4l60e question

[steemin_ehman]

hey guys, i recently inherited a 96 astro van with a 4.3L and 4l60e transmission. i was curious if its possible to bolt up the tranny to my carbed vortec 350.. how much money/work is involved? is there anyway to get rid of the electronics? is there any electronics? how durable is it?? any help would be appreciated... basically, im trying to find an overdrive tranny for my truck, and figured since we have this parts van, id give it a try. thanx!

[rfmaster]

Ehman

1) TCI makes a TCU - transmission control unit module for 4L60E and 4L80E GM transmissions. TCU allows to retrofit PCM controlled transmission into a early non PCM equipped vehicle. Check TCI web page and part number 377000 for HEI equipped cars, http://www.tciauto.com/Products/Electronics/

2) I am not sure 100 percent, but 4L60E were built much better than their younger cousins - 700R4. I would check with a reputable transmission shop regarding V6 to V8 4L60E differences. Chevy 4.3 L is a 90 degree V6 engine with standard SBC bell housing pattern. My guess that there might be some minor internal differences, such as number of clutches used in V6 vs. V8 applications. Also, around 1996, a bolt-on bell housing was phased in (along with a six-bolt tail housing) when the transmission was bolted behind an in-line four cylinder or the Vortec engine family. However, do not take my word check it.
One final word - speedometer connection. In the 90's GM went to all electronic speedos.

[rcbildr]

It will bolt up, but it may not last very long. I read about some people doing that with the 700R4's on another website and they all said the tranny didn't last long. IIRC the clutch packs are smaller or a smaller diameter.....I may be wrong, but that's what I've read.

[rfmaster]

Ehman

I converted from TH350 to 700R4 last year.

When converting to 700R4 or 4L60(e) I would strongly suggest to go through 'soft' parts before installing into your truck. The donor vehicle for my 700R4 was a 1990 'burban with about 65k on the odometer. The transmission shop that build my transmission noted that trany was close to blowing 3-4 gear clutches - a common weak point in 700R4's.

I chose to spend about $600 in heavy duty parts to avoid such future fate. As a side note 4L65E is the updated, heavy duty version of the 4L60E found behind 03+ LS engines. Most of '65e parts can be used in earlier transmissions. For more information check out Super Chevy article:
http://www.superchevy.com/tech/0311s..._transmission/

You can also find my parts list in one my earlier posts.

In my driving experience 700R4 performs just fine - my 350 mill is very mild and most of my driving is light cruising. The gas mileage went up from dismal 11.5 mpg to 15 mpg during extended highway run (over 150 miles at about 65-70 mph). This is what I was looking for and got it with this swap. For heavy duty towing or having serious 'fun' I would step up to 4L80e.

//RF

[Pyrotechnic]

V6 transmissions have smaller clutch packs from what I understand.

By the time you've bought a computer for that transmission, you'll have spent what it costs to get a 400+HP capable 700R4 and you will still have a weak transmission.

I would sell that complete driveline and put the cash towards a beefed up 700R4 since it does not require electronics.

[steemin_ehman]

from my understanding (and i could be wrong) the 4l60e tranny is just an electric or computerized version of the 700r4 or the 4l60... and the 4l60 is just an updated nickname for the older 700r4. so basically, applying the knowledge, what i have, the 4l60e is just a computerized version of the 700r4. is this right???

[steemin_ehman]

...but all said and done, like pyrotechnic said, the computer for that tranny alone is $900, and the speedo converter ranges from $299-$450, and thats all spent before the tranny is upgraded to be a little tougher. anyone know if its possible to install the factory computer system for the tranny in my truck and make it work??? so far, im leaning more towards the 700r4

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by steemin_ehman

from my understanding (and i could be wrong) the 4l60e tranny is just an electric or computerized version of the 700r4 or the 4l60...

Nope, you are correct. E stands for the electronic control. I would recommend getting a 700R4 from a V8 drivetrain or buy one rebuilt.

[steemin_ehman]

thank you! im goin with the 700r4

[rfmaster]

Ehman

If you are planning to stick with carburetor on your '77 stepside I would steer away 4L60E and PCM which is required to control this transmission. Factory PCMs appeared around 1992 and were fully deployed by 1996 as mandated by federal OBD-II requirements. From what I was able to find out factory OBD-II PCM are impossible to hack since feds mandated that all operational parameters stored inside the PCM to be encrypted. This was done to prevent EFI hackers from reverse engineering and modifying ECM-PCM code to do the things that we want to do as it was done with previous C3 and P4 generation of engine control computers (ECM).

To control 4L60E a GM Controller, #12497316 is required (or after market). Carbureted engines will also require installation of a Throttle Postion Sensor (TPS). When I was considering converting from 3 to 4 speed automatic a reworked TH700R-4 was a clear winner based on cost since it was cheaper to upgrade my $250 core (swap meet) with later transmission core parts vs. going to after market controller and 4L60E route.

On the other hand, 4L60 was produced from 1990-1992 which is a renamed version of 700R4 which was produced during 1980s. My truck was equipped with long tail shaft (9”) TH-350 (30-11/16”)which is nearly identical in length to a standard 700R4 (30-¾”). Hence, no driveshaft work was required to complete this swap other than moving cross member and drilling new mounting holes. If you chose to go 700R4 route try to avoid pre 1986 transmissions – these used weak internal parts and are prone to early demise. Early 700R4 can be updated with later parts, but it is extra money.
The 4L60 (700R4) uses a throttle valve (TV) cable for shifts while the 4L60E uses the PCM to control shifts. Correct setting of TV cable with 700R4 or 4L60 is critical – if done incorrectly it may destroy transmission very quickly. Check Bowtie Overdrives.com for more information and parts. If you plan to use lock up converter (TCC) there are several low cost wiring kits available (TCI, Painless, B&M, or DIY).

The 4L60e derives its designation from its specifications: 4-speeds, Longitudinally positioned, 6000 lbs. GVW, Electronically controlled, although the transmission sees factory service in trucks up to 8600 lbs. So, sell your 4L60E and get beefed up 700R4 (4L60) for a straight forward swap.

Picture is the prop shaft view of my 700R4 install.

[steemin_ehman]

alright, what would a 4l60e be worth? ..with or without the 4.3L and wiring harness? both motor and trans have about 150,000 kms

[bdas70chevy]

I am confused i am doing a vortec and 4l60e swap in my blazer. If i have the engine and tran with the computer and wiring harness, wil that control the trans. Or do i still have to have a stand alone computer? I have the adapter for the 205 from avanced adapters and geting the 4x4 shaft put in. Now i am confussed will the stock comp work to shift the blazer???

[chev74]

just letting ya know that theres a guy here in east TX selling a TH350 and a 700R4 for cheap

$200 for the 350
$300 for the 700

[Captkaos]

Originally Posted by bdas70chevy

I am confused i am doing a vortec and 4l60e swap in my blazer. If i have the engine and tran with the computer and wiring harness, wil that control the trans. Or do i still have to have a stand alone computer? I have the adapter for the 205 from avanced adapters and geting the 4x4 shaft put in. Now i am confussed will the stock comp work to shift the blazer???

If you got the computer and harness along with the engine/trans, the computer will control the transmission shifts.

[bdas70chevy]

does anyone who sells the cable for the tran <4l60e> or braket, or how i make that work?

[bdas70chevy]

And THANKS FOR THE INFO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!