arts33

I have an ls3 out of a 2012 Corvette. I'll be swapping this into a 69 camaro. I want to go with a 4l65e as to not mess with tunnel cutting, massaging or any of that. From all the reading I have done, I have learned that I need a transmission with a 15 or 17 pin connector in order to use the original e-38 ecm and a t-42 trans-controller. (the trans out of the corvette was a Manual and no longer available, I'm going automatic) In searching for a transmission, I found a shop to buy a 4l65e with a 3 year unlimited mile warranty, but as soon as I told the builder I had a stock 6.2 ls3 the guy said the ls3 was going to shred the 4l65e to pieces and said he would not warranty the tranny.

He Insisted I go with 4l80e, but I don't want to because It may hang to low beneath the sub frame.

My Questions:
1. Is an ls3 too much for a 4l65e? I'm not going to the track or intending to race for that matter.
2. Who is a reputable seller on-line that will build and ship a 4l65e for about $1500.
Thanks in advance for any advice.

293LSX

It won't shred it. It's honestly all about luck at time's with those trannies. I have read about guys boosting stock 4l60 trannies and having them live. It's really all a crap shoot. If you want to never touch a tranny again and have it electronic then the 4l80e is the way to go.

arts33

293LSX,
Thanks for your prompt reply. I agree, it is a crap shoot on whether the transmission will hang in there or peter out.
I found a local builder today and approached him with the concerns I mentioned. He pretty much told me the same thing but
He's going to build and upgrade a 4l60. If for some reason it does crap out, I'll just move on to the 4l80.
Thanks,
art

KW Baraka

iTrader: (7)

Frankly......it will if you drive like an ***-hole.

That having been said, my '95 Impala SS has a heads/cam LS3 (450hp/400tq to wheels) in front of a 4L60E.....pretty much a daily driver for the past 2 years and 16K miles with no issues.

IJS.....

KW

dlandsvZ28

FWIW - I would seriously reconsider having a local builder do the work compared to using the sponsors on this forum who specialize and make a living upgrading the 4l60e.

And then if it does fail with a local build, we blame the 4l60e when it's failure might possibly be attributed to the builder.

Been there done that.

big hammer

Check out the 4L75.

dlandsvZ28

I think the consensus so far is that it is cheaper to have a sponsor super build a 4l60e and still pay less than the new price for an 4L75. Most of the parts in the 4l75 are the same as those that are installed in level III and higher 4l60e's from the forums sponsors.

Most sponsors dyno their trannys before being shipped to the customer to verify that the tranny can manage the power as advertised for each upgrade level.

Not sure and don't want to diss local builders, but not sure they can make that claim.

BODUKE

Get a RPM trans and get it tuned correctly.

98CayenneT/A

You will be more than fine with a 4l60e behind a stock Ls3. Plenty of cam only/ heads cam Ls1's making much more power than a stock Ls3 doing just fine behind a 4l60e.

You plan on leaving the Ls3 stock ?
A stock Ls3 will dyno probably 380 whp which a 4l60e from a sponsor here will have zero issue with.

Rpm's is what takes its toll on the 4l60e, not necessarily power. My 4l60e let loose at the end of this season but I knew it was only a matter of time due to spinning mine to 7000 rpms, I rebuild my own and knew it was not exactly setup for that high of rpms.

dlandsvZ28

IMO you can't go wrong on an RPM, FLT, PerFormabuilt etc. I've had a Performbuilt level III 4l60e in my 1998 ProCharged D1SC Z28 (565 RWHP) since 2007. I admit I did have an issue with it, but that was because I had left it parked and undriven for so many years. Performabuilt stood behind it 100 percent.

Plus in defense of all of the sponsors on this forum who build 4l60e's. The knowledge base today and what the transmission sponsors have learned to build them is far greater than when most started to upgrade them back in '05 - '07' when I got mine.

I think RPM caters more for the Corvette crowd and should be able to set you up perfectly with all of the electronics such as controller cables etc or guide you to those who can.

Should be pretty much plug and play nowadays.

What stall TQ you choose and rear-end ratio is going to make a huge difference too in driveability when tuning.

Jimbo1367

This ^^^^^

GM built their own "built" trans. Its roughly $3300. Roughly. Some places dont have it listed though. if they can get you the Supermatic 4L85E, they can get 4L75.

1975delta88

I had a 4L65E on my E-Rod LS3. But I wanted to upgrade to LSA and the transmission recommended for that motor is a 4l85E. But I wanted to stick with the same size trans as the 65E but built like an 85E, so I went with the 75E

AnotherWs6

iTrader: (17)

I wouldn't be scared of a properly built 60, but I agree that I'd go with a sponsor here. I went with Performabuilt. One good thing about them is that after the warranty is up they will still perform a rebuild for $1,000 dollars. They wouldn't be cranking these things out if they were blowing up all of the time. A local builder MIGHT know how to build a good tranny, but it's a crap shoot in my opinion.

You're not going to get a properly built trans for $1,500 though. A level two is about $2,200. Not a good place to skimp on money.

G Atsma

I have seen where many shops will build a 4L60E to 4L75E specs. Just different, heavier-duty internal parts from what I understand. Anyone please correct me if I am wrong.

Jimbo1367

The 4L75e is offered behind the LT4 in the connect and cruise IIRC.

G Atsma

In the compact-but-tough dept., the 4L75E looks like a winner!

turboal1

I have the stock 4L60E behind my camed 6.2
in my truck for almost a year. 2800 stall.I do a
little racing and i tow a trailer. NO probs so far.
I had the tuner adj the trans settings when he
Dyno tuned the truck. I am building a trans for
my LSA install to be on the safe side.

Kfxguy

iTrader: (1)

I can build a pretty heavy duty unit for around $1500. I build only 46l60’s and I’ve built probably close to 70-80 units in the past 10 years and I’ve had very good luck with them. I’ve had quite a few 10 second cars with them not having any issues. A stock ls3 in front of a decently built one would hold up especially if you didn’t drive like an *** all the time. For around 1600-1700 I Build them with an upgraded and reinforced input drum that holds extra 3-4 clutches. Prices vary because it depends on if the trans I’m doing has 5 pinion planets or not. I built one for a guy earlier this year I work with that has a gto in the 11’s and he has told me he abuses it. I guess he don’t care because I work with him and he knows I won’t charge him nothing but parts if he breaks it.

JimLev

Why not go with a 4L65E, it already has a 5 pinion planetary gear set.
That's what came with my LS3 Cruise and Connect, I did upgrade the torque converter to the one from the 4L70. It's going into a Factory Five '33 Hotrod, 2400 lbs.
The motor is stock except for headers, how long will the tranny last if I add another 75HP?