4L80e vs. 4L60e
02-03-2015, 09:54 PM
#4
This topic gets brought up occasionally and in decades past it was the TH350 vs. TH400 argument, and these days it's the 4L60E vs 4L80E argument.
It's the same now as it was 2 decades ago when I started dealing with these things. It's a big discussion that has no relevance for most of the enthusiasts who seem to want to beat it to death.
If you make enough power to need a 4L80E, you are beyond the capabilities of the 4L60E anyway. The other aspect is that a dual purpose street strip car isn't likely to set any class records, so worrying about 5-15 HP in the transmission is a waste of effort. If it's a dedicated track car that is competing for records, it doesn't need a 4L80E or 4L60E, it would have a TH400 with alloy drums, or a Powerglide with not a single OEM GM part left in it, or a ProFlite, or a Lenco.
I've had cars go faster with a TH400 than a TH350, all else being equal. I've also gone from a TH400 to a 4L80E in a pretty serious street/strip car and not lost any ET/MPH (actually went faster).
Unless you are running mid 9's or faster, it's a waste of time to worry about all the "HP consumed" myths.
02-04-2015, 06:35 PM
#6
I didn't see that question in the original post and since there is very little difference in the power "consumed" between the two, I'm not sure why it's worth mentioning.
This topic gets brought up occasionally and in decades past it was the TH350 vs. TH400 argument, and these days it's the 4L60E vs 4L80E argument.
It's the same now as it was 2 decades ago when I started dealing with these things. It's a big discussion that has no relevance for most of the enthusiasts who seem to want to beat it to death.
If you make enough power to need a 4L80E, you are beyond the capabilities of the 4L60E anyway. The other aspect is that a dual purpose street strip car isn't likely to set any class records, so worrying about 5-15 HP in the transmission is a waste of effort. If it's a dedicated track car that is competing for records, it doesn't need a 4L80E or 4L60E, it would have a TH400 with alloy drums, or a Powerglide with not a single OEM GM part left in it, or a ProFlite, or a Lenco.
I've had cars go faster with a TH400 than a TH350, all else being equal. I've also gone from a TH400 to a 4L80E in a pretty serious street/strip car and not lost any ET/MPH (actually went faster).
Unless you are running mid 9's or faster, it's a waste of time to worry about all the "HP consumed" myths.
This topic gets brought up occasionally and in decades past it was the TH350 vs. TH400 argument, and these days it's the 4L60E vs 4L80E argument.
It's the same now as it was 2 decades ago when I started dealing with these things. It's a big discussion that has no relevance for most of the enthusiasts who seem to want to beat it to death.
If you make enough power to need a 4L80E, you are beyond the capabilities of the 4L60E anyway. The other aspect is that a dual purpose street strip car isn't likely to set any class records, so worrying about 5-15 HP in the transmission is a waste of effort. If it's a dedicated track car that is competing for records, it doesn't need a 4L80E or 4L60E, it would have a TH400 with alloy drums, or a Powerglide with not a single OEM GM part left in it, or a ProFlite, or a Lenco.
I've had cars go faster with a TH400 than a TH350, all else being equal. I've also gone from a TH400 to a 4L80E in a pretty serious street/strip car and not lost any ET/MPH (actually went faster).
Unless you are running mid 9's or faster, it's a waste of time to worry about all the "HP consumed" myths.
02-04-2015, 07:41 PM
#7
Moderator
IMHO "twin turbo" and 4L60E should not be used in the same sentence. 
Yes, a very well built (Level-7) 4L60E will perhaps handle that power, but it will cost $4000+ for all the aftermarket and billet parts; they are also tricky to build.
In contrast a modestly built (Level-2) 4L80E can easily handle the power and will cost much less.
Yes, a very well built (Level-7) 4L60E will perhaps handle that power, but it will cost $4000+ for all the aftermarket and billet parts; they are also tricky to build.
In contrast a modestly built (Level-2) 4L80E can easily handle the power and will cost much less.