4L60E Aftermarket (amazon) pan fitment issues.

ODaily said:

You know how we both have the same pan from the same factory, but sold under different names? Alot of manufacturing works out that way. It just doesn't make any sense to have a multitude of different factories produce slight variations of the same thing. So.....

If you google image search the GM 24208576 for a bottom side view. It looks identical to the ATP B-165 I'm using. I bet if we put the two together we could find unique plastic molding marks to show they were produced from the exact same molds, probably on the same molding machine, in the same factory. Just the joys of Global trade.

I still think you'll be fine with the 24208576 (or B-165) because you have the thicker Moroso gasket. At least that's what I'm betting on.

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Yeah, I had already noticed that.

So, to get any confirmed fitment for my 96, I have to enter it as a 98. If I enter GM 24208576 on gmpartsgiant.com it confirms fitment, but it doesn’t even recognize GM 25325578(Acdelco TF337).
Then if you go to acdelco.com it confirms fitment for GM 25325578(Acdelco TF337), and doesn’t recognize GM 24208576. I guess in the end, either would work.

There was clearly a design change between the two. Most likely (to me) is that the acdelco is the oem metal bottom design, and the others are a redesign. Sometimes redesigns are for correcting design flaws / issues that crop up in real world use, and sometimes it's just to make manufacturing cheaper / easier. The plastic bottom would certainly be easier / cheaper for manufacturing, but it also has the standoffs to keep it up off the pan floor that might be an intentional upgrade. Maybe there's other things we don't see. Maybe.

It's mostly guesswork, and a very personal choice, but I'd go with the plastic bottom, just in case the redesign incorporated some mild improvements to useability. That said, either should be fine. Don't stress.

Caman96 said:

So DO NOT use the Acdelco TF337?
Also, filter is for a 1996 4L60e.

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Are you installing a factory pan or that deep pan? If the deep pan, use the deep pan filter. Make sure you have a slight interference fit. You shouldnt need a filter extension tube. Like i mentioned ealier in the thread, I use the same pan as you and the OP do and I dont use one.

NickTransmissions said:

Are you installing a factory pan or that deep pan? If the deep pan, use the deep pan filter. Make sure you have a slight interference fit. You shouldnt need a filter extension tube. Like i mentioned ealier in the thread, I use the same pan as you and the OP do and I dont use one.

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It will be the deep pan in earlier picture, and will use GM 24208576 filter. Sorry, one more question, are you ok with using DEXRON VI or recommend DEXRON III?

Caman96 said:

It will be the deep pan in earlier picture, and will use GM 24208576 filter. Sorry, one more question, are you ok with using DEXRON VI or recommend DEXRON III?

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I use Dex3; Dex 6 is a waste of money in the pre-2007 transmissions, IMHO. That said, You can use Dex6, its fully backwards compatible with Dex3 stiff, if you want.

NickTransmissions said:

I use Dex3; Dex 6 is a waste of money in the pre-2007 transmissions, IMHO. That said, You can use Dex6, its fully backwards compatible with Dex3 stiff, if you want.

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That’s what I thought, I have Dex 6 in there now, only because it was readily available at the time.

Dex VI is far from a waste of money. GM removed all licensing regarding DexIII back in 2011.
Dex III is no longer recommended by GM for use in any of their transmissions except for manual gearboxes, and transfer cases in 4WD trucks. DeX VI is vastly superior to Dex III in every way that matters. All my 4L60-E equipped vehicles responded very well when changing over to the newer fluid. Shifting more quickly, and smoothly immediately. Also runs cooler, and its additive package lasts years longer and does not turn acidic as Dex III is known to do.

El Tigre said:

Dex VI is far from a waste of money. GM removed all licensing regarding DexIII back in 2011.
Dex III is no longer recommended by GM for use in any of their transmissions except for manual gearboxes, and transfer cases in 4WD trucks. DeX VI is vastly superior to Dex III in every way that matters. All my 4L60-E equipped vehicles responded very well when changing over to the newer fluid. Shifting more quickly, and smoothly immediately. Also runs cooler, and its additive package lasts years longer and does not turn acidic as Dex III is known to do.

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They (4L60Es and 700R4s) all look the same inside when I tear them down, and last roughly as long on average, whether they used Dex3, Dex/Merc or Dex6 fluid...I have done several that were fed a steady diet of Dex3 or Dex/Merc for over 200k before needing overhaul...Would Dex6 have materially extended the lifespan of those transmissions? Maybe But probably not, at least not by years or thousands of miles.

I'm not saying any of your above is wrong; GM does recommend it for the legacy 4speeds and I'll recommend Dex 6 for any of the newer stuff..Have plenty of customers that use it in their 700s, older 4L60Es, etc and they like it as well...I run standard dex/merc in my older trucks; newer one (6L80 trans) will see nothing but Dex6.

So in my opinion (and it's just my opinion), at least for the older stuff, I don't see the benefits relative to the cost nor can I tell much of a difference in shift feel/quality based on fluid difference alone, at least in my transmissions which are already set up to shift crisp/quick via mechanical calibration mods, etc. Dex6 will do a better job if temps are consistently above 220, which they really shouldn't be regardless of fluid type. Keeping the trans cool isn't usually a problem for most vehicles; those used in HD or HP applications or simply spend lots of time in hot climates benefit from higher cap trans coolers, so as long as you're not overheating chronically Dex/Merc is fine (again, older vehicles like GMT400 trucks).

The only 'harm' in going with Dex6 over DexMerc is simply higher cost relative to benefit, which is what @Caman96 was really asking about and what I responded with the opinion I did.

Higher cost?
$2-3/gallon in transmissions that cost a grand, or more? Come on, man...