The mechanical portion of this transmission swap is similar to swapping a 700-R4 into an older model vehicle that was originally equipped with a Powerglide, TH-350 or TH-400 transmission. Depending on the application, the driveshaft may need to be lengthened or shortened. The crossmember may need to be moved and the transmission mount, bellhousing and shift linkage may need to be modified. The starter may need to be replaced as well.
If you are installing a high performance aftermarket converter, you may even need to drill the flexplate holes oversize in order to accommodate larger-than-factory bolts. Be sure to check this before attempting the swap. (It's a hassle to have to remove the transmission from the car simply because the converter bolts would not go through the flexplate!)
Use the dimensions listed below to determine the proper amount to move your crossmember and the amount to have the driveshaft shortened or lengthened.
| Transmission | Overall Length | Distance to Crossmember Mount | Bellhousing Bolt Pattern |
| 4L60E (1993-1996) 4L60E/4L65E (1996-later w/ removable bellhousing, non-LS1) 4L60E/4L65E (1998-later w/ LS1) |
30 ¾" 30 ¾" 31 5/32" |
22 ½" 23 3/16" 23 19/32" |
Chevy Chevy Chevy |
| 4L80E/4L85E (Std. 2WD) 4L80E/4L85E (HD 2WD) 4L80E/4L85E (HD long) |
32 11/16" 31 15/16" 33" |
30 3/8" 30 3/8" 30 3/8" |
Chevy Chevy Chevy |
| 700R4/4L60 | 30 ¾" | 22 ½" | Chevy |
| 2004R | 27 11/16" | 27" | Chevy, BOP, Fit-all* |
| Powerglide | 27 11/16" | 20 9/16" | Chevy, BOP |
| TH350 (6" tailshaft) TH350 (9" tailshaft) TH350 (12" tailshaft) |
27 11/16" 30 11/16" 33 27/32" |
20 3/8" 20 3/8" 20 3/8" |
Chevy, BOP, Fit-all* Chevy, BOP, Fit-all* Chevy, BOP, Fit-all* |
| TH400 (C tailshaft) TH400 (D tailshaft) TH400 (13" tailshaft) |
28 3/8" 33 27/32" 37 7/8" |
26 15/16" 27 15/16" 27 21/32" |
Chevy, BOP Chevy, BOP Chevy, BOP |
* Fit-all refers to a bellhousing configured to accept either a Chevy or BOP engine.
Both the 4L60E/4L65E and 4L80E/4L85E have Chevy bellhousing bolt patterns. TCI® has a full line of adapters to allow these transmissions to be bolted up to Buick, Olds, Pontiac engines as well as popular engines from Ford and Chrysler as well.
Additional 4L60E/4L65E notes:
Header/Exhaust Clearance - There are several different bellhousing
configurations for the 4L60E/4L65E transmission. The earlier models (1993-1996)
have an integral bellhousing, identical to the 700R4. In some cases, the dust
cover mounting ears will have to be cut off to accommodate header collectors.
This can easily be accomplished with a hacksaw. The later models (1996-later)
have a fully circumferential, bolt-on bellhousing. It is important to use the
correct bellhousing for your application. The LS1-style 4L60E/4L65E
transmissions have a unique bellhousing and input shaft. These types are not
direct replacements for the non-LS1 applications. Some headers will interfere
with the starter hump on the bolt-on bellhousings. It may be necessary to either
dimple the header or cut off the starter hump.
Starter Clearance - The bellhousing may require modifications if you intend to use a stock starter. As an alternative to modifying the bellhousing, you may choose to install a TCI® mini-starter. Shift Lever - Many 1996-later, two-piece case transmissions (primarily trucks) have a shift lever that is about 1" longer than the early-style found on 700R4, TH350 & TH400.
Cooler Lines - Your existing lines may have to be bent to connect to a 1996-later, two-piece case transmission. These units have fittings that are parallel to the ground instead of being angled down. You may also need to change the case fittings as many 1996 & later transmissions are equipped with the factory quick-connect style. Caution: Do not use Teflon tape if replacing cooler fittings. It can cause the case to crack due to over tightening.
The mechanical portion of this transmission swap is similar to swapping an AOD into an older model vehicle that was originally equipped with a C4 or C6 transmission. Depending on the application, the driveshaft may need to be lengthened or shortened. The crossmember may need to be moved and the transmission mount, bellhousing and shift linkage may need to be modified. The starter may need to be replaced as well. If you are installing a high performance aftermarket converter, you may even need to drill the flexplate holes oversize in order to accommodate larger-than-factory bolts. Be sure to check this before attempting the swap. (It's a hassle to have to remove the transmission from the car simply because the converter bolts would not go through the flexplate!) Use the dimensions listed below to determine the proper amount to move your crossmember and the amount to have the driveshaft shortened or lengthened.
| Transmission | Overall Length | Distance to Crossmember Mount | Bellhousing Bolt Pattern |
| AODE/4R70W (Std. 2WD) | 31 3/8" | 23 5/16" | 289-351C/351W |
| C4 (Pan fill) C4 (Case fill) |
24 5/16" 30 19/32" |
19 ½" 20 ½" |
289-351C/351W 289-351C/351W |
| C6 (Std. 2WD) | 33 ½" | 22 3/8" | 289-351C/351W |
| AOD (Std. 2WD) | 30 3/8" | 22 5/16" | 289-351C/351W |
Additional AODE/4R70W notes:
Bolt pattern - The 4R70W were built with two different bellhousings; the
standard small-block Ford pattern common to the 289, 302, 351C & 351W and
the modular motor pattern common to the 4.6L, 5.4L and V10 engines. If you are
looking to retrofit a 4R70W to an older style small-block, be sure your
transmission case is compatible. Sourcing a transmission originally used behind
the 5.0L V8 or 3.8L/4.2L V6 is one way to be sure it'll bolt to the older style
small block Ford.
Output Shaft - 4R70W transmissions and some AODEs have larger diameter output shaft bushings that utilize larger diameter slip yokes than the type used on the AOD or 3-speed automatic Ford transmissions. All models have the same 28-spline output shaft profile, so small bushing tail shaft housings can be swapped on from any model, including that from an AOD. For higher horsepower applications, it is recommended to stick with the larger diameter style if you have one. Casting numbers on the tail shaft housings can assist in identifying which diameter slip yoke is used.
F3LP - Large bushing standard length
F3UP - Large bushing long length
F2TP or E0AP - Small bushing standard length
E0TP or E0LP - Small bushing long length
Gear Ratios - The AODE and the 4R70W/AODE-W have different gear ratios. For a greater start line advantage, the lower ratios found in the 4R70W/AODE-W can help get a heavier vehicle moving easier. The ratios are as follows:
| AOD | AODE-W/4R70W | |
| 1st | 2.40 | 2.84 |
| 2nd | 1.47 | 1.55 |
| 3rd | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| 4th | 0.67 | 0.70 |