Everything You Need to Know About a 4l60e Transmission

The 4l60e transmission is an automatic transmission that's manufactured by General Motors. It has 4 gears and has been tailored to suit longitudinal engines on vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 6000 lbs. GM attached an 'e' to the name in order to distinguish automatic and electronic transmissions from their predecessors. The 4l60e transmission is an improvised version of the Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4 transmission that was sold way back in 1982.

4l60e Transmission Specs

Although mechanically similar to the 4l60 controlled transmission, the 4l60e has a valve body and an actuation system that's controlled electronically. It is 21.9 inches in length, weighs 155 lbs and features a cast aluminum case. It also has a removable or adjustable bellhousing. Most GM rear wheel drive vehicles come equipped with the 4l60e transmission. Although there are newer transmissions such as the 4l65e and the 4l70e that are now being produced, the 4l60e is still manufactured due to its quality, simplicity of design and adaptability to several vehicle types. Other features of this transmission include a square oil pan, an input shaft with 30 splines and a 6 bolt tailhousing.

4l60e Transmission for Sale

If you're looking for a 4l60e transmission for sale, you should start doing your research on the Internet. Alternatively, if you're still under manufacturer's warranty, you could approach a certified auto repair facility that's listed in your auto warranty network, to get parts of the transmission fixed or replaced. It's very important to avoid replacing a 4l60e transmission with a 4l65e transmission or vice versa. This is because the 4l60e transmission works best when connected to the engine it came with. Some good websites to research for 4l60e transmission on sale include Summit Racing Equipment and RMS Auto Parts. Alternatively contact the dealer who sold you the vehicle to find out where you could purchase a new transmission. If you wish to only purchase 4l60e transmission parts, research Transmission Parts USA and the Bulkpart website. Apart from this, if you have some basic knowledge about car transmissions and their parts you could also look for a 4l60e transmission troubleshooting guide to understand what's really wrong with your transmission.

Finding a Transmission Guide

To find a transmission guide or a 4l60e transmission repair manual, visit the Macko Distributing Inc. website and order a guide. By referring to this guide you will learn how to disassemble the transmission, look for problem areas and rebuild the transmission. Guides also have detailed pictures along with tips and techniques for repairing a transmission. Alternatively, you could obtain a 4l60e transmission diagram by purchasing a servicing manual from your dealer. Although these diagrams and guides are very helpful, you're better off getting your transmission checked and fixed by a qualified technician to eliminate the possibility of wiring errors that could cause road accidents.

4l65e Transmission

The 4l60e transmission is available on several Buick, Cadillac, GMC, Holden and Pontiac models. It works well with V6, V8 and I6 engines. The 4l65e that's very similar to its predecessor (4l60e) was introduced in 2003 with a V6 Vortec engine. Unlike the 4l60e transmission, it has 5 pinion planetaries and a capacity to handle up to 380 feet-lbf of torque. Several design features of the 4l65e transmission were incorporated into the 4l60e transmissions that were manufactured around the year 2003.

Purchasing Rebuilt Transmissions

Although every company offers you competitive prices for transmissions and their parts, you should consider working with a reliable company so that you know that you're getting quality parts. One good website that you could research is GOT TRANSMISSIONS.com. They have a wide variety of new, used and rebuilt, manual and automatic transmissions that could be sent to you. If you come across any car parts company for the first time, look them up on the Better Business Bureau to determine their reputation. Since automatic transmissions have to work along with a vehicle's speed sensor system to make correct shift changes, it's important to purchase quality parts that don't compromise vehicle safety.

To make sure that you keep your vehicle in optimal working condition, read the owner's manual to find out what type of transmission fluid is ideal for your car. You should also look for transmission fluid leaks and get the vehicle fixed at the earliest. If you ignore visible problems and continue driving the vehicle around you may cause irreparable car damage. Also find out when and how often you need to make a transmission fluid change so that the gearbox remains well lubricated.

Related Questions and Answers

What is the Difference between the 4l60e transmission and the Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4 Transmission?

While both the Turbo-Hydramatic 700R4 transmission and the 4l60e transmission fit GM vehicles, the 700R4 originated in 1982 and was the precursor to the "e" or electronic version. In the 700R4, a throttle cable directs the gear shift process. The centrifugal force of transmission fluid exerts pressure on the torque converter and locks gears in place. The 4l60e designers in the early 1990s created a product incorporating the rugged construction and hydraulic fluid operation of the 700R4 with computer control technology. An electronic control module (ECM) receives revolution-per-minute and torque data from the engine and triggers up or down shifts in the transmission at the optimum times. ECM control offers quicker and more accurate gear changes than a cable-activated transmission.

What is a 4l60 Controlled Transmission?

In contrast to the 4l60e transmission, the conventional 4l60 control transmission uses a throttle valve cable to control transmission shift points. From the driver accelerator pedal, the linkage passes through the firewall and connects to the carburetor and throttle valve "plunger", that pushes fluid through passages of the transmission valve body. This action triggers gear changes. The throttle linkage must correspond to the correct "wide open throttle" setting. Other parts include the pressure cable housings, brackets, linkage clips and adjustment screws to make the length of the cable precise.