4L80E Help.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
4L80E Help. My 350 turbo in my 68 Camaro has fried. Now’s the time to decide whether or not to go with OD trans. The car is only used for cruising and the occasional run through the gear to keep the heart pumping. With the 4:10 gear and 26” tires, OD would be nice. It’s only been to the drag strip once since it went through a frame restoration 2 years ago. I’ve only put 2,000 miles on it since completion. A friend of mine has a 700R4 Art Carr that needs a clutch kit, but I’m hearing that it will not hold up well with 500 – 550hp sitting in-front of it. I would like to build a 4L80E OD trans with a full manual valve body.
I’m not up on which 4L80E cores are the best to start with. Does anyone have any suggestions on which vehicles to start the hunting for and/or any way to identify what it is if someone doesn’t know what it came out of? If I start looking for just 4L80E most folks that list them as that are going to know what they’re worth. (Or maybe everyone knows by now) I’d like to find someone parting out a truck that’s got an untouched trans sitting in it. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Jim
I’m not up on which 4L80E cores are the best to start with. Does anyone have any suggestions on which vehicles to start the hunting for and/or any way to identify what it is if someone doesn’t know what it came out of? If I start looking for just 4L80E most folks that list them as that are going to know what they’re worth. (Or maybe everyone knows by now) I’d like to find someone parting out a truck that’s got an untouched trans sitting in it. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Jim
IDK, I think a 700r4 will hold 500 to 600 Flywheel HP just fine. 4l80e setup isn't cheap :/
but to answer your question, I know a buddy of mine just picked up a core really cheap on craig's list. I believe it was out of a cargo van. Sorry, I'm not sure on all the models they came out of.
IMO, they are all the same. I guess the newer ones have upgraded eltronics(which can be put in the older ones). The newer onse also have a top center bolt hole so you can have one more bolt giong into an ls1. Not sure if that matter to you as you didn't say if it was an LSx or an older SBC
but to answer your question, I know a buddy of mine just picked up a core really cheap on craig's list. I believe it was out of a cargo van. Sorry, I'm not sure on all the models they came out of.
IMO, they are all the same. I guess the newer ones have upgraded eltronics(which can be put in the older ones). The newer onse also have a top center bolt hole so you can have one more bolt giong into an ls1. Not sure if that matter to you as you didn't say if it was an LSx or an older SBC
You may want to check to verify that the 4L80E will fit without cutting the trans tunnel up. It is a big tranny.
With 550-600hp in a relatively light car, the 700R4 should hold up fine if built properly. I ran one in my Nova for years with a 400+hp motor & 175 shot with 4.56's. Was a great setup for the street & withstood a lot of abuse.
With 550-600hp in a relatively light car, the 700R4 should hold up fine if built properly. I ran one in my Nova for years with a 400+hp motor & 175 shot with 4.56's. Was a great setup for the street & withstood a lot of abuse.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Thanks for the quick replies. From what you guys are saying, the 700 should hold up ok. If I buy my buddies 700R4 and install a new art carr rebuild kit and torque converter, I'll have a minimum of $1000 or $1100 in it counting the $300 he wants for the tranny. I've also found a 4L80E out of a 91 1ton chevy for under $250. If I rebuild it using a full manual valve body and torque converter, I'd have around $1,200 - $1,300 in it. Would you guys still go with the 700 over the 80E?
I’m running a 383 sbc. It’s not been on a dyno yet, but it’s been computer estimated at around 500 -550HP. I list some components below.
Eagle rotating assembly
Two valve relief flat tops
5.7in Rods
11.8:1 static compression
GM Performance Phase 3 heads fully ported and angle cut making 58cc chambers
RPM Performer intake
750 Demon carb
50/50 mix of C12 & pump gas in-order to run 38 degrees timing
Comp. Xtreme Energy 284 cam
MSD 6 box
3” Exhaust
4:10 rear gear
I’m running a 383 sbc. It’s not been on a dyno yet, but it’s been computer estimated at around 500 -550HP. I list some components below.
Eagle rotating assembly
Two valve relief flat tops
5.7in Rods
11.8:1 static compression
GM Performance Phase 3 heads fully ported and angle cut making 58cc chambers
RPM Performer intake
750 Demon carb
50/50 mix of C12 & pump gas in-order to run 38 degrees timing
Comp. Xtreme Energy 284 cam
MSD 6 box
3” Exhaust
4:10 rear gear
The 80 will be heavier, but it will probably be as strong as the built 700 even in stock form. Are you building the trans yourself, or have a friend building it for you or something? Your prices just seem a little low. Better make sure you can find a 4L80 verter with a SBC front cover.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
The 80 will be heavier, but it will probably be as strong as the built 700 even in stock form. Are you building the trans yourself, or have a friend building it for you or something? Your prices just seem a little low. Better make sure you can find a 4L80 verter with a SBC front cover.
Trending Topics
10 Second Club
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: se mich(pluto)
I plan to build it myself, using a good manual. I've the turbos before, but not any 4LXXe trans. From just a quick search I've seen on the converters the prices varify a lot with the amount of stall. I actually need a 2,800 - 3,000 stall and I've seen anyhwere from $500 to over $900.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
10 Second Club
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: se mich(pluto)
no was not on fried trans.it came with my level 4 gearstar 4l85e.was awsome street verter but my ls7 needed alot more stall.the only reason i have it was that zack fucked up and sent it with trans.i now have ss3600 which lets me pull the wheels off the foot brake.
about the price pm me for that info.
about the price pm me for that info. 
The floorpan clearance is better in most vehicles because of the cooler line locations on the early transmission.
This supposed "improvement" on the later model 4L80E's was for better lube flow but myself and a few other builders I talk to have noted more failures on the later (97-up) version for lube to the planets than on the early units.
It's a case of if it's not broke, don't fix it, but they tried to fix it anyway.
The early models also have a larger and IMO better OD sprag (roller clutch) for performance use.
In this instance being a 1st gen F-body, the early core is a better choice.
I have installed both styles in these cars and they fit more easily than you would suspect, but the early core cooler lines will save some grief.
Have you considered a 200R4? I think for a lighter car like a camaro with a decent motor, the gearing in a 200R4 is better than the 700R4. As far as strength, I believe you can find many turbo buicks running 500+ hp.
Before you commit to driving a full manual 4L80e, you may want to try it out...it really isn't as fun as you might expect if you have a ratchet shifter.
I have a 4L80E because my car is heavy with a blown big block, and I wanted to be able to run full throttle in OD.
Before you commit to driving a full manual 4L80e, you may want to try it out...it really isn't as fun as you might expect if you have a ratchet shifter.
I have a 4L80E because my car is heavy with a blown big block, and I wanted to be able to run full throttle in OD.
