jvest

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

4bangermustang

iTrader: (24)

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

Lonnies Performance

iTrader: (16)

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.

jvest

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

calongo_SS

iTrader: (7)

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.

jvest

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.

slow67

iTrader: (2)

80E fits just fine in a first gen. Only thing special is a custom crossmember.

tals7

i have a yank sc3000 converter out of my 4l85e with about 400 miles on it.you could have it cheep if you want it.it is in perfect condition.

jvest

How cheap is cheap? I assume it's never been on a fried trans?

jvest

The crossmember shouldn't be a problem. Do you know if the stock console shifter will work?

tals7

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.

calongo_SS

iTrader: (7)

I'd get a later model trans, they are supposed to have better oiling and be a little stronger I think. The years are 99+ I think, or maybe 97+

jakeshoe

iTrader: (14)

I use, prefer, and recommend the early style 4L80E in retrofits behind the Gen I and BBC engines.

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.

robbyredneck

iTrader: (1)

don't forget the cost to control the 4l80. its not like you can hookup the tv cable and step on the gas. this is sometimes the dealbreaker.

twinturbo496

iTrader: (2)

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.

ryarbrough

iTrader: (18)

He's bolting this to a sbc.... the 99-up pcm won't do him much good....