4L60E Conversion

Ernest

G-Body Guru
Apr 28, 2016
853
1,268
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Texas
I've had that thought for a good while to upgrade from the 700R4 im currenlty using, its still working perfectly btw, just waiting on the right time.

While the stand alone controller im interested in is available, albeit pricey($800/bluetooth capable), and since im still running with a carburetor, i'll have to get the TPS kit for it as well and a new torque converter.

Im looking at, hopefully at best, minimum fuss, so my question is this, are both transmissions the same dimmension where i can still use the current driveshaft and the rear transmission support that aligns with the current frame?

Local rebuilder is selling them rebuilt, good to go with a 1yr warranty for $700, at that price, im sure its just a stock rebuild, which should be fine behind my ZZ4 crate engine while taking it easy, normal drivng with no racing in mind, at least i'll have one to rebuild at a later time when its time for the 383cid to come along.
 
Yes.... thats the one i intend to get, the earlier(93-97) unit with the ONE PEICE case.

All i want is to do is get my hands on one, take it from there figuring out what else i'll need to take of, for this will be a first for me, and im looking forward to it.

This has helped figuring things out...

 
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Yes.... thats the one i intend to get, the earlier(93-97) unit with the ONE PEICE case.

All i want is to do is get my hands on one, take it from there figuring out what else i'll need to take of, for this will be a first for me, and im looking forward to it.

This has helped figuring things out...

I have watched all his videos on rebuilding the 4L60E as well as one of the Ford transmissions (AODE, maybe). If I ever had to rebuild a transmission that he did a series on, I am confident I could do so following those videos.
 
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They bolt right in the same and depending on year, use the same converter. Glad you trust them behind decent power, I don't. You control lock up and shift points easier, otherwise you nothing other than a 5 pinion planet gear set on later versions. The 4L80E is a different story, much stronger.
 
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Given that a stock built 4L60E are rated for something like 380ft/lbs, a built one could handle much more... the 4L80E is better suited for major HP producers and big block engines, overkill for my needs.
 
The 4L60E failed often in trucks, talking a stock 5.3 was too much for them, especially towing. There was a long standing TSB from GM, offered an affordable reman because of it. Make sure whoever builds it, does all the factory plus aftermarket upgrades for it to live.
 
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The 60 produces a TON of heat in any application, so stuff more clutches in it where you can and don’t skimp on the band size. Making the shifts quicker helps a bunch too. And for the cooler…. do you have a small radiator laying around that you could stuff in the front of your car?

No joke, the 60 in my old 99 Silverado used to run 180 at 80 degrees outside air temp every day in the summer here in PA. After I threw largest cooler I could find at a local parts store at it, it dropped to about 160 but it would still climb under any significant load.
 
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Pre '87 had the smaller diameter and weaker input shaft. After 87 is the larger input so check to make sure you have the proper torque converter for for the 4L60E that you have.

Make sure to use .50 boost valve, Corvette servo and wider band. I always remove wave plate and finesse with the steel thickness, to get another clutch in. You can also get the pistons cut to add another clutch disk.

The 4L60E will bolt right into where the 700R was.
 
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