I currently have the auto transmission out of my 1992 Camaro. While it's out, what should I do/not do to it before reinstall?

It's a 1992, speedo says 160,000 miles.
Shifted fine before removal, but fluid smelled burnt.
Installing a 350, going carb - so I know I need a TC lockup switch.
Also plan to do the S-10 T/C.

I'm trying to get nice street performance, w/o spending millions.

I was looking at the TCI page with all the stuff - I have no clue what half of this is/does - tranny idiot here!

http://www.tciauto.com/gm/gm_4L60E.htm

I was also at the Charlotte Auto Fair at TCI booth - heard a TCI guy tell another that he should do the shift kit, or vette servos, but not both.

Can anyone shed a little light on these TCI products, and make recommendation while my tranny is out?

 

ttt

 

I wouldn't touch your tranny if you think it may be getting worn or going bad. I would use the s10 stall and go from there. If the transmission is burning fluid, slipping at all ect then installing a shift kit is basically going to be a waste. It may seem like it fixed it temporarly but in the end it will still go out.

Then you are out the kit (may be able to reuse) and the install cost and/or time and work.

I would change the filter and fluid and install the new TC. And thats it.

 

Change the fluid and filter at least. A TransGo 700SK or 700SK-jr might not be a bad idea. As long as it's still shifting fine and you get the nasty old fluid out I wouldn't be too worried about it.

 

You might consider doing a BG transmission flush with full synthetic fluid, it has a much higher resistance to shearing forces than the regular stuff.

 

Flush out the cooler lines to get rid of any extra metal in there. They sell little spray-cans with attachments that pressurize the cooler lines and flush metal out. Usually, you use these when you take out a destroyed tranny, because when a trans dies, it spits metal thru everything. So you might not have metal in there, but it can't hurt to run the $10 can thru anyway.

You might also want to install a secondary trans cooler and an external trans filter. If you put an external trans filter on, you still need to keep the original internal trans filter, because the normal filter acts as a "fluid pickup".

And make sure when you reinstall the trans, you seat the TC all the way. If you try to bolt the trans up to the motor, and the TC is mashed against the flexplate, then STOP!! Take the trans down, the TC isn't seated all the way in, you've only engaged one set of splines (the easy set).

When the engine bellhousing touches the transmission bellhousing, the TC should be able to slide away from the flywheel towards the trans, and back again. It shouldn't be mashed against the flywheel.

 

I swapped my anemic 305 TBI for a 350hp 350 motor. After the swap I routinely smelled burnt tranny fluid, usually while it was warming up.

I tore it apart to rebuild clutches and whatever else and the clutches were in great shape - I think I over reacted to the tranny fluid smell - I even smell it a little now when the motor is warming up. And yes, my TV cable is adjusted properly.

I had 160k miles like you do. If I were you and didnt want to take the time or money, dont worry about the clutches. On the other hand if you are taking the time to do a shift kit, you might want to consider a rebuild - it isn't bad once you learn how and it is one less time you'll have to take the tranny out .