Dilemma: must sort of* rush now- Tranny opinions-

[Brian P]

As some of you already know, transmission #2 died yesterday while I was hi-tailing it to Wendy's on my lunch break (while simultaneously W-body got hacked.... ) I was on the accelerator, in 3rd, when it just dropped the gear. All I had left of the car was 1st gear, nothing else. Made noises like hell, something broke good inside there. I got it back to work in 1st gear (fun) but I towed it home 40 miles with the help of my dad and his Sierra p/u. Now in an effort to prevent this from happening again, and considering this would be tranny #2 since the 3400 (I killed the original tranny about 7,000 miles after the engine swap) I may go for a 4T60e out of an H-body, preferably out of a mid 90's Bonneville with the 3.06 FDR (probably SSE), instead of the 2.84 ratio in Lesabres, Olds, and base Bonnie's . These trannies are mated with the 3800 making 230 lb/ft of torque, and honestly, these cars seem less prone to tranny failures from what I've seen. I shouldn't have any mounting issues but I haven't finished checkng. I'm sure these H-body tranny's aren't called "HD" but GM must have beefed up something for it. If anyone knows for sure if there's a difference let me know.

 

So now the car's laid up for a bit, but now I may as well go ahead with the OBD2 swap which I was going to wait till september (I have a '96 Lumi APV PCM for the 3400/4T60e), change the rear exhaust mani gasket which I think is leaking, install the wiring for the downstream O2 sensor. This wasn't a good time for this to happen, but I need to make the best of it. So this leads to every Cutlass Supreme I've had needing to be towed once

[SigEpCutlass]

That sucks Brian. Good luck in whatever decison you make. I sadly have no advice to offer you.

[terryk2003]

that does suck man...did u make it back to work in time in 1st gear?...

 

oh, and since this is your 2nd tranny failure i'm gonna have to ask...how's your front air dam?...its not broken is it?...

[Brian P]

ROFL....maybe that's my problem. I bet the tranny cooler gets no flow!

 

Actually I got to wendys, got food, then called my boss to come get me then just had him follow me back in case the tranny took 1st gear too. Wish I had a video of that ride back

 

 

 

 

 

 

[99RegalGS]

I'm not sure if the trans in my Bonne is any different than a regular 4T60E, but I suggest a 96 4T60E-HD trans from a 96 G or H body with the L67. The 94-95 4T60E behind the L67 might be a HD version as well.

[5speedz34]

Why not getting one of the "HD" trannies that GM designated. I know they came in some Caddy's.

 

Also, if your going to OBD2, do you need a OBD2 tranny?

[Brian P]

Oh get this: Looking at this chart:

 

http://60degreev6.com/Articles/Transmissions/4T60E/4T60E.htm

 

I can swap the Final Drive out of my dead tranny, or even my last tranny (I think I saved it) and turn the 2.84 ratio H-body tranny to a 3.33. The Driver/Driven sprocket tooth count is the same.

 

http://60degreev6.com/Articles/Transmissions/4T60E/transratios.gif

 

 

[Brian P]

I'm not sure if the trans in my Bonne is any different than a regular 4T60E, but I suggest a 96 4T60E-HD trans from a 96 G or H body with the L67. The 94-95 4T60E behind the L67 might be a HD version as well.

 

I was hoping for that one, but it seems to be hard to come by. It's a definite though if I can find it!

 

Why not getting one of the "HD" trannies that GM designated. I know they came in some Caddy's.

 

Also, if your going to OBD2, do you need a OBD2 tranny?

 

For '96-97 programming, I don't. I can use a '94-95 if I want to since that's when some changes like the TCC apply sequence using the PWM solenoid, also the shift solenoids are a different setup. The tranny I just blew was from a '96 GP, I ran it on my stock PCM. '98+ is different for the 60E but I haven't checked why.

[5speedz34]

I'm not sure if the trans in my Bonne is any different than a regular 4T60E, but I suggest a 96 4T60E-HD trans from a 96 G or H body with the L67. The 94-95 4T60E behind the L67 might be a HD version as well.

 

I was hoping for that one, but it seems to be hard to come by. It's a definite though if I can find it!

 

Have Ken bring one out for you!

[Brian P]

??? He has em?

[Crazy K]

ME??? i know of a yard in indianapolis that has decent prices and should have quite a few trannys to choose from, whatever the specs you are asking about...

 

they get late modle GPs bonnevilles, olds 88/98s and such.

 

see what they say.

Skiles Country Automotive, 317-787-7555

 

 

[slick]

The only trans problem we have had with our 93 Bonneville is some bad o-rings. Otherwise at 120,000 miles, it still shifts perfectly.

[Brian P]

eh I wish I had more time, I'd consider something far away, but with shipping costs, may not be worth it.

 

I'm gonna take an "emergency" run to PA for a couple U-pull-its, see if I get lucky. If nothing else, I'll get the brackets for the different H-body mount

[1990lumina]

I'm not sure if the trans in my Bonne is any different than a regular 4T60E, but I suggest a 96 4T60E-HD trans from a 96 G or H body with the L67. The 94-95 4T60E behind the L67 might be a HD version as well.

 

umm, they might be HD, but the Bonneville my buddy's family had w/ L67 - the tranny broke in that with only 40,000miles on it, so that goes to show you how "HD" it really is

 

and this car was maintained very well too, so it wasn't due to lack of maintance...just driving it one day and it made a loud metallic crunch and wouldn't move any further... the rebuild they had installed lasted up until the car was totalled...maybe you should look into getting something built up

[Brian P]

I'm not sure if the trans in my Bonne is any different than a regular 4T60E, but I suggest a 96 4T60E-HD trans from a 96 G or H body with the L67. The 94-95 4T60E behind the L67 might be a HD version as well.

 

umm, they might be HD, but the Bonneville my buddy's family had w/ L67 - the tranny broke in that with only 40,000miles on it, so that goes to show you how "HD" it really is

 

and this car was maintained very well too, so it wasn't due to lack of maintance...just driving it one day and it made a loud metallic crunch and wouldn't move any further... the rebuild they had installed lasted up until the car was totalled...maybe you should look into getting something built up

 

I would, but considering the $ I'd spend and there's still no guarantee it'd last. This tranny I just blew up was a reman. Even if I took the 1 year/12k warranty, I'd have been out of luck (unless I bitched...big time). Another option was to get a goodwrench reman from the dealer, but I know of a few of those that never were right either.

[mfewtrail]

Brian, have you considered swapping in a 4T65-E HD since you're going OBD-II?

[99RegalGS]

Brian, have you considered swapping in a 4T65-E HD since you're going OBD-II?

Hmmmm, That might not be a bad choice. Even though you already have the 96 PCM and harness.

 

Equal length driveshafts FTW!

[joey b]

will it bolt up considering that you are taking it from a 90* V6? I'd think the bellhousing would be different.

[dakiln]

4T-65E won't mount correctly in the cutlass, seen it tried.

 

I would go with the 96 Trans, it is your best bet and you are already set up for it.

 

BTW - there was some guy on EBAY selling reman GM Transmissions. So here is the deal with the ones he was selling:

 

2 years ago GM switched from an "AC Delco" remanufacturing name to "GM Goodwrench" this is why you can find these reman trannies so cheap.

[STE1991GrandPrix]

Um... I might be able to get the tranny out of my grandprix tommorow if you want it just pay the shipping. But its used 170000 miles, and I highly doubt it was rebuilt but the fluid isn't burnt and it shifts normally.

 

Just a thought,

Eric

[mfewtrail]

4T-65E won't mount correctly in the cutlass, seen it tried.

 

Why specifically did it not mount correctly?

[Brian P]

I'm pretty sure 4T65e's mount the same way. I know the mounting didn't change in the gen-2 W-car, and a 4T60e interchanges between a gen-1 and an early gen-2 (97) sooo....unless there's something that interferes, I don't know of such issue.

 

Thanks anyway Eric, but between the mileage and shipping distance it's not worth it to me.

 

I checked with my local junkyard, they have a tranny out of a '96 Lumina 3.1, and another out of a '97 Grand Prix 3.8... the latter does interchange with a '96 Regal, so I know I can use it. I don't know which one I should take the chance with (both have similar mileage) should I need to buy one from them.