usernameless
Scoot Member
Quarantined
Posts: 24
Location: KC MO
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Post by usernameless on Apr 9, 2020 23:34:45 GMT -5
Don't ask me why I selected this car or this type of build. It just worked out that way at the time.
Car is a 2000 Impala LS Engine is a Supercharged 3800 V6 from a 2000 Buick Regal GS Transmission is a complete rebuild with upgrades Supercharger is the Eaton M90 from a 2004 Grand Prix GTP
I rebuilt all of it. Engine, Transmission, Supercharger. The Transmission and supercharger are both first time experiences for me to rebuild and I had a lot of fun along the way. Still running strong after 40,000 miles since the beginning. My favorite part is making my own wiring harness to accommodate for the various electrical differences between the Impala and the Regal.
This video shows the beginning....
This video has some of my other projects in it...
This video is from the driver seat purr-spective
Read the description too.
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Post by 2stroked on Apr 19, 2020 7:36:16 GMT -5
4t65ehd?
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Post by aeroxbud on Apr 19, 2020 13:37:44 GMT -5
A lot of work to make it good. 👍
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usernameless
Scoot Member
Quarantined
Posts: 24
Location: KC MO
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Post by usernameless on Apr 20, 2020 4:25:35 GMT -5
That's correct. Along the way I L(Earned) a critical lesson about transmissions.
Just because a trans has a label stating it is a GM Goodwrench remanufactured unit, it doesn't mean that you have a flawless casing to work with. Anytime a transmission is disassembled and then reassembled by human hands beyond the original manufacturing process and regardless of who does the work and their qualifications, this introduces human error into the equation. The unit I intended to rebuild ended up being a donor for just a few minor parts and nothing more. The casing had damaged threads from the reman process and the service tag was dated 2003. It wasn't until 2006 that GM had worked out the many issues this transmission was born with.
I sought out another unit at the scrap yard that was untampered since birth to work with and this proved to be the right decision for selecting a core to start my own rebuild. I truly enjoyed the entire process. Most of the time invested was doing my homework and researching in depth. I had a few questions to ask an experienced trans tech that was not covered in the various service manuals I acquired along the way. The coolest manual I discovered was a GM Performance 4T65E-HD custom racing transmission manual. I included several modifications from that manual into my rebuild such as drilling a series of holes at the bottom of the inner casing to allow fluid to leave the clutch packs and enter the pan at a faster rate and adding a copper tube internally to keep a constant spray on the differential.
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usernameless
Scoot Member
Quarantined
Posts: 24
Location: KC MO
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Post by usernameless on Apr 20, 2020 4:28:03 GMT -5
A lot of work to make it good. 👍 Yes indeed. It started as something quick and cheap to get me home from a few states away. Then....
It quickly became a mid-life crisis project. A special project just for myself, a project with extreme passion and determination.
No regrets
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Post by 2stroked on Apr 29, 2020 14:36:18 GMT -5
That's correct. Along the way I L(Earned) a critical lesson about transmissions.
Just because a trans has a label stating it is a GM Goodwrench remanufactured unit, it doesn't mean that you have a flawless casing to work with. Anytime a transmission is disassembled and then reassembled by human hands beyond the original manufacturing process and regardless of who does the work and their qualifications, this introduces human error into the equation. The unit I intended to rebuild ended up being a donor for just a few minor parts and nothing more. The casing had damaged threads from the reman process and the service tag was dated 2003. It wasn't until 2006 that GM had worked out the many issues this transmission was born with.
I sought out another unit at the scrap yard that was untampered since birth to work with and this proved to be the right decision for selecting a core to start my own rebuild. I truly enjoyed the entire process. Most of the time invested was doing my homework and researching in depth. I had a few questions to ask an experienced trans tech that was not covered in the various service manuals I acquired along the way. The coolest manual I discovered was a GM Performance 4T65E-HD custom racing transmission manual. I included several modifications from that manual into my rebuild such as drilling a series of holes at the bottom of the inner casing to allow fluid to leave the clutch packs and enter the pan at a faster rate and adding a copper tube internally to keep a constant spray on the differential.
Oh yeah. Sounds right. I am currently waiting for for the rollback to pick my Monte Carlo SS up and slap a new 4t65e (not HD sadly) up in her. I "could" do it but it would be a major PITA with work right now. Easier to shell out the cash and have it done and get that warranty as well. These transmissions have a hand full of weak points that can be addressed as part of the bullet proofing process. Sadly I cannot open this one to see that theose things have been done before it is slammed in there. Ugh, if I had my prefefences I would keep the old trans and then just rebuild it my damn self. Its an involved process I know, ive rebuilt a couple L series but never a T. Plus again, the time thing ... |
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usernameless
Scoot Member
Quarantined
Posts: 24
Location: KC MO
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Post by usernameless on May 5, 2020 2:34:07 GMT -5
Yes, they did have a few weak points from their first production run. The hardened splines on the 4th gear hub is one necessary upgrade if you have a trans made before late 2004 I think. I am not an expert at rebuilding these things, but from what I see, there is not much difference between rebuilding a rear wheel drive unit vs. a transaxle for front wheel drive. Not much difference with the needed tools either. I do recommend a nice high quality set of snap ring pliers - something with a wide span at the business end of the tool.
I did install the "Shift" kit which is actually a shift-correction kit, not a shift kit one may be familiar with from the early days. I like the Monte SS. It has a great body style and it also has the steering wheel I would rather have in my Impala. One of these days I will make it back out to the scrap yard and find one in great condition with the airbag intact. Must have the steering wheel audio controls!!
If memory serves me right, there wasn't too much needed to convert to the HD version of the 4T65E. I think you can source the needed parts from a junkyard car and use them on your fresh rebuild without too much getting in your way. Maybe if you source the "hard parts" needed and supply your rebuilder with them at the time of service, they might just build you the HD version and warranty it too.
Don't hold my feet to the fire on this one.
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Post by 2stroked on May 6, 2020 10:32:13 GMT -5
Yes, they did have a few weak points from their first production run. The hardened splines on the 4th gear hub is one necessary upgrade if you have a trans made before late 2004 I think. I am not an expert at rebuilding these things, but from what I see, there is not much difference between rebuilding a rear wheel drive unit vs. a transaxle for front wheel drive. Not much difference with the needed tools either. I do recommend a nice high quality set of snap ring pliers - something with a wide span at the business end of the tool. I did install the "Shift" kit which is actually a shift-correction kit, not a shift kit one may be familiar with from the early days. I like the Monte SS. It has a great body style and it also has the steering wheel I would rather have in my Impala. One of these days I will make it back out to the scrap yard and find one in great condition with the airbag intact. Must have the steering wheel audio controls!! If memory serves me right, there wasn't too much needed to convert to the HD version of the 4T65E. I think you can source the needed parts from a junkyard car and use them on your fresh rebuild without too much getting in your way. Maybe if you source the "hard parts" needed and supply your rebuilder with them at the time of service, they might just build you the HD version and warranty it too. Don't hold my feet to the fire on this one. I think, but not 100% certain, it's almost a direct swap. Couldn't find one anyway. found a regular 4t65 and am having it done right now.... |
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