4l60e swap strength
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 13
Likes: 2
From: Florida
4l60e swap strength Looking at transmission choices for my LS1 swap into my 1992 Volvo 240. The vehicle weight will be rougly 3200 pounds with the new engine and transmission. I want to choose the 4l60e due to its lighter weight to keep the car nimble, but one of my only major concerns with the vehicle is that the transmission will be too weak for the stock torque output of the LS1. However, has anyone else had experience with stock 4l60e's transmission strength in applications like this? I have mostly heard nothing but negative things about these transmission, but realize most cars and trucks weigh more and have more tractions than me (225/45/r17). Any insight would be great, thanks.
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,593
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From: Halfway back on the Highway to Hell...again!
The 4l60's get a bad rap because it's a common problem of weak parts used by GM. A 4l60 can be built to hold more hp than 98% of the ppl here will ever make. In stock form, don't expect it to last long.
Not sure what your budget is and what you're "willing" to spend. But Performabuilt is a sponsor here. I personally have/had 2 of their 4l60s. One of which is in my wifes 94 Impala SS. When it had the LT1 in it, it made 430rwhp about 580hp on a 150 shot. I installed that level 2 in 2002, It has about 40k miles on it and many track passes on nitrous. It is now sitting behind the LS2 it's getting. The other is just a 4x4 version from Performabuilt. 85k miles and no problems. Truck was sold and still going by new owner who abuses it.
So it's all about what you're willing to spend. For stock levels, if you're not comfortable with building one yourself, find a shop that will upgrade it with better parts. There's quite a few guys on here in the Auto trans section that really dig deep into these.
Not sure what your budget is and what you're "willing" to spend. But Performabuilt is a sponsor here. I personally have/had 2 of their 4l60s. One of which is in my wifes 94 Impala SS. When it had the LT1 in it, it made 430rwhp about 580hp on a 150 shot. I installed that level 2 in 2002, It has about 40k miles on it and many track passes on nitrous. It is now sitting behind the LS2 it's getting. The other is just a 4x4 version from Performabuilt. 85k miles and no problems. Truck was sold and still going by new owner who abuses it.
So it's all about what you're willing to spend. For stock levels, if you're not comfortable with building one yourself, find a shop that will upgrade it with better parts. There's quite a few guys on here in the Auto trans section that really dig deep into these.
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
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From: Ann Arbor, MI
I would suggest a 2003-2008 model; you can go later if your TCM supports later models. Later model are called 4L70E.
A well built trans from e.g. PerformaBuilt is the best way to go; keep in mind that "cheapo" rebuilds fail very quickly.
