Now that I have your attention through a bit of pointless internet sensationalism - here is the run down of this RPM Transmissions 4L70E's short-lived existence:
1. The trans was purchased in Nov 2013 as part of a Black Friday sale (including a Coan converter), and arrived in Canada around Jan 14 - really easy purchase, was very pleased;
2. The trans sat in the corner untouched until Jan 16 - yup two full years;
3. The trans was installed Jan 16 (with a Yank converter), and following RPM's direction the transmission tables in the tune were returned effectively to stock - nothing outlandish in the tune;
4. From Jan to 8 Sep 16 the transmission worked great for approximately 3500 miles - daily driven and spirited blasts;
5. The trans survived 2500+ miles of our Drag Week campaign from 9-17 Sep 16 while racing and towing a heavy utility trailer (ironically carrying a spare 4L70E) - the truck was parked for a week;
6. The trans survived a day at a local drag strip on 24 Sep 16 - the truck was parked for another week; and
7. Today (4 Oct 16) The trans could not handle the demands of a casual drive to and from work when it decided that it did not require 3rd or 4th gear any longer while cruising down the highway.
A phone call to RPM Transmission resulted in them stating:
a. My tune was the problem - despite having not seen it (SD vs. Blended, pressure settings vs Delivered Torque, Force Motor DC, etc etc all must be the problem);
b. Faulty torque converter - because it must be magically failing to convert torque in 3rd and 4th - despite 1st, 2nd, and Reverse still working (drove it on and off the flat bed tow truck); and
c. You don't have a warranty anyway - feel free to ship it back at your cost, we'll go through it for $650, you should consider $500 in upgrades, and we'll return it to you at your cost.
I wasn't looking for special treatment (you race shit, if it breaks - fix it and carry on), yet one would like not to be called incompetent or incapable in the process of seeking a resolution for a transmission that couldn't last roughly 6000 miles. In short, my really expensive upgraded transmission could not survive the rigors of simply driving down the road.
I am now faced with the option of sending it back to RPM or buying another unit, having it repaired locally, source another built 4L70E in Canada, or maybe doing a 4L80E/RWD conversion? In the meantime, I suppose I am putting my 127,000 mile stock trans back in.
1. The trans was purchased in Nov 2013 as part of a Black Friday sale (including a Coan converter), and arrived in Canada around Jan 14 - really easy purchase, was very pleased;
2. The trans sat in the corner untouched until Jan 16 - yup two full years;
3. The trans was installed Jan 16 (with a Yank converter), and following RPM's direction the transmission tables in the tune were returned effectively to stock - nothing outlandish in the tune;
4. From Jan to 8 Sep 16 the transmission worked great for approximately 3500 miles - daily driven and spirited blasts;
5. The trans survived 2500+ miles of our Drag Week campaign from 9-17 Sep 16 while racing and towing a heavy utility trailer (ironically carrying a spare 4L70E) - the truck was parked for a week;
6. The trans survived a day at a local drag strip on 24 Sep 16 - the truck was parked for another week; and
7. Today (4 Oct 16) The trans could not handle the demands of a casual drive to and from work when it decided that it did not require 3rd or 4th gear any longer while cruising down the highway.
A phone call to RPM Transmission resulted in them stating:
a. My tune was the problem - despite having not seen it (SD vs. Blended, pressure settings vs Delivered Torque, Force Motor DC, etc etc all must be the problem);
b. Faulty torque converter - because it must be magically failing to convert torque in 3rd and 4th - despite 1st, 2nd, and Reverse still working (drove it on and off the flat bed tow truck); and
c. You don't have a warranty anyway - feel free to ship it back at your cost, we'll go through it for $650, you should consider $500 in upgrades, and we'll return it to you at your cost.
I wasn't looking for special treatment (you race shit, if it breaks - fix it and carry on), yet one would like not to be called incompetent or incapable in the process of seeking a resolution for a transmission that couldn't last roughly 6000 miles. In short, my really expensive upgraded transmission could not survive the rigors of simply driving down the road.
I am now faced with the option of sending it back to RPM or buying another unit, having it repaired locally, source another built 4L70E in Canada, or maybe doing a 4L80E/RWD conversion? In the meantime, I suppose I am putting my 127,000 mile stock trans back in.
