Anyone buy parts from Dana at @Pro Built Automatics ? Looking at this kit: https://probuiltautomatics.com/shop/...998-early-2006

Curious if there is anything else that should go into this build that is missing from the kit. I'm going to try and find a 2002ish core, which I believe should have a 5 pinion planetary.

 

I bought a kit from him acoupla years ago. Looks very similar to that one there. Put it in a 4L65E out of a 05 or 06 Escalade, for my 04 Avalanche. Added a Yank 2800 RPM converter, which turns out to stall closer to 2950 or 3000.

I'm very happy with it. Worked perfect the first drive if a little bit ... strange. It took awhile for the ECM to adjust itself to it; I guess it gave the ECM a VERY different view of the world than a failing 275k 4L60E. Took a few months of driving before it all settled down. Particularly, around town, it almost always applied the clutch immediately after shifting into 4th, butt as time has gone on, it seems to go into 4th sooner, and the TCC a bit later. Still all well within good street driving manners. Shifts are quick and snappy without slamming or any of that, both up and down.

I highly recommend it. He's a great guy to talk to as well; turned out, we knew a whole bunch of the same people. Regardless, he knows his poop, and I think he'll do you right, even if that exact combo of parts isn't exactly what you need.

Note also, one thing he sent that isn't in that pic although he mentions it in the description, was a rebuild training video on DVD. It was REALLY good, in terms of showing which parts went where, what to look for in used parts as far as wear, the order of assembly, etc. Although not earth-shattering or anything, it was extremely helpful, especially as a reference to go back and look at as I was working.

Look for transmission codes ending in KZD to get the 5-gear planet aka 4L65E. Not sure what the earliest years for that are, butt I'm pretty sure they were available at least around at least 04 - 06. I think 07 up has an additional speed sensor for the input shaft, and maybe some other electronic differences, but no doubt Dana can fill you in on all that.

 

5 pinion is not really stronger than a four pinion planet

 

I agree on what Sofa said about Dana. He's great to deal with and knows his stuff.

 

I was thinking of going with the Sonnax 2.84 first 1.55 second planetary. Other than the fact that they are stronger than stock, I think changing the first and second gear would work better, especially with my 3.89 rear end.

My buddy recommended a 2800 stall circle d converter, but I feel like that is an absurdly high stall given the cam I'm running (209/217) on an LS with a reported RPM range of 1800-6200. (https://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-8719-1) They don't even recommend increasing the converter stall from stock (which is likely 1700 I think).

 

My engine is a stock LM7 w headers and better valve springs, and nothing else. Including the stock cam still in it. The converter made a MASSIVE difference to the truck's launch and low-speed performance. My stock converter stalled at around 1800 or so it seemed. Personally I think you'd benefit more from a higher stall converter than you would from changing the transmission gearing butt it's hard to say for sure. Summit's "recommendation" is aimed at people who want a cam but don't want one that "requires" a higher stall, which of course is VERY DIFFERENT from "would benefit from".

 

Stick with 4 pinion planets. They are made of better material and wear better. The 2.84 gearset is a waste of money and you will not see any gain in the quarter mile.
The 1-2 at a 6,000rpm WOT shift will show 168rpm difference closer with the 2.84 - 1.57 gear set, instead of 3.06 - 1.63. The 2-3 at a 6,000rpm WOT shift will show a 141rpm difference closer with the 1.57 - 1.00 gear set, instead of 1.63 - 1.00. Remember this is not taking in torque converter slip and transmission shift times. This would account why I have never heard of anyone reporting a gain using the 2.84 gear set since they came out. Spend the approximate $600.00 on the right diameter and stall torque converter will do more than anything else for seeing gains here.
Even completely stock motors will always see a gain with the right torque converter in the quarter mile.

 

I texted you yesterday about this looking for parts.

The sonnax gear set is actually $859 now, plus $217 if you use their HD reaction shaft.. So yeah, it's expensive!