Today we will take a look at a transmission made by General Motors and produced in their transmission plant in Strasbourg, France. We are talking about the 4L30-E transmission, an automatic transmission that was developed for light duty use in longitudinal engine rear-wheel drive vehicles. It replaced the TH180/3L30 transmission¸and in turn it was replaced by the 5L40E/5L50 transmissions.
The 4L30-E was used in mostly European and Japanese vehicles including:
- 1996-2000 Acura SLX
- 1992-1998 BMW 318i
- 1997-1999 BMW 323i
- 1992-1995 BMW 325i
- 1996-1999 BMW 328i
- 1990-1996 BMW 518i
- 1990-1996 BMW 525i
- 1992-1996 BMW 525td
- 1996-1999 BMW 528i
- 1996-2000 BMW Z3
- 1997-2001 Cadillac Catera
- 1992-1998 Chevrolet Omega
- 1994-2001 Honda Passport
- 1998-2000 Isuzu Amigo
- 2002-2003 Isuzu Axiom
- 1999-2001 Isuzu VehiCROSS
- 1991-2001 Isuzu Rodeo
- 2001-2003 Isuzu Rodeo Sport
- 1990-2002 Isuzu Trooper
- 1996-present Opel Frontera
The 5L40-E replaced the 4L30-E and it had five forward gears and was/is used in the GM Sigma platform vehicles of Cadillac, Pontiac and the Holden Commodore.
This is an electronically controlled transmission and it has an automatic overdrive and a torque converter clutch to eliminate slipping losses in forward ranges. In 2007 this transmission was replaced by the 6L50 six-speed automatic.
The 5L40-E was used in the Cadillac CTS, Cadillac STS, Cadillac SRX, Pontiac Solstice, Saturn Sky, Chevrolet Omega, Pontiac G8 and Cadillar CTS AWD, all from 2004-2009. It was also used in the BMW 3 Series, the BMW 5 Series, the BMW Z3 and the BMW X5.
The 5L50 was designed to handle stresses in vehicles weighing up to 5000 lb, and it can handle up to 311 ft lb of torque.
All of which means a great deal to us at PDQ Transmission Parts, but might not mean much to the average driver. Let us put it this way: take a look at the high-quality automobiles that this transmission is in, and then ask yourself if you think it might be a high-performing transmission? Would BMW or Cadillac trust their cars to just any lightweight transmission? The answer obviously is no, so you can bet that this family of transmissions are top of the line.
Speaking of top of the line, if you are looking for top of the line transmissions and other hard parts, look no further than the pros at PDQ transmission parts. We have been supply quality transmissions and related parts for quite a few years now, and our reputation is important to us.
PDQ….three simple initials that mean quality craftsmanship in the world of transmissions.
