I have a 84 camaro 406 with a 5 speed. thinking about changing over to a automatic. Friend of mine has a 4l60e trans that I can have. What all would I need to make this work since the car does not have a computer?
Thank You Quigley  

You'll need a computer, GMPP has one specifially for putting 4L60/80Es into non computer cars.

A T5 behind a 406 is self evident as to why you'd want more beef, but I'm rather not convinced a 4L60E would be the answer to more beef and reliability. It's really just a 700R4 with electronic controls replacing hydo-mechanical. The 700R4 is really a TH350 with an overdive on one end with a really nasty low gear ratio of 3.26 or something close. With a 406 this would really cause traction problems and the jump from low to second is quite large having the effect of dumping the engine way under its power band on the 1-2 shift.

Bogie  

So what would you suggest would be a better way to go if I want to go with a Automatic trans?
Thanks Quigley  

For the money you'd spend to convert over to an automatic, you could easily build up your T5 to take all the horsepower your 406 makes. The Mustang guys have been doing this for a while now.

If you look at the July 2007 issue of 5.0 Mustang & Super Fords Magazine, there's a story on page 98 about performance building a T5 transmission. I shot the photos for the story so I know it's a storng piece after the better internals are installed. The guys at Astro Performance do great work, and you can see a side-by-side comparison of the stock T5 parts and what they put in.

To me this is the much better way to go. You don't have to change anything on the car.  

I didnt mean to mislead anybody. I'm not looking to beef up the trans, I simply dont want shift anymore. I drive a truck five nights a week and get enough of shifting gears. I'm thinking the 700R4 may be the way to go. It doesnt need a computer and it has overdrive for those long drives on the interstate.
Quigley  

Ah, I understand now!

That year a 700R4 was the auto in a V-8 car, so all you'll need to do is find a donor car for the cross-member, pedal assembly, and shifter console, along with the necessary linkages and kickdown cable/accessories. You'll probably also need the driveshaft from an automatic car, I'd guess the auto used a different length than the 5-speed.

You'll also need to rig up a tranny cooler.  

I found a 86 camaro 2.8 V6. Doesnt run, trans fluid is clean and red. I can pick this up for about $50. Is this trans the same as the ones for the V8?
Thanks Quigley  

No the little 4 speed automatic behind the 60 degree V6s isn't the same and doesn't bolt up. You'd need a 700R4/4L60 from at least a 4.3 V6. But with a 406 on the front end, I really think you should be shopping for a suitably beefed up unit from TCI or some equivalent custom tranny house.

Attaching a 700R4/4L60 to a 406 engine is asking a lot from the transmission. As they come from GM these were never meant and weren't available behind big inch V8s, 350's were it and even they get into trouble when put in bigger pickup's and SUVs especially if expected to tow.

Anyway a purpose built 700R4/4L60 from a competent transmission house will serve you well, but a junk yard dog is a high risk proposition as automatics get tired at about the same rate as the engine they're attached too. So taking an unknown tranny and strapping it to a frisky 406 could prove to be nothing more than a core in a couple weeks.

Bogie  

Bogie's right. At the least, if you get a trans from a yard, you should have it rebuilt with good performance internals. A company like JW Transmissions in Rockledge, FLA, builds rock solid 700R4s for applications like yours.  

Thank you all for the help. I will look into getting a trans from a reputable shop.
Thank You Quigley  

I have done some checking and it looks like the camaro in 86 only came out with 2 trannys. The Auto A4 and Manual M5. So the donor car I found should work if I have it rebuild. It seems to me it would cheaper if I have a trans to rebuild as opposed to buying a new one. Am I right?
Thanks Quigley  

My refernce book doesn't say which trans was used behind the V-6 in that year, but it does say that it was a four-speed overdrive trans. The easy way to tell what it is, look at the pan on the trans and see what shape it is. Let us know and we can tell you from there.

As long as the case is good on a used trans, rebuilding it is fine for what you need, but only if you use strong enough internals.  

The pan is square with no indents or anything. Also there is a electrical plug in the side, what is that for?
Quigley  

The electric plug in the side is probably hooked up to the back-up light switch.

The 700R4 had a square pan, so that sounds liek what you've got. BUT (as Bogie said earlier), this version may have a V-6 bellhousing bolt pattern, which is different from a V-8. Defintiely make sure this trans will hook up to your small block before you start sinking money into it.  

the plugg on the side of the trans is for lock up which is where the converter stops slipping which is good to have for highway driving b&m sell a harness for this also in 84 the camaro had either a 700r4 or t5 both in 2 versions a v8 bellhousing and samll v6 4cyl bellhousing the best way to go is buy a good core and have your local shop build it for you specs.