What eng/trans do you have?

[J-Ri]

I may be looking for a V6 G/A soon, but have never EVER seen a manual transaxle bolted to a V6. Do they have that option?

[Gir-_-]

it has never been an option from what I know, at least for the later years of GA

[xeroinfinity]

yes they actualy did make a 5 spd 3.1, but its in the Caviler/Sunfire/Z24 catagory.
Very hard to come by. I always look at every junk/salvage yard I goto, I've even called out of state places.... no dice.

A friend of mine has a Z24 w/3.1 5 spd, factory fiberglass hood w/ scoops, pretty fun car to drive !!

Check this out !
www.turboz24.com

Technicaly the 4t60e's could bolt to a 3.1/3.4's(as these were used in grand am's and cutlass's w/3.1) but the mounts and everything are different, plus the ECU/PCM programming.... New cars, whatta PITA !

[Jrs3800]

1994-1998 You got the 4T60-E with the 3100 or the 2.3-2.4..

1999+ you could have had the 2.2( later years ), 2.4 or 3400... and iirc they all were attached to the 4T45-E

Sad that GM attached a 3400 to a 4T45-E

[I6pwr]

What about the 2.5L M/T....where's the love?

[BNaylor]

For what it is worth our friends over at Milzy Motorsports are looking for a guinea pig to transplant a 6 speed manual in a '99-'05 GA. Check it out.

Click here

Originally Posted by Jrs3800

1999+ you could have had the 2.2( later years ), 2.4 or 3400... and iirc they all were attached to the 4T45-E

Tbe 2.2L Ecotec came out in the 2002 model year. Starting in 2000 Pontiac offered the 5 speed manual Getrag M86/M94 for GA models with the 2.4L engine and continued to do so into later years. Same is applicable to the sister N Body Alero. Of course, 3400 V6 equipped GAs were autotransaxle only. There are two arguably different autotransaxles supplied. The 4T40E, GM RPO code MN4 and 4T45E, GM RPO code MN5. MN4 rated to handle up to 200 lb-ft torque and MN5 215 lb-ft. Otherwise very similar and both are pressure control solenoid (PCS) equipped to control line pressure. At least up to the 2002 model year the MN4 is found in GAs equipped with the 2.4L and 2.2L engines. The MN5 variation in all 3400 V6 equipped units.

When in doubt just check the SPID label affixed to the back of the spare tire cover and look for the RPO code.

Originally Posted by Jrs3800

Sad that GM attached a 3400 to a 4T45-E

Other than no dipstick to easily check ATF level.... Why? The 4T45E, MN5 is rated for GM compact/sub-compact vehicles up to GVW 4100 lbs and very conservatively rated to handle up to 215 lb-ft of torque. Works fine with modded 3400 engines even into the mid-high 13s. No issues that I know of with a modded '02 Olds Alero GL2 or modded '00 GA GT. IMO more reliable than the 4T65E autotransaxle.

[Jrs3800]

When you say they are good into the 13's are these bone stock units? And has the torque management been raised to its max?

All of these transmissions can be built to take punishment and abuse..

These transmissions aren't all perfect and each series has its share of issues..

But How much punishment ca a 4T45-E handle in stock form... Also how hot do they get? And do you guys raise the torque management to keep the PCM from holding you back? I'd love to see what a 3400 will do with 0 Tq Management...

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by Jrs3800

When you say they are good into the 13's are these bone stock units? And has the torque management been raised to its max?

All of these transmissions can be built to take punishment and abuse..

These transmissions aren't all perfect and each series has its share of issues..

But How much punishment can a 4T45-E handle in stock form... Also how hot do they get? And do you guys raise the torque management to keep the PCM from holding you back? I'd love to see what a 3400 will do with 0 Tq Management...

Box stock 4T45E trannies with typical moderate Stage 1 and 2 engine mods. Just a new Delco screen filter and ATF. However, the Alero has a DHP v1.0 PCM and the GA GT has a Milzy custom programmed PCM with TM tables modified above what DHP does and both have line pressure increased which is standard. As a matter of fact you can't even feel TM kick in right before the re-programmed shift points of 6000 rpms. Shifts are quick and to the point.

As far as tranny temperature or any speculation about possible overheating or running too hot I haven't run any temperature checks but there are no indications of overheating from the TFT sensor nor any indications of engine overheating. And these cars are daily drivers too. One just recently completed a 2300 mile one way trip to New York and returning in July for additional mods.

As far as how much punishment a stock 4T45E will take your guess is as good as mine. From what I can see it does pretty good considering.

[Jrs3800]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

Box stock 4T45E trannies with typical moderate Stage 1 and 2 engine mods. Just a new Delco screen filter and ATF. However, the Alero has a DHP v1.0 PCM and the GA GT has a Milzy custom programmed PCM with TM tables modified above what DHP does and both have line pressure increased which is standard. As a matter of fact you can't even feel TM kick in right before the re-programmed shift points of 6000 rpms. Shifts are quick and to the point.

As far as tranny temperature or any speculation about possible overheating or running too hot I haven't run any temperature checks but there are no indications of overheating from the TFT sensor nor any indications of engine overheating. And these cars are daily drivers too. One just recently completed a 2300 mile one way trip to New York and returning in July for additional mods.

As far as how much punishment a stock 4T45E will take your guess is as good as mine. From what I can see it does pretty good considering.

Having the higher line pressure does help the transmissions and actually kills off a lot of slip between gears... That is a good thing for certain.. Its also good that you have not see any issues with overheating.. Do both of your cars have the 3.29 Gear ratio?

I may not agree with everything on the 4T40-E and 4T45-E.... and for that Matter 4T60-E and 4T65-E, But we are all entitled to our opinions

I will however say that GM in my eyes has done a good job with the FWD transmissions as compared to other domestic manufactures... after the 171,000 extremely abusive miles on my 60-E I have to say its a tuff trans, never expected it to last that long..

[xeroinfinity]

My SE trany does run hot when I turn off my traction control and run it hard , an aux. fan helps that . Its not even close to stock now, 223 WHP shreaded one trany.

Thier were several different gear ratios used in the MN5, for the final drive gears, 3.63, 3.29, 3.05, and 3.91.

I think both the MN4 and MN5 were used in some foreign cars, like Toyota or Isuzu's.

I'd try one of those 6 spds if I just hadnt rebuilt the two I have now.... bad timing as usual.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

My SE trany does run hot when I turn off my traction control and run it hard , an aux. fan helps that . Its not even close to stock now, 223 WHP shreaded one trany.

Thier were several different gear ratios used in the MN5, for the final drive gears, 3.63, 3.29, 3.05, and 3.91.

223 whp? Yikes! What are you trying to do JC? Set a world record. You don't need that much power to break the 14 sec. barrier and keep it fairly reliable.

Checkout this '01 GA GT at Milzy Customer Cars.

Tim Kaczun's '01 Grand Am GT
Tim's GAGT puts down 203.4HP & 193.8TQ at the wheels and a 13.9 1/4 Mile. Dyno Sheet / Time Slip

Milzy Motorsports Stage 2 Camshaft
Milzy Motorsports Ported & Polished 3400 Upper and Lower Intake Manifolds
Milzy Motorsports Stage 2 3400 Heads (milled 0.015")
TOG Ceramic Coated Headers & Downpipe
SS Cold Air Intake with 'Fireball Coatings' ceramic coating; K&N Cone Filter
MSD Ignition Coils; NGK TR6 Spark Plugs
Motorad 180 Thermostat
Carsound High Flow Cat
Magnaflow Stainless Steel Resonator, Muffler, and Tips
RSM Racing Front and Rear Strut Tower Bar
ZZP Underdrive Pulley
Tuned by HP Tuners

http://www.milzymotorsports.com/

On the issue of trannies and final drive gearing our '00 GA GT has 3.29:1, RPO code FR9 and a MN5, 4T45E autotransaxle. The '02 Alero GL2 has 3.05:1, RPO code F83 and MN5, 4T45E autotransaxle. Data taken right off the SPID label.

I'm not sure of prior years to 2002 with the exception of '00 GA GT but here are the final drive ratios that were offered by GM on both the Grand Am and Alero with the 2.2L Ecotec and 3400 V6 engines from 2002 and up until the end of production in 2005 and 2004 (Olds).

FR9 - 3.29:1
FX1 - 3.94:1
FX2 - 3.91:1
F83 - 3.05:1

The 3.94:1 ratio was used by the 5 speed manual Getrag and 2.2L equipped models only. The 3.91:1 is used by 2.2L and MN4 equipped models.

The 3.05:1 used in SE, etc. models with the 3400 V6 and MN5 autotransaxle. And the 3.29:1 in the GT models with the 3400 and MN5 autotransaxle.

Note that the final drive gearing overall effective gearing ratio can be varied by using a different drive chain and sprockets. There are 6 possible combinations on both the MN4 and MN5 autotransaxles.