4L60 vs 4L80
09-27-2013, 08:54 PM
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4L60 vs 4L80 I would like to hear some pros and cons for each. People are always saying 1 vs the other and what not to run with a higher hp car. I know the 4l80 has a taller first gear and in a stock platform the 4l60s dont hold up to well. Just would like to hear peoples opinions on this.
09-28-2013, 02:07 AM
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4L60E holds up just fine in a stock car. Large increases in power, and/or shift points several hundred rpm above stock are when the stock trans runs into issues. They can certainly be built to hold up very well even under significant power and rpm increases.
09-28-2013, 03:17 AM
#4
My 4L60E was built up as much as it could be back in 2002 when my 427ci stroker engine went in. I dynoed 493 RWHP before I removed my cats and 500 RWTQ.
That's a LOT for a 4L60E. I drove it very aggressively all the time and it was my only car till that 427ci blew up just last year. But I NEVER drag raced it at the track, not once.
If you drag race them with sticky tires, they are not going to last long. They might even break on the first launch after being fully built with 500 RWTQ......
That tranny lasted me 3-4 years. Then my friend rebuilt it for about $300.00 parts and labor. It lasted another 3-4 years. Rebuilt again, same cost. Lasted 3-4 years again.
So, if you have big power like I did, they will last 3-4 years or maybe a little longer ON THE STREET. If you drag race it, it's a ticking time bomb, do not expect it to last long.
If you get a $400.00 4L80E and just rebuilt it with very good parts, not the hard parts, and have it mildly modded with a shift kit and some other cheap parts. So have a total of about $800.00 in it, it'll take 500-600 RWHP all day long at the drag track and probably easily last 5 years. Build it with a couple weal link hard parts and you can out 800 RWHP to it all day long.
There is no comparison in these two trannys...........the 4L80E is a monster platform.
For stock and even medium modded engines.....the 4L60E is fine. Just don't drag race it at a track.
.
That's a LOT for a 4L60E. I drove it very aggressively all the time and it was my only car till that 427ci blew up just last year. But I NEVER drag raced it at the track, not once.
If you drag race them with sticky tires, they are not going to last long. They might even break on the first launch after being fully built with 500 RWTQ......
That tranny lasted me 3-4 years. Then my friend rebuilt it for about $300.00 parts and labor. It lasted another 3-4 years. Rebuilt again, same cost. Lasted 3-4 years again.
So, if you have big power like I did, they will last 3-4 years or maybe a little longer ON THE STREET. If you drag race it, it's a ticking time bomb, do not expect it to last long.
If you get a $400.00 4L80E and just rebuilt it with very good parts, not the hard parts, and have it mildly modded with a shift kit and some other cheap parts. So have a total of about $800.00 in it, it'll take 500-600 RWHP all day long at the drag track and probably easily last 5 years. Build it with a couple weal link hard parts and you can out 800 RWHP to it all day long.
There is no comparison in these two trannys...........the 4L80E is a monster platform.
For stock and even medium modded engines.....the 4L60E is fine. Just don't drag race it at a track.
.
09-28-2013, 06:06 PM
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in stock form or bolt on.......is the taller first gear in the 4l80 even bad? Ive driven GM trucks with that trans, not sure if its the same or not
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09-29-2013, 11:16 AM
#9
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This depends upon you vehicle weight, rear ratio, tire size, camshaft characteristics and converter's stall speed. So no simple answer. You'll have to poke around on the forum to learn more.
09-29-2013, 11:37 AM
#10
The taller 2.48 - 1.48 vs the 3.06 - 1.625 will actually help with rpm drop, so you'll spend more time in the power band. However, mrvedit hit it on the head, cam, converter, weight, tire size, and gear will be the deciding factor, but the ratios in the 4L80 will promote less rpm drop vs the 4L60 on the 1 - 2 shift.
Since you wanted opinions, I prefer the 4L80 over the 4L60 due to it's capacity, but would build the cheaper 4L60 if my needs didn't require such a beefy trans (~ 450 rwhp and up I'd go for a TH400 or a 4L80)
Since you wanted opinions, I prefer the 4L80 over the 4L60 due to it's capacity, but would build the cheaper 4L60 if my needs didn't require such a beefy trans (~ 450 rwhp and up I'd go for a TH400 or a 4L80)
Last edited by 93Z2871805; 09-29-2013 at 11:52 AM.
09-29-2013, 12:03 PM
#11
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If you have a 2.73 rear with stock cam and stock converter, the 2.48 1st gear of a 4L80E would be very sluggish off the line. It appears GM never used less than a 3.42 with a 4L80E.
