Hi,

I have a few questions that the community here might be able to answer for me.

First of all, let me give a little history. I have a 2003 Monte carlo SS that i love, i have always wanted to make this car into a beast, i only lack the skill to do it myself...

want to have the L67 top swap done, and maybe change out/ upgrade a few other part while the engine is dismantled.

Currently the car has some transmission issues, but before i pay to rebuild i want to see if a swap out to a 4T60-E HD may be better...

Now for the question!

I have two options as far as i can see, either drop in a complete L67 power plant, or make the alterations to my current engine, and drop in a 4T60-E HD trans (or rebuild my current)

Which would be the better rout to take and why?

Also, if i dropped the 4t60-e HD trans into my current 3.8, without the mods will it run, will there be any adverse effects?

 

 

Thanks KidSpace, my monte is stock w/ 65k miles.

Thanks
03Monte

 

Good call, best bang for the buck mod for a NA 3800 IMO!

The s/c 3800s came with the 4t65HD if that is what you mean. If you have a 3800, you should have a regular 4t65 now. There is little difference between the two. The only real strength difference is the differential, otherwise, they're almost identical. For a basic top swap + bolt ons 3800, a regular 4t65 will be fine (or you can do the HD upgrade later for fairly cheap- its just removing the diff cover and diff).

Depends on the condition of your engine. Personally, I wouldn't have the trans rebuilt- I'd try to find a low mileage used stocker and swap it in (should be a lot cheaper)- though it kinda depends on the issues you're having (it may be a simple fix).

As for top swap vs L67 complete swap, it just depends on the shape of your bottom end. A top swap is usually a good bit cheaper (especially since you can buy the parts one at a time to fit your budget if need be), but there is no sense putting it on a bottom end thats damaged. With only 65k, I'd think a top swap would be the better route. You'll make more power due to your higher compression.

Bad idea, the 4t65HD has a 2.93 final drive compared to your current 3.29 final drive ratio. The gears are the same but with essentially a different 'rear end' in it, so the shift points will be wrong.

To do a top swap, you'll need a modified pcm anyways, so you can have it tuned either way.

 

 

When you are working with the 4t65e-hd transmission, don't you have to upgrade your passenger axle also?

x2 on finding a cheap transmission and just fixing that one up a little and putting it back in. I saved myself around $1200 by getting a used transmission over a rebuild. and it came with a warranty too.

 

Thanks guys for your honest answers, i DO appreciate it!

So what im hearing is, drop in a used 4t60 trans, and do the top swap...

my only concern is labor costs, and tuning (neither of which i can do myself...)



maybe i should just buy a 72 Monte and drop a 572 crate motor in (i dream big!), and leave my current Monte alone (except trans).

 

NO! 4t65e... 65 65 65 65 65!! 60 is old style.

Check clubgp.com/newforum and look in some regional sections.

 

Another question.

If i wanted to buy the parts to do the top swap piece by piece, where would you recommend to buy from?

 

Moradpartscompany.com

or

Clubgp.com/newforum