Same thing as a 2001 Firebird LS1 4L60E transmission? Yes or no.

Might be able to get one for a lot less than a V8 tranny if it will work.

 

3.8's use the 60* bellhousing

It wont bolt up

 

The bell housing bolts to the case. If the bell housing can be changed to a V8 piece, then???

 

typically, the v6 transmissions throughout history have had fewer clutches and weaker servoes.
in a th350 for example there are 3 (IIRC) fewer clutch disks

that being said, the 4l60E is electronically controlled.
i cant imagine that they would be the same inside, but anything is possible.
you could try contacting Bowetie Overdrives and ask them.
any transmission shop should be able to tell you for that matter.

 

I'll give BTO a call on Monday.

What little information I obtained Goggling it, the contention was they are the same after the bell housing, unlike earlier automatics.

 

i'd imagine BTO will have a definite answer.
they seem to know their stuff
(thats the third plug ive done for them today... i should get a free tranny)

 

I talked to Chris at BTO. He said the V6 trannies are different internally (pressures, plates, etc.).

He also recommended keeping my TH700 rather than going with a 4L60E. Go figure.

This is for the 2004 LQ4 in Berlinetta #1, in case you haven't been able to keep up. LS6 intake, TB & injectors (have); f-body pan/pump/accessories (need); Kwik AC compressor relocation (have). Exhaust TBD. Custom cam a possibility.

 

he just wanted you to buy one of theirs... jk.
weird though, because if i cant have a manual, i am daggon sure not keeping my 700r4 when it comes time to do a tranny swap. i am going either manual or electronic

 

I'm swapping the engine. Whether the transmission stays put or gets swapped is the question.

Pros to TH700:
- Already have it and it works
- Cable drive speedometer would still work

Pros to 4L60E:
- Better transmission
- Works with PCM
- Can recoup part of the cost by selling the current TH700

Cons to TH700:
- Need to adapt the flexplate, or buy a swap LS1 torque converter ($800 by itself)
- Getting VSS signal to PCM (probably not a big problem, but an issue to address)
- Probably need a better TC, anyway

Cons to 4L60E:
- More money
- Still need something better than a stock TC
- Need to get a converter box to drive cable speedometer

 

the 4l60e is a much better choice in my opinion than the 700r4, the tps tells the trans exactly what to do instead of relying on a poorly designed tv cable...

 

No argument there. Also has improved pump, and since my TH700 is an '83 model, other improvements during the 80's and 90's.

The deciding factor is relative costs. Frankly, there is only a slight advantage to keeping the TH700, but also less risk of cost inflation - I know this transmission works and the upgrades it has; getting a used transmission involves unknowns. Buying a rebuilt 4L60E is pretty much out of the question.

This whole LQ4 swap got started by getting a "free" engine. Of course, there's never any such thing as a free lunch.

 

like the saying goes, the most expensive modification is one that starts with a free part.

IMO, you should get a used 4L60E and an electric speedometer.
the converter box to use a cable speedo is 300 dollars
a new speedo is less than that.
that way, your only cons of the 4l60E become

- More money
- Still need something better than a stock TC

the speedo could come pretty cheap if you look around, and the TC can wait a few months until you get the cash ready.

 

Ain't that the truth!

The con list should include, don't know what you're getting with a used tranny.

There is a speedo conversion box that's only $150. I also have an electronic sender I could put in. I'm not completely familiar with the later years 3rd gens, but it didn't look to me like the later electronic speedometers fit in the earlier clusters. I haven't seen an aftermarket electronic speedo that would. I do have an aftermarket programmable electronic speedo for Berlinetta #2, but the whole cluster is aftermarket.

The TC goes in when the engine goes in. I'm not doing this twice.

(For the record, I was prepared to do the LS1/T56 swap in Berlinetta #1, had the engine/trans and was starting to gather parts, but I just couldn't bring myself to take it apart - mostly changing it to manual tranny, wanted to keep something my son could race. So, this is just an extension of my original plan - the LSx has always intrigued me.)

 

true about the used tranny, but again, you can always "bop it till it drops" then get it rebuilt when it dies a year and a half down the road..

 

Of course there's always more to the story.

The plan is to run this at the track next year while the '57 is getting the stroked LQ4/4L80E swap with some underbody work. When you're racing, the "drop" part never comes at a convenient time.

 

but, one of the cool things about the '60e is that you can program the shift points where you want it, put the car in drive and let it do it's thing. will help with consistent shift points in my opinion.

i'm partial to my awesomely built 4l60e though...

 

If I can scare up the funds there's no doubt that's what I'll do.

 

i'm glad you asked this question though, as i have a 3.8 4l60e out of a camaro and a 4.3 4l60e from an s10...i was thinking about just putting the 4.3 (90*) bellhousing on the 3.8 transmission for a spare...not sure i wanna do that now.