GNXClone

iTrader: (7)

I want to get my GTO running again. I'm sick of seeing it sit, with a broken 4L60e. It's a twin turbo LS7 and the 4L60e just can't handle it. I have everything I need for a 4L80e swap, except the converter, and I'm out of cash. I want to put a Circle-D in it, but I just don't have $1100 available at this time.

Would it be horrible to use the stock 4L80e converter while I save up for a Circle-D? Yes, I know it means pulling the trans again to swap converters later, I'm okay with that.

I'm hoping the high torque output of the TT-LS7, along with the heavy weight of the car (4000lbs) would allow a stock converter to work decently well enough for the interim. This car is 99.999% street driven and intended to be a daily driver. So even when I do buy a Circle-D, it's going to be the tightest one I can get.

Has anyone out there used a stock 4L80e converter with success?

Emulsifide

iTrader: (22)

Sounds like suicide to me. No clue what kind of torque numbers you're running, but the stock converter was never meant to hold up to that kind of power.

If it breaks, you'll risk trashing your transmission as well....leaving you even further from your goal.

Grr

iTrader: (2)

I ran a stock converter in my 3800lb GN with turbo LQ4 making between 575-750whp for an entire year, with 3.07 rear gears and 28" tires. Keep the power down to around 600whp and you wont have any issues, I didnt have the money at the time either

FastKat

iTrader: (10)

I think it would be fine. A stock 4L80E, including the stock converter, can take a huge amount of use & abuse. We had a truck with a fuel injected 8.1L that would would run up and down the interstate (big, long hills) loaded at up to 20,000 lbs pegged at 85 mph. After we installed a large trans cooler and a deep pan, the trans performed flawlessly. It had the stock converter.

GTO Eric

iTrader: (6)

you'll be fine. I am running the stock 6.0 gas truck converter and am putting 700 to the tire on my procharged GTO. I've done this twice...blew the direct clutchs in the 1st 80 and am now on my second 80. Stock trans(with hd-2 shift kit) and converter w/100k miles...lol

Emulsifide

iTrader: (22)

Well if you want one, I've got one out of a 2008 van with 30,000 miles.

PM me if you want to talk about it.

slow67

iTrader: (2)

Lots of truck guys keep the stock 80E converter for boosted setups.

Circle-D

iTrader: (21)

I think you will be fine. The OE converter is quite thick and strong. The biggest problem will be the weight and stall. We have seen a few failures with lock up clutches cracking and a few bearing failures, but overall a fairly strong OE converter.

Chris

JAX04

iTrader: (17)

How about in a sub 3000lb car??? Or does that matter??

GNXClone

iTrader: (7)

Thanks for the comments! I'm not too concerned with strength, I figured it was a beast. It's just the weight of the converter itself and stall speed as Chris mentioned. I think it'll be fine in the interim. I was asking because I picked one up from the salvage yard for a whopping $25. ;-)

JAX04: I'm no expert, but I think the lighter the vehicle, the lower the stall, given the same amount of HP/TQ. I would think you would not have much stall at all in a light car. If it stalls at 1600 rpm in a 6000lb truck, a 3000lb car should stall even lower that that.

robbyredneck

iTrader: (1)

as stated you can feel the weight and the low stall does'nt allow any brake boost for me so it's kind of a pig out of the hole. but when your going 30 and you nail it;it kicks down to 1st at full boost and you start thinking "man i should get a real converter"

forcd ind

iTrader: (7)

i would assume you could have the stock converter restalled, not sure of the cost though