2003 LQ4 with a 4l60e
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Teching In
Joined: Sep 2010
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2003 LQ4 with a 4l60e Hey guys... first off let me appolgise if this question seems pretty basic... I have been searching and searching and I'm sure the answer is starring me in the face but I'm having trouble finding a clear answer.. I wanna use a 2001 2wd 4l60e transmission with my 2003 LQ4. I've pulled the flex plate with spacer off. Now Do I just need a basic ls1 or 5.3 flexplate to make this work...?... there is like 10 choices to pick from on ebay which is probably my best bet... any info or if someone can point out a link or has what I need for sale... thanks for any help...I found this on ebay... but the seller didn't have any idea...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360466901937...S:1123&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/360466901937...S:1123&vxp=mtr
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TECH Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 497
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yes mine is, about 18k miles on the combo in the car. I didnt think i needed the spacer until i checked it. My torque converter only went about 1/8 of an inch into the crank. so i had to run the spacer, i guess just check yours to make sure.
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Beebe, Arkansas
If the 4l60e was used behind a Gen III, then you DON"T NEED THE SPACER!!! The 4l60e used with the Gen I L31 350, 305, and 4.3L will need a crank spacer and elongate the verter holes.
So which 4l60e do you have?
So which 4l60e do you have?
TECH Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
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This sounds correct, my 4L60E was from an astro Van behind a 4.3. i did need a spacer and elongated holes.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,685
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From: Beebe, Arkansas
The spacer used on the 4l80e trans with the flat flex plate, will cause the longer hub of the Gen III 4l60e to stick to far out form the flex plate and will break the front pump or just not bolt up.
The 4l80e hub is shorter like the SBC/4.3L 4l60e hub. Then Gen III/IV 4l60/65e hub is much longer. Pictures are in my SIG link of the two with pictures of the different verters.
Last edited by Bo185; Jul 4, 2012 at 12:32 AM.
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2013
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I recently just swapped my 2004r for a th400. My question is my setup is a lq9 and I was using a ls1 tci flexplate with a hybrid PTC converter that had a ls1 backing plate. The guy I traded has a 03 lq4 and he was using the stock flexplate with crank adapter. We ended up just swapping flexplates and I took his spacer. Will this work on my lq9 or do I need to use a ls1 flexplate with a crank adapter ? Thanks for any advice.
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Joined: Aug 2022
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06 lq4 to 05 4l60e Yes that year the Yukon denali's got the LQ4 motor and 4l65e that's why it bolted right up. The LQ4 and LQ9 were used with 4l60/65 applications. With the LQ4 being rarer offering infront of the 60's. This wasmost noticeably used in the Hummer H2's LQ4 with a 4l60/65 trans. With the majority of LQ4's the 4l80/85 was used. The LQ9 never came infront of a 4l80 trans. That's why I stated a Gen III 4l60e needed a dished flex plate. Which was evident in your case.
The spacer used on the 4l80e trans with the flat flex plate, will cause the longer hub of the Gen III 4l60e to stick to far out form the flex plate and will break the front pump or just not bolt up.
The 4l80e hub is shorter like the SBC/4.3L 4l60e hub. Then Gen III/IV 4l60/65e hub is much longer. Pictures are in my SIG link of the two with pictures of the different verters.
The spacer used on the 4l80e trans with the flat flex plate, will cause the longer hub of the Gen III 4l60e to stick to far out form the flex plate and will break the front pump or just not bolt up.
The 4l80e hub is shorter like the SBC/4.3L 4l60e hub. Then Gen III/IV 4l60/65e hub is much longer. Pictures are in my SIG link of the two with pictures of the different verters.
Or should I just drop the 5.3 and 4L60e into the 2500hd? Totalled the frame of my 05 1500 and kept the power train, have a good lq4 with a bad trans. Just trying to think of the best thing to do.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Central Cal.
The 4L60E is a good tranny, but a 6.0 would be a bit more than it was designed for.
It can be beefed up with 4L65E parts, which will extend its life.
If your 4L60E was built with 4L65E parts (many are by the major rebuilders), it should be OK, but don't push it too hard.
It can be beefed up with 4L65E parts, which will extend its life.
If your 4L60E was built with 4L65E parts (many are by the major rebuilders), it should be OK, but don't push it too hard.
