Transmission Swap
#1
Transmission Swap
Greetings.
I am sure this has been beat to death already, but here goes. My son has a 1997 Chevy Tahoe 2wd with the 4L60E. Trans went to crap and i have a 1995 4L60E available to me. What are the chances of doing a straight swap without having to do all kinds of magical modifications to make it work. Any issues with the VSS? It appears that the '95 is different than the '97. Any help would be appreciated!
Thank You from the Texas Gulf Coast.
Dang, I just noticed that i posted this in the wrong section!!! Maybe an admin could move it? Sorry.
I am sure this has been beat to death already, but here goes. My son has a 1997 Chevy Tahoe 2wd with the 4L60E. Trans went to crap and i have a 1995 4L60E available to me. What are the chances of doing a straight swap without having to do all kinds of magical modifications to make it work. Any issues with the VSS? It appears that the '95 is different than the '97. Any help would be appreciated!
Thank You from the Texas Gulf Coast.
Dang, I just noticed that i posted this in the wrong section!!! Maybe an admin could move it? Sorry.
Last edited by TxDremz; 08-12-2016 at 11:26 AM. Reason: I'm a noob.
#2
Moderator
The '95 is an odd-ball year; it may or may not be "PWM" on the TCC.
The '95 is PWM on the 3-2 downshift solenoid and the '97 uses a different non-PWM 3-2 downshift solenoid. You cannot just swap solenoids as the hydraulics are different.
If the '95 is "PWM" as will be printed on the outside of the pump cover, you should be able to swap the '97 valve body to the '95 case and have it work. That isn't trivial, but is possible. I would replace the valve body gaskets and the separator plate in the process, and check the 1-2 accumulator.
This of course assumes the '97 Valve Body isn't the source of the problems.
The '95 is PWM on the 3-2 downshift solenoid and the '97 uses a different non-PWM 3-2 downshift solenoid. You cannot just swap solenoids as the hydraulics are different.
If the '95 is "PWM" as will be printed on the outside of the pump cover, you should be able to swap the '97 valve body to the '95 case and have it work. That isn't trivial, but is possible. I would replace the valve body gaskets and the separator plate in the process, and check the 1-2 accumulator.
This of course assumes the '97 Valve Body isn't the source of the problems.
#3
Well, the 97 transmission is gone. I have a 93 and a 95 available to me. I have both in my garage. I was told that the 93 for whatever reason is not compatible with the 97 computer. I just hate to install either one only to have to pull it out again. As the Tahoe currently sits, it is without the 97 transmission that came with it. It is a great truck with a sound engine. It used to belong to my late uncle and has been well taken care of.
#4
Moderator
The '95 also is not fully compatible with your 97 computer due to at least the difference in how the 3-2 downshift circuits work.
You need a '96 or later with a 298mm (LT-style) input shaft; I'm not sure what the last year of the 298mm 4L60E is, as 2005+ tend to all be LS-style 300mm units.
Do you know if the '95 is a "PWM"; if yes, those letters are clearly cast into the front cover of the front of the trans, right above the input shaft. Post a picture if you aren't sure.
You need a '96 or later with a 298mm (LT-style) input shaft; I'm not sure what the last year of the 298mm 4L60E is, as 2005+ tend to all be LS-style 300mm units.
Do you know if the '95 is a "PWM"; if yes, those letters are clearly cast into the front cover of the front of the trans, right above the input shaft. Post a picture if you aren't sure.