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4l80e on the cheapo

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Old Jul 27, 2011 | 05:02 PM
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Default 4l80e on the cheapo

Ok guys, I am about to start a 4l80e swap in my procharged trans am. I am not liking the th400 in there now and want overdrive. After driving the car on the freeway a few times I realized I needed overdrive real quick. A 3000 converter and 4.11 gears and 70mph don't mix well regarless of what most think. So I found this 4l80 on ebay for 325 shipped to my shop. Its out of a 95 chevy van. I pulled the pan off and it looks really clean so I am contemplating rebuilding it or running it till something lets go or it starts slipping. Before the guys that have unlimited budgets get on here and say call blah blah and have them rebuild it, no. I go really fast on a small budget. Labor is free to me so I don't mind pulling when I have to. I am thinking putting a converter in it, a shift kit, then running it. What do the budget minded guys think? Here are some pics of it. Lmk, Josh



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Old Jul 27, 2011 | 08:00 PM
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I did a basic rebuild with new clutches and seals. Used Jake's performance "shift kit" and an edge 4400 converter. Trans is holding strong so far and was cheap to do.
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Old Jul 27, 2011 | 08:19 PM
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What the worst that can happen,you have to pull it back out.
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Old Jul 27, 2011 | 11:16 PM
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While I'm not saying it will hold forever, if the budget is tight then I say run it. It does look very clean inside.
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by 01ssreda4
While I'm not saying it will hold forever, if the budget is tight then I say run it. It does look very clean inside.
I agree. It probably won't hold forever, but if I can get a few years out of it then I would be super happy. I think I am gonna run it. Looking at converters now.
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 05:49 PM
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Mine looked better than That but the direct clutches were overheated and cracked
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 08:16 PM
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go ahead and give it a shot,, run it till it lets go, then you will only be in it for a built trans, I can understand wanting the budget, I did all the work myself on my install, except the tuning of the computer, and I am in my setup for almost 4k. But I went with a built 4l80 from jakes performance, I didnt want to have any tranny issues anymore.
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 08:16 PM
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Already bought a swap harness from m6 to 4l80e. Need to get a converter, shift kit, and 4 speed gate for my pro race shifter. What shift kit does everyone use? The transgo hd2? Or the Jakes performance?
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 09:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Cam72aro
Already bought a swap harness from m6 to 4l80e. Need to get a converter, shift kit, and 4 speed gate for my pro race shifter. What shift kit does everyone use? The transgo hd2? Or the Jakes performance?
If you are not going to go into the transmission and do some internal mods, I would tell you that the TransGo HD-2 will work better for you.

My recalibration kit is intended for those who are doing a rebuild, not just a VB mod.

My kit requires internal mods to accomplish dual feeding of the direct clutch. In my experience this method works better when you are making real power.
However TransGo has a trick method to accomplish it with their seperator plate that works very well to a point.

The above post about the direct clutches being hurt points to the biggest weakness with a stock 4L80E. The TransGo kit addresses this, as does mine, just two different methods.
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Old Jul 28, 2011 | 09:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Jake's Performance
If you are not going to go into the transmission and do some internal mods, I would tell you that the TransGo HD-2 will work better for you.

My recalibration kit is intended for those who are doing a rebuild, not just a VB mod.

My kit requires internal mods to accomplish dual feeding of the direct clutch. In my experience this method works better when you are making real power.
However TransGo has a trick method to accomplish it with their seperator plate that works very well to a point.

The above post about the direct clutches being hurt points to the biggest weakness with a stock 4L80E. The TransGo kit addresses this, as does mine, just two different methods.
I appreciate the advice. Thats what I will go with .
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Old Jul 31, 2011 | 11:31 AM
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Trangso hd2 shift kit and 4 speed gate for my pro stick are on the way. Harness should be here this week also. As soon as I pull my th 400 and sell it I will purchase a circle d converter. I will take pics of the install and let everyone know how it works out.
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Old Aug 1, 2011 | 04:40 PM
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My harness came in today. This will adapt from a m6 to 4l80e. I did not get it from a sponsor on here. DO NOT PM ME ABOUT THIS HARNESS THE COMPANY IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS Like the title of this thread says it was cheap.




Last edited by Cam72aro; Jan 16, 2012 at 02:50 PM.
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 01:06 PM
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Shift gate and hd2 shift kit came in today. Converter is the only piece of the puzzle missing.

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Old Aug 8, 2011 | 04:21 PM
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Any updates? Could you pm me where you got that harness?
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Old Aug 8, 2011 | 05:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Cam72aro
Converter is the only piece of the puzzle missing.
Have you tried PTC?
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Old Aug 8, 2011 | 08:35 PM
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Originally Posted by MUSTANGBRKR02
Any updates? Could you pm me where you got that harness?
Pm sent. I need to sell a few parts to buy a converter. I pulled my nasty performance tank and a1000 pump out yesterday and its for sale. I am woking on pulling the th400 out and it will be for sale with converter soon. Once on or the other sells then I can get the converter.
Originally Posted by Mooneyed
Have you tried PTC?
I will look into them. Thanks.
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Old Aug 13, 2011 | 09:16 AM
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I have a used Circle D converter on its way. Should be here monday. Got a really good deal from a member on here. Will post pics when it gets here.
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Old Aug 13, 2011 | 10:46 PM
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Off subject......why did you pull the tank?
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Old Aug 14, 2011 | 04:17 AM
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Originally Posted by sherm6998
Off subject......why did you pull the tank?
Because its easier to pull the trans, duh, jk. It had a nasty performance bolt in aluminum tank and external a1000 pump and I did not like them. The tank is smaller than stock and the pump is loud as hell. I bought the car like this and could not deal with it so I took them out and traded with some cash on there part for a stock tank with a racetronix single pump that I am going to add another pump to.
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Old Aug 14, 2011 | 09:33 AM
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Good to know. Btw, love the budget approach. Most of don't have an unlimited budget.
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