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 We decided to use Royal Purple...  We decided to use Royal Purple Max ATF (fully synthetic) in our refurbished 4L60E. According to RP, Max ATF's low coefficient of friction and high film strength can reduce heat and wear as compared with conventional fluids. Our StreetFighter torque converter consumed exactly three quarts of the merlot-colored stuff.  After the converter is rotated...  After the converter is rotated into place on the transmission's input shaft, AV's Greg Lovell uses a cutting-edge measuring implement to ensure that it's fully seated before tightening up the bolts.  While Willard jacks the new...  While Willard jacks the new trans into place, Lovell takes a few moments to give our torque arm and converter dust cover a quick hosing down in the parts washer.  Fresh from their dousing,...  Fresh from their dousing, the old arm and cover look as good as new. Too bad we can't fit the rest of the car in there.  As is usually the case, the...  As is usually the case, the reinstallation process is simply a reversal of the teardown procedure. You may wish to take a few minutes (days?) to compose yourself before you get started, as you'll have to battle those damnable radiator lines again.  Once the trans is bolted up,...  Once the trans is bolted up, Willard reinstalls the driveshaft followed by the torque ar and, finally, the converter dust cover. Double-check to make sure you've reinstalled all the transmission lines and wires, then move to the top of the car for the final steps.  An empty 4L60E will hold between...  An empty 4L60E will hold between 11 and 12 quarts of transmission fluid, depending on the size of the torque converter. After adding five quarts via the dipstick tube (remember, we've already put three in the converter), we fire up the engine and run the shifter through all of the gears. Willard continues to add fluid until the dipstick reads "Full," then moves back underneath the car to check for leaks. When he finds none, we lower the lift, back the car out of the garage bay, and take a quick spin around the parking lot.  Although follow-up dragstrip...  Although follow-up dragstrip testing will have to wait until our next installment, it's clear that our '96 coupe's starting-line reflexes have been significantly sharpened by the fresh trans and high-stall converter. Even moderate throttle applications now send the tach needle twirling into the high-2,000-rpm range-right near the crest of the LT1's plus-sized torque curve. Assuming we can still get the car to hook up, a real, live 12-second e.t. seems a distinct possibility. Stay tuned.
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