lbm13186

iTrader: (4)

This is the time for all people to brag about their trans

i have a weekly driver 2000 ta w/ a 6.0 and f1 procharger making 650 rwhp 585 ft-lbs w/ meth & tuned down with twin coolers 6 spd (trying to keep the power low until i can replace everything in drive line,i think it could make around 900 w/ fmic and smaller pulleys) and i broke some synchros and who knows what else. I just put in a Mcloeod rxt clutch and i just brock it in b4 this all happened, which was replaced bc the Master and slave went bad.i think the power is just traveling down the drive line and breaking everything that wont hold it which make sense. i dont go to the strip much now prob twice a year but as i get older im sure it will turn into more of a strip car.

Point is i think this is where i decide if im going to go auto and maybe stall it or buy a upgraded 6spd. Iv been thinking of switching to an auto and im trying to figure out what my best options to hold the power and keep it reliable? please let me know what you do and dont like about you're setup and what the difference in stalls?

Thanks guys

itsslow98

iTrader: (18)

Gotta figure out what your willing to spend before you decide on a trans. Obviously your going to be making good power so TH400 or 4l80 are gonna be your choices. 4l80 if you want the overdrive and th400 if you dont. You can do a th400 for a good bit less then a 4l80 but either can be built to handle a lot more then you are planning on making.

Not an LSX but I have a th400 waiting to go in my cobra with a UCC 3800 stall. I can get away with a 28" tire and 3.27s so I dont really have the need to spend the extra on a 4th gear.

z28camaro82z

There are several 4L65e's living up to that sort of power and even more. 4L80e swaps are much more costly and labor intensive. Whether you want overdrive or not depends completely on how much street driving you will do. My advice would be to contact one of the reputable sponsors on this site whether you choose to go auto or upgrade your 6 speed. I personally think you'll have better success with automatic if that car ever does become more of a drag strip based toy.

soundengineer

iTrader: (16)

I wouldnt say its more costly....
both swaps are going to be somewhat costly...

aside from the cost of the transmission itself...
actually switching from 4l60 to 4l80 is a simple process and you really only need to repin a connector and add a relay to make it function on a stock tune(plus a change of a few parameters in the tune itself for the new gearing)

A 400 is going to be Full Manual Shifting, and you need a different shifter for it...
you can re-use the stock shifter with a 4l80

both need a new cross member...but you can get away with the same driveshaft on a 4l80, and a 400 you need to cut a new one.

stock trans cooler will do OK... but you really want to upgrade to a dedicated separate one that is substantial in size


you also have to consider things like are you going to daily drive it?
do you want to be able to do what you want with it? or do you want to have to be a little more careful about when you down shift or have to peddle it...
400's are far less forgiving about that stuff.
do you want it to be auto shifted?(4l80 only) or go full manual valve body?

soundengineer

iTrader: (16)

theres also 2 speed options...
like a power glide or a 2 speed TH400
both hold a LOT of power...

Jake's Performance

iTrader: (2)

You could make a 400 auto shift as well...

soundengineer

iTrader: (16)

I thought it was only up via an air/electric shift noid setup....

not up and down electronically like a 4l80/4l60


though...you could go with an Altronics "Shift" system and make any automatic transmission auto shift with their box.

forcd ind

iTrader: (7)

you have to start with do you want OD or not, once you answer that the choice is easier, 400 or 4L80E
starting from scratch, it costs me around $2K to install a 4L80E in an older car, controller, converter, and rebuilding it myself, and that's getting some deals-my labor is free, lol
400's are pretty strong built with good rebuild parts, ne elects, can be man. or auto if you want
you can make an 80E man, but on the street it gets a little old shifting that extra gear over the 400
just build for your alt. goal and the plan becomes clearer, lol

soundengineer

iTrader: (16)

to build for big power...its gonna cost more than 2k to install a 4l80 or a 400...
the converter alone is going to be around 1k for something good for big power.

lbm13186

iTrader: (4)

ya i think im going to stick w/ a stick for now just bc of cost

mrvedit

By the time you factor in a good converter, a well-built transmission, driveshaft, crossmember, electrical and/or controller and misc, any transmission change ends up costing around $4000. (Unless you are lucky to find great deals, can rebuild the trans yourself, etc.)