4T40-E/4T45-E
Introduced
in the late 1990’s, the 4T40-E was first designed to be used with 4cyl engines
(2.2-2.4L), and was later used with the 3100 V6 and 3400 V6.
The 4T45-E was introduced a few years later as an upgrade that was
slightly stronger than the original 4T40-E.
Electrically, the 4T40-E/4T45-E transmissions are very similar to the
4T65-E discussed in the last article, but it is a much weaker transmission.
Versions that came factory installed on 2.4L DOHC “Quad-4” engines and
later Ecotec 4cyl engines have a different bellhousing bolt pattern than the
standard 4cyl/V6 GM FWD bolt pattern the stock GM engines use.
Use of one of these transmissions in a Fiero swap application would
require the use of a PCM or aftermarket transmission controller so it would work
properly. Due to the weakness of
this transmission’s design, I would NOT recommend it be used in a Fiero swap
UNLESS it already came paired from the factory with whatever newer GM engine you
are swapping in. Gear ratios for
this transmission are: 1st-2.960, 2nd-1.626, 3rd-1.000,
4th-0.681, Rev-2.130.
The information I was able to find says the available final-drive ratios are
3.05 and 3.29; and the available chain sprocket ratios are 35/35, 33/37, and
32/38.
4T80-E
Introduced
in the early 90’s to be exclusively paired with the then-new Cadillac Northstar
V8 (and the smaller Aurora V8), this is one of the strongest GM FWD transverse
automatic overdrive transmission ever made (by rating on paper).
It was paired with 300hp Northstar V8 engines and has a maximum gearbox
torque rating of 461 ft/lbs. This
transmission is also the biggest (physically) of the transverse FWD designs
to-date. It weighs in at over
293lbs wet, which is about 90lbs more than the 4T60-E/4T65-E.
But it also has stronger internal parts.
Electronically, it is very similar to the 4T65-E and 4T40-E/4T45-E
transmissions, having 2 electric shift solenoids, an electric force motor to
control line pressure, and PWM control for the torque converter clutch.
Most people only consider using these transmissions when they are
swapping Northstar V8’s into Fieros, but research is underway into determining
if this transmission would be a viable alternative to the 4T65-E HD transmission
for ultra-performance swaps into Fieros using engines other than the Northstar
(such as 3800 SC / Turbo, and LS/other V8 swaps).
Reason being is 4T65-E HD transmissions do have some weak links in their
designs and stronger aftermarket replacements for these weak links are no longer
being made since the demise of the GM racing program.
Gear ratios for the 4T80-E transmission are: 1st-2.960, 2nd-1.626,
3rd-1.000, 4th-0.681, Rev-2.130.
Information I was able to find said available final-drive ratios are
2.84, 3.11, 3.48, and 3.71; and the only known available chain sprocket ratio is
39/39.
6T40/6T45 & 6T70/6T75
These new
generation 6-speed automatic transmissions were released by GM in the latter
half of the 2000’s. The 6T40/6T45’s
were used with 4cyl engines while the 6T70/6T75’s were used with GM’s next
generation of V6’s (called the Global V6).
Both transmission designs are similar, electronically.
The computer that controls these transmissions is mounted inside of it
and communicates with the engine computer via GM’s “new” High Speed Data Bus
(called GMLAN or CAN). Because of
this, these transmissions cannot be used with older engines or PCMs easily.
As of the writing of this article, I am not aware of any aftermarket
controller available that can take the place of the TCM (transmission control
module) that comes from the factory in this transmission.
With lack of an aftermarket TCU, this will limit you to being able to use
this transmission only with the engine (and computer system) it came paired with
from the factory. To date
(according to the information I could find on the GM Media website), the
6T40/6T45 has only been used with the 2.4L Ecotec and the 6T70/6T75 has only
been used with the 3.6L DOHC VVT V6.
Versions of these transmissions used in SUV’s were available in
All-Wheel-Drive configurations, so be aware of this if you are looking for donor
transmissions or powertrain dropouts.
Gear ratios for the 6T40 are: 1st-4.58, 2nd-2.96, 3rd-1.91,
4th-1.45, 5th-1.00, 6th-0.75, Rev-2.94; final
drive-2.89. Gear ratios for the
6T70 are: 1st-4.484, 2nd-2.872, 3rd-1.842, 4th-1.414,
5th-1.00, 6th-0.742, Rev-2.882; final drive-2.77.
The overdrive ratios in both these transmissions seem like they would
produce very good highway fuel economy with the given final drive ratios, so one
would hope sometime in the near future an aftermarket transmission controller
becomes available so these transmissions can be used in Fieros with different
engines. Until then, if you want a
GM automatic, you’re stuck with a 3-speed or a 4-speed.