Can’t seem to find a good answer. It’s seems like they were all AWD units unless they were in a car. Thanks.

 

1. That is a good question... I have to actually look that up, as I do not know specifically.

2. There is NO good reason really to purchase a "4L65E" as apposed to a "4L60E".
Depending on the year of the transmission core; the ONLY beneficial difference between the two is 1 additional friction and steel for the 3-4 clutch pack.
A negative difference arguably would be the "5-pinion planetaries" vs the "4-pinion planetaries". The 5-pinions can take some power; but not as much as the 4.

Sadly many people are under the impression that these are two different transmissions.
The 4L60E, 4L65E and 4L70E are all the same unit with minor changes between them.
There is also a GM/ Chevy Performance Parts 4L75E (again same transmission, but with some decent after-market upgrades).
Either way... these units are old enough now, that they should be rebuilt.
Most people upgrade these transmissions beyond what the factory did regardless of being a 60E, 65E, or 70E.

 

From a PCM standpoint, would the computer in stock form work with any of those three (nothing needs changed in the programming)? Obviously, you may want to change things for performance applications, but would they work as-is?

I’ve always heard the 5 planetaries allowed for more power vs 4. Guess that’s a misconception.

 

Depending on the year of the transmission and the year/ model of the vehicle that the PCM came from... it is possible, but there are multiple variables.

There were multiple models of PCM used with the 4L60E depending on the engine, model vehicle, and year of the vehicle.
The different year transmissions used different solenoids, internal wiring, switches, external wiring, and PCMs... Refer to your other thread called: "What year transmissions interchange 100%".

Regarding the Planetary gears:

-From a load distribution standpoint; if two planetary gears are being compared, with the only difference being the number of pinion gears (metallurgy, dimensions, and everything else is identical)...
then the planet with 5 pinion gears would be better at spreading/ distributing the load/ force placed upon it and be considered stronger.

-However the "4L60E family" 5 pinion planets are made of inferior metallurgy, and are over all weaker than the 4 pinion planets.
To try and compensate for the inferior metallurgy; we increased the mass/ material surrounding the pinion gears... However it was simply not enough.

Look at this image of a 4 pinion planet. Notice the space/ air/ open area around the pinion gears:


This is a good thing, as it better allows lubrication oil to move/ spread about.
Compare that to this image of a 5 pinion planet:



The open area (around the pinion gear) had to be reduced to try and bring back some strength over all to the planet.
This however slightly hurts the lubrication.

On the rear 5 pinion planetary gear; we were able to add some lube oil slots to slightly improve the lube to the pinion gears.
You will see the OEM 5 pinion planets crack/ break way before the 4 pinion models.
The aftermarket 5 pinion planets are even worse... Do NOT ever purchase these.
There was absolutely nothing wrong with the 4 pinion planets... the only reason we actually made the 5 pinion gears was to save money (these parts were a cost cutting measure).

 

Thanks for the rundown on planetaries. Seems crazy they put the 4L65E in the higher HP/cost vehicles, and then cut corners in cost and strength.

I’ll probably just buy a 4L60E from a good, reputable source online to replace my AWD 65E to convert to a RWD 60E. I’m just wondering what on the PCM will need tweaked to work well.

 

It’s also amazing how many other sites (hot rod, monster trans, etc.) will continuously say the 5 is better than 4.

 

Yeah... that is marketing hype for ya! (also there are some builders that simply do not know that they are inferior.

Well like I said; if everything else were identical... 5 pinion gears would be stronger.
But as I explained, the metallurgy/ casting is weaker... thus the planet as a whole is weaker.
You can use the 5 pinion planets... just not with high power.
I would switch to the 4 pinion planets in the 500 HP+ range... or if you have 4 pinion planets, just keep them.

The 4 pinion sets have survived over a year at 1,200+ rear wheel HP in one of my test vehicles... i can NOT say the same for the 5 pinion sets (I have broken the castings at less than half that power).

 

Note:
Hotrod (and their sister publications) do have some decent people there...

But Monster Transmission! Omg stay far, far away from them!
They by far have one of the worst reputations in our community.