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4T65E Possible?

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gfritz25

Proven Member
54
2
May 31, 2016
Garden City, Michigan
Alright guys... Don't kill me for this one. But I was thinking the other day. I know that Buschur has the adapter plate for the GM transmissions to convert to RWD. Has anyone ever thought about doing this with a GM FWD transmission? I know around me at least there are an abundance of shops that can have one of these transmissions rebuilt in a matter of a few days, instead of waiting for weeks to months for a DSM specialty trans shop to track down parts, which are becoming more rare and expensive if I understand correctly. As far as I understand, the bolt pattern should be the same, or very similar for the RWD and FWD GM transmissions. I know this would require custom mounts, starter plate, ect, but I feel this could be a viable option to our aging, and hard to find transmissions. Any input is appreciated.
 
4t65e wouldn't hold up well after about 275ish hp. The 4t80e would be a better option. That's what's in the caddy fwds and they also put a variation of it in the impala SS 5.3 fwd's. Not sure it would be worth the hassle since it would be fwd and I'm not certain that they made a 4t65e awd.
 
My thought was that the 4T65E would be more readily available. There was an AWD production version of the 4T65E used in the Buick Rendezvous I think. They can be built to handle power just as well as a 4L60E, and are easier to find than a 4T80E, at least around here. It of course would require a stand alone TCU, but that's been done by the guys over on the Fiero forums for some time now. Pretty much all that would need to be done as long as I'm not overlooking anything would be adapter plate, axles, driveshaft yoke, and trans mounts. Just trying to offer a solution to the fact that DSM trans parts are getting harder and harder to come by now.
 
Good luck. Sounds like you have your mind made up. Go for it! Btw the rendezvous and it's cousins awd platform is junk. That's why they haven't tried to it in anything worth a damn. Also, the production years for the awd models were limited so, you would run into the same thing with availability as we have now. GM's awds have never been any good imo. Hell, even the full size awd vehicles( Yukon, Escalade, etc,) have the same problems. I've pulled numerous t-cases and transmissions on them for nasty failure at many trans shops over the last 14 years. It's doable, not sure about long term solution. I don't have this problem with my auto awd.
 
Ha, I have my mind far from made up. I just like to play devil's advocate. I feel it promotes a better discussion. And as for me doing it myself, I lack the fabrication skills, and even a garage to do any of this in. Just trying to see if I can offer a viable alternative. My FWD 5 speed is smoked and I am debating on having it built, or having an auto built for it. Just happened to pop into my head while I was on lunch the other day.
 
4t65e is a pretty worthless transmission for power, I had a friend with a turbo grand am and he went through 4-5 transmissions in a summer before he got his hands on the 4t65e-HD which is used for the regal GS/grand prix GTPs. You'll run into the same thing no matter where you go, availability does not always net reliability. especially when you're going to throw any kind of power at it.
 
Y
4t65e is a pretty worthless transmission for power, I had a friend with a turbo grand am and he went through 4-5 transmissions in a summer before he got his hands on the 4t65e-HD which is used for the regal GS/grand prix GTPs. You'll run into the same thing no matter where you go, availability does not always net reliability. especially when you're going to throw any kind of power at it.

They actually put the 4t80e in the pontiac and buick lucerne v8's Regal and Impala had 4t65e hr
 
Alrighty then. Looks like now my decision is either to get my 5 speed built or have an auto built for my Talon
 
A transaxle bellhousing is not such an easy conversion as a RWD transmission.
The bell is much more on the transaxle than just the engine mounting point.
In the 4T65/4T85 its the actual main case.
Not even to mention its reverse power flow from DSM like evo etc...
 
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