4L60E questions

[rs74]

I am contemplating doing a FI swap instead of putting a carbed engine back in. I am leaning towards a 6.0l Vortec. My question is I have a burnt up 4l60e sitting in the garage. I think it came out of an 04 1/2 ton with a 4.3l. My thoughts are to rebuild it if I go the 6.0 route instead of putting the bigger 4l80e in it. What kind of updates would the 4l60 need to be able to hold up to the 6.0l.

The 4l80 takes more power to turn versus the smaller trans. Can they be built to withstand the 6.0 without draining the bank. Would it be cheaper to just buy one built somewhere verse building this one. I have had it laying around for awhile and just thought I might put it to use. This would be going into my 85 short bed C10. What would I have to do with the computer in order to run the 4l60 since I think most 6.0's come with a 4l80. Any thoughts?

[truckdude239]

Minor harness mod and computer deflashex for tbe 460le
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[rs74]

This place is a few hours away and they rebuild tranmissions. I am not a tranmission guy so tell me what you think about this. Does it sound good or not worth putting behind lets say a 6.0l with cam, headers and tune. $800

Information about the Transmission
Parts List:
• All New Gaskets, Seals Metal Clad Seals, Sealing Rings, Paper and Rubber NOTHING REUSED!
• New Alto 9 Clutch ¾ Stack up
• 5 - New Borg Warner Low/Reverse Clutches
• 4 - New Borg Warner Reverse Input Clutches
• 5 - New Borg Warner Forward Clutches
• 2 - New Borg Warner Overrun Clutches
• New Borg Warner High Energy 2-4 Band
• Late model ¾ Clutch One Piece Apply Plate
• New Teflon Pump Bushing
• New Teflon Extension Housing Bushing
• New Bronze Front and Rear Stator Bushings
• New Bronze Case Bushing
• New Thrust Washers
• New Pump Vanes
• New Pump Guide
• New Hardened Pump Rings
• New Hardened Spline Sun Shell
• New Borg Warner Low/Reverse (Late Model) Sprag
• New or Remanufactured Solenoids
• New Sonnax TCC Regulator Valve
• New Reverse Input Capsule
• New Aluminum 1-2 Accumulator Piston
• New Aluminum 3-4 Accumulator Piston
• New Molded Pistons
• New TransGo Zinc Coated Separator Plate
• Extreme Tolerance GM Front and Rear Planets

Updates to the Transmission
• Updated TCC Regulator Valve
Sonnax TCC Regulator Valve #77754-04K/77754-03K depending on application, which requires a special reaming tool, that re-bores worn out aluminum 4L60E valve bodies which is an issue when time for a rebuild, and allows installation of this special high quality valve and sleeve, that lists for $50.00 dollars alone. This problem is the NUMBER ONE most overlooked issue by other rebuilders. One indicator of this issue is the P1870 Code. If this valve is not installed, even after a rebuild transmission can become overheated and as a result can burn up quickly do to torque converter slippage, caused by the badly worn valve body casting in the converter clutch regulator valve bore.
• Updated Sun Shell
We use hardened spline Sunshell helps prevent stripping of where the Sunshell splines on to the rear sun gear, which is a very common issue with the OEM (GM) Shell.
• Updated Accumulator Pistons
We use aluminum accumulator pistons versus original plastic pistons, or worn leaking OEM type pistons
• Updated ¾ Clutch Pack
We use Alto 9 Clutch 3/4 stack up (The ¾ Clutch pack is one of the biggest weak spots of the this transmission, this ¾ stack up allows the load to be to better distributed on the increased clutch apply area of the 9 clutches instead of the 6 clutches OEM);
• Reverse Input Capsule
Helps reduce premature failure in the Reverse Input Clutch.

Warranty:
This transmission comes with a 1 Year 36,000 Mile Warranty with the purchase of a new torque converter. We offer an extended Warranty 2 Year 50,000 Mile Warranty for $250 extra, or a 3 Year 100,000 Mile Warranty for $450 Extra.

[rs74]

I was thinking there was some vette servos or something that made these transmissions better.

[Dustytrix]

That sounds like a great deal, at least it would be in south Ms. I just rebuilt one and had right at 600 in parts, haven't got torque converter yet

[clinebarger]

That's about what I do on a 4L60E behind a stock engine, But I use a Borg Warner 29 element Input/Forward sprag & a TransGo SK-4L60E shift kit.

A cammed 6.0L will need some better hardware......

[BR3W CITY]

...and this is right about where I chime in eh cline? lfmao, we find ourselves here yet again.

I'm always a proponent of the 80e. Its just bigger and harder to break in most aspects. I feel that the 60's outlive their usefulness as you cross into more power, and especially with the torque of the 6.0+'s An old (but working) 80e will outlive any stock 60e, even a "Fresh" one on stock parts. They can hold the kinds of power levels most swaps run all day long, but yes, they do suck a little extra juice to turn.

I'd go find a working 80e on craigslist for under a grand (350-850 usually I see them) and get a decent convertor. You can always rebuild it later if you surpass the power levels a stock one can take, but thats into the 400-500+hp....and if your starting to get there, then a 60e shouldn't even be in the conversation.

[68GMCCustom]

as far as the power drain difference........I went from carb'd genIV 6.0 LSx with a 200-4r (a trans made to be efficient) to removing the carb and taking it to OEM efi which necessitated an electronic trans upgrade also and went with the 4L80e, or in my case its a 4L85e from GMPP...and I can honestly say I haven't noticed any noticeable loss of power. I think the 4L80's gear ratios are better (and similar to 200-4r) then then 4L60 families....it doesn't have the big jump from 1st to 2nd that the 60e's have.

The plus is that I'm not as concerned with it breaking at the race track... and having to take a flatbed home.

[Jon01]

Just put an 80 in it and be done.
Do you want to have to worry about the trans holding up every time you get into the fun pedal?

[jorgensensc]

I say get an 80e, then spend a little money enhancing the 6.0 to make up any power you feel you lost using the 80e instead of the 60e.
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[68GMCCustom]

umm.....hate to interrupt...cline.....need Patricks info but can't PM you as your box is full. Thanks!

back to the discussion.......

if its down to money.........how much can your trans guy set you up with an 80e with your 60e in trade? If its cost prohibitive for you...go with the $800 rebuild, w/possible new d-shaft and be done.

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by rs74

I was thinking there was some vette servos or something that made these transmissions better.

"093" Vette servos make for a firmer/later 2nd gear, Doesn't extend the life of
the 2-4 band

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

umm.....hate to interrupt...cline.....need Patricks info but can't PM you as your box is full. Thanks!

I will PM you tomorrow with the info. My PM box stays full

[thotfulspot]

I'm in the same position. Putting a stroked 6.0 in a '57.

I see you are from Illinois so you probably saw his ad on Craigslist or eBay. I tried emailing him but he wants to talk on the phone. I haven't called him since I'm not at the transmission point yet. I'll be needing a 80 since I need to do some towing. He uses the same description for 60s and 80s. I haven't been able to find anyone who has used him.

There is a builder in the Northern Burbs of Chicago that some race people have told me about. A bit more than the other one you posted, but supposedly the best around. People I know up in Wisconsin come down for him.

http://www.tsiracing.com

I'm in Chicago and have a extra complete LQ4 in my garage that needs a home.
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[rs74]

I don't mind using the 80. Just thought since I had the 60 on hand that I would build it and go. But it seems very clear here that I shouldn't do that. I guess I will start looking into the 80e's.

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

...and this is right about where I chime in eh cline? lfmao, we find ourselves here yet again.

I'm always a proponent of the 80e. Its just bigger and harder to break in most aspects. I feel that the 60's outlive their usefulness as you cross into more power, and especially with the torque of the 6.0+'s An old (but working) 80e will outlive any stock 60e, even a "Fresh" one on stock parts. They can hold the kinds of power levels most swaps run all day long, but yes, they do suck a little extra juice to turn.

I'd go find a working 80e on craigslist for under a grand (350-850 usually I see them) and get a decent convertor. You can always rebuild it later if you surpass the power levels a stock one can take, but thats into the 400-500+hp....and if your starting to get there, then a 60e shouldn't even be in the conversation.

LS3 CNC heads, Cammed, Long tubes........Runs low 7's in the 1/8 at 3900#s with a built 4L65E

[thotfulspot]

Depends on how you want to spend your money. If you are constrained on space it might be worth it to build a beefy 60 that is smaller than the 80 you would buy for the same price.
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[rs74]

This would be going in my 85 C10 so not sure if size is a factor. I don't want to have to do any firewall work since the cab is getting ready to be painted. I had not looked into the space that the 80 would need.

[ghettoluxury]

The 4L80E is the same size as a TH400 so you are good on space.

[thotfulspot]

Originally Posted by clinebarger

LS3 CNC heads, Cammed, Long tubes........Runs low 7's in the 1/8 at 3900#s with a built 4L65E

Nice looking swap. Where did you get the intake tubing from?
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[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by clinebarger

LS3 CNC heads, Cammed, Long tubes........Runs low 7's in the 1/8 at 3900#s with a built 4L65E

You lost my attention span at 1/8th mile.....if you ain't gonna go the full 1/4, how can I trust it to hold up to the 5k+ miles I put my projects through every year. (I can fee the eyes of all the 1/8 mile trackers glaring at me)



Thats a pretty sweet ride cline. But I promise, that I could break the trans.

Random thought pattern; Using a Trans Brake to Break Your Trans is Ironic.

[faribran]

i wanted to mention that some of these that came behind v-6's had smaller input shafts(that goes into the torque converter) Beware

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

You lost my attention span at 1/8th mile.....if you ain't gonna go the full 1/4, how can I trust it to hold up to the 5k+ miles I put my projects through every year. (I can fee the eyes of all the 1/8 mile trackers glaring at me)



Thats a pretty sweet ride cline. But I promise, that I could break the trans.
Random thought pattern; Using a Trans Brake to Break Your Trans is Ironic.

Its ran 11.16 in the 1/4 mile. If the owner of the car can't break it....I'm not sure you could. What can you throw at it that a 3800 stall, Drag radials, a Sticky track & HARD street driving doesn't already?
The trans also has over 25K on it & over 200 passes....Granted, most of that was with a pretty wild 5.7L LS1. How many built 4L65E's have you broke?

I wasn't trying to talk the OP into a 4L60E, In fact I stated it needed more done than what the above parts list stated, Which I consider a stock build.

A Good stock 4L80E would be a great trans for his truck, But how do you know what your buying off Craigslist?? They are NOT that good of a trans to buy random cores thinking they will be good based solely on their reputation.

[BR3W CITY]

Never broke a 65e. Broke 3 60's, a 700r4, whatever trans a 5 series bmw has, and a (i think) 4t60? The fwd gm tranny that came in all the grand am / grand prix etc.
I just break transmissions. Its not a skill its a damn curse; all but one broke while street driving. Even with my 80'e having been in good nick, then being re-done, and my power levels being no where near its limits....I still worry about breaking it.

[thotfulspot]

It all depends on how you treat them and what they are built to do. I have a 700r4 in my Jeep that I pound the snot out of offroad. I paid to have it built to accept that type of abuse. I could buy a stock rebuilt 4L80 for what it cost me. I'm building my '57 with a stroker LQ4 with L92 heads and LS3 intake. I plan on using it for occasional towing so I know I need to have the 4L80 built up. It's also getting a Dana 60 with 4.11s.

I'd rather spend the money up front and not worry about it later. Incrementalism just ends up costing you more money in the long run. I learned that the hard and expensive way.
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[68GMCCustom]

I've broken (or maybe it was the wife?) a 4L70e (its the "super duty" version 60e) in my 4600-4700lb 2wd TBSS at about 25k miles or so. The dealer rebuilt trans has held up for another 60K + miles so far tho...but I do take it easy on the shifts, just the same.

now the 4L85e in my truck...........no worries! Maybe the TBSS will get a worthy rebuild some day that I don't have to worry about breaking...or an 80e upgrade.