Servos

In 2007, I installed aftermarket servos to improve shifting and prolong the life of the
band and clutch packs. Before I go any further, let me give a brief description of how
servos work.
Servo -a control system that converts a small mechanical motion into one requiring
much greater power.
Servos are essentially aluminum pistons that apply and release the clutch band.
Without getting too technical, applying and releasing clutch packs determines power
flow through the planetary gearset and the end result is 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears.
The servos in the 4L60 are located on the front passenger side of the tranny housing
just above the oil pan. The outer cover is circular and is held in place by a snap ring.
Inside the cover is the 4th apply piston aka 'overdrive' servo. It controls the 3-4
upshift and the 4-3 downshift. Immediately behind this servo is the two piece 2nd
apply servo aka 'intermediate' servo. It controls the 1-2-3 upshifts and 3-2-1
downshifts. Inside the 2nd apply servo is a stout spring; there is also another spring
between the overdrive servo and the intermediate. Going lengthwise through the
center of all servos is a servo pin. The outer end of the pin rests inside the overdrive
servo. The opposite end is tapered and rests against the clutch band. When fluid under
pressure is routed through one of several circuits, the servo(s) move in or out applying
or releasing the band. This animated schematic shows how fluid flows and the servos
move:http://www.transmissioncenter.org/700r4_servos.htm

2nd Apply Servo (Intermediate)


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4th Apply Servo (Overdrive)



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2nd Apply Servo and Pin



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3-4 Clutch Plates


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Servo/Clutch Band



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As I mentioned earlier, fluid pressure moves the servos. If the area of the servo that
the fluid comes in contact with is increased, the servo will move with greater force.
When GM began using the 700R4 in Corvettes and some Camaros, it featured an
upgraded 2nd apply servo. This servo has a larger apply area and gives firmer 1-2-3
and 3-2-1 shifts. Over time it became known simply as the 'Corvette servo'. There are
several different manufacterers of this servo but the dimensions are the same. In
recent years, an upgrade for the 4th apply servo became available through
aftermarket suppliers. It enhanced the 3-4 and 4-3 shifts.

So to sum up: the 2nd apply piston/servo is often advertised as the 'Corvette servo' or
'intermediate' servo and affects the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. The 4th apply piston/servo or
'overdrive' servo affects the 3-4 shifts. Jet, Superior, Sonnax, and a few others make
upgraded servos. Superior calls their's 'Super' servos because the intermediate has
even more apply area than the Corvette servo and the overdrive has 40% more apply
area than the OEM.

Servo Part Numbers:

2nd (Intermediate)
Jet Powr Servo (Corvette) 750211
Jet Billet Powr Servo 750212
Sonnax Corvette Servo 77701-04K
Sonnax 'Super Hold' Servo 77911-03K
Superior 'Super' Servo K012
TCI High Performance Servo 376005

4th (Overdrive)
Jet Billet Powr Servo 750213
Sonnax 'Super Hold' Servo 77767K
Superior 'Super' Servo K034
TCI High performance Servo 376006

Here are the websites for the above named manufacterers;
Jet Performance: http://www.jetchip.com/
Sonnax: http://www.sonnax.com/
Superior: http://www.superiortransmission.com/
TCI: http://www.tciauto.com/