Fitment guide
How to keep your mechanical speedometer with an LS swap and a 4L60E or 4L80E
Your LS and electronic overdrive don't have to cost you the original gauge cluster. The factory speedometer can still read vehicle speed.
Short answer
Yes. A stock 4L60E or 4L80E reports speed electronically and has no cable drive as it comes from GM. A new cast and machined tail housing provisioned for a VSS (vehicle speed sensor), for the 4L60E, 4L65E, or 4L70E, can provide the VSS signal to the computer. If you are using the 4L80E, the kit is provisioned to use the GM mechanical speedometer setup, with a steel drive gear and the plastic driven gear, all in an easy-to-install kit. The original speedometer cable threads onto the speedometer driven gear housing, just like the factory setup. The factory speedometer reads the vehicle speed, and the vehicle speed sensor keeps feeding the computer.
What does a stock 4L60E or 4L80E use for speed?
A stock 4L60E or 4L80E reports speed electronically and has no cable drive as it comes from GM. That is the catch on an older car: the original gauge is still cable-driven, and the transmission in the swap has no cable on it.
You do not have to give up the original cluster. The factory speedometer can still read vehicle speed, which is what keeps a sleeper looking stock from the driver's seat. More on that look in building a sleeper.
What does the 4L60E, 4L65E, or 4L70E kit do?
A new cast and machined tail housing provisioned for a VSS (vehicle speed sensor) can provide the VSS signal to the computer.
That housing is the 4L60E tail housing kit ($850). The 4L60E / 4L65E / 4L70E speed kit is $850.
What does the 4L80E kit do?
If you are using the 4L80E, the kit is provisioned to use the GM mechanical speedometer setup, with a steel drive gear and the plastic driven gear, all in an easy-to-install kit.
The 4L80E tail housing kit is $900. The 4L80E speedometer kit is $900.
Where does the original speedometer cable go?
The original speedometer cable threads onto the speedometer driven gear housing, just like the factory setup.
What reads speed, and what feeds the computer?
The factory speedometer reads the vehicle speed, and the vehicle speed sensor keeps feeding the computer.
For why these transmissions leave GM without a cable, see why modern GM transmissions have no speedometer cable. If you want the tooth-count math, use the speedometer gear calculator or read how speedometer gear calculation works.
Keep reading
- 4L60E vs 4L80E for an LS swap: which one should you run?
- Which transmission goes with an LS1, LS2, LS3, LS7 or LS9?
- Building a sleeper: stock-looking hot rod, modern LS power
Frequently asked questions
Can you run a mechanical speedometer with a 4L60E?
Yes. A stock 4L60E reports speed electronically and has no cable drive as it comes from GM. A new cast and machined tail housing provisioned for the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) provides that signal to the computer. The original speedometer cable threads onto the driven gear housing, just like the factory setup. The factory speedometer reads vehicle speed, and the VSS keeps feeding the computer.
Can you run a mechanical speedometer with a 4L80E?
Yes. A stock 4L80E reports speed electronically and has no cable drive as it comes from GM. The 4L80E kit is provisioned for the GM mechanical speedometer setup, with a steel drive gear and the plastic driven gear, in an easy-to-install kit. The original speedometer cable threads onto the driven gear housing, just like the factory setup. The factory speedometer reads vehicle speed, and the VSS keeps feeding the computer.
Does a stock 4L60E or 4L80E have a speedometer cable?
No. A stock 4L60E or 4L80E reports speed electronically and has no cable drive as it comes from GM.
Where does the original speedometer cable thread on?
The original speedometer cable threads onto the speedometer driven gear housing, just like the factory setup.
Does the vehicle speed sensor still feed the computer?
Yes. The factory speedometer reads the vehicle speed, and the vehicle speed sensor keeps feeding the computer. On a 4L60E, 4L65E, or 4L70E, a new cast and machined tail housing provisioned for the VSS provides that signal.
Do I have to replace my gauge cluster after an LS swap?
No. The factory speedometer reads vehicle speed, and the original cable threads onto the driven gear housing just like the factory setup, so the original gauge cluster can stay.
Talk to the shop
Questions about a 4L60E, 4L65E, 4L70E, or 4L80E kit? Call 469-688-6985, Monday to Friday, 7am–3pm Central, or email [email protected].
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