and depending on which you have you need different hubs, sprags and gears. Thats just one example.

 

Also while they could supply the parts Im not sure they could warranty them for you since they arent doing the assembley.

 

I can tell you now that the overall labor cost on this trans is minimal compared to the cost of the parts. I would say overall the parts accounts for close to 2700-2900 in the cost of the job. The rest is labor and taxes.

 

One thing you might be able to get from them though is an LSD, they built mine for me right in the shop. You still need to know a bit about your output shaft but they may be able to help you there. I know they have some diff casing cores laying around that could use a home.

[LukeZ34]

Maybe they would be a solution for us TGP owners who want a halfway decent auto transmission that will LAST. Thanks for the information and pics!

[jeremy]

That sounds like you got a damn good deal. Thanks for the info/pics.

[slick]

I know this is an old thread, but just wondering how it's holding up.

 

Sadly, I think mine is starting to go. So... a few question's for ya:

 

Which shift kit did you go with?

 

What was modified in the shift hub assembly?

 

Were you clutches and bands custom, or bought? If bought, which?

 

Also, what was modified in the valve body?

 

Like I said, hate to bring up an old thread, but looks like I might be getting a rebuild come this summer.

[19Cutlass94]

Im also Interested to know, Just incase of the rare fact mine might go sometime, but Ill know what I might be getting.

[manitcor]

Since this was a few months ago Ill try to tell you what I remeber.

 

Which shift kit did you go with?

 

Custom job by dyno tech, they put in a stiffer rate spring with thier own shims and accumulators. The valve body modifcations also help with the shifting as well as an upgraded vac modulator.

 

 

What was modified in the shift hub assembly?

 

dont remeber, sorry :oops:

 

Were you clutches and bands custom, or bought? If bought, which?

 

IIRC the new Raysbestos HD clutches and bands for the 4t60. The clutches had rolled edges on the teeth to prevent cutting into the hub.

 

Also, what was modified in the valve body?

 

No clue, i was at the hotel when he did that work. IIRC he talked about opening up some of the passege ways and just polsighing it in general to improve fluid flow.

 

 

 

Hope that helps.

[slick]

Since this was a few months ago Ill try to tell you what I remeber.

Which shift kit did you go with?

Custom job by dyno tech, they put in a stiffer rate spring with thier own shims and accumulators. The valve body modifcations also help with the shifting as well as an upgraded vac modulator.

What was modified in the shift hub assembly?

dont remeber, sorry :oops:

Were you clutches and bands custom, or bought? If bought, which?

IIRC the new Raysbestos HD clutches and bands for the 4t60. The clutches had rolled edges on the teeth to prevent cutting into the hub.

Also, what was modified in the valve body?

No clue, i was at the hotel when he did that work. IIRC he talked about opening up some of the passege ways and just polsighing it in general to improve fluid flow.

Hope that helps.

 

Hmm... guess I could always get my trans shop to do the same with the stiffer springs, shims, and accumulators.

 

The valve body, as opening the passage ways is what i figured. Nothing else you can really do to that.

 

Didn't know there was a new style of clutches and bands out there, but good to know. I know this is really asking of you, but were they meant for the 4t60e for the newer models, or for all years. Again, if you don't know, no biggie. I'll just let them know what I'm looking for.

 

I'm not sure what could be modified in the shift hub assembly myself. Again, I truly don't know a whole lot about transmission, except what to do to make them perform better and last longer.

 

Thanks though!!

[manitcor]

Im not sure if they work in all t60s or not. While at Dynotech I learned that there are a great many variations of the t60. There are all sorts of little variences between the years and even in the same year. Berring and race placements. Tooth counts on sun gears, etc etc.

 

Much of which cannot even be determined untill a professional actually looks at the transmission and sees what he has to work with.

 

I can tell you that there were quite a few parts that Eric took from Volvo OEM transmissions. Apperently Allison (the maker of the t60) also makes transmissions for Volvo and some of the parts interchange. So instead of going for upgraded aftermarket some of the parts come from cars with beefier and smoother transmissions than the t60.

 

If your looking for more advice you can always try contacting Dynotech directly. They are good guys over there.

[slick]

Im not sure if they work in all t60s or not. While at Dynotech I learned that there are a great many variations of the t60. There are all sorts of little variences between the years and even in the same year. Berring and race placements. Tooth counts on sun gears, etc etc.

 

Much of which cannot even be determined untill a professional actually looks at the transmission and sees what he has to work with.

 

I can tell you that there were quite a few parts that Eric took from Volvo OEM transmissions. Apperently Allison (the maker of the t60) also makes transmissions for Volvo and some of the parts interchange. So instead of going for upgraded aftermarket some of the parts come from cars with beefier and smoother transmissions than the t60.

 

If your looking for more advice you can always try contacting Dynotech directly. They are good guys over there.

 

Hmm... good deal. Well, for now I'm just going to look around, get ideas, and try to diagnose my transmission in hopes that I do not need a full rebuild(picking up the 4t60 gm rebuild book this weekend off of patgizz). Then, I'll determine what I will have done at the time of repair based on what needs to be taken apart to have the replacement part put in.