RONIN LSX

iTrader: (44)

I need to replace my blown 4l60e in my Trans Am. What is the best version and year for the 4l60 and 4l80? Also, can you use a v6 4l60e with a lq9?


Thanks guys!

mrvedit

First a V6 4L60E will have a 298mm input shaft and will NOT directly bolt to any LS engine.
A 2003 through 2006 4L60E or 4L65E are slightly stronger than earlier ones.
The 4L65E has 5-pinion planets, 7-friction 3/4 clutch and a hardened input shaft; otherwise identical. Externally and electrically identical.
A 2007 likely would still work, but by 2009 the valve body was changed in ways that are incompatible with your PCM.
Sponsors like FLT, RPM and PerformaBuilt sell good Level-2 4L60E around $1500; these will be stronger than any stock unit.

There are lots of threads here on 4L80E conversion, not trivial.

NOTE: I learned more recently that even later model V6 4L60E will have the 300mm input shaft and therefore will bolt right up to an LS engine.

RONIN LSX

iTrader: (44)

AWESOME info, thanks mrvedit!

RONIN LSX

iTrader: (44)

I read a PRE-97 4l80e were better than the 97+. Just looking for validation and clarification on this.

There's a 93 out of a 3500 that I am looking at so I just wanted to make sure on this fact. Thanks!

mrvedit

I've repeatedly read Jake saying that the pre-97 have a stronger OD unit.
IIRC, a '93 has an older style internal wiring harness and connector pinout, but this is easily and inexpensively replaced with a new harness.
Also the pre-97 and 97+ units have their cooling lines in different locations.
All this is from memory, so let a 4L80E expert confirm or correct it.

zgp

There are actually Units post "1999" that have the stronger overdrive units plus other updates. You just need to have better information on 4L80e transmissions and their hardware content. Also MRVEDIT is correct about the 4L60, 4l65E transmissions. There was a 4L70e version that had some other upgrades.

RONIN LSX

iTrader: (44)

lol... well which year/model 80 is best to get!?

mrvedit

Ronin, you are over thinking this.
At your non-adder power level any 4L80E will work very well.
Getting the older stronger OD unit from a Pre-97 (or some 98 and 99 as ZPG mentioned) is probably only important when you are going over 700HP and/or a very heavy vehicle.

Best? Buy a unit from Jake.

RONIN LSX

iTrader: (44)

lol... Yeah, that's my biggest issue.

lazermule

So I have a 2000 model LS 5.3 and I'm planning to run off the OEM ECM/PCM, will it have any issues if I choose a later model 4L60E? Or will it plug right in? I ask, because it's stated above that the 2003 - 2006 units are better and I'd like to go that direction if it wont cause me issues.

My application is a 2004 TJ Rubicon Jeep Wrangler with the 5.3 built to about 400hp.

Thanks,

LM

mrvedit

An LS1 PCM will properly run a 2003-2008 4L60E/4L65E or even 4L70E. Somewhere around '09 an incompatible change was made to the VB and the trans connector was changed too.
Later models '05+ will have ISS (Input Speed Sensor), but it doesn't matter because the LS1 PCM will not even connect to it. (Note that a '05+ TCM absolutely requires ISS.)

lazermule

So if I wanted to seek out a 4L65E or a 4L70E in a junk yard, what type/model/year vehicle would I find it in?

Thanks for all the info!

LM

mrvedit

A Trailblazer SS, I think a Hummer 2. I really don't know vehicles that well; hopefully someone else can expand the list.

clinebarger

SSR (6.0L)
Trailblazer SS
Any 1500 Truck/SUV with a 6.0L (Silverado SS/Vortec Max/Denali)
GTO (6.0L)
Hummer H2
C6 Vette (LS2), Not compatible!

Buying a used 4L65E/4L70E is a good way to get screwed! They don't last any longer....In fact they usually have shorter life spans because they are put behind 6.0L's.

Wreaking yards will sell you a 4L60E in a heartbeat at 4L65E prices! Without "Broadcast Codes".....You cant tell by looking at them.

LS2Ttype

iTrader: (9)

Hello MRVEDIT , i did a LS2 4L65E swap in my 87 Buick T type . I see where you said
that a '05+ TCM absolutely requires a ISS , OK i know my LS2 is a 07 and has a 58 reluctor window crank , but not sure what year my 4L65 is, i bought it from a guy who worked at michigan motors back in 2010, it was brand new on the pallet and still all wraped up in GM plastic etc , he said he had it for awhile i think a few years , anyway besides the big plug it has a small sensor on the side of it for a two wire plug, is this the ISS sensor? , where is the VSS sensor or are they the same thing,

Car is still under the knife and never been started but shes coming along good so far.

mrvedit

The small side sensor is the VSS.
Count the number of pins on the main trans connector.
A trans with ISS will have 15 pins while a non-ISS only has only 13 pins.
See post #6 on the following thread for a pinout:
http://www.tbssowners.com/forums/4l7...-06-4l70e.html

LS2Ttype

iTrader: (9)

OK but if my 4L65E doesnt have the ISS sensor and 15 pin input connector Whats that mean for a E38 ECM and TCM set up

mrvedit

I have not heard of anyone getting the TCM to work with a non-ISS trans, even after disabling codes.
If that is incorrect and you know how to do it, please post the details! I would love to be incorrect on this.

Won-Ton

Is the vehicle going to be a street only rig?