4L60E Swap
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Rochester Washington
4L60E Swap
I need to upgrade my auto tranny. I was told the best one out there that can handle 660 HP is the 4L80E; is this correct. Also, would a Tremec trans out of a 2005 c6 corvette along with the differential fit on my C5? If so, which would you all recommend?
Thank you in advance for any guidance,
Brian
Thank you in advance for any guidance,
Brian
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 4
From: cinnaminson n.j.
St. Jude Donor '14
If you want to stay with the auto, contact rpm. They are a supporting vender and from what I have read here, build some pretty stout and reliable 4l60E transmissions. Swapping to a 4l80E is an expensive mod.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Rochester Washington
AMP Racing
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 10,754
Likes: 589
From: Washington TWP NJ
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2017 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12
4L80 will not fit the C5 without modification to the Trans tunnel. And it's expensive.
As mentioned above, Rodney at RPM can hook you up with a badass transmission.
Swapping to a T56 is also an expensive proposition.
As mentioned above, Rodney at RPM can hook you up with a badass transmission.
Swapping to a T56 is also an expensive proposition.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 253
Likes: 3
Don't discount the ability of the 4L60E if it's built right. Unfortunately, there's a shortage of competent builders in the country. We have them running 9.7s in 3600 # cars and 9.8s in 4200# cars. They can be built to handle 1000 + horsepower.
Frank
Frank
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Rochester Washington
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Rochester Washington
thanks Frank. I'll look into it.
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 2
From: London(UK)/Troyes(France)
Definitely consider contacting rpm transmissions! They build some strong transmissions and they really stand behing their products 
www.rpmtransmissions.com
www.rpmtransmissions.com
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 38
From: Colorado
i'd go back to RPM for another 4l60 if that's what i was doing. being as i do my work myself and enjoy a challenge, i'd do a 4l80 before doing another 4l60. just to be unique, if not applicable 
As far as the t56 being an expensive swap - I have to disagree. if you do it yourself, its really not bad at all, if you factor in selling or trading your auto stuff. even if you find a shop, you can find it done for ~$1500 all day. i did get quotes as high as $3k, but shop around (and shop with people with reputations..)
As far as the t56 being an expensive swap - I have to disagree. if you do it yourself, its really not bad at all, if you factor in selling or trading your auto stuff. even if you find a shop, you can find it done for ~$1500 all day. i did get quotes as high as $3k, but shop around (and shop with people with reputations..)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Rochester Washington
Thanks
i'd go back to RPM for another 4l60 if that's what i was doing. being as i do my work myself and enjoy a challenge, i'd do a 4l80 before doing another 4l60. just to be unique, if not applicable
As far as the t56 being an expensive swap - I have to disagree. if you do it yourself, its really not bad at all, if you factor in selling or trading your auto stuff. even if you find a shop, you can find it done for ~$1500 all day. i did get quotes as high as $3k, but shop around (and shop with people with reputations..)
As far as the t56 being an expensive swap - I have to disagree. if you do it yourself, its really not bad at all, if you factor in selling or trading your auto stuff. even if you find a shop, you can find it done for ~$1500 all day. i did get quotes as high as $3k, but shop around (and shop with people with reputations..)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Rochester Washington
Definitely consider contacting rpm transmissions! They build some strong transmissions and they really stand behing their products
www.rpmtransmissions.com
www.rpmtransmissions.com
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Rochester Washington
i'd go back to RPM for another 4l60 if that's what i was doing. being as i do my work myself and enjoy a challenge, i'd do a 4l80 before doing another 4l60. just to be unique, if not applicable
As far as the t56 being an expensive swap - I have to disagree. if you do it yourself, its really not bad at all, if you factor in selling or trading your auto stuff. even if you find a shop, you can find it done for ~$1500 all day. i did get quotes as high as $3k, but shop around (and shop with people with reputations..)
As far as the t56 being an expensive swap - I have to disagree. if you do it yourself, its really not bad at all, if you factor in selling or trading your auto stuff. even if you find a shop, you can find it done for ~$1500 all day. i did get quotes as high as $3k, but shop around (and shop with people with reputations..)
Last edited by BrianAgar; May 17, 2014 at 02:06 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 38
From: Colorado
Thank you Sean. If I pick up a solid T56, I should be able to get it and rebuild it for "about" the same price. However, I think I'm just going to rebuild my tranny. I did some research and found the 4l60 it's just am upgraded 700R4, which I had and ran with a 4.10 gears and almost 1000 hp. That would worked for me, so I'm sticking with the 4l60.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,439
Likes: 406
From: Portland OR
Actually Sean, if you have a good converter, the 1-2 isn't so much of an issue.
My data logs show nearly identical drops from 1-2 and 2-3.
And if.....if you have 1000hp, you won't care anyway. :-)
Ron
My data logs show nearly identical drops from 1-2 and 2-3.
And if.....if you have 1000hp, you won't care anyway. :-)
Ron
Last edited by RonSSNova; May 17, 2014 at 06:51 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,687
Likes: 86
From: De Pere, WI
just a FYI, a 4L80 swap is about $10,000....
Unless you are running 8s a 4L60/65 will be sufficient and durable.
The 4L60 is an upgraded 700R4. The 4L60/65e and 4L60 are different transmissions.
Unless you are running 8s a 4L60/65 will be sufficient and durable.
The 4L60 is an upgraded 700R4. The 4L60/65e and 4L60 are different transmissions.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 38
From: Colorado
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 38
From: Colorado
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
A 4l80 swap is way more then $10k... The parts alone are over $15k.. Not to mention extensive labor/hacking to make it work..
For 800-900rwhp, the RPM level 7 4l60 will hold you for a while.... Not forever....but for a while.. 3-4 clutches are the first to go.
I've ran a hand full of 9.22-9.35 passes at 3600lbs with the level 7 and it never misses a beat.
For 800-900rwhp, the RPM level 7 4l60 will hold you for a while.... Not forever....but for a while.. 3-4 clutches are the first to go.
I've ran a hand full of 9.22-9.35 passes at 3600lbs with the level 7 and it never misses a beat.