Diggerdan11

So I have a 2005 Silverado SS. It has been my daily driver since I bought it in 06 and it has 85K miles on the engine and Tranny. My SS is going to soon be just my Play toy. Im planning on only driving it when the weather is nice and I will drive something else in the winter.

I have been saving up some green and I would like to Turbo my truck. Im not looking to have a 10 second truck, just a little more umph. When its all said and done I would think I would be in the 500-550hp range.

Well the last thing I want to do is turbo my truck and then blow my tranny.
So Im trying to figure out which way to go. I have talked to a few people on other sites and I figured I would see what you guys think. I have searched this site but have not found the answers I am looking for.

Do you think a Stock 4L65e with a shift kit and servo upgrades will be able to handle 500-550hp? Some people I have talked to said I should be fine and others say my tranny wont last long. I also do some minor towing if that makes much of a difference

So my next option would be to put in a built 4L60e. I was looking into FLT's Level 3 or 4 4L60e. That should be the easiest option and should be and easy swap. I have a buddy who said he could easily help me swap out my tranny. But I have had some people say that since it is still a 4L60 (even though its a FLT) its still a POS 60e and will not last.

So the much more expensive and difficult option would be to swap in a 4L80. I know that it is much more difficult since it is not a direct swap and I have heard the crossmember must be changed, and there are a bunch of extra parts you have to add to make it fit.

So I guess my big question is will a Stock 4L65e with a shift kit and servos be able to handle 500-550hp?

If not Is it really worth the extra money, and Hassle to swap a 4L80? Or is a FLT level 3 or 4 4L60e plenty enough to handle 500-550hp?

brent1976

iTrader: (1)

80e swap isn't as hard as it sounds.

https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...-4l80e-424904/

mvrk10256

If its not a daily driver I say keep the 65. If it does go you will have the time and funds to fix/swap it.

nonnieselman

iTrader: (10)

You asked for our opinion/advise.. so here goes mine haha

Since you can afford to have some down time, id go ahead with the 80E swap. Junkyard or built, either one. Stock with a Shift kit and a good tune makes a good difference.
I think the adapter for the Xcase is only about $45? its been awhile since i looked so im not sure on that..
The trans crossmember is a simple mod if you got a welder.

Then you should be ready to rock! Peace of mind having a stout transmission under there.

brent1976

iTrader: (1)

Well said.

nonnieselman

iTrader: (10)

Ive already played the 60E game.. it sucks!!
ive put a bunch of miles and tons of abuse on this JY 80E and its still kicking. Now another turbo is goin on so its gonna get abused even more towing way more than i should

Jake99

iTrader: (5)

60es suck behind anything with torque, turbos and 60es dont go together. At 500hp the 65e will hold it but how long is a different story. If you put in alot of torque management in the 2-3 shift it should hold for a while, but you will always worry about it.

03sierraslt

iTrader: (22)

He has a NVG149 T-Case(AWD), good luck finding a adapter for cheap. You cannot just change the input gear like you can on the manual T-Case. Same T-Case I have.

Vince B

iTrader: (1)

If your looking to put a built 60 in your truck you will need to think about levels much higher than the 3 or 4. Personally I would not build you a L3 or 4 trans for your vehicle. I would suggest a billet output shaft, billet pump rotor and one of the new sonnax input drums that are on the market. No doubt an 80E would be the best option and you would have to look into getting one with the splines cut down to be used with your transfer case. HTH Vince

AKlowriderZ71

iTrader: (22)

If you can afford some down time, you can have your transfer case input gear modified to work with the larger 80E output shaft. No way I'd want an output shaft that's the same size as the 60E output shaft, they break too easy.