4l60e with an LS1?

[tuske427]

HI:

One of my projects I have going is installing an LS1 with an auto trans in an old Hot rod. The transmission shop sold me a 4l60e, but, the torque converter won't bolt up to my flex plate.

turns out the LS1 requires a 4l65e..

1- is there any way to successfully use the 4l60e trans with the LS1? (certain torque converter to purchase, modify the flex plate, etc?)

fortunately my needs are essentially stock. Looking for long term reliability.

2- will the wiring work between the 4l60e and 4l65e? I have purchased a painless wiring kit for engine management.

any suggestions or advice?

Thanks,

-BV

[LS13RDGEN]

It sounds like they sold you a 4L60E that came out of a pre-1997 car. The bellhousings are different as well as the torque converter patterns.
There should be a sticker on the bellhousing that denotes the year of the tranny.
Also, if the bellhousing is not a complete circle then it is not the right year model tranny.
In short, the LS1s did come with 4L60E transmissions. If you wanted to upgrade to a 4L65E then you can. The wiring should be the same. The difference between the 4L60E and the 4L65E (if I remember correctly) is a 5 gear planet set instead of a 4.

[tuske427]

HI:

Ok, this sounds like good news so far.

The transmission does have a full circle bellhousing. It's not like the older 700R4's with a sheet metal inspection cover....

I have bolted the engine to the trans, so that works , too. The problem is the flex plate and torque converter bolt holes do not align. Attached is a pic for reference. only one bolt is attached, you cna see how off center it is..

Maybe I have the wrong flex plate? Is there a certain part number for a LS1 flex plate for the 4l60e trans? I know my flex plate works for the 4l65e trans as I matched it up to a 4l65e torque converter at my local dealership.

I understand a 4l65e torque converter will not work on a 4l60e trans. is this correct?

I appreciate your help!

[LS13RDGEN]

Shoot I am stumped now.
Did they tell you what the tranmission came out of?
I tried looking up part numbers for the flexplate on a 4L65E with no luck.
Here is the part number for the flexplate for a LS1 4L60E part#12563136
That part number fits all of the following:
Make Model Year(s) Application

Cadillac Escalade
2002-2003
All applications

2002
5.3L Eng


Cadillac Escalade EXT
2002-2003
All applications


Chevrolet Avalanche
2002-2004
1500

2002
5.3L Eng


Chevrolet Camaro
1998-2002
V8, Automatic Trans


Chevrolet Chevy Express
2003-2004
G1500, V8

2003
G2500, V6

2003-2004
G2500, V8, 5.3L Eng

2003-2004
H1500

2003
H1500, H2500

2003
H2500


Chevrolet Corvette
2002-2004
Automatic Trans


Chevrolet Silverado
2001-2003
1500 HD

2001-2004
1500, V8, 4.8L Eng, ...

2001-2004
1500, V8, 5.3L Eng

2001-2003
1500, V8, 5.3L Eng, ...

2003-2004
1500, V8, 6.0L Eng

2001-2003
2500, Automatic Trans

1999-2002
V8, 4.8L Eng, Automatic Trans

1999-2002
V8, 5.3L Eng, Automatic Trans

1999-2002
V8, 6.0L Eng, Automatic Trans


Chevrolet Suburban
2000-2002
5.3L Eng

2000-2002
6.0L Eng

2000-2004
C1500, K1500

2000-2004
C2500, K2500, 6.0L Eng


Chevrolet Tahoe
2001-2004
All applications

2000-2002
4.8L Eng

2000-2002
5.3L Eng


Chevrolet TrailBlazer
2003-2004
V8


GMC Envoy
2003
V8


GMC Savana
2003
G1500, V8

2003
G2500, V6

2003
G2500, V8, 5.3L Eng

2003
H1500, H2500


GMC Sierra
1999-2003
V8, 4.8L Eng, Automatic Trans

1999-2003
V8, 5.3L Eng, Automatic Trans

1999-2000
V8, 5.3L Eng, Standard Trans

2003
V8, 6.0L Eng

1999-2003
V8, 6.0L Eng, Automatic Trans


GMC Yukon
2000-2003
All applications

2000-2002
5.3L Eng

2000-2003
C1500, K1500

2000-2002
V8, 4.8L Eng


Pontiac Firebird
1998-2001
V8, Automatic Trans

[gettinthere]

HI:

Ok, this sounds like good news so far.

The transmission does have a full circle bellhousing. It's not like the older 700R4's with a sheet metal inspection cover....

I have bolted the engine to the trans, so that works , too. The problem is the flex plate and torque converter bolt holes do not align. Attached is a pic for reference. only one bolt is attached, you cna see how off center it is..

Maybe I have the wrong flex plate? Is there a certain part number for a LS1 flex plate for the 4l60e trans? I know my flex plate works for the 4l65e trans as I matched it up to a 4l65e torque converter at my local dealership.

I understand a 4l65e torque converter will not work on a 4l60e trans. is this correct?

I appreciate your help!


The LS1 4L60E flexplate has actual circle holes in it. Not those bean shaped ones.

[tuske427]

No, unfortunately, I don't know what exactly the transmission came out of. they listed it as an LS1 transmission. I bought it a couple of years back and my warranty has expired, hence the issues now. (I needed it for fitment in fabricating my chassis. I had just the housing bolted up, but not the torque converter and flex plate)

This flexplate is the one that the GM "ls1 installation guide" booklet has a part # listed for. (I don't have it on me as I'm at work). I'll look at my LS1 installation book tonight and see if that part # is different than the part # you listed (12563136)

Hopefully that flexplate # you listed has the round holes in it, not bean shaped as mine does..

Thanks again for your help!

[tuske427]

Ok, last night I looked up my LS1 flexplate- it's part # 12563136.

what's wierd is the picture in the LS1 installation guide has the circular holes. My flexplate, complete with GM barcode sticker has the above part # and has those bean shaped holes. same # in the LS1 installation book for the 4L60e trans, and what's on the flexplate.

I wonder if:

1- my part is mis labeled.

2- they changed the part design (to bean shaped holes) somewhere along the production run.

[gettinthere]

They may have changed the design. The one out of my 2000 has the circles and so does most of the ones I've dealt with.