this might be a dumb question, but can i use a 700r4 with a ls1?im looking for a stronger trans then the stock 4l60e. i know its not computer controlled, would that cause a problem?would it just bolt right up?

 

i am almost confident it WONT bolt up and that trans is complete junk compared to the 4l60e. i would never use the 700r4 on anything ever again. ha ha

 

the 700 is almost the same as 4l60e but one is ran by computer and the other is not. Im not sure if it would bolt right up. Might have do like someone would a th400/350 to ls1 swap. And for the computer i think you have to delete the a4 and set it as a 6spd.

 

The LS1 will work with the 700R4 but you will need an adaptor for it. The 700R4 and the 4L60E are the same transmission for the most part. The 4L60E is controled by the computer and the 700R4 is not. The 700R4 is a very good tranny. The ones to stay away from are the wons produced before 1987. In 1987 GM finally realized that there 4 speed overdrive was marginal for some of the applications they were using it in. They beefed them up and added a check ball for reverse and one to relieve pressure when engage drive. I have one 84 - 700R4 and one 88 700R4 and there is a big difference in them. The after market has come to the plate with goodies to build up the 700R4 to make it as strong as you want. My transmission builder has built my 700R4 to handle up to 450lb trqe and it shifts hard an precise.

The 700R4's built from 87 to 92 are good trannys and just as good as a 4l60e. You just have to spend some cash to beef either of them up. Weak points in both trannys are the sunsheilds. Gm installed stamped sun shields that will crack after hard use. These can be replaced with aftermarket ones that are cast and are much stronger.

 

The 700 trans is the same trans as the 4L60E and shares all the same weaknesses. You can build a 60E to be just as strong as a 700, and you sitll retain the computer controlled functions! GM sells a 4L65E trans for about $1900 that adresses most of the weak links of a 60E and is the trans that is used behind the LS2 on the GTO and SSR, as well as the C6. You will probably never make enough power to hurt one of these, unless you are building a fire-breathing monster! Keep it simple and keep the computer control and the good road manners that come with it. Just my $.02

Regards, John McGraw

 

any one know of a performance tansmission company that sells 4l60es?

 

The internals of the 1993 700R4 are exactly the same as some of the early 4L60Es. 1993 4th gens got the LT1 & 700R4. with mild performance upgrades they can be a cheaper alternative to 4L60E. you would have to adapt a TV cable to the throttle body

I have had a 700R4 bolted behind my 2001 Vortec 6.0L and they DO "BOLT UP" with one exception. I had to have 3 holes punched in my flex plate and it is a little harder getting the flex plate bolts in. but it can be done.

I currently have a TH400 behind my 6.0L which is another "bolt up"

 

400 bolts right up? what about a 350?

 

yes all chevy small block transmissions will bolt up, bell housings are the same (ls1 does have one less bolt) but no big deal

auto flex plates may need holes punched to accept torque converter

=

 

I bought my adapter kit for the 700r4 from advance adapters comes with a crank spacer and new flexplate and some spacers for the exhaust manifold to the y pipe for somthing not sure.

Also i am currently have a 700 built to hold 700 hps and it is being guarnteed for the company that is building it for me for only 850$

 

Got my adapter kit from advanced adapters (700-LS1/6) WORKED GREAT. The BOWTIE OVERDRIVES TV cable is OK but I need a tad more adjustment room. TPS is saying 96% WOT but doesn't feel like it seems like 80% or so . more tinkering is needed.
nick

 

When you use a 700 with an LS1 what about the information the PCM is expecting from the trans? Trans temp, PCS pressure switches and the like? My LS1/700 is running great but I am not sure if I am getting the most out of it. I have a stock automatic PCM.
Brian

 

You should have had your computer flashed to m6 instead of A4. With the 700R4 the shifting and such is mechanically controlled, no computer required.

 

I have a TV cable controlling the shifts. If I continue to use the a4 computer what will happen? Thrown codes? Other problems? Less than optimal performance? It seems to work pretty well so far.

 

It seems that you would get codes. I don't know about any perfromance losses or gains...but it would seem like if the computer wasn't seeing the tranny there it might affect it somehow. I haven't heard of anyone not getting their pcm reflashed so I can't really say though...

 

[QUOTE=busta9876]The internals of the 1993 700R4 are exactly the same as some of the early 4L60Es. 1993 4th gens got the LT1 & 700R4. QUOTE]

Actually the 93 LT1's came with the 4l60 -no "e" suffix. It was the only non computer controlled 4l60 tranny. 94 was the first year that GM electronically controlled the tranny hence the name 4l60e. They were for the most part identical to the 700r4 of pre 93 but GM was trying to build a better tranny and did not have the computer controlled unit ready for production in 1993 so they built it to run with out the computer.

 

You dont have to have an adapter if you dont mind not using the uppper and upper right bolts. Those are the only 2 that wont work.

 

Thanks for the .02$

What year of cars is that in? Any chance of finding it for less from Salvalge Yards? Sounds like something brand new.

I have a 700R4 that has been beefed up behind my 350 with a 144 blower. I'm thinking of selling that engine and doing an LS1 conversion. Been debating on the tranny.

Do you know if it is about teh same size, same transmission mounts? My 700R4 just does fit in my convertible. I'm concerned that the X member would get in the way on anything larger.

 

Hi Roger,
The 4L65E is used in most of the new GM trucks, the hummer, I believe, the SSR, the GTO, and of course the Corvette, although it is rear mounted and not a direct bolt-in. I bought a 0 mile 2005 GTO drivetrain, and got one along with a LS2. I got to tell you though, at $1900 for a brand new one including the T.C., I would have to think real hard about a used one and assure that it was in pristine condition. The 4L60 and 65 are both exactly the same dimensions as the 700, and will fit wherever the 700 did.

Regards, John McGraw