700R4

“What 700R4 rebuild kit is right for me?” This is the question of a prospective rebuilder searching for the best 700R4 rebuild kit on the market. The 700R4 automatic transmission is 4-speed in Chevrolet and GMC cars and trucks. General Motors launched this automatic transmission in the early 1980s, an upgrade to the popular 3-speed TH350 transmission and the older models of rear-wheel-drive vehicles.

The primary aim of developing the 700R4 automatic transmission was to improve fuel economy in vehicles significantly. This aim was achieved successfully, thanks to the 30 percent overdrive in 4^th gear it featured. In addition, the overdrive allowed pickup trucks and sports cars that came with it to be even more affordable to use or drive. The 700R4 transmission is featured in vehicles – including rear-wheel-drive cars and trucks – from 1982 to 1993. Here are some of them, arranged in no particular order:

GMC

• Jimmy: 1982 – 1993
• Syclone: 1991 – 1992
• Safari: 1983 – 1990

Chevy

• Blazer: 1982 – 1991
• Camaro: 1983 – 1992
• Corvette: 1982 – 1992
• Astro Van: 1985 – 1992
• Suburban: 1984 – 1992

Cadillac 

• Brougham: 1990 – 1992
• Fleetwood: 1990 – 1992
• Limousine: 1990 – 1992

The last 700R4 transmission was produced more than 20 years ago. This shows that it has been around for some time and remains popular due to its adaptability and reliability. However, rebuilding a transmission from the ground up and for the first time can be daunting, especially if you’re not DIY-inclined. You must be 100 percent sure you possess the chops or skills to take on this challenging task. It starts with deciding or figuring out the primary goal of your 700R4 rebuild. For example, why do you want to rebuild your 700R4 transmission?

Do you want to save money and time by performing a basic repair so you can get back on the road as soon as possible? Vehicle owners do 700R4 transmission rebuilds for several reasons. First, your transmission may function remarkably well now; however, you are considering dropping it and doing a high-performance 700R4 rebuild to handle heavy-load situations. Some even perform in-depth 700R4 transmission rebuilds to eliminate any known OEM weaknesses. Whatever your reason for rebuilding a transmission, you need to be sure it is the right step.

What to Consider Before Starting the 700R4 Rebuild Process

You need to consider the following before embarking on your transmission rebuild process. Here they are in no particular order:

• First, what year is the vehicle whose 700R4 transmission needs a rebuild?
• Is the transmission unit damaged? What is the extent of the damage?
• What hard components should you get before starting the transmission rebuild process?
• Are molded rubber pistons in the transmission, or do they use piston lip seals?
• Does your transmission unit make use of a bonded valve body plate?
• Does your 700R4 transmission’s pump use an O-ring or wedge-style seal?

These are just a few questions/things to consider before embarking on your 700R4 transmission rebuild.

The 700R4 Rebuild Manual

A rebuild manual is essential, whether or not you have the necessary experience rebuilding transmissions. A rebuild manual showcases every intricate detail of the transmission you are working on. For instance, a different component may be located at another corner in a particular year. When it comes to standard transmission rebuild manuals, the ATSG Manual is a perfect choice. They have a 700R4 rebuild manual with brilliantly-sketched diagrams and top-notch information that helps ensure you are doing the right thing as you rebuild your 700R4 transmission. The standard transmission rebuild kit, known as the Alto PowerPack, comes with the following:

• A new filter
• High energy carbon band
• Corvette Servo
• Trans valve body separator plate

SA Design’s Builders and Swapper’s Guide

This extraordinary rebuild guide is ideal for a high-performance transmission rebuild. The guide is informal, making it easier for anyone to read and understand while wrenching on a vehicle’s 700R4 transmission unit.

Top Performance Transmission Rebuild Kits

Part of rebuilding a 700R4 transmission includes ensuring the unit is stronger and much more efficient than it used to be. The top performance transmission rebuild kit from B&M that helps generate more power includes:

• High-performance materials
• Made only for the 1987-1993 700R4 transmission in particular
• Complete gasket set
• High-performance springs and valves
• Drain plugs
• One-year warranty

700R4 Rebuild Kit With a Torque Converter

When choosing the appropriate torque converter for your unique application, several variables must be considered. You can re-order a stock converter if you only rebuild a 700R4 transmission. There is also nothing wrong with going for a torque converter with the same stall speed as your automobile had from the factory. However, if this is not the case, you will need to be incredibly careful when searching for a suitable torque converter for your vehicle. Modern LS-type engines make good power, but the stall does not have to be as extreme since the heads generate more power. This allows for a less aggressive cam profile, allowing the engine to retain decent bottom-end power efficiently.

700R4 Transmission Recommendations

Experts highly recommend replacing every friction material – e.g., band/clutches – and the filter when undertaking a 700R4 transmission rebuild. Moreover, OEM 700R4 transmissions come with several inherent weak points within the sun shell and the ¾ clutch packs. Therefore, ensure you make use of an aftermarket sun shell. Ensure you replace the front stator tube bushings, rear case, and pump body. Replace any other part that looks worn or scratched. After any transmission rebuild, you must always use a remanufactured or new torque converter. Also, don’t forget to install or rebuild a remanufactured valve body on every rebuilt transmission.

Conclusion

Rebuilding any transmission is not a walk in the park. The 700R4 transmission is one of the toughest today and has held its own for over 20 years. You can get the best 700R4 transmission rebuild kit, depending significantly on your budget and the power you want to put on the pavement.

Having a piece of basic knowledge on how to service your 700R4 transmission is not a bad idea, so coming down here to read the step-by-step approach on how to get it done will be a worthwhile journey.

But before then, you must note that the 700R4 automatic transmission, also known as the “hydramatic,” was designed and launched by General Motor’s company in 1982 as a perfect substitute for TH350.

The 700R4 automatic transmission is a four-speed trans with powerful 30% overdrive situated at the fourth gear. This magnificent design was built to improve and economize fuel, among many other things.

That being said, doing an absolute auto transmission rebuild is an interesting option left only to the professionals, but adding one or two shifts or doing the overall trans service is something that anyone can tackle with the help of this guide.

How to Service Your GM 700R4 Transmission

The first thing to tackle in your sojourn to service your 700R4 transmission is the fluid. While it plays a key role in the auto trans, you can begin by replacing the filter. After all, that’s what the servicing is all about. So changing your 700R4 transmission filter regularly can extend the auto life cycle.

Without mincing words, below are the step-by-step approach on how to service your 700R4 transmission. This procedure is practically feasible for all seasoned General Motor (GM) automatic transmissions.

Step 1: Remove the Rearmost Bolts

The first thing you need to do in other to home-service your automatic transmission is to remove all the rearmost bolts. But before losing them, you should have a big drain pan waiting and ready.

That way, when the bolts are loosened toward the front rail, you will be able to control the pool of fluid that will flow out of the trans pan, and as such, you won’t make a big mess of yourself.

Step 2: Remove, Scrape and Clean the Gasket

After loosening the rearmost bolts with a stream of fluid flooding out of the trans pan, gently and completely place the pan on a clean earth surface so that the gasket can come off it with ease.

Sometimes, the gasket may come off in pieces, and at times, you may have to remove them manually. After which, you will scrape and clean the mounting surface. Take notice, it requires a thorough cleaning.

If it pleases you, you can use the solvents and carb washer to get the gasket pan cleaned up. And you can equally use a water-based degreaser (if you have it) in your garage sink.

Step 3: Remove the Transmission Filter

Having removed and cleaned the gasket, what is next in your 700R4 transmission services is to remove its filter. While attempting to remove it, what you see next is called valve body.

If you’ll be modifying and installing a shift kit, the valve body is what you are going to remove, but our main focus here is the filter and not the other way round!

So while you don’t have anything to do with the valve body, try to focus on how to safely remove the filter as this is exactly where many people do encounter problems when doing the transmission service themselves.

The problem there is that the seal that plugs the filter into its case often gets stiffed, harden, and stuck-up there. And if you attempt to shove another filter on top of it, it won’t seat, and it won’t fit into the pan.

So if you encountered a similar problem along the line, a plier with a pick and needle-nose will solve the problem.

Step 4: Trash the Drained Gasket Pan and Filter

If you are reading step 4, it means you’ve successfully removed the filter, and your gasket pan is fully drained. If yes, then keep reading but if the reverse is the case, repeat step 3 and check if your gasket pan is drained or still flowing.

At this point, the drained filter and gasket pan should be dropped into the dustbin, the fluid should be recycled, and the rearmost bolts should go into the sink.

Thereafter, everything should be cleaned up, and get ready to reinstall the transmission back, including the new filter and gasket.

Step 5: Install the New Filter

Remember that the old filter and gasket pan had to be trashed, so there is a need for new ones to be reinstated. Before you install the new filter, add a little fluid to its seal so that it can easily seats well in the case.

Having applied the fluid, gently push it into its place and after that, get the gasket pan ready. In doing that, wipe down the gasket pan mounting area with a lacquer thinner to ensure that it is free of debris.

Step 6: Install the New Gasket Pan

When you are sure that the gasket mounting area is free of any debris, apply a little adhesive to the pan, set it in place, and start tightening the bolts again.

In case you encounter any problem in so doing, try snugging the bolts down using another alternating pattern. But before then, make sure that the pan bolt you are using on the torque specs is not more or less than 80-inch-pounds.

Step 7: Top up the 700R4 Trans with Fluid

If you are reading this, it means you are almost done servicing your 700R4 automatic transmission for good. All that is left is for you is to add some fluid to replenish the lost ones in the cause of servicing it. Usually, auto 700R4 will take nothing less than six quarts of fluid after a service.

Step 7: Testing

Having added some fluid to your 700R4 transmission, your job is completed. However, you may have to run the vehicle to temperature, check your dipstick and carefully study its overall response to see if it is balanced or not.

But if you carefully follow the above steps, your vehicle will produce some sounds that are appealing to the ear.

Conclusion

There is no big deal on how to service auto 700R4 transmission, all that matters is to open the trans and change its filter and gasket pan. If you can keep repeating this process occasionally, your engine lifespan will increase.

One who is not familiar with vehicles and hydraulics would definitely be confused on seeing the topic of this article and be wondering what it is all about. Meanwhile, this article is not exactly for one who is just learning but it will help you have an idea of what a GM 700R4 transmission is.

Overview of the GM 700R4 Transmission

The transmission of 700R4 was launched by General Motor (GM), and is also known as “hydramatic”. The 700R4 is a four-speed automatic transmission that has a 30% overdrive in the fourth gear. This new design was created to improve the fuel economy. GM 700R4 transmissions were created in 1982 as a substitute to the TH350.

The primary explanation behind the new plan was to make an automatic transmission that was better on efficiency. At that point, the 700R4 was used on trucks and back wheel drive vehicles. GM 700R4 were the best ever when the 700R4 was first delivered but it was faced with some issues. Some of the issues faced by 700R4 are:

Throttle Valve (TV) Cable Problems

During installation or driving or servicing, the geometry of TV linkage can get interfered. This causes issues with legitimate moving capacity, and will in the long run experience the riggings and won’t appropriately control line rise and pressure. If there is a chance that the cables become disconnected, your vehicle won’t be able to downshift.

Overheating

Due to its reputation as reliable, the 700R4 transmission is incidentally introduced on vehicles inadmissible for its group which can rapidly make the transmission overheat. Ensure that the transmission you’re running is evaluated for your vehicle’s weight, class and kind of utilisation to stay away from possibly costly and pointless fixes.

Valve Bore Wear

In the event your vehicle displays no lock-up, or bolts up following second gear, at that point you likely have excessive pump bore to valve clearance. This issue is brought about by valve bore wear, a difficulty which permits oil to spill past OEM spool and overpowers the solenoid’s exhausting capacities. Valve bore wear may likewise confine cooler stream, which can cause transmission parts to fire up.

Five years after, the transmission had experienced a few enhancements and increased a more ideal notoriety. In 1990, there was a change of name from 700R4 to the 4L60. It was basically a similar transmission, and in 1993, the 4L60 turned out to be electronically controlled rather than powerfully controlled, which is the place the name 4L60E originates from.

Despite the fact that the 700R4 transmission isn’t made new nowadays, they are as yet viewed as the absolute best at any point created. The improved efficiency and rigging proportion in first apparatus were the most sweltering selling focuses, furnishing drivers with great speeding up when halted at a stop sign or stoplight. Additionally, the rigging proportion was useful for going mud romping.

700R4 Identification

To the undeveloped eye, about all GM programmed transmissions appear to be identical. They are totally made out of aluminum (except for the early Powerglide), they have the equivalent bell-housing jolt examples, and all have fundamentally the same as case plans. There are a few things that you can do to ensure that you are appropriately recognizing the 700R4.

It’ll look generally like the 2004R from the start. In the event that you have to begin without any preparation, attempt this old article from Hot Rod. A mid 4L60 is equivalent to a late 700R4. They are precisely the same transmission. Be that as it may, the 4L60E is genuinely comparative, however not effectively fill in for its previous partner.

On the off chance that you see the term MD8 stepped on the traveler side of the case, directly by the bell-housing. The most effortless approach to distinguish a 700R4 underneath of the vehicle is to take a gander at the jolts. On the off chance that you have an away from of the transmission tally the jolts.

Keep in mind, 4L60 was simply one more moniker for GM’s well known overdrive. Advantages of the 700R4 and couple of realities about the 700R4, and why this might be the transmission you requirement for your speedster:

• • Built of cast aluminum
  • One of best overdrive transmissions
  • Improved mileage – lower first apparatus proportion
  • Thirty percent overdrive
  • 4 inches long
  • 155 pounds in weight
  • Holds 11 quarts of trans liquid

This transmission is handily overheated on the grounds that it is utilized in uncompromising pickup trucks, just as vehicles that are driven hard. Overheating is one of the fundamental driver of transmission disappointment. In the event that you plan on taking your vehicle out with the 700R4, we may suggest a cooler that can be introduced with the transmission.

Regardless of whether you buy a vehicle with an old 700R4, the trans can be remade with the most recent moves up to make it more grounded and more solid. Gearstar assembles GM 700R4 transmissions by hand, just utilizing premium items and one professional through and through. Let’s see how to service your GM 700R4 with some TLC (tender loving care).

Servicing Your GM 700R4 Transmission

The fluid has an important role in the function of an automatic transmission by changing the filter. Changing the filter extends its life if done on a regular basis. To show that it is easy to take care of a 700R4 (the part numbers are not the same, yet the procedure is the equivalent for practically all more seasoned GM automatics).

With a six-pack of lucas semi-manufactured liquid refill the transmission to fitting levels. Ensure the entirety of the liquid doesn’t deplete when you evacuate the dish, it is in reality just about half. In any case, in case you’re having issues, it allows you to investigate the search for gold or grasp material, expel it, and supplant the channel that is loaded with it.

Summarily, GM’s duty to the 700R4 is clear in its quality, strength and wide ease of use. It is hands – down one of the best transmissions of our time, and an extremely convincing Jeep change transmission. The 700R4 is an alluring trade choice for all jeeps, except for the CJ5 and other short wheel-based jeeps due to powertrain length and driveshaft point issues. Versatility to about all jeeps is remarkable.

Improving the performance of your 700R4 rebuild comes with a basket-full of benefits. For starters…

An upgrade will make your transmission powerful enough to handle drag racing, while at the same time offering an enjoyable driving experience around town. This is because there will be minimal or nonexistent sluggishness in shifts to impact on power.

On the other hand, it’s worth noting that you have the choice of changing the transmission entirely. But we all know how expensive a change can be, hence, upping the performance is a cheaper alternative to getting a more enhanced performance.

Therefore, if you have a 700R4 rebuild and you’re ready to give it a boost that will result in high-level performance, work with us and we’ll show you how to get started. But get this first!
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Modern vs. Automatic Transmissions

Unarguably, modern overdrive transmissions are controlled by computers, which differs from older automatics like the 700R4 that rely on a valve body to be mechanically controlled. It, therefore, follows that a change in certain parts of the valve body can improve its performance. It’ll be able to provide firmer shifts, while at the same time-saving power.

Accordingly, one major part of the 700R4 valve body you’ll want to focus on is its TV cable, since this transmission may be damaged as a result of a poorly adjusted TV cable. The TV cable helps in adjusting the internal line pressure as well as part throttle shifting

A TCI Automotive Constant Pressure Valve Body kit can help you to work on the TV cable. What the TCI system does is to add parts that will maintain the accurate line pressure every time, and this means there’s no need to struggle in making a perfect adjustment to the TV cable.

Another kit that may prove useful is a lockup wiring kit. This kit offers two possible options where you can either lockup the converter manually whenever you want, or lockup the converter while in Fourth gear, automatically. Now pair these kits with a powerful torque converter and you’ll be able to turn even the most sluggish 700R4 rebuild into a faster and more powerful transmission.
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Boosting the Performance of Your 700R4 Rebuild

Here are the simple steps that will help you to improve the performance of your 700R4 rebuild:

1. Take Off the Pan and Filter

You need to take off the pan on the 700R4 to expose the large flat filter beneath it. You can then proceed to remove the filter and its seal before disposing of both. Once the filter is off, you’ll be presented with the valve body. This component controls the shifting of the transmission.

2. Remove the 1-2 Accumulator

Take off the 1-2 accumulator by unloosening the bolts that secure it in place. These bolts are to be separated from others since they are unique to the accumulator.

3. Remove the Auxiliary Valve Body

The next step is to take out the auxiliary valve body while ensuring that the stock check valve is not lost because you’ll still have a need for it.

4. Unbolt and Remove the Throttle Pressure Mechanism

Proceed to unbolt the throttle pressure mechanism and then remove the component. Also, the wire cable linkage should be disconnected as the mechanism is pulled up and the bolt securing the detent roller spring assembly is disengaged.

5. Remove the Valve Body Bolts

Any leftover valve body bolts can now be removed. Next, the valve body, gasket, and separator plate can be taken off of the transmission. This will also enable you to remove the 3-4 accumulator piston and piston pin.

Both of these are situated beneath the region where the 1-2 accumulator was taken out of. And worthy of note, is to pay attention to the balls in the valve body, which may fall out in case you don’t have spares to serve as a replacement during reassembly.

6. Remove the Pressure Regulator

The transmission pump has a pressure regulator, and this component needs to be removed as well. Here, apply pressure downwards on the TV boost valve sleeve and use snap ring pliers to remove the retaining ring. Proceed to remove the TV boost valve sleeve, valve, and the reverse boost sleeve. What you’ll have is the top rows parts coming out where the lower row features the TCI parts.

7. Choose Spring Type

You can either use a silver spring to have a firm-style shift or attach the shim to the silver spring to get a street/strip-style shift. Another spring option is a gold spring without the shim and this offers hard shifts.

After the disassembly, you’ll notice some check balls from the stock valve body. These are reusable 1/4-inch silver ones that are four in number. There’s also a check ball in copper color and this may not be reused.

The TCI kit comes with spare check balls to ensure you can replace it if the original gets missing. You can then use the TCI instructions to reinsert the check balls while using some grease to hold them in place.

8. Insert a New Separator Plate and Gasket

A new separator plate looks similar but is still a bit different from the stock that came with the transmission. You can insert the new separator plate and gasket into the transmission, but it might be needful to modify the 3-4 accumulator using a self-tapping 1/4-inch x 20 Allen head plug. The accumulator piston and spring can also be replaced without using the black spacer.

9. Install the New TCI Valve Body

And after installing the gasket/plate assembly, it’s time to install the new TCI valve body. The rod for the valve body linkage can then be attached while ensuring that the valve is not forced and neither is the linkage bent.

10. Reinstall the Solenoid and Transmission Wiring

Also using the TCI instruction, reinstall the solenoid and transmission wiring. While at it, it may be useful to include a TCI lockup wiring kit to enable the torque converter clutch to enable flexible engagement of the automatic activation of the torque converter clutch in Fourth gear. This setup will also allow the clutch to disengage during acceleration or downshifts.

11. Reinstall the 1-2 Accumulator Assembly

The 1-2 accumulator assembly can be reinstalled after the piston has been mounted within the housing using a large orange TCI spring. The black spacer can also be installed if your ride is meant for street/strip applications. You can then fasten the bolts to 8 ft-lb.

12. Reinstall the Throttle Pressure Mechanism

It’s time to reinstall the throttle pressure mechanism and also the cable linkage while ensuring that the latter is well placed on the large lever. Other steps include running new wires, inputting oil pipe and tightening the bolts of the valve body to 8 ft-lb. In contrast, the detent roller spring bolt can be tightened to 10 ft-lb.

13. Replace the Filter

The TCI kit also comes with a filter seal ring and a new filter that you can use to replace the old one that was disposed of.

14. Revamp the Transmission’s Exterior

You can also revamp the exterior of the transmission by working on the servo. The parts of the stock servo can be replaced with the TCI parts before reassembling.
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The Bottom Line

These are the easy steps to up the performance of your 700R4 rebuild without spending the extra cash to buy a new transmission. While these are DIY steps, you can employ the services of a professional if you’re unable to handle these procedures yourself. It’ll ensure that the transmission rebuild is just right and you don’t have a worse transmission than what you started off with.

The 700R4 transmission is an automatic transmission that was found in GMC and Chevrolet cars and trucks. It was developed with the aim of improving fuel economy in cars, and it achieved this goal thanks to the overdrive it featured.

Over the years, the transmission has had a change of name, and there have been significant upgrades to its build. We’ve outlined an overview of the 700R4 transmission, its upgrades, problems, and what made it one of the best transmissions in its time.

 

GM’s 700R4 Transmission

The 700R4, also known as Turbo Hydra-Matic, is a 4-speed automatic transmission that was launched by General Motors in the early 1980s. It is an upgrade to the 3-speed TH350 automatic transmission and older models of rear-wheel-drive cars.

Also, the 700R4 transmission featured a 30% overdrive in 4th gear which brought about fuel economy. This overdrive allowed sports cars and pickup trucks that came with it to be more affordable to drive.

 

Vehicles Equipped the 700R4

The 700R4 transmission was used in cars between 1982 and 1993. Specifically, it could be found in trucks and rear-wheel-drive cars including:

Chevy

• • Blazer: 1982-1991
  • Caprice: 1982-1992
  • Corvette: 1982-1992
  • Camaro: 1983-1992
  • Suburban: 1984-1992
  • Astro Van: 1985-1992
  • S10 Blazer: 1989-1992
  • S10 Pickup: 1989-1991

Cadillac

• • Fleetwood: 1990-1992
  • Brougham: 1990-1992
  • Limousine: 1990-1992

GMC

• • Jimmy: 1982-1993
  • Safari Van: 1983-1990
  • Syclone: 1991-1992
  • S10 / S15 Sonoma: 1983-1991
  • S15 Pickup: 1983-1991

Others

• • Pontiac Firebird: 1983-1992
  • Buick Lesabre: 1984
  • Holden Commodore: 1988-1992

That being the case, the widespread use of the 700R4 (4L60) was 1992. Also, the 1993 Corvette, Camaro, and Typhoon were the vehicles to feature the last production of the 700R4.

 

Build of the 700R4

The 700R4 transmission is made from cast aluminium, which adds to its sturdiness and ruggedness. It’s 23.4 inches long, weighs 155 pounds, and has 16 bolts. The tail shaft housing is connected to the main case by four bolts, and the bolt spacing is comparable to that of the THM350 transmission. Dimensions of the 700R4 are:

• • 625 in. tail shaft housing.
  • Transmission’s width where it bolts to the engine is 20 in (51 cm).
  • 5 in. from the engine/trans mating surface to the cross member mount bolt.
  • 375 in. from the engine/trans surface to the output shaft housing mating surface.
  • External dimensions are the same as that of a THM350 with a 9-inch tail housing as found in the GMC long wheelbase truck/vans.

This transmission can store about 11 quarts of transmission fluid and its recommended fluid is DEXRON VI. That aside, there was a K-case 700R4 transmission, and this was the 700R4 with the label K on its case. The transmission case was stronger and thicker since it was designed for heavier 4×4 trucks used for off-roading.

 

700R4 Performance Specs

The 700R4 transmission first gear, second gear, third gear, fourth gear, and reverse gear are 3.06, 1.63, 1, 0.7, and 2.9 respectively.

Its lower first gear ratio provides excellent performance for low vehicle speeds. Besides, a 30% overdrive brings about enhanced fuel economy, a reason that can also be attributed to the popularity of the 700R4.

The torque that can be handled by a 700R4 transmission varies depending on its production year. Nonetheless, you can expect a max engine torque around 350 lb-ft and a max gearbox torque of 650 lb-ft.

 

700R4 Transmission Problems

Like other automatic transmissions, the 700R4 transmission problems are also evident in certain cases. Some of these issues include:

1. Overheating

A notable issue of the 700R4 transmission is overheating. Usually, the vehicles that use this transmission produce high power output and are put to extreme use, which could lead to overheating. The overheating of the ATF could cause damage to the internal components of the car. On the other hand, this problem can easily be avoided by installing an auxiliary transmission cooler.

2. Broken Input Shaft

The 700R4 upon its launch featured a 27 spline input shaft (also found on the THM200C and 2004R transmissions). This input shaft was unable to handle much torque; hence, it was not a surprise when it broke down. Nonetheless, 30 spline shafts were used in Chevrolet small-block V8s 1984, and this helped to give this sturdy gearbox more reliability.

3. Stuck Governor

Dirty transmission fluid in the 700R4 governor can cause the springs located in the governor to be inoperable. If this happens, the vehicle could experience delayed shifts. However, regular servicing of the 700R4 can keep this problem at bay.

 

700R4 vs. 4L60

GM renamed the 700R4 to 4L60 (4-speed Longitudinal 6,000 lb GVWR) in 1990, even though it was the same transmission without any significant changes. However, there was an enhancement to the 4L60 in 1993 where it was electronically controlled instead of hydraulically with a TV cable.

Here, electronic controls replaced its hydraulic shifting system, and the transmission was called the 4L60E. It is also worth noting that the 4L60E cannot be easily swapped for the 4L60 since the 4L60E shifts using a powertrain control module (PCM).

 

700R4 Transmission Updates

Specific updates were made to the 700R4 transmission after its launch. Some of these were:

1. Spline Shaft

Instead of 27 spline input shaft, the 700R4 latter featured 30 spline input shaft as found in the TH400 transmissions. This upgrade was made in 1984, and it combated the common failure point of the transmission.

2. Internal Components

Also, internal components such as the oil pump housing and ring gear were updated in the 700R4 between 1984-1987, and this ended with an auxiliary valve body for 700s in 1986.

3. Electronic Controls

The 700R4, after being renamed to the 4L60, featured electronic controls that replaced its hydraulic shifting system. This electronic control came with Vehicle Speed Sensor that alerted the engine’s computer of the speed at which the car is moving and when it was time to switch gears. These shifts in gears were then made possible by transmitting a signal to a shift solenoid.

 

The Bottom Line

The 700R4 is one of the best automatic transmissions that was launched by General Motors. It was renamed to the 4L60, and the latter also became a popular transmission name. Today, more enhanced transmissions have been launched, and they can still find their roots to the 700R4.

The 700R4’s need to offer fuel economy and enhanced performance were its major selling points, and its ability to be electronically controlled as is the case of the 4l60E made it a force to reckon with. Nonetheless, there are still transmission problems you need to be wary of to ensure your transmission stands the test of time.