Recently i just got my 88 Firebird Back from the Suspension Shop after rebuilding entire front suspension. as a test i took it out to a strech of hilly, winding backroads and just hammered on it to test the improvement in handling under high G's and diffrent road conditions and handling wise it just hugged the road better than anything i have driven before, but about 9 miles in to the run i smelled some Burning odor almost like a Clutch stopped for a miniute the looked noticed the Brand New Brakes wee real hot and i thought OK its just the pads breaking in, got back in put in reverse and Nothing free spun as if in neutral. for about two three miles it shifted normally but when it had to go in i think 2nd it free spun as well then tranny stopped going in 2nd all together now it holds 1st then jumps to 3rd @ 4000 RPM so i figured Old trans that i have no idea how it was driven before me i think i just did in the Clutch packs for low and Reverse. so now i need a Rebuild kit but i dont know the factory auto its an L03 305 TBI Vin code Car from 1988 base model Firebird, USA 1 code and L factory plant code ive been told a Number of things From 4L60-e to 700R its a Daily driver For me so No reverse while not Crippling in my city it is a bit annoying to have to always find a place i can pull through or Push car backwards to park. i need it rebuild fast and i want to do a Street Strip built with a shift kit and the Beefed Up bands, clutch packs and servos (if im gonna have to take it apart anyways i might as well do it all at once).

 

It's a 700-R4.

That trans got renamed to 4L60 sometime around 90; then an electronic version was introduced, has very similar power components (clutches, gears, etc.) but TOTALLY different controls (electronic instead of hydraulic) in 92.

www.bulkpart.com/2/category/4L60-700R4.html

Buy the ATSG manual. DO NOT use the FSM, as it assumes factory original 1988 components being used, which ARE NOT the same as what you get in 2015. We've learned a thing or 2, as a species, since then.

 

thanks i heard that the 4l60 was the Primary GM auto trans of choice but like i said i have been told both the 4L60 and 700R-4 but i didnt know that they are the Same Thing. thanks

 

Definitely get the ATSG manual and the update manual that goes with it.

I'd also try to find out why the trans cooked itself. Where you driving it like it was a manual trans?

 

700r4 and 4L60 are the same transmission.

GM renamed the 700r4, 4L60 in 1990 to make it 'easier' to understand

4 = 4 speed
L = longitudily mounted (rear wheel drive)
60 = Strength rating

4L60E is a total diff. transmission than the 700r4/4L60

The 4L60E uses a lot of the same hard parts but it's electronically computer controlled and will not work with out the computer