As we all know, several aftermarket oil pans don't have the extra bolt holes for the bell housing. At what point should you consider getting a pan with them? Safe to run a 4L60E with the "full" bell housing and not have the stock oil pan?

 

It will be fine without the two bolts in the oil pan, as far as I know that is more for NVH than anything else. For years they only had bolts around the top portion of the block.

 

NVH reasons? Interesting...

To me, the oil pan seems like a rather weak spot, especially with the holes that far out on the perimeter. Of course the clamping force of the oil pan bolts is strong now with the steel inserts in the gasket, but still...

 

unless you're blasting gravel roads, leave the wing covers and inpection plugs off. you may even get 10k out of that 60e