been a rough week
 

Tuesday moring my wife calls in a panic, her 2010 Impala died. Turns out the transmission is shot. Its locked up and most likely has a cracked case based on the amount of fluid on the ground. Car had no leaks prior. Going to cost $4000 to replace and I dont have the money so its sitting. Today on my way home from work the transmission in my 85 went out. Was creeping in traffic about 5-10mph and as soon as it opened up I gave it gas and it may as well have been in neutral. Was able to get to the shoulder thankfully. I feel it go into gear in reverse and in drive but have no forward or reverse. Was low on fluid the other day but I topped it off and it`s been working fine. At least this one I can fix but I`m going ot have to take a chance on a used one. Cant afford a new rebuilt and need this fixed by Monday. Found one from a transmission shop that they used in their test car. We`ll see what I end up with. Just wasnt planning on fixing this right now. Cant believe I lost 2 transmissions in the same week.

Re: been a rough week
 

Wow that is awful news. That's hard to believe 2 transmissions going at the same time. They aren't cheap that's for sure. Good luck on getting them both on the road soon & making that wife happy again! :)

Re: been a rough week
 

My biggest fear is an auto tranny. I still to stick out of preference but I know in a pinch I can pop the clutch. Hope it all works out for you.

Re: been a rough week
 

Have you called Dave at Triple Edge Performance yet?
http://www.tripleedgeperformance.com...placement.html
$1675 for a 4T65E + $135 for a rebuilt torque converter & $325 for the core is just over half that for one of the best 4T65E rebuilds you're likely to find.

Usually they don't explode like that... The PCS and shift solenoids get dodgy and slip the clutches to death.

The 1985 700R4 is easier to replace. The 4L60 (not E) from the early T400 chassis is pretty much a drop in. You could even go with a TH350 or TH200R4 in a pinch. Start surfing Craigslist using a multi location search engine http://www.searchtempest.com/. You should be able to score a 700R4 for less than $500 in working condition. I just did a quick search and found 3 TH350 transmissions within 100 miles of me for $200. Sacramento is probably similar.

Re: been a rough week
 

I dont have $1700 to buy that one either or the means to pull it out. I`d need a lift to do my wifes car. Think that one is going back to the bank.

Mine is easier and I am considering a th350 swap since I have one available for free. Been on the phone all day and only 700r4 I found was from a shop for $400 from a 1990 3500 truck which should be either a th400 or a 4L80E. Dont think they put the 700`s in the heavy duty trucks.

Re: been a rough week
 

The 2010 W body Impala is a nice family car. Sorry to hear you're that strapped. It might be worth looking into a 4T65E out of a wrecked 06-11 Impala or 05-08 Pontiac Grand Prix.
http://car-part.com shows them on the West coast for $500-$900 in the 20,000-50,000 mile range.

1990 should be a 4L60 which will work.
The electronic 4L60E & 4L80E start in 1991 or 1992 so anything up to 1990 will work.

Re: been a rough week
 

Yeah its been a good car. I can get a used transmission but I dont have the means to change it out. It`s my understanding that I`ll need to remove the subframe, get a engine cradle to support the transmission and remove the Cv axles. I`m not set up for that at home and cant pay anyone to do it for me. Unfortunately I think we will have to find another car for my wife.

The 4L60 didnt become the 4L60E until 93 or 94 but still dont think they would put the 4L60 in a 3500 series truck. Did a quick google search and didnt find much on it. Pretty sure I`m just going to go to a th350 for now. A friend has one I can use while I have my 700R4 rebuilt. It`s a 85 unit so not as good as 87-up but I`m not planning any huge performance stuff. wanted to do a 5.3 swap but I think a stock 350 crate engine with a mild cam is about all its going to see.

Re: been a rough week
 

The 4L80E wasn't available till 1991 or 92. There was no such thing as a 4L80. I had an 89 K3500 with the 4L60. If it's original and OD then it's a 4L60. Quick and easy way to tell is that the "E" versions don't have a TV cable.

Yes the subframe has to drop at least on the LH side. It can be done in a home shop but it's not easy. I'd at least shop around to price an R&R...

Re: been a rough week
 

Ok but I`m not talking about the 4L80E. I dont know much about them, have no use for one. The 4L60 is the same as the 700R4. They just changed the name. In 1993 or 1994 it became the 4L60E requiring some sort of computer to run it. Again, this wont work for me. THe trans I found is a 1990 so really doesnt matter. What my point was, I didnt think they would put the 700R4 or 4L60 in a 3500 series truck. These typically got a TH400 or the 4L80/4L80E, whatever you want to call it.

Re: been a rough week
 

I had a K3500 SRW with the 4L60 stock... Bare bones white 1989 WT package fleet truck. Sealed beam rectangular headlamps like my avatar, Vinyl seat, and Vinyl floor cover. 4x4 & OD were about the only options on it. The TH400 would've been a better choice. I could've bought a Gear Vendors OD for the price of the two re-builds.

The 4L60 has some updates internally that make it more reliable than the 700R4. They didn't cool any of them very well. Your Impala is testament to what happens with their poor transmission cooling. If it were run at 165F rather than 200-210F the 4T65E would last more than 50-80K.

Here's to a good search... The free TH350 sounds like a good choice for right now. Put a Magnefine filter in the cooler return line to catch any pieces of the old tranny.