would anyone happen to have a performance Transmission tune for a 05 4L60e the downshifting on mine is horrible and I’ve tried to tune it better but I can’t get it the way I want it I want it to aggressively downshift cause that’s when the truck takes off I lucked out by getting a performance transmission with a stock transmission tune
Transmission tune
- Thread starter defxtones
- Start date
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from my experience that has a lot to do with HOW the transmission was built i.e. the parts that were used inside of it, clutch packs, valving, etc
@NickTransmissions
Marky Dissod
Full Access Member
Although this is true to a point, the way the transmission responds to - or ignores - the driver's right foot is more to do with how the shift tables and kickdown tables are written.
GM wrote the 'Normal' Up/Down Shift table to discourage 'fun' driving -
and they could have made the Tow / Haul shift table Tow-ier / Haul-ier.
(Since I don't tow, my Tow / Haul shift table has been written to behave more like a 'Performance' shift table.)
I don't have the software to help you tune yours, but my tuner let me write my own shift tables.
Maybe I can help you write yours? I've plenty of experience tuning mid-90s LT1s, if that helps ...
I sometimes drive with the tow button on in the mountains on my 2012, even without towing because it helps save the brakes on steep/curving downgrades. the 2010+ have a transmission brake assist that is enabled with the tow haul button on, then in 2013 I believe the option is automatic without the tow button on along with hill start assist.
I asked BB if they could do a transmission sport tune with the tow button but they said with the 6spd it's too difficult. the 4spd's can be done though.
funny though on my 18 silverado with the 6spd it's a different beast when you are slowing down it sometimes feels like a manual transmission shifting down gear by gear
Scottydoggs
Full Access Member
theres a program called the "blue cat trans tuning tool" its a free dl, theres vids on yt to see how it works. and i for one have used it, it might take a bit of tweaking to get things where you'd like em, but you'll get much closer starting with the blue cat tool.
Mudsport96
Full Access Member
At what speed do you want it to aggressively downshift? Because the statement "that's when it really takes off" has nothing to do with how aggressive it downshifts. But, at what speed and rpm.
If you are doing 30mph, and are in 3rd or 4th, and you floorboard it, it will drop to 1st and give you that aggressive feeling. If you are doing 45 it will most likely drop to second and then you won't have that feeling. Because of the rpm that it transitions too. And the reason it is designed to do that is because the flair in rpm in the time it takes to go from 4th to 1st you get a slam in internal parts at near peak torque... and the 4l60e is made from glass and paper mache.
What gears are in your vehicle? That will give a better idea of what can be done to help your situation.
What do you mean by wanting it to "aggressively downshift"?
You want it to downshift at shallower throttle angles at all speeds? Or firmer (or both)?
What performance transmission company built the unit? Or was it a local builder? Any paperwork specifying what was done/installed?
Marky Dissod
Full Access Member
Not to knock the US Shift controller(s?), but ...
GM OE 12200411 pcm has been able to separately tune Normal mode, Performance mode or Tow / Haul mode, shifter in '3', shifter in '2' (which can also be tuned to avoid 1st entirely, or NOT), and shifter in '1', and also TCC Apply & Release in 3rd & 4th for Normal, Performance or Tow / Haul, and shifter in '3', since the mid-naughties.
Mudsport96
Full Access Member
Not for GM stuff, but there have been a couple guys I've met that have used them in Ford applications. Like Marky said, in a gm application the stock computer is more than capable of being tuned to do whatever you need... unless you are doing a rat rod with a 60e behind an old 283 or something. At which point a 700r4 would be easier and cheaper.
Ford on the other hand did not have that option for the 4r70w or aode transmissions. If you had a HEALTHY 302 in front of a 4r70w and wanted a e4od tranny for a stronger alternative... you had to get a factory computer with that specific combo, and find a factory harness for the transmission then depin the connector for the computer and repin it for the different trans. OR, buy a parts truck to salvage the whole harness from and reharness the truck you have. So that is where Bauman and US Shift controllers got popular on street application.
Heck, I could put a 80e in my tahoe add the premade jumper harness that is like 15 bucks add the 2 wires for the input shaft sensor ( not adding drive shafts because that doesn't relate to computer stuff). And with a tune on the factory computer the 80e works.
Ford on the other hand did not have that option for the 4r70w or aode transmissions. If you had a HEALTHY 302 in front of a 4r70w and wanted a e4od tranny for a stronger alternative... you had to get a factory computer with that specific combo, and find a factory harness for the transmission then depin the connector for the computer and repin it for the different trans. OR, buy a parts truck to salvage the whole harness from and reharness the truck you have. So that is where Bauman and US Shift controllers got popular on street application.
Heck, I could put a 80e in my tahoe add the premade jumper harness that is like 15 bucks add the 2 wires for the input shaft sensor ( not adding drive shafts because that doesn't relate to computer stuff). And with a tune on the factory computer the 80e works.
Marky Dissod
Full Access Member
I did NOT berate YOU. Check again, carefully, and report any post where you think I berated YOU. It won't stick.
Berated GM for providing the market more 3.42, for providing 3.23 at all.
Will berate CAFE every chance I get, berated your reluctance to consider upgraded GM OE axle gears.
I maintain that you're selecting 3rd yourself because your axle gears are not 3.73 or 4.10.
ANYONE who thinks any axle gear under 3.73 is adequate for a GMT800 is missing vital info. Tow ratings are my evidence,
since I cannot directly submit my experience with 2.56 vs 2.93 vs 3.08 vs 3.42 vs 3.73 LT1 Caprice 9C1s.
Not trying to spend your money, but once you try 3.73 (or 4.10) in a GMT800, given your steep mountain grades,
you'll physically appreciate how your 4L60E shifts far less often, which directly correlates to lasting longer between rebuilds.
In this post I mention tuning '3'.
I'll even admit to failing to mention that you might want to try 'Tow / Haul' mode to limit excessive shifting.
2nd best solution is a pcm tune. Majority of us don't have the means to tune the pcm ourselves; we send out a (spare?) pcm to
BlackBear Performance
PCM Performance
there are several other tuners who have maintained an impressive reputation for over 10 years.
I'd recommend any of those, just remind the tuner how often you use the shifter in '3', and that you have 3.42. They'll get that the correlation plus terrain is causal.
Then they'll tune your Normal mode to prevent you from wearing out your 3rd gear overrun clutches, and may very well improve your Tow / Haul mode as well.
1st best solution, which GM also provided, is 3.73.
