Tranny Upgrade?

[CoffeyLover]

Hey guys,

 

So my 2003 Silverado 1500 has a 4.8L, with some 35 A/Ts, and a few other upgrades. Needless to say, the tranny is tired after 145,000 miles.

 

I know that this truck has a 4-speed 4l60E transmission. I heard of some guys who have a 6-speed auto put in it. Is this a drop in installation? And what transmissions will properly fit in my truck (bigger and beefier of course)?

[L76PWRD]

The best thing to do is to beef up your stock 4l60. To add the 6 speed you have to get a separate PCM, because the 6 speed has the TCM in the transmission. A beefed up 4l60 can handle a good amount of horsepower and torque. If you really want the 6 speed, just buy a truck that comes with one already, not worth it in my opinion.

[CoffeyLover]

The best thing to do is to beef up your stock 4l60. To add the 6 speed you have to get a separate PCM, because the 6 speed has the TCM in the transmission. A beefed up 4l60 can handle a good amount of horsepower and torque. If you really want the 6 speed, just buy a truck that comes with one already, not worth it in my opinion.

 

Can you give me some examples of upgrades and prices for upgrading the 4l60? And would it be pointless to upgrade the one I have? Do I have to get a new one?

[L76PWRD]

The best thing to do is to beef up your stock 4l60. To add the 6 speed you have to get a separate PCM, because the 6 speed has the TCM in the transmission. A beefed up 4l60 can handle a good amount of horsepower and torque. If you really want the 6 speed, just buy a truck that comes with one already, not worth it in my opinion.

 

Can you give me some examples of upgrades and prices for upgrading the 4l60? And would it be pointless to upgrade the one I have? Do I have to get a new one?

 

 

 

For 2000 dollars you can get a pretty beefed up 4l60, the one you have can be rebuilt with stronger parts. That's what I'm going to do with my 4l70 I'm going to beef it up, my tranny already broke but I got it fixed with the 100,000 mile warranty.

[CoffeyLover]

The best thing to do is to beef up your stock 4l60. To add the 6 speed you have to get a separate PCM, because the 6 speed has the TCM in the transmission. A beefed up 4l60 can handle a good amount of horsepower and torque. If you really want the 6 speed, just buy a truck that comes with one already, not worth it in my opinion.

 

Can you give me some examples of upgrades and prices for upgrading the 4l60? And would it be pointless to upgrade the one I have? Do I have to get a new one?

 

 

 

For 2000 dollars you can get a pretty beefed up 4l60, the one you have can be rebuilt with stronger parts. That's what I'm going to do with my 4l70 I'm going to beef it up, my tranny already broke but I got it fixed with the 100,000 mile warranty.

 

 

2000 is pretty steep. Damn trannies. How much is the rebuild approx.?

[L76PWRD]

The best thing to do is to beef up your stock 4l60. To add the 6 speed you have to get a separate PCM, because the 6 speed has the TCM in the transmission. A beefed up 4l60 can handle a good amount of horsepower and torque. If you really want the 6 speed, just buy a truck that comes with one already, not worth it in my opinion.

 

Can you give me some examples of upgrades and prices for upgrading the 4l60? And would it be pointless to upgrade the one I have? Do I have to get a new one?

 

 

 

For 2000 dollars you can get a pretty beefed up 4l60, the one you have can be rebuilt with stronger parts. That's what I'm going to do with my 4l70 I'm going to beef it up, my tranny already broke but I got it fixed with the 100,000 mile warranty.

 

 

2000 is pretty steep. Damn trannies. How much is the rebuild approx.?

 

 

 

Depends where you get it and what they do to the transmission. I would at least add a shift kit & servos to the transmission. Im going to do a built transmission with a performance torque converter.

[CoffeyLover]

The best thing to do is to beef up your stock 4l60. To add the 6 speed you have to get a separate PCM, because the 6 speed has the TCM in the transmission. A beefed up 4l60 can handle a good amount of horsepower and torque. If you really want the 6 speed, just buy a truck that comes with one already, not worth it in my opinion.

 

Can you give me some examples of upgrades and prices for upgrading the 4l60? And would it be pointless to upgrade the one I have? Do I have to get a new one?

 

 

 

For 2000 dollars you can get a pretty beefed up 4l60, the one you have can be rebuilt with stronger parts. That's what I'm going to do with my 4l70 I'm going to beef it up, my tranny already broke but I got it fixed with the 100,000 mile warranty.

 

 

2000 is pretty steep. Damn trannies. How much is the rebuild approx.?

 

 

 

Depends where you get it and what they do to the transmission. I would at least add a shift kit & servos to the transmission. Im going to do a built transmission with a performance torque converter.

 

 

Yea, I'm thinkin I might just buy a beefed up one, and suffer the 2000 price tag. That is, when I get my hands on 2000.

 

I am worried because my truck only has the 4.8L, and thought a new tranny might be a waste. But I did think about a LS3 conversion so... things to think about I guess.

[L76PWRD]

Yeah when you start building power & torque it is good to beef up the transmission. My truck with exhaust, cold air intake & tune broke the 4l70 transmission. They are decent transmission but when they are beefed up the last longer.

[nickvrebel]

Yea, I'm thinkin I might just buy a beefed up one, and suffer the 2000 price tag. That is, when I get my hands on 2000.

 

I am worried because my truck only has the 4.8L, and thought a new tranny might be a waste. But I did think about a LS3 conversion so... things to think about I guess.

if your stock transmission lasted that long with 35" tires behind the 4.8L then a mild "performance build" would last the rest of the truck's life. Wouldn't hurt to go with a little higher stall torque converter too while you have the transmission out, it would help add a little more power from a standing start.

 

as far as power upgrades, a LS3 would be a waste of money in your situation. An easy upgrade for a 2003 model truck would be a 6.0L (iron block) LQ4 or LQ9, it's a direct swap, but of course with that much power on a 4L60e you would need a transmission built by someone that really knows what they are doing (most average shops aren't up to building a transmission for this application)

[CoffeyLover]

Yea, I'm thinkin I might just buy a beefed up one, and suffer the 2000 price tag. That is, when I get my hands on 2000.

 

I am worried because my truck only has the 4.8L, and thought a new tranny might be a waste. But I did think about a LS3 conversion so... things to think about I guess.

if your stock transmission lasted that long with 35" tires behind the 4.8L then a mild "performance build" would last the rest of the truck's life. Wouldn't hurt to go with a little higher stall torque converter too while you have the transmission out, it would help add a little more power from a standing start.

 

as far as power upgrades, a LS3 would be a waste of money in your situation. An easy upgrade for a 2003 model truck would be a 6.0L (iron block) LQ4 or LQ9, it's a direct swap, but of course with that much power on a 4L60e you would need a transmission built by someone that really knows what they are doing (most average shops aren't up to building a transmission for this application)

 

 

Yea it has lasted quite a while, but I think it doesn't have much time left.

 

What are the prices (approx) on a LQ4 or LQ9, and what is the difference between the two? I don't know too much about engines for these trucks.

[Stevens03]

LQ4 has 300 to 325 HP with 360tq and iron block while the LQ9 has higher compression and 345hp and 380 tq with aluminum block.

 

Prices range between $1000-2500 depending on mileage and age.

[CoffeyLover]

LQ4 has 300 to 325 HP with 360tq and iron block while the LQ9 has higher compression and 345hp and 380 tq with aluminum block.

 

Prices range between $1000-2500 depending on mileage and age.

 

Got it. Well LQ9 sounds like it would be the ticket. I am debating between the engine/tranny replacements or a new truck

 

But I do love this truck...

[nick3941sd]

Yeah when you start building power & torque it is good to beef up the transmission. My truck with exhaust, cold air intake & tune broke the 4l70 transmission. They are decent transmission but when they are beefed up the last longer.

 

The dealer didnt give you any problems with the warranty work with the tune?

[revrnd]

2000 is pretty steep. Damn trannies. How much is the rebuild approx.?

 

I don't think that's bad. It cost me 1300 to get a 700R4 rebuilt in '85. Oil pump case cracked causing a loss of pressure. As a result the 3-4 clutch pack burned up.

[tanked_darren]

2000 is pretty steep. Damn trannies. How much is the rebuild approx.?

 

I don't think that's bad. It cost me 1300 to get a 700R4 rebuilt in '85. Oil pump case cracked causing a loss of pressure. As a result the 3-4 clutch pack burned up.

 

 

$2000 is not steep at all to me, especially if they are putting in better parts than OEM.