Hi, I'm new to the board here. I'm looking at 2 z's('93 and '94) with auto trannies-both are similarly priced and in good condition. By doing a search here I have come to understand that these two cars have a different tranny. The 93 w/4L60 and 94 w/4L60e. I assume that "e" must mean electronic. Here's my question: Which should I go for?

Is one cheaper to rebuild?

I want to weigh the pros and cons of each. It would seem that the 4L60 would be simpler than the 4L60e with the lack of electronic shift control? On the other hand, is it harder to get parts for the 4L60, b/c it was only offered for one year in the 4th gen Z28?

Are the internals and durability of the two trannies the same?

Sorry for so many questions-I'm just eager to find out what I should do. Thanks!

 

There are a lot of differences between the 93 and 94+ cars, things like computers, tranny's, fuel delivery, etc.. But to answer your question rebuilding the 4l60(700r4) and the 4l60e are both the same price most places because the internals are identical sans the computer stuff...

 

That's interesting that so much changed from 93 to 94. The car I'm looking to sell is a 93(Taurus SHO), and has many flaws that were rectified in 94 and 95-transmission internals, computer shift pattern, and so on. I was sorry to find this out after I bought and paid for the car.

So...I'm doing my homework this time to avoid being burned again. Do any of these differences that you mention make one car a wiser purchase? Thanks.

 

There are followers of both setups the DA guys love the 93's because of the lack of a MAF and the tuning that can be done, the problem exists that the computer is still an older style ROM computer and needs a chip burned for every tuning change, the 94+ has a Flashable ROM and that means changing the tune is soo much easier, but it also throws a few extra things into the mix like the MAF sensor, and open and closed loop tuning...
But like I said both types have people that love them, and will stand behind them so asking what is better is a little subjective to the person responding.

93 had different trannies compaired to 94+ cars, the Manual and the Autos were different...

Do a little more research and see what is best for your needs, sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

I'd go with the 94 if it were me. It should be a litte easier on gas because in 94 they also switched to sequential fuel injection, instead of the 93's multipoint inlection. I wouldn't let the trannies influence your decision, because one (to me) is no better than the other.

 

I'm so thrilled! I just sold the car I needed to sell(feels like I had a growth removed! hard car to sell!), and I'm now in hot pursuit of a Lt1 camaro/firebird. I figured that there would be some division b/t the 93 and 94+ cars. My major issue is not tuneability but availability of parts for when things go BOOM. It's great to have that security with an older car. Simplicity also appeals to me, and the 93 sounds a bit simpler for the home mechanic? Thanks for the responses.

 

part availability are plentiful for both years with the right source

you can't go wrong with ANY fbody


you will make a right choice no matter what you pick

good luck!

 

I would go with a 95 if you can find one...just because it already has a vented opti spark.

But i to would like to know the actuall difference between the two auto trannies.

 

The difference between the 2 trannies is that the 93 is controlled by a throttle valve cable connected to the throttle body and the 94< is controlled by shift solenoids and computer shift scheduling by comparing speed vs. throttle position sensor readings (engine load). So from that standpoint, the 93 (which is really a 700R4) is cheaper to repair because theres less electrical components, but the cost difference isn't that much. From a durablilty standpoint, I would rather have the 700R4 because it can handle HP a little better. The 4L60e needs to be recalibrated both internally and through the computer as where the 700R4 can be recalibrated through a shift kit and adjustment of the throttle cable. Thats why people retro back to the 700R4 and remove the 4L60e. Its better for drag applications basically. I do have a 94 though with the 4L60e right now and it is built solid and shifts pretty radically, but my buddy built an "experimental" 700R4 he wants me to try out, so I might make the swap when I put the stroker in.

 

Now I'm digging into some good info. Well, I know its all been said before, so thanks for bearing with me. It does seem that the 95's are a pretty popular "best year" Lt1, prolly b/c of the vented opti spark and so on. An older F-body(93-94) is cheaper to buy and insure for me, so thats why I'm inquiring about those particular years.

As I understand it, the internals of the 700r4 and 4l60e are the same. What makes the 700r4 more capable of handling horsepower then?

For me, anything with less electronic and computer-controlled components is going to excite me. Less tech is easier for me to wrap my head around and work on

 

Yeah IMO 95 would be the best model year for the LT1 F-body. It has the vented optispark, and OBD1 instead of the finicky OBDII like my 96.