4l60e or 700r4

[lewisaric]

I want to do a conversion on my truck. I have found a 5.3l engine and 4l60e trans out of an 05 chevy truck for $1500. It comes with all the wiring and computer. I have read on other forums and in magazines of people doing this but using a 700r4 instead of the 4l60e. Which trans would be better. From what I have found out the cases are the same so instalation would be the same on either. Oh and the engine/trans only has 28000 miles on it.

[Thealien]

I'm pretty sure the 2005 will be Drive by wire and have no place to easily hook the TV cable of the 700 (I have seen a great write up where somebody modified the DBW pedal to accept the TV cable but have been unable to find it.

The 4L60e has some upgrades over the 700 also. IMHO I would just stick with the engine/tranny combo as it came.

[lewisaric]

The november 2009 issue of Street trucks has an entire article on doing this conversion, and ls1 tech does also. They just use different transmisions. It also shows how to modify the doner trucks pedal assembly to work in the conversion.

[C20-67_N_MO]

Originally Posted by Thealien

The 4L60e has some upgrades over the 700 also. IMHO I would just stick with the engine/tranny combo as it came.

Could not agree more!

[jbristo67]

4L60E hands down

[killer71]

if u decide not to buy the combo i'd appreciate the contact info. please!

[JRBECK64]

I had a 4L60 and it was a slipping POS. Worse Yet it was an Intermittent Slipping POS. If your going to go with the the 4L60 I would pony up for a 4L80. Much better beafier Tranny. If its about $$$$ do what you have to. Good Luck with your upgrade.

JRBECK64

[Thealien]

Originally Posted by JRBECK64

I had a 4L60 and it was a slipping POS. Worse Yet it was an Intermittent Slipping POS. If your going to go with the the 4L60 I would pony up for a 4L80. Much better beafier Tranny. If its about $$$$ do what you have to. Good Luck with your upgrade.

JRBECK64

There are millions of 4l60s out there with high mileage. Just because you had one that had a problem does not make all of them a POS!! Finish line transmissions builds the 4L60/65/70 and has them behind many high horsepower drag cars. Is the 4L80 a stronger transmission? Yes but it also takes more power to spin it, has gearing that is different and not ideal for everyone. The 4L80 transmissions are also longer.

The orriginal post asked what would be better a 4L60 or a 700R4 in that question the 4L60 wins.

If the question was 4L60 vs 4L80 well that depends, they each have their place.

[67ChevyRedneck]

The 4L60, if taken care of, is a good trans. Most people I know never even change their trans fluid and filters.

My Z71 (5.3/4L60) has 122K on it and it's a 5,500lb+ 4x4.

You'll want to go with the 4L60, especially since you are getting the whole package. The 4L60 is a computer controlled transmission, and having the whole set up means you'll be able to control it.

The 700R is a good trans as well, but in stock form can't take a whole lot of abuse, but a "built" one can be pretty stout. As mentioned, this trans is controlled with a TV (throttle valve) cable AND has some electronics for the Torque Converter lock up.

[POPO1984]

The 4l60 will be fine behind a stock 5.3. some people have problems but most do not. i know people running them behind built 6.2's with no problem... Until they start to spray on it

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by Thealien

There are millions of 4l60s out there with high mileage. Just because you had one that had a problem does not make all of them a POS!! Finish line transmissions builds the 4L60/65/70 and has them behind many high horsepower drag cars. Is the 4L80 a stronger transmission? Yes but it also takes more power to spin it, has gearing that is different and not ideal for everyone. The 4L80 transmissions are also longer.

The orriginal post asked what would be better a 4L60 or a 700R4 in that question the 4L60 wins.

If the question was 4L60 vs 4L80 well that depends, they each have their place.

Wow, Didn't mean to step on the toes of the 4L60 Lovers. After I spent almost $14K trying to get out of my 2001 Suburban with less than 10K miles on it that slipped all the time. I would say maybe I have the right to my opinion. Plus the fact that I know a Test Engineer that works at the GM proving grounds that has told me many horror stories about the 4L60 (Yes he has tested a few of them, probably more than me and you put together). Now the other thing he didn't mention is does he want to spend another $1500 getting the tranny done by finish line to make it dragster ready. Its my opinion and you dont have to like it but Im not one to spare people so they can have the same crap happen to them. Have a good night.

[lewisaric]

There is no sense in jacking this thread so you can feel glorified because you know someone that works at GM. If I was gonna be towing with this truck I would consider a 4l80, but I`m not. I just saw that people were using older transmissions and was wondering if there was a reasoning behind this. I`m going to use the 4l60. For one it comes with the package, and two I have found out it will be easier to install and hook up. I`m not going to drag race this truck, just crusing around. So I think it will hold up fine. To all of you who gave a positive response, I thank you.

[eagleuh1]

Go with the 4l60e. Keep the electronics simple. Put in a tranny cooler along with the radiator tranny cooler if your going to be doing any heavy towing or racing type stuff. And take care of filter and fluid changes. it will handle slight power mods no problem. get it built if going with any kind of boost or nitrous. Good luck, you'll be happy with the power and milage and reliability of the new engine.

[eagleuh1]

Ps, get as much of the accessories such as gas pedal and pedal harness, TAC module( Throttle Accuator Control?) module, MAF, engine compartment fusebox if going with stock harness, O2 sensors.... This will save you time and money having to search for these things later. Go ahead, ask me how I know.

[Thealien]

Originally Posted by eagleuh1

Ps, get as much of the accessories such as gas pedal and pedal harness, TAC module( Throttle Accuator Control?) module, MAF, engine compartment fusebox if going with stock harness, O2 sensors.... This will save you time and money having to search for these things later. Go ahead, ask me how I know.

I agree try to even get radiator hoses, MAF, Intake parts, Fuel lines, fan and AC belts. Get anything they will let you get away with. That stuff adds up fast.

[JRBECK64]

Originally Posted by lewisaric

There is no sense in jacking this thread so you can feel glorified because you know someone that works at GM. If I was gonna be towing with this truck I would consider a 4l80, but I`m not. I just saw that people were using older transmissions and was wondering if there was a reasoning behind this. I`m going to use the 4l60. For one it comes with the package, and two I have found out it will be easier to install and hook up. I`m not going to drag race this truck, just crusing around. So I think it will hold up fine. To all of you who gave a positive response, I thank you.

lewisaric,
This wasn't about jacking the thread, it was about saying it how it is. This engineer sat in my 2001 Suburban with me and I started to tell him the problems I was having with it and he stopped me. Then he told me all the problems I had already had plus all the problems I was going to have and everyone of them came to pass. The 4L80 was a suggestion not an ultimatum. Hell if you want a great tranny try a 200R4. They used them in police crusiers, behind the Grand National and a whole host of other cars. I just know what a PITA it is to change a tranny when things go south. Im not trying to beat you up about your choice, Im trying to keep you from setting at a light and stepping on the gas with no movement. If you want to know what would even be a better choice that would be a 4L65 that was upraded because of the problems that GM was having with the 4L60 and to handle the torque of the 6 Liter. Again good luck with your project.

JRBECK64

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by Thealien

I'm pretty sure the 2005 will be Drive by wire and have no place to easily hook the TV cable of the 700 (I have seen a great write up where somebody modified the DBW pedal to accept the TV cable but have been unable to find it.

The 4L60e has some upgrades over the 700 also. IMHO I would just stick with the engine/tranny combo as it came.

Originally Posted by jbristo67

4L60E hands down

Originally Posted by eagleuh1

Ps, get as much of the accessories such as gas pedal and pedal harness, TAC module( Throttle Accuator Control?) module, MAF, engine compartment fusebox if going with stock harness, O2 sensors.... This will save you time and money having to search for these things later. Go ahead, ask me how I know.

Originally Posted by Thealien

I agree try to even get radiator hoses, MAF, Intake parts, Fuel lines, fan and AC belts. Get anything they will let you get away with. That stuff adds up fast.

All the above!! I've abused a few 60's with no problems, including the one in my old 03 ECSB with a supercharged 5.3L that pulled my RV trailer. I have a 2006 5.3/4L60E in my 85 now with 3.42's, I love that combo!!!

As already said, get everything you can! The drive by wire pedal is easy to modify to add the truck's stock pedal to so that it looks original sticking out from under the dash.

Oh, and if you do this, spend $25 and swap in the Vette servos! They make a HUGE improvement in the shifts.

[kgt]

As a gm tech for the last 15 years, i can say the "E" is the ONLY way to go the newer the better, a fantastic trans when looked after properly....

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by JRBECK64

lewisaric,
This wasn't about jacking the thread, it was about saying it how it is. This engineer sat in my 2001 Suburban with me and I started to tell him the problems I was having with it and he stopped me. Then he told me all the problems I had already had plus all the problems I was going to have and everyone of them came to pass. The 4L80 was a suggestion not an ultimatum. Hell if you want a great tranny try a 200R4. They used them in police crusiers, behind the Grand National and a whole host of other cars. I just know what a PITA it is to change a tranny when things go south. Im not trying to beat you up about your choice, Im trying to keep you from setting at a light and stepping on the gas with no movement. If you want to know what would even be a better choice that would be a 4L65 that was upraded because of the problems that GM was having with the 4L60 and to handle the torque of the 6 Liter. Again good luck with your project.

JRBECK64

Wasnt your suburban under warrenty? you said 10K miles on it so was this a while back?

4L65Es are not that much better, the only big difference is the 5-pinion planetaries & one more 3-4 clutch 7 vs 6. Like many here have said, Just because you had a problem does NOT mean the 4L60E is a peice of junk.

[usmcchevy]

4L60E is basically and UPGRADED 700, go 4L60E!

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

Oh, and if you do this, spend $25 and swap in the Vette servos! They make a HUGE improvement in the shifts.

Vette 1-2 servo, billet OD servo and a Transgo HD2 kit.....then it will shift real good

[lewisaric]

isn`t the 4l60e, the 700r4, and the 2004r the same case dimentions

[Thealien]

Here are some transmission measurements to the tail shaft, tailshaft flange, and mounting boss.

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/Tr...asurements.htm

[JRBECK64]

III. No pissing matches. Its fine to disagree, but once a thread has run its course, and degenerated into little more than an insult fest, it will be locked. While this will require a judgment call by the Administrators & Moderators. The members of this site can keep our moderating to a minimum by exercising a little discretion and self- control. Excessive profanity will lead to a 24 hour suspension at the Administrations discretion.

XVIII. Posts regarding politics or religion are strongly discouraged. These posts tend to create pissing matches and will be closed.

[67ChevyRedneck]

...and because one person says it's bad that's a fact too?

[roughedup72]

I'm going to chime in. I had a 60e in my 01 silverado. It would slip at times. The serv. tech told me to put a vette servo in it and reprogram it. I was going to do so but traded the truck for a tahoe.(needed more baby room) the tahoe had the same problem with the ac as jrbeck64 had in his burb. Got tired of being told that there was nothing wrong with it and traded it. I wish I would of kept the truck. I loved it and the slipping wasnt causing any problems. I know many people with the newer trucks and none of them had problems. On the other hand my dad has had his 60e rebuilt that was in his 94 van and after the rebuild it lasted a little while but then gave way again. So maybe it was the early models that had problems and all makes and models have at least one or two that just dont do right. I now have a 700r4 in my 72 and love it. But after reading up on this I am going to be installing the 60e in it when I put my vortec 5.7 in and tbi conversion. Simply because all of the wiring is there and the parts or more readily available. Plus after I get done I wont have to flip a switch to get the trans to lock up in 4th gear. Its all done by computer which means I can also program the shift firmness.

Lewisaric, Good luck with your install hope everything goes well and above all, Keep us posted.