4T60e linkage

[95SleeperAcheiva]

Help me figure this one out.

1995 olds achieva, 3.1L:
P-R-N-D-3-2

1994 Pontiac Grand Prix 3.1L:
P-R-N-D-3-2-1

both are 4t60e, right?

if i get a ratchet shifter i should be able to get 1st gear in the achieva right?

[bszopi]

I think just a standard rachet shifter pulls the linkage in the wrong direction...

[asylummotorsports]

I have over 1500 runs on my car, shift it manually, and have never had an issue where I would consider an aftermarket shifter necessary.

I'm sure there are other things to spend a couple of hundred bucks on.

But then I have a 3t40 which IMHO is much better suited to a drag race application. (Non-computer controlled)

It's the computer you are fighting, and without alot of programming it is going to be an issue in the performance of your car.

[robertisaar]

I have over 1500 runs on my car, shift it
But then I have a 3t40 which IMHO is much better suited to a drag race application. (Non-computer controlled)

i always hear of people breaking the three speeds... or are you saying its better due to not having to deal with the PCM?

[IsaacHayes]

Better not dealing with the PCM.


IIRC if you swap the selector thing on the trans then swap over the shifter from the other car you will pick up the separate 1 & 2. I don't *recall* that you have to do anything in the ECM, but I may be wrong. In fact, I very well could be. I think 3400-modified talked about this when he swapped to a venture ECM, like he had the option then maybe... I can't remember. Bah forget what all I said :P

[asylummotorsports]

i always hear of people breaking the three speeds... or are you saying its better due to not having to deal with the PCM?

The 3t40 is lighter, stronger and has more gearing options, and except for one failed attempt on a junker with a faulty LSD. I have never had an issue. (AND no computer to deal with.)

Mine is bullet-proof, and shifts as hard as any auto I have ever had in 35 years of drag racing, including a mulititude of manual valve body Torque-flites and Turbo 400's.

I guess it's just who you get to build it.

FWIW!

[IsaacHayes]

stock for stock though the 3t40 is weaker.

[asylummotorsports]

stock for stock though the 3t40 is weaker.

I'm not sure about that!

But I will defer to the "stock for stock" argument.

If I had a 4t60e car I would be converting to a 3t40 in a minute if it was to be a drag race application.

That way YOU can control the trans.

[IsaacHayes]

The guys with the 2nd gen cavs say the 3spd wont last with a 3400 swap.. But there are a couple with the autos and a 3400. The torque ratings stock for stock too tell the story.

I do agree though the gear spacing on the 4t60e sucks balls. And you can control the shift points if you can tune. Hell you can convert it to fully manual if you wish. There is a guy on v6z24 that did that with some microswitches and a ratchet shifter to activate the solenoids. He has a turbo 3.8 in front it.

[asylummotorsports]

[QUOTE=IsaacHayes;388492]The guys with the 2nd gen cavs say the 3spd wont last with a 3400 swap.. QUOTE]

Then they have the wrong guy building their transmissions!

I can't stress that enough. I'm making more power than a 3400 and in a heavier car.

The 3t40 in my car is the least of my worries!

14.20's, 99 mph, with a 3.73, LSD and over 500 runs with just a fluid and filter change??

They need to find a guy who knows these things.

Bill Clark! Mr. Transmission, Milton Ontario, and he WILL ship!

EDIT! It IS important that you make the mod to use the 4t60 diff and the stronger shaft.

Jeff at EP can supply that with the LSD. About an extra $150

[IsaacHayes]

I'm talking about stock unmodified trans. I don't think any of them have modified automatics other than 4T60-E and 4T65-E's.

[95SleeperAcheiva]

I went hunting for this micro switch setup. It's very breif on what he did. Anyone out there tried it? Or some more info on it? And since I lost my early 90's Alldata disc, I can't pull up wiring diagram for the tranny to the ecm to wire it. Anyone got the diagrams for a 95 3.1 acheiva? I went to boneyard today and pulled a shifter from a grand prix, so I'm willing to give this a shot.

[Superdave]

the 3T40 (TH125c) isn't worth it's weight in scrap metal.

Asylum, didn't you say you have like $2500 worth of stuff into yours?


Mythbusters proved that you can polish a turd but still, there are better options like a built 440T4 for the non-E guys.


as for the OP's original question, i agree with Asylum, the stock shifter is fine. If i had seen this earlier i'd have taken some pics as i was up close and personal with a 4T60E today.

[robertisaar]

i can get you diagrams, just what part are you looking for?

[95SleeperAcheiva]

well, i guess trans internal from the solenoids, a plug diagram at case, and the ecu plug diagram.

If i read this right...
"these are pics that i took while installing the micro switches.

micro switches 1.50$ each

since it aready had 2 switches being used for the starter and revlights i had to get a bit more creative.

i stacked the " 2nd gear sol" on top of the others and jsut selded a lil nut on the slider plate to close the circuit while in manual 1 and 2 ...

the "4th gear sol" (not pictured the batterys went dead) on the console plate and welded a screw angled backwards and another nut . so teh switch is closed in manual 4th and 1st.

so for clarity

-both switches closed to have first gear
-2nd gear switch for 2nd gear
-3rd both switches open
-4th 4th gear sol closed"

I can do this with only 2 micro switches? Why is this confusing me? His pic is terribly blurred, a bit better visual and I think I could do it.