patooyee

I know Bates Engineering used to make the adapter that GM Racing used. As far as I can tell Bates is no longer in business. Does anyone make it anymore / can it be had?

JapEatr

iTrader: (9)

crate engine depot used to have the drawings available for download. should be able to go a machine shop with them printed out

patooyee

Thanks. I just talked Tom at Crate Engine Depot. He does not recall ever having the drawings or selling adapters. But I mentioned to him that Bates used to make them and said that Bates is still in business and gave me Ray Bates' cell number. So I called it, talked to Ray, and he has the adapters in stock for $250. Problem solved!

Once I finalize the transaction I'll see if there is some contact info that Ray wouldn't mind me posting publicly.

JapEatr

iTrader: (9)

please do

patooyee

He said it is OK to post his cell phone so ...

Ray Bates / Bates Engineering
(714) 612-3639

He says he has an Ecotec oil cooler adapter that would appeal to the racing crowd.

patooyee

Shane H

what are using to control the trans? a 4t45 tcm or a aftermarket one? Also what are you using as far as a flywheel and flex plate combo?

patooyee

After 2003 the 4t65e used the same TCM that my donor Cobalt did. I spoke with Dave at Triple Edge today who confirmed that I can use HPTuners to simply copy all the trans tables from the 2003+ 4t65e application into my 4t45e TCM to control the 4t65e. (I will also need to do some re-wiring that is not a big deal.) I've further confirmed this by pulling a couple of tunes from the HPT database and comparing the TCM codes which are the same.

I believe that the 4t65e uses the same torque converter input, and in some cases even the same 245mm converter, as the 4t45e. I have yet to pull my donor 4t65e to confirm this but if that is the case I plan to simply use my stock 4t45e converter and flex plate. The converter in my donor 4t65e should be a 258mm converter so worst case I will re-drill the stock flexplate, build, or buy an adapter. The 4t45e converter has a higher stall speed though so I prefer that option.

This is the thread that I will update as the process continues. I'm planning to pull my 4t65e tomorrow.

Shane H

Well I'm looking forward to it! I can't wait to see how it goes I figured this would be an easier route for me vs doing a manual swap. Also they can be built to handle a decent amount of power.

Tundraboarder666

Any update on this?

Sharkey

iTrader: (1)

check out his build thread in the pics section. its titled 4x4 rock buggy

patooyee

Here's a link to the post where the physical mating of the trans to the engine is complete:

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/pict...ml#post7580908

It remains to be seen that the electronics will work out. But I am 99% certain it will.

Tundraboarder666

Cool, thanks!

patooyee

A couple of cool points about the 4t65e over the 4t45 are that the 65-HD uses a larger 39-spline passenger side axleshaft and that the final drive differential and sun gear are accessible via a removable housing. So theoretically you could keep a few different ratios on hand and change them out fairly easily depending on track conditions if that is your thing. The 45e requires a complete transmission tear down to get at the final drive.