rascalking

Has anyone successfully mated a L92 (keeping the VVT) to a 4l60e (with or without ISS)? I've been searching everywhere and have only found builds with manual trans or no mention of what trans. I have the stock E38 and plan on using a T42 TCU, unless another TCU is recommended. Thanks.

jsmechanical

I went through a similar issue using a 4L60e (which was non ISS) with a E38 and T42 combo in my conversion. Basically the E38/T42 combo will be looking for a signal from an input speed sensor and the trans will not function as it should without it and it will log codes. In my research some people suggested that because the LS2 GTO's used a T42 TCM with a non ISS 4L65e trans then a TCM calibration from one of these would work, however the LS2 GTO's used a E40 PCM and from my further research it seems that a GTO TCM calibration will not work with the E38 PCM.

I did come across 1 person who told me he had developed a custom calibration that would allow non-ISS 4L60e trannys to work with the E38/T42 combo but in the end I decided to rebuild and strengthen my trans and so I retrofitted the required parts to install the input speed sensor.

The parts required (with GM part no's) to retrofit a 4L60e with an ISS are:

Input housing (input shaft and drum with reluctor teeth)- 24230654

Pump cover - 24236486

ISS sensor - 24244544

Valve body harness - 24234121

As I had a late model 4l60e (2006) it already had the correct pump cover required with a blanking plug where the sensor goes.

I have heard of some people having problems using T42 TCM calibrations from 4WD Trailblazer's and Trucks in their RWD applications so you would be best to use a RWD calibration. I'm using the TCM calibration from a Australian 2007 Holden VZ Commodore which has a E38/T42 combo running an 6.0 litre L76/4L65e w/ISS. You might be able to find this calibration if you search through EFILive.

Alternatively to what I have listed above you could have your E38 calibrated for a manual trans and use an aftermarket ECU to run the 4L60e.

Cheers,

Jarrod

rascalking

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, I heard that the GTO calibration would most likely not work. I may look into the other calibration you suggested, I'm just not sure if it will work with the VVT.

Do you know who the guy was that said he got it to work?

jsmechanical

Just looking through this thread below regarding VVT and manual trans setups suggests there could be some tuning issues with VVT calibrated E38's.

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...ansmisson.html

I guess you would need to find out from the tuning gurus what transmission input/output parameters can be changed in a VVT E38. I know the 6L80/90 6 speed trannies use an internal T43 TCM to buffer the signals to/from the E38. I know for sure on the non VVT E38s like mine that they can be converted to use a T42 with a 4 speed ISS trans. I guess that's your real question though, can the T42 be used with a VVT E38 calibration?

As I live in Australia we have not had the VVT engines as factory fitment to anything and so knowledge on them here is limited. The only guy I came across in Australia who knew what I was talking about with these issues is sometimes on this forum as username gmh308.

Jarrod

Jimbo1367

Call John @ www.Speartech.com He should point you in the correct direction. I believe he has TCMs. He is going to redo my fact. 08 Silverado LY6 ECM that came with A6 and set me up with a TCM for my 4L65E. Sounds like the same thing you are having problems with. Worth a call IMO

rascalking

Just spoke with John, and he confirmed that I would have to add ISS to my tranny or find one with it already. I'm starting to like the idea of an seperate contoller and setting the E38 up with a manual tune. Seems like less frustration. Has anyone had any good/bad experience with the TCI controller for the 60e? Thanks for the help.

Bo185

Just the price. Sell the 4l60 and just get a 4l70 or even a 4l80. They will be stronger than a 4l60 anyway.

v8envy

iTrader: (1)

that 4l60 will make for a very weak link 4l80e is the way to go.

rascalking

Ok, now I'm looking for a 4l80e....lol. What years have the ISS? Thanks

Bo185

The all should have ISS.

Just get a low mileage late model one. Then you'll need a 6.0L/4l80 Flat flex plate and crank spacer. It'll bolt right up.


I wuld look at running a 6l80 if it'll fit your application. It has a nice 4:1 first gear and double OD's. Plus you won't need a TCM as its inside the trans already.

rascalking

I'm not sure that a 6l80 would fit without tunnel mods, but the car is already torn apart...whats more sheet metal work at this point I do like the double OD's though.

rascalking

I called the guy I got the motor from and he still has the 6l80e out of the escalade, but its an AWD truck. Any idea what I need to convert to 2wd? Is it just the tail? I could probably get it for $1000.

rascalking

Looks like I have found a 6l80e. Now the question I have is about the shifter. I can't find any shifter that claims to be compatible with the 6l80, is it still a mechanical/cable type shifter or is it all electronic?

driftwood

iTrader: (1)

The 6L has a solid shift rod from shifter to linkage arm on the trans shaft.

I'm in the process of gathering parts to put an L92/ 6L90 combo in my camaro and decided to go with a 2008-up CTS-V shifter set up along with the console and cooler lines. I found the console on ebay when looking for a shifter and kinda took it from there. This route isn't the cheapest, but neither is the main engine and trans alone.

The shifter itself was under $200 my cost so right along an aftermarket, but it does require little items like the shift rod, know, console plate that add up.

I would look into what vehicles came with the 6L's and see if one of those shifters might work for you. With some patience and hunting, you may be able to get a complete conosle & shifter from a salvage yard at a reasonable price.

Also, I hope you got a 2wd 6L. The trans came with my L92 when I got it, but it was gonna cost too much to convert over to rwd from the awd. Was cheaper to sell the awd unit and buy a 2wd one from a salvage yard. Check out http://www.hiwaytx.com/asp/parts/ and search for a 2007 up 2wd pick up or whichever cars have these trans. The trucks & -8-up CTS-V have 6L90's while the other cars have 6L80's. I'm not sure what other cars have a 6L other than the G8 & camaro.

rascalking

Thanks for the info. I did find a 2wd 6L80e with low mileage. I saw a write up somewhere else about using the stock shifters and I like look, so I will probably be going the same route as you. Are you saying that you're getting the shifter new for $200? Thats not bad.

driftwood

iTrader: (1)

All together the shifter was a bit more including the little parts, here's a breakdown.
25824054 shifter $187.84
25947776 linkage rod $28.41
25961839 ****(CTS-V) $58.29
11570687 **** set screw $10.99- hardware store probably under a buck
25824062 shift boot $49.74
25865308 shift plate $154.59
console off ebay $195 shipped

So, in almost $700 for the whole console/shifter from the new CTS-V. Here's to hoping it will fit nice and all workout in the end. As previously stated though, you may be better finding a complete shifter set up from a bone yard. If your time and ability allow, you can also make your own shift plate & boot to fit your own console. That would subastantially drop price from my route.

I have the number for a 2wd truck 6L90 slip yoke if it will work in the 6L80, it was about $127 my cost. Thing is huge and heavy, cannot imagine it breaking.

Bo185

Any GM PNRD shifter will work. You just won't have the TUTD function (manual mode)

rascalking

So there's no way to get the TUTD function with an aftermarket shifter?

driftwood

iTrader: (1)

I believe you would need a shifter with 4 forward gears selections as 4th is the placement for TUTD. Then you would need to devise some type of buttons or device to "tap" your shifts.
Here is a great post on the 6L swap with tons of helpful info.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...oes-go-16.html