If your car model came with the 4l80e transmission from the factory, get a driveshaft from one of these models if possible. How long each transmission lasts also sets a difference between each. This transmission is a direct bolt up application to the LS1/2 assembly. In this article, we will discuss everything about this and you will get the specifications for both transmissions and the differences between these. The TH350-C was the lockup torque converter version introduced in the late 1979 model year, and was produced through 1984. The … The 4L60e has a rectangular pan & gasket of 16 bolts and the 4L80e has a more oval-shaped transmission pan with 17 bolts. We elected to use a 4L60E transmission from a 2001 Silverado. Chevrolet waited until 1994 to rebadge the redesigned mid-size S … 700R4 versus 4L60E strength. Due to differences in tuning between the truck and sedan variants of the L76, power ratings are 355 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque in the … If your car model came from a factory with the 4l80e, get a dipstick from a transmission that has been fitted in one of these cars. This is the last "phase" of transmission tuning, the control of the torque converter clutch (TCC). However, these transmissions differ in the way they were manufactured. If you want to swap to one of these transmissions, remember to also purchase the control unit and the harness. The lock-up controller is required equipment for 1982 through 1984 700R4s with a 27-spline input shaft; going without will result in a freshly-fried transmission. For example, on the first gear, the 4L60e has a gear ratio of 3.059:1 while the 4L80e has a gear ratio of 2.48:1. That being said, the maximum torque that can be handled by the 4L80E and 4L60E is 450nm and 350nm respectively. Alternatively, the 4L60E weighs 150 lbs (without fluid) and it has a length of 23.5″. This is a good way to identify if you have a 4L60e or a 4L80e transmission in your car. [Editor’s Note: This LR4 engine upgrade guide is part of a series of LS engine upgrade guides assembled by a team of LS experts at Summit Racing that we are sharing at OnAllCylinders. The 4L80E is larger and heavier than the 4L60E. Specifically, there is a gasket of 17 bolts on the 4L80E, while the 4L60E’s pan has 16 bolts. Differences between the 4L60E & 4L80E transmission, 4L60E vs 4L80E Differences: Swap & Information, Toyota 86 VS Subaru BRZ - Differences & Information, Short Block Vs Long Block Car Engine - Differences. Remember that these are the main differences and you can find other small differences if you carry out more in-depth research. You can see the pictures of the gasket in the specification above. Whichever is the case, parts for you 4L60E can be sourced online or from a junkyard. The first version 4L60E, built from 1993 to 1997 has a one-piece case and looks the most like an older GM transmission. The 4L60E vs 4L80E performance transmission differences are numerous. A comparison of the 4L60E vs 4L80E performance transmission shows that there are clear differences between both units. The 4L80E is an electronic overdrive successor to the Turbo 400, and the latter is a transmission that was used for drag racing and hot rodding applications. You can find the transmission wiring harness swap kit here from Amazon: 4L60e to 4L80e Transmission Plug and Play Adapter Harness LS Swap, The dipstick is different on the 4l80e transmission and you have to consider this when doing your swap. One of the similarities between these transmissions is that both of them are electronically controlled. There are a lot of differences in these transmissions and here are some of the things you have to consider if you are going to swap the 4L60e to a 4L80e transmission. Below are what you should know about each of the transmissions. Remember that it’s important to get the transmission perfectly lined up straight. amzn_assoc_linkid = "db4ef8763eb7daca6ddf57a9ebe542de";
You can either get a special adapter kit which normally includes a spacer and an input shaft to make it work with your converter. Conquering the GM Compensator Clip Conundrum. It goes without saying that the 4L80E  is more powerful than the 4L60E. The 4L60 transmission would require a custom bracket to hook into the TV cable properly. This would include, for example, V6 applications, applications that require control of a GM 4L60E or 4L80E transmission, or boosted applications. EC3 236 mm “hyper elliptical” furnace brazed torque converter. Even if these transmissions look pretty much the same on the pictures, there are a lot of things that are different between these transmissions. The TH350-C lockup version can be identified by an electrical plug on the left side of the transmission. You can normally compensate for the new gear ratio with another rear axle differential, so this is not always a big problem, but it’s good to know about. This is important to keep in mind if you are swapping between any of these transmissions. This ring is critical for the precise centering of the torque converter to the crank. I think I have covered the most important parts when it comes to the difference and the swapping between the 4l60e and the 4l80e transmissions. Its more hefty build can be tied to its 236 lbs and a length of 26.4″. This later version had an electronic lock-up converter to increase fuel-efficiency at cruising speeds. The big issues become forced 3-2 downshifts, and converter lock up issues and burnt lock up clutches. So the condition of the transmission is important to consider when you want to know the max torque. Sometimes, the car models come with both 4L60e and 4l80e from the manufacturer and in these situations, you have to bear this in mind. One thing to consider is that the 4l60e was named th350 and 700r4 before in earlier models and the 4l80e was named th400. Additionally, when comparing both transmissions, they don’t also don’t have the same geometry for engaging the torque converter. Andrew Jessiman. Over and above, the E in both names stands for a transmission that is electronically controlled. Identification of the 4L80E is pretty easy. The electronics of the 4L80E and 4L60E also shows a major difference. If not, there are a lot of shops that can make the driveshaft shorter for you. These numbers can differ a lot and you will get a lot of different answers about how much these can handle. amzn_assoc_rows = "2";
. This also applies to the parts because there are much easier and more available parts & whole transmissions of the 4L60e than the 4L80e. You’ll also find it easier to find parts and whole transmissions when it comes to the 4L60E compared to the 4L80E. I created this blog because I was tired of finding false information on the web while looking for repair information. There are also premade control units for this but it’s often pretty expensive. Torque converter contains a lip seal that will be damaged if the converter is removed or installed in any position other than “vertical”. Chevrolet and GMC sold two different-sized SUVs under their Blazer/Jimmy model names through the early 1990s. The Turbo 350 transmission, commonly known as the TH350, was a 3 speed automatic transmission that began phasing out the GM Powerglide in 1969. Alternatively, the 4L60E weighs 150 lbs (without fluid) and it has a length of 23.5″. And the 80 in the 4L80E says the unit can support 8000 pounds of GVWR, whereas the 60 in 4L60E means the transmission can handle 6000 pounds of GVW. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true";
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For a primer on the entire LS engine universe, read LS Engines 101: An Introductory Overview of the Gen III/IV LS Engine Family.]. It’ll be useful to buy a harness and control unit when carrying out a swap of one transmission in the other. You can search the web or find a local dealer to do this job for you. To that effect, cars that have powerful engines are often paired with this transmission. The similarities between them make several LS parts interchangeable, but there are critical differences too. If I have missed something or if you have any other questions, you are welcome to ask your questions below and I will answer them as soon as possible. These are vehicles used in demanding applications such as towing or racing. The 4l80e driveshaft is longer than the 4l60e and this has to be considered when doing your swap. For more straight-forward applications, the Sniper is usually the preferred solution because it can accomplish much of the same mission at a far lower price point. As a result, you will need torque converters to accomplish engagement. The 4L60E vs 4L80E performance transmission differences are notable in their origin, appearance, size and weight, power, gear ratios, price, etc.. Resurface vs. A Tip to Protect Your GM 6L-Series Converter Build . by Magnus SellénUpdated: February 17, 2021. Here are the things you have to consider: Because of the larger size of the 4L80e transmission, you may have to modify the transmission on the car that you are going to swap it to. There are two easy ways: … The next 2 or 3 letters identify the model of the transmission.These numbers tell us the application, engine size, wiring type, and solenoids. Another difference is in the sensors given that there are 2-speed sensors on the 4L80E that differ from the speed sensor on the 4L60E. Here's a list of yearly differences that will show you why. There are also differences when it comes to the sensors, mainly that the 4L80e has 2-speed sensors that are different than the sensor on the 4l60e. Another notable difference between both units lies in their size and weight. To ensure you’re using the the right parts, you need to know which LS engine you’re starting with. The biggest difference is probably the size & the weight between the 4L60E and the 4L80e transmission. You can do it yourself and repin and rewire the OEM wirings, but it’s pretty difficult and time-consuming and it’s not a job for a beginner. The last way to identify if it’s a 4L60 or a 700r4 is to look at the rear of the transmission for the … A comparison between the size and weight shows that the 4L80E is significantly larger and heavier. If you find 2 letters, the transmission is made between 1982-1985.. Overall, these transmissions are completely different even if they look almost the same. AMC V8 to TH400 torque converter sizing ring A part often overlooked by installers is the factory Jeep sizing ring or shim bushing between the TH400 torque converter pilot and the AMC crankshaft bore. However, you can also find both new and used transmissions and parts online; one of the places to check for these is on Amazon. Although they may have similarities, such as being designed by General Motors Company and having a 4-speed automatic overdrive, these transmissions have unique features that set them apart. As said earlier, it was produced to handle more torque than 4l60e. Here are some of the examples of what you can find. amzn_assoc_region = "US";
Coupled with that, new transmission will tend to last longer compared to one that has been around 30 years. Note: ECU outputs can drive a solenoid up to 2.0 Amps. Replace Brake Rotors/Discs - Information, Manual vs. Automatic transmission – Pros, Cons & Information, Engine Sludge Removal & Cleaning - Symptoms & Information, 4L60e to 4L80e Transmission Plug and Play Adapter Harness LS Swap. Tips for Safe Pressure Switch Removal in U660E Transmissions. 2 Yes, some years will fit in others and may not even throw a code, but there will be an issue in the long run. However, it’ll cost you more to acquire this unit compared to the 4L60E and the latter is also easier to find. The engine control unit often has to get reflashed and reprogrammed for the 4l80e transmission to work properly. Privacy Policy, 16-Speed: More Gears Than You Can Shake Three Sticks At, 2011 Chevy Silverado – Project Blue Bomber Finale, A High-Performance Trans for Supercharged V-8s, A New Transmission for the ‘ol Sedan Delivery, Swapping a TH200 4R Into an Early Muscle Car for Easy Overdrive, Ford 4R70W Transmission History and Evolution, Top Signs It’s Time for a Transmission Rebuild, How to Choose the Right Performance Transmission Fluid, GM Transmission Recommendations for High Performance. For you to know the 4l60e vs 4l65e identification, you need to know the major differences between the 4L60E and 4L65E transmissions. The 4L60E is a 4 speed automatic electronically controlled transmission that is used widely across GM platforms, particularly on virtually all rear wheel drive applications. The wiring harness and the transmission control unit are completely different and they are not compatible with each other. Another disparity between both devices is the number of bolts used to secure the transmission to the engine. However, it may be worth noting that the 4 in either name represents four gears whereas the L stands for oriented longitudinally. The 4L80E is also the more powerful transmission of the duo. I hope you enjoyed the guide! At the end of the day, you need to settle for the 4L80E if your car is used in demanding applications that may tend to wear down the transmission. If you find 3 letters, the transmission is made between 1986-1993.. You have two alternatives on this one to make it work properly. The 4L80E  can be told apart from the 4L60E by looking at their transmission fluid pan. On the other hand, the amount of fluid these units will support is dependent on the torque converter that will be used with the transmission. Here, there are more number of bolts on the 4L80E due to its larger size. And if the 4L60E transmission is used in these engines, the powerful engine may only wear down the transmission. Because the LS trans is designed to bolt up to an LS engine, using an LS-style 4L60E trans behind a traditional small- or big-block Chevy used to present problems. July 01, 2020 Transmission repairs or replacements are inconvenient, stressful and typically quite expensive, so it’s a good idea to pay attention to any activity that seems unusual.Adhering to the recommended maintenance procedures and schedule intended to prevent problems will help your transmission last longer, perform better and require fewer repairs over its lifespan. However, the same thing applies here. AGM vs. GEL Differences - Which Battery is Better? Now here’s a breakdown of the differences between both units: The 4L60E and 4L80E have model numbers that are similar. If you want the torque converter to lock up for better fuel mileage, you'll have to install a lock-up control kit in the transmission pan. The Chevrolet Tahoe (and its badge engineered GMC Yukon counterpart) is a full-size SUV from General Motors. This is because the 4L80E has a pan that is oval in shape whereas a rectangular pan is featured by the 4L60E. 700R4 and 4L60E Differences. The bolt pattern for the transfer case is also the same so it will fit in a swap without problems. A much easier way to do it is to get a pre-made swap kit harness, which is not cheap but I can still recommend it because you will save a lot of time and headache. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon";
Otherwise, there are a lot of custom solutions that can be done or you can get a flexible dipstick like this one for 4l80e:Lokar XTD-3518FM Transmission Dipstick. The 4l60e transmission can handle a max torque of around 350nm, while the 4l80e can handle 450nm~ or even more. Can you swap between them? Here are the most significant differences between these transmissions. The 4L65E transmission has an impressive strength. The 4L60E has a weight of 150 lbs without fluid and a length of 23.5″, while the 4L80e has a weight of 236 lbs and a length of 26.4″. If you are making any modifications to the engine as well, it’s recommended to let a tuner do the transmission reprogramming at the same time as they are tuning the engine on the dyno.