Gearbox GM 4L60E

The General Motors 4L60E, or M30, 4-speed automatic transmission was produced from 1991 to 2014 and was installed in high-performance sports cars and large SUVs with V6 and V8 engines. This automatic transmission is also found in the Chevrolet Tahoe, Suburban, Trailblazer, and many other models.

Specifications

Type	automatic transmission
Number of gears	4
Type of drive	rear / all wheel
Engine volume, l	up to 5.7
Torque output, Nm	up to 488
Recommended oil	ATF Dexron VI
Oil capacity, liter	10.6
Partial replacement, liter	5.7
Maintenance	every 80 000 km
Gearbox lifespan, km	~350 000 km
Weight, kg	79

Gear ratios GM 4L60E

Using the example of a 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe with a 5.3-liter engine:

Main	3.73
1st	3.059
2nd	1.625
3rd	1.000
4th	0.696
Reverse	2.294

Using

The transmission was installed on:

• Buick Rainier 1 (GMT360) in 2003 – 2007;
• Cadillac Escalade 1 (GMT435) in 1998 – 2000; Escalade 2 (GMT820) in 2001 – 2006;
• Chevrolet Avalanche 1 (GMT805) in 2001 – 2006; Avalanche 2 (GMT941) in 2006 – 2008;
• Chevrolet Blazer 1 (GMT330) in 1992 – 1994; Blazer 2 (GMT330) in 1994 – 2005;
• Chevrolet Camaro 4 (F-body) in 1993 – 2002;
• Chevrolet Caprice 4 in 1993 – 1996;
• Chevrolet Corvette C4 in 1994 – 1996; Corvette C5 in 1996 – 2004;
• Chevrolet Colorado 1 (GMT355) in 2003 – 2012;
• Chevrolet C/K 4 (GMT400) in 1991 – 1999;
• Chevrolet Express 2 (GMT610) in 2002 – 2014;
• Chevrolet Impala 7 in 1994 – 1996;
• Chevrolet S-10 1 (GMT325) in 1992 – 1993; S-10 2 (GMT325) in 1993 – 2004;
• Chevrolet Silverado 1 (GMT800) in 1998 – 2007; Silverado 2 (GMT901) in 2006 – 2013;
• Chevrolet Suburban 8 (GMT410) in 1991 – 1999; Suburban 9 (GMT830) in 1999 – 2005; Suburban 10 (GMT931) in 2006 – 2009;
• Chevrolet SSR 1 (GMT368) in 2003 – 2006;
• Chevrolet Tahoe 1 (GMT420) in 1995 – 2000; Tahoe 2 (GMT820) in 2000 – 2006; Tahoe 3 (GMT921) in 2005 – 2010;
• Chevrolet Trailblazer 1 (GMT360) in 2001 – 2008;
• Hummer H2 (GMT820) in 2002 – 2004;
• Hummer H3 (GMT345) in 2005 – 2010;
• Isuzu Ascender 1 (GMT360) in 2002 – 2008;
• GMC Envoy 1 (GMT330) in 1998 – 2000; Envoy 2 (GMT360) in 2001 – 2008;
• GMC Jimmy 1 (GMT330) in 1992 – 1994; Jimmy 2 (GMT330) in 1994 – 2005;
• GMC Savana 2 (GMT610) in 2002 – 2014;
• GMC Sierra 1 (GMT400) in 1991 – 2000; Sierra 2 (GMT800) in 1998 – 2007; Sierra 3 (GMT902) in 2006 – 2013;
• GMC Sonoma 1 (GMT325) in 1992 – 1993; Sonoma 2 (GMT325) in 1993 – 2004;
• GMC Yukon 1 (GMT430) in 1991 – 2000; Yukon 2 (GMT820) in 2000 – 2006; Yukon 3 (GMT922) in 2005 – 2010;
• GMC Canyon 1 (GMT355) in 2003 – 2012;
• GMC Yukon XL 2 (GMT830) in 1999 – 2006; Yukon XL 3 (GMT932) in 2006 – 2009;
• Oldsmobile Bravada 2 (GMT330) in 1995 – 2001; Bravada 3 (GMT360) in 2001 – 2004;
• Pontiac Firebird 4 (F-body) in 1993 – 2002;
• Pontiac GTO 5 (GMX281) in 2003 – 2004;
• Saab 9-7X 1 (GMT360) in 2004 – 2008.

Disadvantages of the GM 4L60 gearbox

• The main problem with this transmission is the rapid wear of the torque converter clutches;
• The solenoids then become clogged with wear debris, and the oil pressure in the system drops;
• Low pressure reduces the life of the automatic transmission clutches, and the 3-4 clutch pack is the first to burn out;
• After 200,000 km, the brake band and reverse gear drum often wear out;
• Also, the petal-type oil pump does not tolerate long driving at high speeds.