Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

4L60E - Myth Busted

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 01:10 AM
  #1  
LBear's Avatar
LBear
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 5
From: West Coast
Default 4L60E - Myth Busted

I spoke to a VERY reputable trans expert. He has been rebuilding tranmission for 20+ years.

It is NOT bad to manually hold the 4L60E in a lower gear such as 2nd or 1st or to downshift manually.

The A4 does a really BAD job of deciding what gear to be in. When I want to pass, it does not pick a low enough gear to bring the RPM band to where I need it. It lugs the motor.

Hopefully the 4L65E fixed this problem. Chevy can learn some things from German automatics, such as the paddle shift found in BMW's. They are a blast to drive.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 01:51 AM
  #2  
Got uid0's Avatar
Got uid0
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
Default

that is why tuning works great on an a4 changing the shift points.

I agree there are some cases where you need to force it to gear when you want it there but i would not think acting like you have a manual shift in an a4 from stop light to stop light would be a good thing.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 02:08 AM
  #3  
Dirty Howie's Avatar
Dirty Howie
Team Owner
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Default

Originally Posted by pettrix
I spoke to a VERY reputable trans expert. He has been rebuilding tranmission for 20+ years.

It is NOT bad to manually hold the 4L60E in a lower gear such as 2nd or 1st or to downshift manually.

The A4 does a really BAD job of deciding what gear to be in. When I want to pass, it does not pick a low enough gear to bring the RPM band to where I need it. It lugs the motor.

Hopefully the 4L65E fixed this problem. Chevy can learn some things from German automatics, such as the paddle shift found in BMW's. They are a blast to drive.
I hope he is right......cause I drive like its a four speed stick somethimes
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 02:31 AM
  #4  
NSTG8R's Avatar
NSTG8R
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,772
Likes: 1
From: Tampa FL
Default

phew .. good to know.

cuz man, when i run that thing through the gears from first all the way through sixth, i get worried I might be hurting it.


oh wait ...


Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 02:36 AM
  #5  
Vette346's Avatar
Vette346
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
From: Fairfax VA
Default

Hopefully Chevy can also learn something from the Germans and everyone else about adding more than four gears to its auto. Its a 50k sports car, not a Kia. Its about time they get with the competition and offer a six speed.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 05:41 AM
  #6  
JeffC5's Avatar
JeffC5
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,567
Likes: 1
From: Edmond, OK...One of the first rules of online forums: If you don't like what is said but can't refute it, attack the poster.
Default

How do you know if you have the 4L60E or the 4L65E?
Jeff
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 05:51 AM
  #7  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,136
Likes: 24,733
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

Nice to know this. I agree that Chevy should get with the program and offer a better automatic that has the manual shift options like BMW, Mercedes, etc.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 07:45 AM
  #8  
vstella's Avatar
vstella
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 7,294
Likes: 1
From: Coral Springs Florida
Default

Originally Posted by pettrix
The A4 does a really BAD job of deciding what gear to be in.
So True...Now get a Transgo shift kit and really enjoy the shifts!!

More info here ... www.transgoperformance.com
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 08:31 AM
  #9  
Miaugi's Avatar
Miaugi
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,588
Likes: 6
From: Montreal Qc
Default

Originally Posted by JeffC5
How do you know if you have the 4L60E or the 4L65E?
Jeff
As far as Vettes are concerned, the 4L65E is only on the '05's as far as I know, so if you don't have a C6, you don't got one.

Anyone else have more details?
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 08:42 AM
  #10  
JeffC5's Avatar
JeffC5
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,567
Likes: 1
From: Edmond, OK...One of the first rules of online forums: If you don't like what is said but can't refute it, attack the poster.
Default

One of the reasons I asked is because I just got my Factory Service Manual and under transmission, it's labeled 4L60E/4L65E. So I thought maybe they changed it sometime during the 04 production.
Jeff
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 08:47 AM
  #11  
C5XTASY's Avatar
C5XTASY
Safety Car
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,949
Likes: 10
From: Monticello MN
Default

Originally Posted by Miaugi
As far as Vettes are concerned, the 4L65E is only on the '05's as far as I know, so if you don't have a C6, you don't got one.

Anyone else have more details?
As I recall, the 4L65E was first used in the Corvette beginning in 2003. I read a GM tech article on it saying it was beefed up to be able to handle the Z06 engine (405 hp at the time). Supposedly, GM will be coming out with a 5 or 6 speed automatic in the 2006 models. They are really behind the times in this. Lord, my Explorer has a 5 speed.
Ed
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 08:48 AM
  #12  
Scissors's Avatar
Scissors
☠☣☢ Semper Ebrius ☢☣☠
Supporting Lifetime Gold
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 83,301
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII Veteran
St. Jude's Donor '06
Default

Originally Posted by Vette346
Hopefully Chevy can also learn something from the Germans and everyone else about adding more than four gears to its auto. Its a 50k sports car, not a Kia. Its about time they get with the competition and offer a six speed.
So, please, point out to us an automatic transmission with six gears and is the same dimensions or smaller than the 4L65E and is as light or lighter, but can take the same input torque and costs 50% more at most.

I keep asking, but nobody ever can find proof (read: actual specs.)

If "everybody else" has 6-speed automatics that can handle 400 lbs.-ft. of torque, you should have no problem listing them all.

Last edited by Scissors; Aug 4, 2004 at 08:50 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 09:46 AM
  #13  
Allthrottleandsomebottle's Avatar
Allthrottleandsomebottle
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,935
Likes: 26
From: Lackey, my own dragstrip VA.
Virginia Events Coordinator
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
NCM Ambassador
Default

I have done it since day one on all my autos since 1980..............38K on the 00', 80K on the P/U, .etc. w/o issues.
Two things kill these, to much heat........and letting the trans decide on the gear for downshifting to pass or play, bad on the bands/clutch packs.
Keep shifting and have a nice day
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 10:56 AM
  #14  
Mean Green's Avatar
Mean Green
Team Owner
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 58,783
Likes: 1
From: D*ck ina Box
CI III & IV Vote Ho
CI II, III, IV & V Vet
CI IV Bracket Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04
Default

Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 01:00 PM
  #15  
BHP's Avatar
BHP
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,076
Likes: 26
From: Nevada and Florida
Default

Originally Posted by knowledgefreak
that is why tuning works great on an a4 changing the shift points.

I agree there are some cases where you need to force it to gear when you want it there but i would not think acting like you have a manual shift in an a4 from stop light to stop light would be a good thing.


If you set your shift points properly the trans will perform to your will. Install the Transgo shift kit and adjust parms with LS1-Edit and you will have a "real" tranny.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 01:05 PM
  #16  
BHP's Avatar
BHP
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,076
Likes: 26
From: Nevada and Florida
Default

Originally Posted by JeffC5
One of the reasons I asked is because I just got my Factory Service Manual and under transmission, it's labeled 4L60E/4L65E. So I thought maybe they changed it sometime during the 04 production.
Jeff
I cannot personally verify this. There have been many internal changes compared to my '99 and '04. Case still says M30 which is a 4L60E. Supposedly GM went to 5 pinions in '03.
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 05:16 PM
  #17  
GENERAL ST's Avatar
GENERAL ST
Pro
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 597
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia Pennsylvania
Default

LS1 EDIT ....ON A4......SHIFTS THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSSED TO.
KICKS BUTT!!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 4L60E - Myth Busted

Old Aug 4, 2004 | 05:34 PM
  #18  
IMQUIK's Avatar
IMQUIK
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 5,266
Likes: 1
From: Kennesaw Ga
Default

Originally Posted by GENERAL ST
LS1 EDIT ....ON A4......SHIFTS THE WAY IT IS SUPPOSSED TO.
KICKS BUTT!!
Reply
Old Aug 4, 2004 | 09:08 PM
  #19  
Vette346's Avatar
Vette346
Instructor
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
From: Fairfax VA
Default

Originally Posted by Scissors
So, please, point out to us an automatic transmission with six gears and is the same dimensions or smaller than the 4L65E and is as light or lighter, but can take the same input torque and costs 50% more at most.

I keep asking, but nobody ever can find proof (read: actual specs.)

If "everybody else" has 6-speed automatics that can handle 400 lbs.-ft. of torque, you should have no problem listing them all.
Well seeing as how nearly every car over $30k has at least five forward gears, and many under $30 as well, Accord, Camry, SUZUKI XL-7 for Gods sake, etc...Now for being able to handle 400 ft-lbs of torque....The entire Audi line has at least 5 speeds, of those RS6(415 lb-ft), A8 W-12(425), Volkswagen has a slightly detuned 6.0 W-12 in the Phaeton, and the new Touraeg V-10 TDI(550). Lexus entire model line has at least 5 speeds and they're launching a new in house performance line to compete with AMG, M Division, Audi RS etc..., Mercedes entire model line has at least 5 speeds and a new 7 speed is set to debut this year, of those C55(376 ft-lbs), E55(516), S55(516), SL600(590), SL65(738), CLK55(376), CLS55(516), BMWs entire line has at least 5 speeds, 6 in all but the 3 series, the 6 speed ZF tranny in the 760(438), Jaguars entire line has at least 5 speeds, 6 in all but the X Type. The S Type R, XKR, XJR(399ft-lbs 6 speeds), Cadillac finally has a 5 speed in the new STS, Nissan has a 5 speed in the Titan/Armada/Infiniti QX56(379ft-lbs, 390 in the Q). Also the Chrysler 300C (390) and the upcoming 300C SRT8(425) along with others costing much more, Bentley, Aston Martin etc....
Reply
Old Aug 5, 2004 | 12:20 AM
  #20  
Dirty Howie's Avatar
Dirty Howie
Team Owner
20 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 26,345
Likes: 232
From: SoCal
Default

Originally Posted by Vette346
Well seeing as how nearly every car over $30k has at least five forward gears, and many under $30 as well, Accord, Camry, SUZUKI XL-7 for Gods sake, etc...Now for being able to handle 400 ft-lbs of torque....The entire Audi line has at least 5 speeds, of those RS6(415 lb-ft), A8 W-12(425), Volkswagen has a slightly detuned 6.0 W-12 in the Phaeton, and the new Touraeg V-10 TDI(550). Lexus entire model line has at least 5 speeds and they're launching a new in house performance line to compete with AMG, M Division, Audi RS etc..., Mercedes entire model line has at least 5 speeds and a new 7 speed is set to debut this year, of those C55(376 ft-lbs), E55(516), S55(516), SL600(590), SL65(738), CLK55(376), CLS55(516), BMWs entire line has at least 5 speeds, 6 in all but the 3 series, the 6 speed ZF tranny in the 760(438), Jaguars entire line has at least 5 speeds, 6 in all but the X Type. The S Type R, XKR, XJR(399ft-lbs 6 speeds), Cadillac finally has a 5 speed in the new STS, Nissan has a 5 speed in the Titan/Armada/Infiniti QX56(379ft-lbs, 390 in the Q). Also the Chrysler 300C (390) and the upcoming 300C SRT8(425) along with others costing much more, Bentley, Aston Martin etc....
Scissors.....please say "UNCLE" and make him stop

Can I get any of those tranny's to fit under my coupe
Reply




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:56 AM.

story-0
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-1
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-4
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE