black00ssFL

iTrader: (24)

Alright, long story short I currently have a "stage 2" t56 in the car with less than 3000 miles. I recently learned that I have bent an axle or both doing some hard launches at the track. I'm foreseeing a lot of repair bills if I keep adding power and insist on a 6 speed. I really love rowing the gears...but I really love going to the track problem free! Anyways, I'm on a budget (aren't we all) and want to swap to a 4l80e (for future rebuild for future power).

I have a '98 and do have a source that says they can get the '98 pcm to tune it. I've been doing a lot of searching/reading on the subject. My question is, how cheap have some of you done this swap? And, what is needed bare minimum for the swap?

I'll be grabbing a 4l80e here locally, probably for about $500-$750. I'm only at 400whp for now....and will be for a little bit while I'm still in school, and shortly after school. From what I understand a stock tranny and shift kit will handle the power I have.

Now the cost aspect will come with the different options that I will have:

1. I can go with a normal shift kit and get the computer to control it. This will cost me for: m6-4l80e wiring harness, shift kit, install of shift kit, stock auto shifter, tuning costs

2. I can go with a normal shift kit and tci controller. This will cost me for: shift kit, install of kit, stock auto shifter/cable, controller cost

3. I can go with a shift kit w/ manual valve body. This will cost me for: shift kit with manual valve body, install of valve body and lock up switch, aftermarket shifter/cable setup

I know that all options will include the cost of: flexplate, converter (will probably buy new), trans cooler, slip yoke, and maybe cross member. I read that it's possible to make a manual crossmember to work, but didn't ready how. I already have a tunnel mounted t/a so that isn't an issue.

So which do you think is the best cost effective option? At first glance it seems the manual valve body is the cheapest, but when you include the aftermarket shifter and more expensive valve body setup....it's not a whole lot less than if I were to get the stock computer to work with it.

A manual valve body will not bother me at all, since I already shift gears and this car is rarely driven as it except for car meets/shows and the track, and I'm already used shifting gears.

I'm hoping to do this breaking even, or a little over what I can get out of my t56 setup. I'd be selling my 3000 mile t56 with the basic stage 2 internals, pro 5.0 shifter, slave cylinder, ls7 clutch/flywheel setup, tick master cylinder, speed bleeder, and pedals.

Cam72aro

iTrader: (28)

search for my build thread. 4l80 on the cheapo. Lots of good info in there. I haven't finished it yet but should have it done soon.

black00ssFL

iTrader: (24)

That's a good read. I guess I could knock off about $500 off what I was planning by looking for a better deal on the 4l80e. Having the other guys chime in in your thread saying they did the same thing(took a stocker with a good amount of miles and just added a shift kit) makes me feel more comfortable in doing something like that.

redbird555

iTrader: (14)

if you're doing a swap I maybe interested in your t56 i could give you my auto pedals,center console etc for your t56 stuff if that would help and buy the tranny from you seeing as istill have the 4l60 in mine shoot me a pm im in south fl btw

black00ssFL

iTrader: (24)

I'll keep you in mind. If I go manual vb I won't need the auto center console. I'm not 100% on the swap yet. I'm kinda waiting on seeing what's going on with the axles. I'm waiting to hear if strange will replace them for me, If I have to shell out money for a new set of axles, I might be holding off on the swap. If I do go ahead with it, I'm going to try and see if there's anyone out there with a 80e setup wanting to swap, then I'll try to sell it outright. I'd want somewhere around $2500 for all of it. I know it looks like a lot, but it's a stage 2 tranny built by lomatta performance in longwood, with under 3000 miles. It will also include a tick m/c, bleeder line, fairly new slave, ls7 clutch, etc.

wav3form

iTrader: (1)

This probably won't help you but have you looked into a TH400? You probably need overdrive though... I'd miss it if I didn't have it.

black00ssFL

iTrader: (24)

TH400 would be a no brainer, but I need o/d. Plus with the plan of f/i down the road the 4l80e makes sense. Currently have 4.11 gears, which will actually go well with the 2.45 1st gear of the 80e, but definitely need that o/d with them. Won't change the gears until The added power warrants it.

KRAZY K 2000 TA

iTrader: (5)

i went from 13-14 mpg with a turbo 400 to 23 mpg with my 4l80e it made my car a way better street car

black00ssFL

iTrader: (24)

Good to hear! That's about what I'm getting on the highway with the 6 speed.

cabel1

iTrader: (3)

I had $ left over after selling my 6 speed. I got $2200 for my built 6 speed with everything(shatterproof bellhousing and all) and we swapped wiring harnesses, pedals, shifters, consoles and all. I had an aftermarket crossmember so I just modified it. Bought a used yoke, jakes valve body mods, a new Edge converter, 150$ trans that only needed direct clutches, cooler. Stock 98 pcm shifting it.

black00ssFL

iTrader: (24)

Nice, did you do the tranny work yourself, or take it to a shop?

cabel1

iTrader: (3)

Did it all myself!

black00ssFL

iTrader: (24)

Nice. Did you have previous experience in rebuilding automatics? I'm tempted to rebuild one on my own. I've watched a couple vids on youtube on the 4l80e and have read whatever how to's that I've found online. I also see a service manual is only like $50 as well. I've seen a couple other autos taken apart and the 80e looks a lot simpler than most. I've rebuilt the lq4 that's in my car myself, so I'm mechanically incline. Just wanting to make the venture into auto's.