700R or 4L60?

[MODVP22]

Any experts here on these transmissions? I'm trying to figure out which one is in my 2004 Chevy Blazer Xtreme. My 1995 had a 700R, but I can't find a definite answer as to which is in the 2004.

I'm planning on doing some serious modifications to the 4.3 V6 that is in it and I want to know if I'll have to do any transmission upgrades. I've already got a full locking Eaton differential in it.

[njj502]

It's actually a 4L60E, the electronic version of the 700R4/4L60.

Unless you are going to boost the snot out of it the stock trans with minor upgrades should live. Better yet, ditch the 4 three and the trans and swap a 5.3 w trans into it

[MODVP22]

so the 700R and 4L60 are the same tranny, but the 4L60 is electronic driven and not vacuum? Got it.

It's in a Chevy Blazer Xtreme, came with Rally stripes too :cool: I see all these S10 upgrades to 350's and other small blocks, even the LS motors and I was just thinking of doing something different. What I'm thinking is doing a rebuild on the 4.3 just to freshen up everything and make sure everything is balanced and blue-printed, and build a twin-turbo set up. Kinda like the Typhoon of the early 90's. Got a local guy that rebuilds turbos has a ton of stuff and can change up compressor wheels, bearings, etc. and thinks we can get 500hp out of it. My only questions were the tranny and ECM programing.

[njj502]

That's going to be the big issue, controlling it. You could use standalone like megasquirt. Honestly the LSx swap will probably be cheaper in the long run. 5.3's with good cam/heads and a little boost are good for 5-600HP and the stock ECU can run it...

[simplyorange]

if you can get an sct for it then the factory ecm is tunable, just may require bigger MAF, injectors and pump, but with an sct, once you get in you can do anything. the big thing is i think that block/rods/crank will only handle about 400hp max if i remember correctly, maybe not even that much.

[MODVP22]

if you can get an sct for it then the factory ecm is tunable, just may require bigger MAF, injectors and pump, but with an sct, once you get in you can do anything. the big thing is i think that block/rods/crank will only handle about 400hp max if i remember correctly, maybe not even that much.

I would do the whole engine over if I do follow through with this. I've played with some SCT stuff on diesels, but never thought about them. I did a quick Google search and found someone that did a single turbo on one like mine. I was wondering about the injectors/pump/sensors.

Funny but I heard that an LS motor in one of these actually gets better fuel mileage than a 4.3 :eek:

[njj502]

The LS is one bad mother. Hit rod mag squeezed 1200hp from a stock bottom end 4.8 before breaking a STOCK piston. Incredibly stout bottom end and yes, it'll knock the 4.3 all over on fuel mileage.
Im thinking you're going to have some issues finding big injectors for the late 4.3... Does it still have that funky octopus deal with the check valve injectors or actual electronically fired ones?

[1BadAction]

IMO, don't even **** around with the 4.3, throw an iron block 4.8 or 5.3 in it with a late 4L60E and go from there. http://www.currentperformance.com (http://www.currentperformance.com/) has done a bunch of them and can probably set you up with all the parts you need from start to finish.

If you desire to go aluminum block look at the L33, they are 5.3s and very inexpensive compared to the other aluminum block LS engines.

[MODVP22]

The LS is one bad mother. Hit rod mag squeezed 1200hp from a stock bottom end 4.8 before breaking a STOCK piston. Incredibly stout bottom end and yes, it'll knock the 4.3 all over on fuel mileage.
Im thinking you're going to have some issues finding big injectors for the late 4.3... Does it still have that funky octopus deal with the check valve injectors or actual electronically fired ones?

No, those were on the 1995-and I had one of them. This one looks identical to the last 350 Vortec's just a little shorter. The 4.3 is crammed in there, I don't know if the headache of a V8 is worth it. I'd still like to be able to drive it around with out problems like a daily driver

[davemvegas]

so the 700R and 4L60 are the same tranny, but the 4L60 is electronic driven and not vacuum? Got it.

It's in a Chevy Blazer Xtreme, came with Rally stripes too :cool: I see all these S10 upgrades to 350's and other small blocks, even the LS motors and I was just thinking of doing something different. What I'm thinking is doing a rebuild on the 4.3 just to freshen up everything and make sure everything is balanced and blue-printed, and build a twin-turbo set up. Kinda like the Typhoon of the early 90's. Got a local guy that rebuilds turbos has a ton of stuff and can change up compressor wheels, bearings, etc. and thinks we can get 500hp out of it. My only questions were the tranny and ECM programing.

the 700r4 is not vacuum controlled. it has a throttle valve cable to control line pressure and shift feel. vacuum modulators controlled pressure on turbo 350 and 400 transmissions.

[Dave Strong]

A stock 4L60E will not last long with 500hp, think GM rated them for 350lbft of input torque. There are trans shops that can upgrade the weak parts to make it last.

Dave

[njj502]

the 700r4 is not vacuum controlled. it has a throttle valve cable to control line pressure and shift feel. vacuum modulators controlled pressure on turbo 350 and 400 transmissions.

Actually early 700R4 had some vacuum input. If I recall it controlled TCC

[njj502]

No, those were on the 1995-and I had one of them. This one looks identical to the last 350 Vortec's just a little shorter. The 4.3 is crammed in there, I don't know if the headache of a V8 is worth it. I'd still like to be able to drive it around with out problems like a daily driver
The last 350 vortec had that ignorant check valve bs on it to

At any rate I think you'll be ass deep in making a good 500hp v6. For the money you'll spend in rods & pistons you could buy a junkyard lsx

[MODVP22]

The last 350 vortec had that ignorant check valve bs on it to

At any rate I think you'll be ass deep in making a good 500hp v6. For the money you'll spend in rods & pistons you could buy a junkyard lsx

Never thought of that. Definately an option to consider. I love the body lines of this thing, and I'm thinking about doing some mild mods to the interior also. I really like the turbo for some reason. I'm not ready to do anything yet, but now I've got some more insight:)

[njj502]

The only downfall to boosting one is .... You'll never be satisfied with the HP level. So up goes the boost... And pretty soon you've got an 800hp tranny trashing motor... 5.3 with good heads/cam and a build 4L60 would REALLY wake that truck up. Essentially 2x the HP from the factory

[Lockjaw]

I love boost. I would not mess with the V6. Swap in an LS motor and never look back.

[njj502]

Uh what? ^

[outasite]

Ok,This will work for you.Take a 700R4 about a 1985-86 without aux valve body.Convert it to hydraulic lock up(yes it can be done).Replace both planets with 4L65 five pinion ones.Replace drive shell with a "beast shell"high energy band and clutches.corvette servo and TCV.This unit will not use ANY electronics,will take a fair amount of tork,and shift well.You will need to fab some TV cable linkage at the engine side.Will be a PITA to fine tune,but once done,worth the trouble!

[outasite]

Any experts here on these transmissions? I'm trying to figure out which one is in my 2004 Chevy Blazer Xtreme. My 1995 had a 700R, but I can't find a definite answer as to which is in the 2004.

I'm planning on doing some serious modifications to the 4.3 V6 that is in it and I want to know if I'll have to do any transmission upgrades. I've already got a full locking Eaton differential in it.BTW the 700R4 was gone in 1991.In the last couple of years they were called the 4L60.Anything 91 up is 4L60E and is computer controlled.Then later 96-97 they went to the two piece case style.

[rchevelle71]

I went back and re read your first posts, I guess after reading all the responses I got a little off topic with the ls motors. In 85 or 86 the buick gnx's had the turbo'd 4.3 in them. Maybe looking at the specs for them may help.
No 4.3 in that car, was still a 3.8

[obrien]

The stock fuel injection setup on the 4.3 is the spider system and that will be your big limiting factor with that engine. Don't waste your money with the sct stuff. Get someone who does professional tuning and can use hp tuners. If it were me I would save up for a 5.3 set up and swap that over, maybe even go with a t-56.

[MODVP22]

Awesome guys, this is turning out to be very informative for me. I would have never thought that there wouldn't be injectors to support that kind of power for the 4.3, etc. etc. I was thinking of keeping the 4.3 only because it would be more unique, and it would be kinda moderized version of the Typhoon.

Here's some other idea's I have for it:
it's got the black cloth interior in it, with a light grey headliner. I'm thinking of taking the interior and havint the seats 2-toned in black with a matching light grey leather, and do the same to the door pannels. I would leave the carpet the factor black color. I'm also wanthing to take the factory head unit out and put a display with a back up camera in it, because I will still use it to tow my Mirage and jetski every now and then.

I've already got a set of chrome 20" rims that I like a lot. I think I'm going to do some paint work like I did on my '95 where I painted the wiper cowl, door handles, and around the windows white to match the rest of the body,

[Dave Strong]

BTW the 700R4 was gone in 1991.In the last couple of years they were called the 4L60.Anything 91 up is 4L60E and is computer controlled.Then later 96-97 they went to the two piece case style.

93 was the first 4L60E's in trucks, 700R4,s were done around 88 then became 4L60. The only thing the ECM did prior to 93 was control TCC lock-up.

Dave

[1BadAction]

I'd still like to be able to drive it around with out problems like a daily driver
That's even more reason to go LS. Keep it mild and you'll have 400hp at the wheels from something that drives like it just rolled off the showroom floor. You start fooling with that 4.3 at that power level and it'll be a constant headache.

[XstreamVking]

Be fairly easy and reasonably cheap to stick in a new 425hp /460tq ZZ383 crate motor in it. (2 yr GM warranty) The only problem you would have then is keeping tires on it, and gas in the tank. LS motors are def. the best power available today, but a new one will cost twice as much as a vortec small block. That 700r trans will handle 500hp if built rite.

[MODVP22]

That's even more reason to go LS. Keep it mild and you'll have 400hp at the wheels from something that drives like it just rolled off the showroom floor. You start fooling with that 4.3 at that power level and it'll be a constant headache.

Good point, I forgot about that. This thing has such a short wheel base it's fun to toy with already

[njj502]

You can get a 5.3 and 4L60 with all the harnesses, ECU, starter etc for under $2k

picked up boosting device for my 5.3..... :)

http://i270.photobucket.com/albums/jj117/njj502/688FC2FD-D4AC-4FD3-85CE-760D0758A3AC-260-00000006CF41F501_zpsecab0f24.jpg

[1BadAction]

You can get a 5.3 and 4L60 with all the harnesses, ECU, starter etc for under $2k



:iagree: You can get a really clean 5.3 or even 6.0 and trans for that.

[MODVP22]

Here's my old one. This was a 1995. I was told it had the 700R in it. Like this, I will do the white paint to the wiper cowl, mirrors, etc. as stated earlier. I still have these wheels, and they look much better with my Xtreme's body ground effects and the silver rally stripes.
http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p133/MODVP22/Picture057.jpg (http://s127.photobucket.com/user/MODVP22/media/Picture057.jpg.html)

[mackeral5]

There are 2 OEM 4.3 intake setups that are mpi- the typhoon/syclone and the mercruiser marine setup....I invested a good bit of $$$ in a hot 4.3 many years ago and ran a syclone intake. Back then the electromotive tec2 was thought of as a good fuel/ignition ECM. While it was a good running motor, I wouldn't do it again...

If you insist on hopping up your s10, the LS motors are the way to go. Just be prepared for oil pan/cross member compromises- hack the cross member and/or hack the pan. Hack the frame or relo the ac compressor...do some research on the subject, there are several compromises to make when doing an s-series engine swap..

[ridgerunner]

I went back and re read your first posts, I guess after reading all the responses I got a little off topic with the ls motors. In 85 or 86 the buick gnx's had the turbo'd 4.3 in them. Maybe looking at the specs for them may help.
No the Regals GNX and T-type had a lousy stock 3.8 Liter The intercooled turbo on the GNX and 4.10 rear end gears, beefed up 700R4 made them the fastest production car in 1986. The V-Max was the fastest production bike IIRC same year.
The vehicles were anemic in 1986. But the GNX was pretty quick for a G- body.

[outasite]

Although not well known,the GNX actually came with a 200R4 trans,That held up remarkably well.

[Dave Strong]

Although not well known,the GNX actually came with a 200R4 trans,That held up remarkably well.

Took the words out of my mouth, until upgraded a 700R4 or a 4L60 or 4L60E tranny is a POS.

Dave