4T45E vs 4T65E to replace TH125C

[barrok69]

With gas prices going the way they are the 3spd has got to go.

I'm looking at swapping a 4spd into my cavalier and was wondering if anybody has any past experiences with 45e's or 65e's. I have both available, so its just a matter of which one do i put the money into.

I plan on mating it up to a 500whp turbo motor.

Which one is a better overall trans? for Performance, Efficiency and aftermarket upgrades.

This powertrain package will be installed in a 1990 Z24, so please take into account any space constraints.

Thanks.

[TurboGTU]

I'd take the 65-e. The 45-e is more economical but it doen't have as much aftermaket as the 65. The 45 is lighter and smaller though. I yet to see a mod 45-e with 500hp behind a torquey v6. I know it will last behind the 65-e.

[Z26-T]

Honestly the best route to go is manual. The manuals can hold the power, all you need is a stronger clutch, if you know how to drive one and keep the rpms down, better fuel economy. Only problem is the swap. But if you're converting to 65-e, I do believe you have to weld in mounts, so might as well get a manual trans that was in your style of car, and just have to weld the mounts in the same place that you cut them out of the donor car. The manuals have faster 1/4 miles, just aren't as consistant as the autos, but again, if you can drive a manual, and drive it well, you should be okay.

[bszopi]

Both trannies will also require an aftermarket tranny controller (~$800) in orrder for them to work properly, as they are fully electronic units. Take that into consideration when deciding if the money you are going to save in gas is really worth the money it takes to do the swap.

[Superdave]

HM282.. or HM284

Brad was getting in the mid 30's on the highway with his... and they've been proven to near 500 HP/TQ.. also lighter then an auto tranny. the 440T4 is almost 200 lbs.

[pocket-rocket]

I can pick up my 284 with 1 hand. I can't bench it with one hand, but I can grab a hold of the bell housing and lift it off the ground. I remember my old 4T60-e took me and my friend David to lift... I almost want to say the 284 is under 100lbs, but I'm probably wrong. I'm not built like the Governator either, or I could throw the 4T60-e around like the sissy boy it is.

[Superdave]

the 282 is like 60-80 lbs.. the 284 is probably about the same.

[torq455]

yeah the internals of the 282 will be ok, but the case is the weak spot. Curtis broke the case on 2 iirc.

be more unique like me and go with a 65E!

[barrok69]

Manual is out of the question for this application. so just drop it. I'm not getting a manual, I already have a manual car.

As far as cost goes, I am ready to spend the $800 necessary for the full electronic control, so thats not an issue, thats why i'm looking at the "E" versions.

I recall GM using 4t40/45's on their cavalier drag cars which were making upwards of 800hp. Although i'm not sure what kind of modifications they did to the trans to keep them in one piece.

[bszopi]

GM has always used the 65E for their drag cars (in excess of 1200hp). There is an online guide to how to build it up, but look at spending anoth $10k probably to make it handle that much.

[torq455]

oh yeah, no doubt! i remember looking into the GM 4.11 FDR conversion. they took hard parts which were custom made. they told me $1100!

[TurboGTU]

ON a stock 2003+ ..HD version of the 65-e you will at least need a good converter (non stock) , inputshaft, chains, clutches to make it last. Along with boosting the oil pump pressure a tad. Thats just the bare essantials.

[torq455]

it was highly suggested i use a 65E between the years of 98-02. helped to keep things a little more simple inside and out.

[TurboGTU]

98+ 65-e had the redesighend reaction shell better than the 97 models. 03+ had the diode sprag = less money to spend on parts. Thats why I susgested 03+. I can't see the more comlexity of the newer units? I've read the power manual and it didn't specify a year. Other than that, the v8 4t65-e had hardened planets. The HD 65-e had a larger converter than the non HD 65-e. But I'd still recomend a (reputable) aftermaket converter at those power levels.

[3400-95-Modified]

so wait... your worried about fuel so your going to add another gear to your trans... yet mate it to a 500HP turbocharged engine??? um I think that extra gear isnt gonna save you all that much fuel in the end...

I can pick up my 284 with 1 hand. I can't bench it with one hand, but I can grab a hold of the bell housing and lift it off the ground. I remember my old 4T60-e took me and my friend David to lift... I almost want to say the 284 is under 100lbs, but I'm probably wrong. I'm not built like the Governator either, or I could throw the 4T60-e around like the sissy boy it is.

The 60E weighs 160lbs dry, and 185lbs dry with a dry converter in it...

You can't pick that up??

I just lifted mine dead off the ground on to 3ft high saw horses to rebuild it. And that still had about half the fluid in it.