What is the difference between the GM 4L60E transmissions?

[redline808]

I am trying to figure out the differences between the 4L60E automatic transmissions. I have not actually seen any yet though this is what the situation is. I have a 1997 Astro van with a bad transmission. I can get the late 1998 pick up truck 4L60E. both have the 4.3L V6. does anyone know what the difference is between the two? Interchange says they are different. I am trying to help out an unfortunate family, If I can make it work, I will.

Thank you.

 

[Newmanite]

I am only guessing but I would believe the spline and shaft diameter may be different and also the bellhousing other factors in the 4L60E would be the torque converter and the computer that interfaces with the gearbox gear selection etc. Talk to a transmission shop the deals with drag racing etc they may be able to help at perhaps no charge for a bit of advertising on the rear of the car?Also the 4L60 transmission would work as it is cable operated removing the computer entirely.Keep looking as you may find a wrecker with what you are looking for.

 

[RossABQ]

Internal gear ratios vary among the variants, if I remember correctly. A web search should pull up all the applications.

 

[IceStationZebra]

Check out the Novak web site - good info. Especially the early vs late 4L60e info. I think the 1997 has the early version and the 1998 has the later version.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/th700r4.htm

Bell housing - Since both have the 4.3 the bell housing would be the same (as well as SBC).

Electrical - one of the quickest things to check is if the electrical connectors are the same. If they are different you would need to do a bunch of homework to see if it can be rewired. Probably not easy to change or worth the effort.

4WD - you didn't specify this, and I don't what the differences are, but it would be an added complication.

Not 4WD - the tailhousing length might be different. Measure from the bellhousing to the end to make sure - otherwise you will need to modify the driveshaft.

ISZ

 

[redline808]

it is a 2wd van and 2wd truck.

thanks for the info.

 

[dicer]

All wrecking yards have interchange data, you should call or go ask one. Also a local transmission shop could most likely answer it. The main difference will be tail housings, output shafts, and electronic connections. Also shift scheduals designed into the valvebody. Then there are the ones designed specificly for diesel engines, with no vaccum modulator, all TV is done through a cable.

 

[redline808]

yes, i called a local wrecking yard. the interchange is 1996-97 astro or safari only. thats why i was trying to figure out how to make the 98 s10 trans work. so far the s10 does not have a removable bell housing. i have to check the length next.

thanks for the help.

 

[dicer]

If you have the proper machines it would not be too difficult to make the transmission fit any automotive engine you want. Many parts would need to be fabricated.
If that housing does not match your engine, there are outfits that offer conversion adapters, or you can either remachine what you have or just remove (saw it off) the bellhousing and fabricate a new pump plate, like in the old days of the turboclutch and clutch flight transmission conversions did. Then you bolt it up to a separate bellhousing, or your existing one if that is what you have.

 

[curtis74]

All 700r4, 4L60, and 4L60E transmissions have the same gear ratios.

The major differences are external. Electrical hookups, speed sensor hookups, calibration, and converter stall are the main differences.

All of the traditional bellhousing applications (sbc, 4.3, etc) use the same input shaft, torque converter setup, and bellhousing depth. After the change to the LSx based engines, things changed. A shallower bellhousing depth and the metric TC bolt circle are the main things.

 

[brettsb16a2]

The thread above mine is pretty much the only correct one on here. I worked at GM dealers for 10years as a drivetrain tech and rebuilt many 4L60-E's. I would check the bellhousing and the stall in the converters, im thinking the speed sensor is the same and the main harness is too. 97's were real bad about setting p1870s but that has a simple cheap fix if the VBody is causing the concern. Just wanted to throw that out there.