Hey Nick, I was given a 700R4 transmission for my 1969 Camaro. When I pulled the servo's out of the bore, I found several nicks in the aluminum. I also found a small indention at the back of the bore at the bottom, kind of looks like where the transmission fluid puddles. I sent you a couple pictures on messenger, but I can't post them here. I plan on running the Sonnax Super Hold Servos, but I want to make sure the bore for them is okay. Thank you in advance.
Hi John, That bore looks nicked up to me, I'd replace the case but it's your call. If you do replace, make sure you get a case that is of the same generation as the existing one...Aux and Non-Aux VB cases are different...The Aux VB cases have a large upside down 'U' shaped crease cast into the pass side of the transmission that loops over the servo bore like a large arch. The non-Aux VB cases lack this crease (most of them anyways - early 1987 units are an exception)...The Aux VB cases also have a 'dam' case into the low reverse feed worm track in the case partitioning that circuit with the Aux VB-fwd apply circuit and a cut out for the Aux VB to Pump feed pipe that sends fluid to the forward clutch piston.
I have a full billet servo for my 700r4 and it doesn’t have that spring and plate and snap ring involved in it at all. I put it together exactly like the instructions show and the diagram and it seems as though it would go in but there is no spring action
Hi Johnathan - I use the Sonnax standard accumulator piston springs in both 2nd and 4th gear accumulator locations for daily drivers to mild performance applications that have stock to 2600-2700 stall converters...Will install the stiff, high-tension Sonnax accumulator springs for anything moderate to high performance with stalls beyond 2800 in the 4th acc piston location or block it off all together...I find the standard spring works well in nearly all applications at the 1-2 accumulator.
Thanks, Marc! Get the tires within line of sight of a mailman and they will bark their heads off, haha. All kidding aside, an aggressive enough shift calibration will do it but it's not as easy in the 4L60E/700R4 due to the big ratio drop from 3.05 in first gear to 1.63 in second.
Hi nick, mine its a 700r4 and I'm using a 4l60e housing for 1-2 Acumulator, and using the sonnax pinless Acumulator, but also have a transgo shift kit Jr that comes with springs for that Acumulator, the configuration that I put it's form the housing to the VB the washer, blue spring, Acumulator facing the housing, and the orange spring, I also grind the pin so it hold the washer but doesn't interfere with the aculator movement, how it would work? O should I use only the stock spring
Hi Carlos, just use the stock spring or Sonnax standard spring with the pinless acc piston...If you're running more than a 3200 stall converter and using the Corvette servo, switch to the Sonnax HD spring...If you're using a Sonnax or Superior Tech billet 2nd gear servo, keep the standard spring up to about 3600-3800 stall...
Since the band wiggles a little bit without the pump installed, Would it be more accurate if the pump was in place? Or will it not make a change at all?
HI Bad Drivers and car stuff, good question...Yes - having the pump in would provide a more accurate read on band clearance though in my experience the difference is not significant enough to completely invalidate any measurements taking place pre-pump install. That said, I will be doing a band adjustment video where I walk the viewer through the process of measuring servo travel, checking/adjusting band clearance and will have the pump installed for that video...Figure about 2-3 weeks until it's on the channel. Thank you for watching!
@@nickstransmissions Awesome thanks. I'm pulling my transmission next week to do some other upgrades and this is one of them. Thank you very much for the video and the reply.
You're welcome, man. Feel free to ask questions as you're going through yours. One rec I'll make (assuming you're not already planning on it) is the Alto Power Pack (HE or Alto Reds, Kolene Steels). I've been using that a lot lately and it's a nice upgrade to the factory six-clutch 3-4 pack.
@@nickstransmissions I've been running the Alto Reds with Kolene Steels and the Sonnax backing plate kit since 7/23 and I've been happy with them. While I have the transmission out I'll check them and change them since I put them through a lot of abuse. I'm running all Sonnax parts throughout the 4L70e and after I install these Servos I should be good for a while. The only thing left is the Smart-Tech Input drum and I haven't justified that yet for my power level.
Good deal, man...Should be a solid set up. I sometimes use the Sonnax forward drum reinforcement kit w/billet piston for anything that will see heavy duty or high RPM use but where the Smarttech drum is either unnecessary or out of the customer's budget...Cope Racing also makes a 4L79 drum that has 9 frictions in it as well, though I've never tried it.
@nickstransmissions I appreciate it, I used it once and my transmission kept breaking hard parts. Builder said it was due to the super hold servo, but I'm going to start building my own. Been watching a lot of your videos
Gotcha...I'm thinking you may have either had too much band clearance or (more likely) had the 1-2 shift mechanically calibrated way too aggressively for the larger ratio 2nd gear servo. If running the Sonnax super hold servo (or the Superior Tech servo) and your stall is factory, do NOT drill the 1-2 feed or change the spring set up in either the accumulator regulator valve or 1-2 accumulator housing...Leave everything 'as-is' (I'd run a Corvette Servo if your stall speed is 1600-2800, to be honest). If your stall is 4400 as mentioned above, I'd drill the 1-2 feed to .076 and leave the acc reg valve and install a Sonnax pinless accumulator piston in the 1-2 accumulator housing...See how that feels then enlarge the 1-2 feed orifice in the plate as needed...
Not sure on the size but you can call Sonnax and they should give you the dimensions. When you can, select the menu option corresponding to their customer tech support group.
You didn't know that slamming parts on a metal table increases their strength and consequently, the transmission's power handling capacity by like 10x? It's by far the best way to beef up your transmission!
Great quality and lighting really enjoy your work excellent video Nick !
Thanks again, Doc!
By far the best install video I’ve seen. Thanks!! The instructions for the sonnax kit are not that detailed.
Thank you for the kind words, Brian!
Thanks Nick for your reply!
Wow glad I watched this before order parts , I was going to order both servos and the pin but it appears to be more I thought .
They are getting expensive and usually aren't necessary unless doing some serious heavy towing/hauling or racing.
Hey Nick, I was given a 700R4 transmission for my 1969 Camaro. When I pulled the servo's out of the bore, I found several nicks in the aluminum. I also found a small indention at the back of the bore at the bottom, kind of looks like where the transmission fluid puddles. I sent you a couple pictures on messenger, but I can't post them here. I plan on running the Sonnax Super Hold Servos, but I want to make sure the bore for them is okay. Thank you in advance.
Hi John,
That bore looks nicked up to me, I'd replace the case but it's your call. If you do replace, make sure you get a case that is of the same generation as the existing one...Aux and Non-Aux VB cases are different...The Aux VB cases have a large upside down 'U' shaped crease cast into the pass side of the transmission that loops over the servo bore like a large arch. The non-Aux VB cases lack this crease (most of them anyways - early 1987 units are an exception)...The Aux VB cases also have a 'dam' case into the low reverse feed worm track in the case partitioning that circuit with the Aux VB-fwd apply circuit and a cut out for the Aux VB to Pump feed pipe that sends fluid to the forward clutch piston.
👍 Great video. You make this simple. God Bless.
Thanks, you too Al!
I have a full billet servo for my 700r4 and it doesn’t have that spring and plate and snap ring involved in it at all. I put it together exactly like the instructions show and the diagram and it seems as though it would go in but there is no spring action
Hi Wil, what servo are you installing? Sounds like the Superior Tech servo but you can confirm or deny.
EXCELLENT! Thanks
Hi Nick, I have a question, is there a lot of difference in the shift quality between the .490 and the .500 boost valve? Thanks!
Hi Doug, assuming you held everything else equal and just swapped diff ratio boost valves, seat of the pants felt difference would be minimal IMO.
What springs did you use for the 1-2 pinoess accumulator?
Hi Johnathan - I use the Sonnax standard accumulator piston springs in both 2nd and 4th gear accumulator locations for daily drivers to mild performance applications that have stock to 2600-2700 stall converters...Will install the stiff, high-tension Sonnax accumulator springs for anything moderate to high performance with stalls beyond 2800 in the 4th acc piston location or block it off all together...I find the standard spring works well in nearly all applications at the 1-2 accumulator.
Great videos!! Just curious, how do you get the tires to bark?
Thanks, Marc!
Get the tires within line of sight of a mailman and they will bark their heads off, haha.
All kidding aside, an aggressive enough shift calibration will do it but it's not as easy in the 4L60E/700R4 due to the big ratio drop from 3.05 in first gear to 1.63 in second.
Hi nick, mine its a 700r4 and I'm using a 4l60e housing for 1-2 Acumulator, and using the sonnax pinless Acumulator, but also have a transgo shift kit Jr that comes with springs for that Acumulator, the configuration that I put it's form the housing to the VB the washer, blue spring, Acumulator facing the housing, and the orange spring, I also grind the pin so it hold the washer but doesn't interfere with the aculator movement, how it would work? O should I use only the stock spring
Hi Carlos, just use the stock spring or Sonnax standard spring with the pinless acc piston...If you're running more than a 3200 stall converter and using the Corvette servo, switch to the Sonnax HD spring...If you're using a Sonnax or Superior Tech billet 2nd gear servo, keep the standard spring up to about 3600-3800 stall...
@nickstransmissions thanks a lot, I'm using a stock stall converter, I think is a 1,200 and a corvette servo
Should be 1600-1800 stall, if stock.
Since the band wiggles a little bit without the pump installed, Would it be more accurate if the pump was in place? Or will it not make a change at all?
HI Bad Drivers and car stuff, good question...Yes - having the pump in would provide a more accurate read on band clearance though in my experience the difference is not significant enough to completely invalidate any measurements taking place pre-pump install.
That said, I will be doing a band adjustment video where I walk the viewer through the process of measuring servo travel, checking/adjusting band clearance and will have the pump installed for that video...Figure about 2-3 weeks until it's on the channel.
Thank you for watching!
@@nickstransmissions Awesome thanks. I'm pulling my transmission next week to do some other upgrades and this is one of them. Thank you very much for the video and the reply.
You're welcome, man. Feel free to ask questions as you're going through yours.
One rec I'll make (assuming you're not already planning on it) is the Alto Power Pack (HE or Alto Reds, Kolene Steels). I've been using that a lot lately and it's a nice upgrade to the factory six-clutch 3-4 pack.
@@nickstransmissions I've been running the Alto Reds with Kolene Steels and the Sonnax backing plate kit since 7/23 and I've been happy with them. While I have the transmission out I'll check them and change them since I put them through a lot of abuse. I'm running all Sonnax parts throughout the 4L70e and after I install these Servos I should be good for a while. The only thing left is the Smart-Tech Input drum and I haven't justified that yet for my power level.
Good deal, man...Should be a solid set up. I sometimes use the Sonnax forward drum reinforcement kit w/billet piston for anything that will see heavy duty or high RPM use but where the Smarttech drum is either unnecessary or out of the customer's budget...Cope Racing also makes a 4L79 drum that has 9 frictions in it as well, though I've never tried it.
Does this work on a dedicated race truck with a 4400 stall
Hi HRP - I don't see why not...I use these servos all the time in SS/full race applications...
@nickstransmissions I appreciate it, I used it once and my transmission kept breaking hard parts. Builder said it was due to the super hold servo, but I'm going to start building my own. Been watching a lot of your videos
Gotcha...I'm thinking you may have either had too much band clearance or (more likely) had the 1-2 shift mechanically calibrated way too aggressively for the larger ratio 2nd gear servo. If running the Sonnax super hold servo (or the Superior Tech servo) and your stall is factory, do NOT drill the 1-2 feed or change the spring set up in either the accumulator regulator valve or 1-2 accumulator housing...Leave everything 'as-is' (I'd run a Corvette Servo if your stall speed is 1600-2800, to be honest).
If your stall is 4400 as mentioned above, I'd drill the 1-2 feed to .076 and leave the acc reg valve and install a Sonnax pinless accumulator piston in the 1-2 accumulator housing...See how that feels then enlarge the 1-2 feed orifice in the plate as needed...
what is the size.of the washer. thickness. It.didnt come in my kit and it's too late to complain
Not sure on the size but you can call Sonnax and they should give you the dimensions. When you can, select the menu option corresponding to their customer tech support group.
I take the 8th check ball and block off the 4th and drill the plate to .110
Great tip, Jay - thank you for watching!
@@nickstransmissions love the vids! I recommend an Allison tear down and build tutorial. 👌🏽
Thanks, man - Yep that will happen soon!
@@nickstransmissions I’ll be patiently waiting
Let’s just slam and slide everything on a metal table 🤪🤪🤪
You didn't know that slamming parts on a metal table increases their strength and consequently, the transmission's power handling capacity by like 10x? It's by far the best way to beef up your transmission!
😂 I have watched many videos like this and they all do it!