:(

1996 SSEi, 4T60-HD 2.93.
191,000 kms.

Well, over the past two days I have noticed something. My 1-2 shift is starting to get sloppy. Any shifts from 1-2 over 2500 RPM'* and it feels like the car goes into neutral for a second and clunks into 2nd gear pretty hard. The 2-3 shift is tight and quick and TCC lockup works flawlessly. At WOT I usually bounce off the rev limiter before it clunks into second gear.

This is really not good. Fluid & filter was last flushed & changed about 30,000 km'* ago. The fluid looks ok, but does smell somewhat burnt. It is still completely driveable, and not all the 1-2 shifts are bad...but a lot of them are. I am wondering what my options are.

If I drive the transmission to death, and then repair it, will it be more expensive then taking it in right now before it dies?

What kind of price should I be looking for a basic rebuild?

What kind of price should I be looking for to make it bulletproof? What parts should be upgraded to do this?

Since I do have an odd transmission, would it have to come out of a 1996 vehicle if I were to JY it?

Sorry for the boat load of questions, but the answers will ultimatly decide if I repair it or not when the days come. Thanks for helping.

I cannot answer those questions. But I have experienced something similar when my TPS was failing.Maybe :?:

Mine acted similar before I burned it up, although it could still be something as simple as a bad sensor. Take it easy on the trans to buy it some time if it is bad.

I don't know the price of either a standard or performance rebuild, but I do know you can swap in a 4T65 from a newer car if you can't find a -60 in the junkyard. It'* a cheap and easy conversion if you need to go that route.

Ok guys, I think I'm going to need to act fast. It is getting worse, and I had a WOT shift today that made the tires chirp it fell into gear so hard. What am I going to want to upgrade with a rebuild to make it strong? Where can I get parts for it?

Thanks

woah woah WOAH! Why are we talking about the 4T65e? He has a '96, and we know what that means, right? He'* got a 4T60e, which means there'* no solenoid to go bad. Captain, try changing the fluid (NOT a flush) and see what that does. Besides that and a can of seafoam trans tune, I think that'* the best you can do...

Petraman, swapping in a 4t65 is simply another option that could be considered. A good 4t60 with the 2.93 ratio is going to be a hard JY find, and rebuilding the current one will cost thousands. A good 4t65 on the other hand, should be easy to come by in a JY since it was used in many more cars. Yes the PCS could be a problem in the future (guessing that'* what you were referring too), but a -65 will most likely be lower mileage, and swapping it in is pretty easy so it may be the lowest cost option once everything is said and done. The 97 pcm needed for the swap is also supported by all the major vendors...a huge plus if more performance mods are planned in the future.

BTW captain, why are you going WOT throttle with a dying trans?

I've just done it twice to see what would happen. Death is going to occour at this point...Do you think a tf;uid change would prolong it for a while? Or would I just be wasting my time?

If I were to do a rebuild, what aftermarket parts would you guys recommend, and where do I purchase them?

4T65'* cost roughly the same to rebuild as 4T60'*, so scratch that 'advantage' in your decision making.

You can get the rebuild kits, shift kits, and adjustable modulators on the internet or ebay. You'll want to upgrade to a hardened reverse reaction drum as well (stovepipe, coffee can, etc).

TransGo 4T60E Jr. shift kit as well.

Thanks for the info. Finding a used transmission around here sucks. Very few HD versions on the market, and not only that but they are expensive and high mileage. L67 vehicles are not common in my parts.

At any rate, the car is at the trans shop. The technician called what I was describing a "bump-slip" or something of that nature. They pulled the pan and didn't find too much but once they cracked the filter open it was full of clutch material. They pulled the trans out of the car today, it is being taken to thier main location to be rebuilt tomorrow. He is going to call me to find out exactly what I want in the rebuild. Car should be operational by Thursday. This car is going to have to last me a long time now - I will have sunk too much money into it. I am going to extend my loan to pay for the repair.

So my trans is near death at 191, 560 kms. Almost 120,000 mi. Seems about right I guess? I'll give updates as I hear them.