Your Guide to a Sonnax 4L60/E High Horsepower Level 3 Transmission Build 

Thrilled to hear that, thanks so much for the great feedback! We truly appreciate your support.

Fantastic! Thanks so much for your support!

You're very welcome! Thank YOU for the feedback, we really appreciate it!

Thank you, Joseph! We truly appreciate your kind words.

So glad to hear that, Jeffrey! Thanks so much for the great feedback, we really appreciate it.

Hi poncoolride, our tech team would be happy to help answer all of your questions. They can be reached directly via email at sonnaxtechsupport@sonnax.com, or phone at (800) 843-2600 ext. 398. Thanks for reaching out, and have a great day!

Thanks i have been looking for his shop😊

All 4L60-E, 4L65-E and 4L70-E transmissions. Check out the build charts here as a great starting point: www.sonnax.com/tech_resources/617-4l60e-performance-heavy-duty-transmission-build-guides. And feel free to reach out to our product support team with any questions. They can be reached directly via email at sonnaxtechsupport@sonnax.com, or phone at (800) 843-2600 ext. 398. Thanks for reaching out!

Hi Daniel, our tech team would be happy to help you. They can be reached directly via email at sonnaxtechsupport@sonnax.com, or phone at (800) 843-2600 ext. 398. Thanks for reaching out!

We don't offer complete rebuild parts (clutches, seals, gaskets, etc.) but we do have plenty of options for a solid rebuild. Just keep in mind that if the Jasper warranty was transferable, making any changes might void the warranty. Check out what we have available at www.sonnax.com/units/455-4l60-e, and if you have any questions, our sales team would be happy to help via email at info@sonnax.com, or phone at 800-843-2600. Hope this helps, thank you for reaching out!

when you change the gear ratio do you have to program the pcm?

Overall the shift points related to engine RPM do not require reprogramming, etc. As for ratio codes, etc., we can confirm the 77284-K 2.84 ratio input carrier kit does not require PCM/Trans computer reprogramming to adjust for the closer ratio when used in 4L60-E and 4L65-E applications. 2007-Later 4L70-E applications have an added input speed sensor, and even on these we have never heard of it setting a ratio code or requiring reprogramming.

Hi Johann, Have you checked out our 4L60/E build guide yet? If not, that would be a great starting point: www.sonnax.com/tech_resources/617-4l60e-performance-heavy-duty-transmission-build-guides. If you have any specific build questions, our product support team would be happy to help. They can be reached directly via email at info@sonnax.com, or phone at (800) 843-2600 or +1 (802) 463-9722. Thanks for reaching out!

Hi Alejandro, our product support team is available to help with any questions related to Sonnax products, but for general tech questions, we'd recommend contacting our friends at ATSG or ATRA for assistance. Hope that helps. Thank you, and good luck! ATSG: www.atsg.us/ ATRA: www.atra.com/

Yes, you can run it on any build! You'll just notice greater benefits with higher hp applications.

Hi Robin, thanks for your comment and question! Our product support team is available to help with any questions related to Sonnax products, but for general tech questions, we'd recommend contacting our friends at ATSG or ATRA for assistance. Hope that helps. Thanks again, and good luck! • ATSG: www.atsg.us/ • ATRA: www.atra.com/

Probably low on fluid or time for a new transmission

Our product support team would be happy to help you. They can be reached directly via email at sonnaxtechsupport@sonnax.com, or phone at (800) 843-2600 ext. 398. Thanks for reaching out!

Hi, our tech team would be happy to help you directly. They can be reached via email at sonnaxtechsupport@sonnax.com, or phone at (800) 843-2600 ext. 398. Thanks for reaching out!

hope u get a straight answer . I have a 95 i want to put in a 93. some say it cant be done. and work right.

Thanks for your question - yes, this Level 3 Build can absolutely handle that power and more. However, if your Sierra is 2WD, that's one of the least complex vehicles to swap a 4L80 into. There are costs and considerations either way, but for most applications, the most straightforward approach is to build the 4L60 to handle the power. Sonnax has upgrades to improve the durability of a stock transmission whichever way you want to go with this build. Hope this helps!

Yeah it’s a awd and I was avoiding the 4l80 swap if at all possible. Thanks for the quick reply!

@@KLEPTO408 You're welcome, good luck with your truck! If you get the build together and want to share a photo of the truck or the parts you're using on the Sonnax Facebook page or Instagram, we'd love to see it.

Our product support team would be happy to help you. They can be reached directly via email at sonnaxtechsupport@sonnax.com, or phone at (800) 843-2600 ext. 398. Thanks for reaching out!

No, there is not. Thanks so much for reaching out, and have a great day!

@@sonnax Thank you for the response. Can you look into making one? I do like Sonnax for durability but I would also like much better fuel economy as well on long distance drives as I don't build for power handling.

@@shadowzedge5793 Due cost and complexity that is not something we will be producing. We have looked in-depth at this idea for other applications and determined it is simply not practical. Further, in general fuel economy gains only occur if you move the engine rpm into a more efficient range. Usually, lower rpm is more efficient but not always, so each vehicle, engine and final drive ratio will see different gains etc. Rather than tweaking an existing overdrive ratio slightly, we determined similar efficiency gains could be achieved simply by changing tire size and especially by improving vehicle aerodynamics. Both of which are less costly and easier to implement than a re-engineered low volume custom planetary gear set. Hope that helps, thanks again!

We sell all of our transmission parts through authorized Sonnax distributors. You can easily find the one nearest you right on our website: www.sonnax.com/distributors. Thanks for reaching out, and have a great day!

Hi Vln Ran, we sell all of our transmission parts and kits through authorized Sonnax distributors, so they'll be able to help you with any pricing questions. You can easily find the one nearest you right on our website: www.sonnax.com/distributors. Hope that helps. Thanks, and have a great day!

3346504533 I build my high performance transmission with All the Sonnax parts you need for up to 1200hp

Hi! You can easily find the distributor nearest you right here on our website: www.sonnax.com/distributors. Thanks for reaching out, and have a great day!

Hi Junior, this list contains recommended parts for your level 3 build, but all parts are sold separately. The way to purchase our transmission parts is through authorized Sonnax distributors, and they will be able to help you out with any pricing questions. You can easily find the one nearest you right on our website: www.sonnax.com/distributors. Thanks for reaching out!

Hi racrx7, thank you for choosing Sonnax products for your project. We hear your comments loud and clear, and appreciate your feedback. Our explanation is that this kit and instructions were initially prepared for the transmission rebuilder professional who is familiar with and likely to have these extra parts readily on hand. We know there is increasing desire for more comprehensive kits/instructions for folks like yourself, and we are working to make more of that available. Thanks again for the feedback, and have a great day!

Sonnax, no worries. I’m satisfied with the performance of the Performance pack. As a retired ASE mechanic, I understand the hows and whys of component functions. This is the main reason I chose Sonnax over other brands. Pin-less billet accumulator pistons are superior to the OEM ones. 👍🏻

@@racrx7 how much was the kit?

I have a 3.7 inline 5 would a level three be compatible for 245 horsepower. I would like the best 4L60 I can buy.

Hi Robert, if you're looking to purchase any of our transmission products, we sell through authorized Sonnax distributors and you can easily find the one nearest you right on our website (they'll also be able to help you with any pricing questions): www.sonnax.com/distributors. If you have specific questions about our products including which might be the best fit for your build, our tech team would be happy to help. They can be reached directly via email at sonnaxtechsupport@sonnax.com, or phone at (800) 843-2600 ext. 398. Thanks for reaching out!

??? New to this game, huh? lol

Hi Davy! No, we do not offer complete transmissions. We design and manufacture top-of-the-line parts for transmissions, torque converters, and drivelines. Feel free to visit our website to learn more: www.sonnax.com. Thanks for reaching out, and have a great day!

@@sonnax Same to you & Thank you...

Hi Jerry, we sell all of our transmission parts and kits through authorized Sonnax distributors, so they'll be able to help you with any pricing questions. You can easily find the one nearest you right on our website: www.sonnax.com/distributors. Thanks for reaching out!

Hi ehrndz87, not sure which part it is you're looking for, but you can see the full list of parts and part info in the Level 3 build here: www.sonnax.com/tech_resources/617-4l60-e-performance-heavy-duty-transmission-build-charts. Hope that helps, thanks!

We sell all of our transmission parts through authorized Sonnax distributors. You can easily find the one nearest you right on our website: www.sonnax.com/distributors. Thanks for reaching out, and have a great day!

Sonnax Hi Balanths Barkas, we sell all of our transmission parts and kits through authorized Sonnax distributors, so they'll be able to help you with any pricing questions. You can easily find the one nearest you right on our website: www.sonnax.com/distributors. Thanks for reaching out!

"Significant" .... it's shown on one of their slides at the end for level 3. Just like SnapOn.... they gonna get you in the door before they'll talk costs.

Wish you all would just put a price for the level 3 kit instead of having it as a list of parts that we have to contact a distributor just find a price for a single piece instead of a price for a kit.

Hi Felipe, we do not offer complete transmissions. We offer individual parts and kits sold through authorized Sonnax distributors, and they'll be able to help you with pricing questions. Find the one nearest you here: www.sonnax.com/distributors

@@sonnax I have an 03 Envoy 5.3 and really hate that steep shift from 1st to 2nd. How can I find a local builder that uses your planets for an application like me? Mostly city/highway driving and I want to supercharge or turbocharge the 5.3 in the future to bring it up to about 500HP.

Hi ChillCosmos, that's a great question. Since we sell our transmission parts through distributors, they are our direct customers. Unfortunately, we don't have a direct connection to a list of shops that use our parts. You should be able to ask any shop to use Sonnax parts in your build though, and see if they'll honor your request. Better performance for you, and less comebacks for them...it's really a win-win! ;) Thanks for reaching out, and good luck!

@@sonnax I understand. Thank you for the reply.. this is what I call customer service. Have a great day :)

You're very welcome! And thank you, hope you have a great day as well!

Hi Oscar, we did not set up any advertising nor are we involved with it in any way. Whatever you're seeing is something RU-vid set up with their own advertisers. Thanks for your question, and have a great day!

@Bob Hoffman 4l60e is not in any way shape or form what anyone who is knowledgeable in the realm of transmissions would think of as a "robust" unit. You can throw everything you got at it but it's like putting lipstick on a pig. If you want something robust, start with one that's already made for torque and build up from there. Next, this is a forum to exchange ideas if you don't like it move to North Korea.

@Bob Hoffman hey was wondering how much power you think my 4L60e will hold, im building one now (02 4l60e out of an astro van converting it to 300mm to use behind a cam and head ls1) all Alto heg frictions except the 3/4 are Raybestos GPZ100 pinless accumulator pistons beast sunshell and a covette servo. Basically all other hard parts are stock also a few things im doing to prevent 3/4 clutch failure is setting 3/4 clearance to about .035 and sealing the servo exhaust port with a cup plug instead of using the check ball capsule also using hi-per blue apply pistons instead of the stock black rubber ones. Btw is it really bad to delete the pwm tcc apply, I use a fitzall tcc regulater valve that basically seals it up.

@Bob Hoffman oh all right lol this is actually my secound 4l60e I repaired a "built one" that went into my 99 trans am with an LS1 that thing didnt last 10k and I didnt wanna drop another couple of grand to have it built again. Actually what I found and I think this is one of the main reasons why they fail is the apply pistons and clutch clearance also to servo checkball capsule contributes to it. The 3/4 apply piston in my 4l60e had already went bad, when I took it apart I could not find anything wrong until I felt the molded rubber on that piston. The rubber had already gone hard and didnt seal very well I checked it against a new one I had laying around and sure enough it was bad, I think it caused a weak apply to the 3/4 clutch burning them up slowley over time anyway I dont use the stock black rubber pistons im using hi-performance blue pistons (better rubber) also in the manual clearance is set between .060 to .086 I thought that was way to much since I noticed the farther the 3/4 piston travels the more pressure blows by I actually seen that testing with air. So now im shooting for about .030 to .035 my current one I set clearance to .038 so far its been two months and its fine one more thing I replaced all accumulator Pistons with sonnax pinless pistons and plugged up the 3/4 accumulator piston(you dont need it) anyways ill put more miles on it see how long it lasts this one im building now im trying to make into a better unit with all the little tweeks I added to the repaired one.

@Bob Hoffman that wasnt the case in my transmission the 3/4 apply piston was clearly bad and didnt seal properly I dont see the need for a smart drum for something making under 500hp lots of guys use the stock drum with success, one thing I didnt mention in my last comment was when I built the input drum I replaced the apply ring and used a thicker backing plate (to get less clearance also reduce flex) even though im a novice and I do use some of the sonnex products I dont see why you should drop down $500 to eliminate a problem you can solve with $50 in parts. Now dont get me wrong if I was building something to handle more than 700hp and money was no object I would get a smart drum, smart shell, 5 or 6 pinion planetaries and billet output shaft but for what im building now it doesnt call for it. And thats my 2 cents lol

@@martinez1701a Late reply, I know, but the purpose OF the "Smart Drum" is to ELIMINATE ANY/ALL flexing of the backing plate. Even "normal" horsepower engines CAUSE that to happen. Spend the $ ONCE, and your 3-4 clutch pack problems are GONE, forever. The Sun Shell they offer is another wise move. Money IS always an "object," for most of us--why NOT put serious $ into your unit, so that it will STOP breaking? Once and DONE... LOL

Minus the billet shaft, etc--most of, huh? Did you ever watch their Smart Drum video? Extra friction in it, and it still has stock thickness steels. Why would anyone EVER do a "half ass" trans build, and put it behind any high horsepower engine? Talk about a "bad (dumb) move"--just asking for trouble that you're sure to GET--You've proven that, right? Smh...

Maby ? My '02 5.3, 1500, 4L60 (all stock) trans lasted 200k mil, rebuilt at 300k and it's out again at 402,000. With a new 380hp engine, think it's a good idea to upgrade that trans. ?? I'll look into it , drive on.

@@gsp631 If your stock trans lasted til 200k miles how do you rebuild it at 300k? when it stopped working at 200k??

Thx cow muscle, I failed to say rebuilt "again" at 300k. Thanks for the correction. So I'll look into the sonnax stronger parts. :)

@Bob Hoffman I'm looking into this thank you much for the advice. :)

@Bob Hoffman I have a 3.7 liter inline 5 in my H3 Hummer I want the best 4L60 will a level 3 be compatible for a 245 horsepower engine. I'm not sure if it is stiffer. The engine needs a 5 or 6 speed transmission.

4L80's aren't "bulletproof," okay? I worked WHERE they were manufactured... LOL