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?

 

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

 

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.

 

please do

 

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.

 

 

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?

 

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.

 

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.

 

Any update on this?

 

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

 

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.

 

Cool, thanks!

 

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.