4l80e on the cheapo
i bought my 4l80e from a local yard for 300 bucks outta a one ton chevy express! It had the rebuild tag on it from the local trans guy and only had about 2000 miles on it,Put in the transgo shift kit in it 65 bucks,Lsx tune harness 195,circle d converter 3400 stall 885 bucks modified my bmr tran. mount 0$, modified my driveshaft 0$ Drives awesome!!!!!!!
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Thaks guys for the inspiring words with your cheapo setups. Here is what I am into this setup so far.
$350 trans with shipping
$480 for circle d converter
$75 for conversion harness
$121 for Transgo shift kit.
$17 for shifter gate plate for 4 speed
$27 for filter, gasket, front and rear seals
My total so far is $1070 for this build. Other than fluid I don't think I need any other parts. I am about to start on the install. The converter will be here tomorrow then maybe this weekend get the 400 out and start the required mods to fit the 80 in. I will post pics of everything.
$350 trans with shipping
$480 for circle d converter
$75 for conversion harness
$121 for Transgo shift kit.
$17 for shifter gate plate for 4 speed
$27 for filter, gasket, front and rear seals
My total so far is $1070 for this build. Other than fluid I don't think I need any other parts. I am about to start on the install. The converter will be here tomorrow then maybe this weekend get the 400 out and start the required mods to fit the 80 in. I will post pics of everything.
Ahh, sell me the converter and keep your turbo 400. Seriously, good job on the budget build and that is right up my alley. I almost had that coverter, but lucky for you, you were local. Can you photo and document the transgo kit install? I am thinking about doing the same when I pull my trans to install my converter.
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Ahh, sell me the converter and keep your turbo 400. Seriously, good job on the budget build and that is right up my alley. I almost had that coverter, but lucky for you, you were local. Can you photo and document the transgo kit install? I am thinking about doing the same when I pull my trans to install my converter.
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Converter is here. Also painted the trans the other day. Here are some pics. Look at the difference between the stock and circle d converters, I weighed them and the stocker weighs 62lbs the circle d weighs 32lbs. Enjoy
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The hd2 transgo kit was really easy to do. Some drilling here and there, but reading the instructions and following them exactly made it easy. I hope this thing will last a while. I am gonna start pulling the 400 out Saturday hopefully, then it will be for sale with converter.
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I pulled the 400 out last weekend and sold it today to Bad Chad. With what I got for it my 4l80 swap is paid for. The 80 is ready to be fitted in, just haven't gotten around to it yet. Its been a busy week. I am doing a fuel tank swap as well and rerouting fuel lines since the previous owner had them sitting on top of the transmission. Had to order some fittings and other stuff. I am also welding in some Bmr frame connectors and installing a Bmr torque arm. The last piece of the puzzle that I forgot about is a driveshaft. I didn't take into account the 80 is about 3 inches longer than the 400 so I will have to get another driveshaft. I let my old one go with the 400. I will take some pics this weekend.
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I have the trans in and marked where to trim for the connector. I built a crossmember and driveshaft is being built. I will have some pics this weekend of the progress. I still need to pull the trans back out and cut the brace for connector clearance then do the wiring and slide the converter in. I am also redoing the fuel system and welding in subframe connectors. A lot of stuff on this car wasn't done up to my standard so I have been going over it since May when I got it fixing things to my liking. In the end I will be happy with it. Pics to come this weekend.
You've Inspired me.. I got a 4L80E a few months back for my turbo project. Miles Un-Known but it has a factory Re-Ferb sticker on it. May Just run it.. Also Good choice with the Circle D converter. I've been eye balling them.
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They are easily done for somewhat cheap. Good luck. Here are some pics I took earlier. The cross member is from some scrap I had laying around. I also welded in the subframe connectors and started doing the fuel system and the torque arm. I also have some pics of the trans cooler I am running. Enjoy.
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Got the fuel system buttoned up today and primed with no leaks. The dual intank walbros are way quietier than the a1000 external pump, also the stock tank hold more than the nasty aluminum one. I think I am going to be super happy with this setup. I picked up my drive shaft last week and installed it to check for fitment. I bought my own yoke and had a local company that I have used in the past built the shaft out of 3.5" tubing with 1350 solid spicer joints. I had the same setup in my s10 spraying 250 off the transbrake and never had a problem. Plus it only cost me $200 plus $50 for the yoke. I still need to mount the cooler and run the lines, install the 4 speed gate in the shifter and figure out the linkage. Then wire the connector to the ecu and that should be about it, hopefully. This project is taking way longer than I wanted it too, but with school, a full time job, a 10 month baby and hunting season a month away I have been running every which way. I hope by the end of the year to have it driving. We will see. I will update next weekend with some pics, I should have some time saturday to get a few things done.
Last edited by Cam72aro; Oct 2, 2011 at 07:05 PM.
Not to get off subject, but you talked about gettuing a shifter gate so that the shifter on your 400 would work on the 80. My trans just blew and I'm going with a MVB Performabuilt 4l60 just because of their great reputation off the site. I have a Hurst quarter stick that came off one of my dad's old cars. This may be a dumb question, but is that all is needed to hook up aftermarket shifters to different transmissions??
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Not to get off subject, but you talked about gettuing a shifter gate so that the shifter on your 400 would work on the 80. My trans just blew and I'm going with a MVB Performabuilt 4l60 just because of their great reputation off the site. I have a Hurst quarter stick that came off one of my dad's old cars. This may be a dumb question, but is that all is needed to hook up aftermarket shifters to different transmissions??
