4L60E stock capabilities?
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 351
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From: Charlotte,NC
4L60E stock capabilities? Hey just want to start off by saying I'm currently a GT owner(02) and I'm going to make the jump over to a LS1 F-Body. Just wondering how much power can a stock(with and without aftermarket stall if that affects this) 4L hold? As soon as I get the car I plan on using my nitrous kit off the GT(bumping it from a 125 to a 150 of course) and later down the road going with bolt-ons+ a mild cam. I don't beat on cars a lot(had the bottle on the GT for 3+ months only used 4 so far). Just wondering if this transmission is capable of taking 500 or so rwhp beatings every once in a while. If not I will have to continue my search for a "fabled M6" car lol.
TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 408
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From: Hoover, AL
get a good built trans and good converter, emphasis on the good part, the stock 4l60e doesnt like the powert a stock ls1 puts out, if you plan on spraying it you are definatley gonna wanna get either yours built with a good converter or just buy a new trans and converter, and external cooler, big external cooler. if ytou dont wanna do that, keep lookin for a M6
Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,117
Likes: 3
From: Philly
Not only will a stock 4L60E not hold 500rwhp, but it shouldn't hold 500rwhp. Hell, when the 4th gen F-body's were made, GM didn't even have a transmission that was rated anywhere near 500rwhp
Even 4L80's aren't rated that stock. Nitrous is one of the worst mods to a transmission too because of the sudden huge torque loads the tranny suffers. It's classic for breaking all kinds of hard parts. You're going to want to go with a built trans, and you're going to want the best model you can get. You want cryo/hardened everything because of the huge torque loads of nitrous.The 4L60E is a fine transmission for stock and bolt-on cars, but they're no good for any kind of internal engine or power adder/FI mods unless you build them up - and you need to get it from a GOOD builder that specializes in them because they're a very difficult trans to build.
sticks are great for the streets...but if you plan on taking this car to the track often id go with a auto...a built auto with a stall is something hard to beat off the line...and you can build these a4's nowadays to almost be bullet proof...put it this way...you can spend 2k on a built tranny or 2k on a rear end for a m6
sticks are great for the streets...but if you plan on taking this car to the track often id go with a auto...a built auto with a stall is something hard to beat off the line...and you can build these a4's nowadays to almost be bullet proof...put it this way...you can spend 2k on a built tranny or 2k on a rear end for a m6
exactly!! its either rear end for a M6 or a tranny for an A4! atleast with an auto the rear end has a better chance of holding up than an M6 from what i was told.. im saving up for my tranny right now..
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Tech Resident
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Philly
Fact is, it's cheaper to run an A4. Buy a built A4 and you'll go faster for less money with less problems.
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From: Philly
M6's are fun on the street but for the track and for longevity, they take a backseat.
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