Looking for a HP performance Trans 4l60E

[SUBURBAN5]

I broke the 4L65E in my SS at around 120K, so at least in this one example, under the LQ9 it didn't have much better lifespan than a 4L60E behind a TBI 5.7. If I manage to break it again before it can clock at least 50K more miles, I'm going 4L80E. When it broke, I was broke, so it wasn't an option to convert at the time.

Sure as hell hoping the one in my wife's truck lasts longer, not looking forward to another rebuild bill anytime soon.

If someone is just dead set on sticking with that form factor then the 4L70E "Supermatic" from GMPP might be the way to go. Supposedly good for 495 lb/ft of torque. That's GM's claim, not some rebuilder's. "The 4L70-E four-speed automatic transmission features five-pinion gearsets, heat-treated stator shaft splines, induction-hardened turbine shaft, seven-plate clutch and specific valve-body calibration." Cost you about $3800.........

There was some discussion on PT about it, in one of the massive threads where someone had spent megabucks building their 4L60E over and over just to have it keep blowing up (sound familiar?) ...

Richard

Is 4l70e plug in play? Or is there timing involved?

 

[Hipster]

450 lb-ft!? That's BBC territory for sure! I didn't realize it is rated that high! I know there's several guys here running these 383s on 1500 trucks, not sure how their trannies are holding up...but according to the factory ratings of the 4L60e of 360 lb-ft, it doesn't have a chance. Even the 4L80 is rated at around 440 lb-ft.

A Gm 383 HT crate throws out 444 ft lbs @3000 rpm with the little "395" cam so a mild build with something better than stock vortec heads and a little more cam could surpass that by a good margin with a torque peak at a little higher rpm. 383's have always been known for good torque numbers.

 

[Erik the Awful]

I would hazard a guess that if as many 4L80s were getting rebuilt as 4L60s, they'd have a crappy reputation as well, when the truth is that most transmission rebuilders are incompetent at it.

Yes, 4L80s survive better, but they're also very heavy and overbuilt compared to a 4L60. I think the 4L60s are fine, so long as you're not using the truck as a heavy-duty tow pig or abusing the crap out of it.

As far as transmission rebuilders, it takes a very meticulous, detailed, and observant technician to successfully rebuild transmissions all day, and there are far more technicians who just want to make a paycheck than there are technicians with the artisanship required to be a transmission specialist.

 

[someotherguy]

I would hazard a guess that if as many 4L80s were getting rebuilt as 4L60s, they'd have a crappy reputation as well, when the truth is that most transmission rebuilders are incompetent at it.

Yes, 4L80s survive better, but they're also very heavy and overbuilt compared to a 4L60. I think the 4L60s are fine, so long as you're not using the truck as a heavy-duty tow pig or abusing the crap out of it.

As far as transmission rebuilders, it takes a very meticulous, detailed, and observant technician to successfully rebuild transmissions all day, and there are far more technicians who just want to make a paycheck than there are technicians with the artisanship required to be a transmission specialist.

Valid point but doesn't explain all the factory original units that crapped out under normal use behind far lower power engines.

BTW dropping the hammer on a 383 with a 4L60E behind it easily qualifies as "abusing the crap out of it"

Richard

 

[someotherguy]

Is 4l70e plug in play? Or is there timing involved?

Gonna guess you meant tuning, beats me; it's apparently just a 4L6xE family transmission with a lot of upgraded parts and a GM factory-claimed strength rating. I would expect it to work properly in any 4L6xE application but that doesn't mean I'm right.

It is offered with a standalone controller but that would be for older non-PCM applications.

While checking up on it I just realized they also have a 4L75E. "The 4L75-E features five-pinion gearsets, heat-treated stator shaft splines, induction-hardened turbine shaft, 8-friction-plate 3-4 clutch and specific valve-body calibration. It also has a unique, high-strength input housing, high capacity servo, and large 2–4 band." ... GM says it's good for 650 lb/ft. "an alternative to the 4L80-E when space is an issue in the vehicle." Only $4285!

Richard

 

[PlayingWithTBI]

Only $4285!

Hell, at that price I'm gonna order a couple,

 

[Pinger]

Gonna guess you meant tuning, beats me; it's apparently just a 4L6xE family transmission with a lot of upgraded parts and a GM factory-claimed strength rating. I would expect it to work properly in any 4L6xE application but that doesn't mean I'm right.

It is offered with a standalone controller but that would be for older non-PCM applications.

While checking up on it I just realized they also have a 4L75E. "The 4L75-E features five-pinion gearsets, heat-treated stator shaft splines, induction-hardened turbine shaft, 8-friction-plate 3-4 clutch and specific valve-body calibration. It also has a unique, high-strength input housing, high capacity servo, and large 2–4 band." ... GM says it's good for 650 lb/ft. "an alternative to the 4L80-E when space is an issue in the vehicle." Only $4285!

Richard

Creating space by making your wallet substantially thinner....

 

[SUBURBAN5]

Gonna guess you meant tuning, beats me; it's apparently just a 4L6xE family transmission with a lot of upgraded parts and a GM factory-claimed strength rating. I would expect it to work properly in any 4L6xE application but that doesn't mean I'm right.

It is offered with a standalone controller but that would be for older non-PCM applications.

While checking up on it I just realized they also have a 4L75E. "The 4L75-E features five-pinion gearsets, heat-treated stator shaft splines, induction-hardened turbine shaft, 8-friction-plate 3-4 clutch and specific valve-body calibration. It also has a unique, high-strength input housing, high capacity servo, and large 2–4 band." ... GM says it's good for 650 lb/ft. "an alternative to the 4L80-E when space is an issue in the vehicle." Only $4285!

Richard

Yes tuning lol. Man I'm glad you told me about this. I looked up the 4l70e last night and fell in love. They just confused me cause they said compatible with any ls application. But what about vortec lol. Maybe when my 4l60e blows I'll be the Guinea pig

 

[stutaeng]

$4,300 tranmission on a truck worth $2,500? Sign me up please!

 

[someotherguy]

$4,300 tranmission on a truck worth $2,500? Sign me up please!

I wonder how much some have spent on "built" 4L60E's before they gave up and put a boneyard 4L80E in for the win.

Richard