1997 4L60E to Vortec 5.3 or 6.0L

[autowrench]

I am planning to swap a 5.3 or 6.0 Vortec into my 59 Chevy Apache sometime in the near future. I do not have one picked out yet. I have an opportunity to remove a 1997 4L60E from a GMC 1500 Savana van. It is mated to a 305. Everything I have learned so far is that the bolt pattern does not match exactly and the the input shaft is different from versions that came mated to the Gen 3 engines. What I don't know is if this would be difficult or expensive to make work. The transmission was working when the snow caused the building it was in to collapse and wreck the van. Is it something I should get? I don't think a rebuilder would want to take it as a core for a rebuilt exchange transmission. Thanks for any input!
Tom

[AussieinNC]

IMHO...and after approx 300 4L60 trans rebuilds....

You would be better off in the long run to grab a 4l80 E and its original engine, plus all the trans and engine ECU's.

While it is possible to get the early 4l60's to work with later engines, IMHO, its not worth the effort.

I dont build 4l60's anymore, maybe I am just getting old....

Just my 2 cents worth.

[autowrench]

Thanks for the reply! Ideally, I will get a matched engine and transmission . One of the engine sources I am considering does not have transmissions. That is why the used one was an attractive idea. I was thinking I might have to grab that transmission before I have an engine, but the best plan is likely what you suggest. Wait and see what engine I get and get the best transmission I can. I remember there were a lot of 700R4s being rebuilt in the fleet that I worked for when they first came out. We did not rebuild them ourselves and I remain in the dark when it comes to automatic transmission internals. Anyway, Thanks again!
Tom

[AussieinNC]

Have you considered purchasing a damaged vehicle with engine /trans and accessories etc?

Depending on condition, you may be able to break out some items to resell to reduce overall outlay.

Look for say 2006 Silverado 2 wd pickups or GMC equivalents etc....

[Accelo]

The 1997 4L60E will not have the hole on top of the bell-housing and requires a different flex plate to adapt to the LS motors.
Because they are 3/4" shorter than the newer ones. The bell-housing area was extended to accommodate a larger torque converter.
I suggest getting a 2001 or newer 4l60 or 4L65. The newer transmissions have the larger torque converters (300mm) and are a direct fit to the LS engine family.
Well most of them. A few, LS motors, had longer crankshafts and you want to avoid those.

The bad news, it the newer 4L60E and variants do not have provisions for a analog speedometer.
You have to add it go go to a digital dash that uses the existing output signal for the transmission.
You can't retro fit the "Older style" tail shaft as they have 4 attaching bolts and the newer transmissions have 6.

You will likely run into the same flex-plate issues on a 4L80E. Acquire one that came behind a LS.
Even the 4L80E cores are expensive especially compared to the 4L60E sister transmissions.
Getting a "matched set" will reduce your stress for sure.
Cheers

[autowrench]

Thanks! I have time to look around for a wrecked truck alright. Although pickings are mighty slim in rural Montana. I need to make an effort to cast my net a bit wider!

[LS short box]

I've had good luck finding "stuff" on car-part.com. You can search locally, state wide or nation wide.

[autowrench]

Good idea. I haven't tried that yet. I've mainly been looking at what comes up on EBay to get an idea where prices are right now.
Tom

[autowrench]

I have to say I have been impressed with this forum overall and all of the sub forums I have visited. Helpful people and very few snarky replies. I wish all forums I use were this good. I have been here observing(lurking) for a couple of years. Once I joined, I have learned a lot. I don't think I even knew of this particular sub forum until I started looking more seriously at swapping in a LS type engine. I have been working my way back through the pages and it has helped make me aware of many pitfalls to avoid.

[biketopia]

Look for full size GM 2500, 3500, and cutaway vans 03-09. They should have 6.0 and 2wd 4l80's. The 1500's may have a 4l60, 2wd.

[Hcb3200]

I dropped a 6.0 with 6l90 in my 56 3200 and bee very happy with it. The complet combo is way to go. Because you know lol the pieces match. 2500 HD trucks and 2500 panel vans is where my combo came from

[autowrench]

Thanks! I'm slightly favoring a 6.0 over a 5.3 anyway. In the reading I've done on other forums, some people have said that the Gen 4 engines all had the AFM cams and lifters, even if it wasn't used in the vehicle it was installed in. At least that was how I interpreted what I read . I'm hoping it wasn't entirely true, since I would like to be able to extend the pool of used engines I can pick from. It's getting harder to find lower mileage engines from 07 and earlier at good prices. This truck is pretty much a blank canvas when it comes to engine, transmission, interior, and a lot of other choices. I'm trying to keep the cost down while moving it ahead. Guess I need to figure out how to include a link to my "build" so people will know what I'm up to!

[Accelo]

The LS family has excellent reliability. I would not be afraid of a higher mileage engine, if I could hear/see it run first.