4l60 stock limits
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 651
Likes: 6
From: NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY PARK
4l60 stock limits I'm a stick guy but may pic up an auto. What are the limits of these trannys in stock form?
Cam, headers, drag radials. Is it going to hold or am I going to burn it up?
Cam, headers, drag radials. Is it going to hold or am I going to burn it up?
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 195
Likes: 0
From: Pawtucket, RI
A stock 60E is far from the strongest unit, ive broken a handful in 100% stock cars some w/ v6's at my shop we get them all the time. for a 60e to be strong it needs a tear down and overhaul..
beast shell
5 pinion planets'
13 vane pump
upgraded sprags
kevlar double wide band
alto clutches
z pack etc....
beast shell
5 pinion planets'
13 vane pump
upgraded sprags
kevlar double wide band
alto clutches
z pack etc....
TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 5
From: Las Vegas, NV
I think you'd be better off starting with a 4L80. Stronger from the start and can be built better if need be. If you're getting the 4L60 as a gift (ie. free, or close to free), it should be fine for up to ~500 hp, but you should put in a Transgo shift kit to help prolong the life. Otherwise start with a 4L80 if you're looking at big power soon.
People **** all over the 4L60e but a buddy of mine had at least 100 track passes on his stock 60e. It was a H/C/100 shot car with a 3800 stall running 7.05s in the 1/8th. Getting beat on the street too with 100k miles and still running good.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Not a trans expert, but here is my opinion:
The early 4L60E sat behind 250HP cars and GM built them accordingly.
Late model ones, especially 2002+, sit behind 400HP cars and GM built them accordingly with greatly improved parts, especially the 4L65E.
So, early model ones are giving them all a bad reputation.
Much better late model reputation makes people think an old 1995 4L60E might be OK behind their hot LS2. (Not!)
According to the ATSG manual, significant improvements, including stronger sun shell, reaction carrier and thrust bearing started around 2002.
However, to be safe, most people recommend upgrading these with known components and rebuilding any trans with 100K+ miles before it is used in a performance application.
IMHO, if you are planning 600+ HP, just go with a 4L80.
The early 4L60E sat behind 250HP cars and GM built them accordingly.
Late model ones, especially 2002+, sit behind 400HP cars and GM built them accordingly with greatly improved parts, especially the 4L65E.
So, early model ones are giving them all a bad reputation.
Much better late model reputation makes people think an old 1995 4L60E might be OK behind their hot LS2. (Not!)
According to the ATSG manual, significant improvements, including stronger sun shell, reaction carrier and thrust bearing started around 2002.
However, to be safe, most people recommend upgrading these with known components and rebuilding any trans with 100K+ miles before it is used in a performance application.
IMHO, if you are planning 600+ HP, just go with a 4L80.
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 10
From: Maryland
That's how I see it, some claim they are able to beat on them and they just won't break, others claim that theirs broke with mods as simple as basic bolt-on's. Mines is daily driven, almost 74k and it's completely fine so far and I romp on the car pretty good sometimes. If it breaks, just go back and rebuild it stronger, not too worried about it.
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Verdad Gallardo TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 5
From: Las Vegas, NV
I'd say if it's cheap, it might be worth the risk. With mild cam and headers you should be ok. Stay out of 3rd ->4th gear WOT shifts, and maybe invest in a Transgo shift kit. Once you start getting to 450+ hp, you'll probably need to replace it, or have it built up. Under 450 rwhp, you should be fine... for a while...
Dont know much about mine exept the car had 120k on it when I took posession. It was 100% stock car and I have no reason to think the trans had ever been rebuilt as it shifted like grandmas Cadillac. 75k later and wala majic, its still running strong making #'s in sig for 25k so far and being daily driven with stock stall and trans cooler. I have run it at the track 4 times in one night but not back to back. I mainly do roll racing on the freeway as thats where most encounters take place. I dont beat the **** outta it but I do have fun including downshifts from od to 2nd quite frequently. 6000rpm is where it shifts nice and firm with no shift kit. It was programmed by a mail order tune from "Frost" when still n/a and the tuner just changed the fuel trims and timing tables when the blower went on. Bam... I know it wont last forever and an 80 will be going in then if not before.
