What version and year is the best for the 4l60e and 4l80e
What version and year is the best for the 4l60e and 4l80e 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!
Thanks guys!
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
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.
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.
Last edited by mrvedit; Jan 12, 2016 at 08:50 PM.
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!
There's a 93 out of a 3500 that I am looking at so I just wanted to make sure on this fact. Thanks!
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
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.
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.
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 122
Likes: 1
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.
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.
Trending Topics
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
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.
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.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo 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.
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.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
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
My application is a 2004 TJ Rubicon Jeep Wrangler with the 5.3 built to about 400hp.
Thanks,
LM
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
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.)
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.)
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 33
From: Fort Worth, Texas
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.
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.
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.
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.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
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
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
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
If that is incorrect and you know how to do it, please post the details! I would love to be incorrect on this.
On The Tree
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 109
Likes: 1
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
My application is a 2004 TJ Rubicon Jeep Wrangler with the 5.3 built to about 400hp.
Thanks,
LM
