Is there a difference in 4l60 years?

[Ishmael]

Is there a difference between years in 4l60s? For some reason I think there's a change after 1999. I've got a guy who wants to build me one with 5 pinion planetaries etc but his is a 97. Its going behind an ls2. Any thoughts other than avoid the 60?

[Ishmael]

I was told tonight that I needed to use a trans from an 06 or 07 because there's an extra sensor inside or something. The 4l60 I was thinking about has evaporated so is there a year of 65 that I need? Any help I can get on this would be appreciated.

[MarkB]

Here is a quick break down. 1993 - 1997 is what is called a non removeable bell housing 4L60-E, there is internal differences among even these years, but if using them in a project with an aftermarket controller it doesn't really matter. You can put 5 pinion planets, updated parts, etc... in any of the years. Now if you are ever looking for a replacement transmission for a specific model OEM vehicle, you do not have this much flexablity in year interchange.

For LS series engines you can use any 1998 - up LS series 4L60E, these all have removeable bell housings. The easiest way to quickly ID the transmission is if it has the top "Peak" bolt hole in the bell housing. It will also use a 300mm style converter. This is the best option.
You can find a true 4L65E if you dig, but if your rebuilding the unit, just add the 4L65E planets and upgraded parts and don't worry about it.
The option that you are speaking of for the '06 -'07 is called a 4L70E and has a turbine input speed sensor. This sensor was used to watch converter clutch slippage and input speed. The only aftermarket controller that is going to even allow you to use this sensor is PCS. So if you running a compushift or TCI it will not even be used. We use it for some tuning and data logging, but is not going to gain you any strength or have any use to you, so do not feel that is what you have to use behind your LS engine. If the transmission is being built for your car there is no advantage to start with a 4L70E.

Now, with all that said. If you need to bolt an early non removeable bell to your LS engine, it can be done. You will not have a top bolt hole to use and will not be able to use one of the existing bolt holes that is in the case, as there is not a hole in the block in one location on the passenger side. So you will only have 5 bolts holding the transmission to the engine. But it has been done and can be done. Some guys even weld a tab at the top of the block for the extra bolt hole. The key part of doing this is to be sure and puchase the correct flexplate kit for this swap with the crank adapter. If you choose to go this route, I would recommend a 1995 - 1997 core to be used for building the transmission.

I hope I have helped and not confused anything. Feel free to call us or e-mail if you have any questions.

Thanks,

Mark
[email protected]
www.bowlertransmissions.com

[Ishmael]

You're about to get a phone call.
The guys at bowler put me on to a few other guys and what I found out is that I could use a 4l70e or a 65 from behind a 6L truck from 07 or 08. I think that's a best case scenario. Is there any other trans I could use with the 06 ls2 that you guys know of that wouldn't require me to use an aftermarket TCU?