View Poll Results: Which trans would you choose?
Rebuild the 700R4
0
0%
Use the low mileage 4L80E
23
88.46%
Find a low mileage 4L60E
0
0%
Other
3
11.54%
Voters: 26. You may not vote on this poll
Is the 4L80E worth the extra weight?
#1
Is the 4L80E worth the extra weight?
Hey guys,
I throwing together a swap for my '84 Monte Carlo SS & I'm trying to choose a transmission. My original plan was to put in the 6.0L LQ4 & a 700R4 trans that I had sitting around. Come to find out, that 700 has a cracked bellhousing. So I have someone offering to sell me an 80E for $400 with low mileage. My only concern about that is how much they weigh. I'm going off memory, but I remember the 80E being quite a bit heavier than say a 60E. And I remember the torque converter being heavier too.
Part of the reason I'm being weight conscious is because I'm going to run the iron bottom end from the LQ4 which is already a 85lb. gain from the aluminum blocks. I have another 700R4 but it needs an overhaul. So what would you guys go with, the low mileage 80E, find a low mileage 60E, or overhaul my other 700, & why?
Thanks in advance for any opinions.
~Ryan
I throwing together a swap for my '84 Monte Carlo SS & I'm trying to choose a transmission. My original plan was to put in the 6.0L LQ4 & a 700R4 trans that I had sitting around. Come to find out, that 700 has a cracked bellhousing. So I have someone offering to sell me an 80E for $400 with low mileage. My only concern about that is how much they weigh. I'm going off memory, but I remember the 80E being quite a bit heavier than say a 60E. And I remember the torque converter being heavier too.
Part of the reason I'm being weight conscious is because I'm going to run the iron bottom end from the LQ4 which is already a 85lb. gain from the aluminum blocks. I have another 700R4 but it needs an overhaul. So what would you guys go with, the low mileage 80E, find a low mileage 60E, or overhaul my other 700, & why?
Thanks in advance for any opinions.
~Ryan
#3
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (7)
remember your gonna need a computer to run the 4l80e, not the 700r4, so there is additional $$$, and yes, if you use the stock converter, they are heavy
if you didnt want od, the 350 or 400 would be ok
i have the cast iron 6.0 block and 4l80e in my chevelle, love it, dont really notice the weight, but its a street car, so the weight doesnt matter anyway
if you didnt want od, the 350 or 400 would be ok
i have the cast iron 6.0 block and 4l80e in my chevelle, love it, dont really notice the weight, but its a street car, so the weight doesnt matter anyway
#4
remember your gonna need a computer to run the 4l80e, not the 700r4, so there is additional $$$, and yes, if you use the stock converter, they are heavy
if you didnt want od, the 350 or 400 would be ok
i have the cast iron 6.0 block and 4l80e in my chevelle, love it, dont really notice the weight, but its a street car, so the weight doesnt matter anyway
if you didnt want od, the 350 or 400 would be ok
i have the cast iron 6.0 block and 4l80e in my chevelle, love it, dont really notice the weight, but its a street car, so the weight doesnt matter anyway
Trending Topics
#8
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
4l80E. Do it once and you may never have to pull it again. I have pulled my 4l60-e or Electric 700, 8 times in the past 2 years. Broken sunshells, plants, input shaft, ect. You name it... I probably broke it, tord it the fruk up, smashed it, slammed it,ect. By the way stay a way from monster transmission. I need to learn to build them my self. Even I can build a trans that will last longer than 3k miles. And yes thats the longest one of thiers has lived for me. lol
#9
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (7)
ok, im in the carb mode, which is what i run on my 6.0
if your gonna run the 6.0 with a computer (FI) i would get a comp ECU/harness, cut out what you dont need, it could run everything
dont forget you would need to hook up the TV cable on the FI, but i think Street & Perf might have a bracket-are you gonna use the truck FI (tall) or LS6 intake
a lot of guys have run the 200r4 trans, another option
if your gonna run the 6.0 with a computer (FI) i would get a comp ECU/harness, cut out what you dont need, it could run everything
dont forget you would need to hook up the TV cable on the FI, but i think Street & Perf might have a bracket-are you gonna use the truck FI (tall) or LS6 intake
a lot of guys have run the 200r4 trans, another option
#10
I think it depends on your goals and intended use. If its gonna be a primarily a drag car I would do a TH350 or TH400 (minimal wiring and strong as hell and cheap but no OD) if its gonna be more street strip I would go with the 80 (OD and strong but more wiring). Based on my experience with the 700 and 60e if you are putting down more than 300rwhp and doing any drag racing its not gonna last.
#17
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Fargo, ND
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
remember your gonna need a computer to run the 4l80e, not the 700r4, so there is additional $$$, and yes, if you use the stock converter, they are heavy
if you didnt want od, the 350 or 400 would be ok
i have the cast iron 6.0 block and 4l80e in my chevelle, love it, dont really notice the weight, but its a street car, so the weight doesnt matter anyway
if you didnt want od, the 350 or 400 would be ok
i have the cast iron 6.0 block and 4l80e in my chevelle, love it, dont really notice the weight, but its a street car, so the weight doesnt matter anyway
#18
Well, it will see almost nothing but street use. I actually have a build TH400 sitting around, but I want the OD. The main thing that stuck with me the one time I worked with an 80E was the weight of that converter.
So where should I look for a lighter performance converter for the 80E?
Oh, and my plans for the LQ4 that I'm throwing in will involve a turbo or supercharger in the near future.
So where should I look for a lighter performance converter for the 80E?
Oh, and my plans for the LQ4 that I'm throwing in will involve a turbo or supercharger in the near future.
#19
#20
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,853
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There's more than just added weight, there's added parasitic loss as well. And the 2.48 first gear changes everything coming out of the hole at the track compared to the 3.06 of, say a 4l60. Just some things to consider.