I've tried searching for something similar, but I couldn't find it. I'm in the process of building a "Cam only" LS7 for my s10 swap. I've been told to use a 4l80e for strength and ease of swap. But is there a better transmission that could be used in terms of gearing? My engine will (and hopefully always be) NA. Maybe a 6l80/90e?? Thanks for any input on this fellas.

 

IMHO, the 4L80E has excellent gearing.
I recently drove a 2009 Pontiac G8 with 6L80e; giving a bit of gas, the car shoots forward, but then at the 1-2 shift around 10mph bogs down due to the huge gear ratio change from 4.06 to 2.36. Very strange and not at all to my liking. It seems that for light-weight vehicles 1st gear is useless, but starting in 2nd is not quite low enough.
Keep in mind that the 6L80E requires a specific/matching TCM.
Its also a lot bigger.
Hey, just my opinion.

 

http://www.vibratesoftware.com/html_...nsmissions.htm

200-4R (GNX trans) has better gearing and can be build stronger than the 4l60e.
Less rotating mass than the 4l80e, good for a N/A application under 600wtq. The only thing is they are not electronic.

 

hmm ok i'll look into that. i'm hoping to be a little over 600whp tho, i'm clearancing and balancing the motor with a lil touch up here and there. i know its a long shot, but we will see. Thanks for the info!

 

the only reason why i brought up the 6l80 was because my girlfriend has a L99 5th gen and I love how that thing pulls. The trans is tuned of course, but i figured if it could accelerate and 4800 lb car that nicely, just think of what it could do with a s10 thats roughly 1000 lbs lighter.

 

With the 6l80e there are people who either love it or hate it

Also I said 600ft. lbs not hp. I'm sure a N/A 427 isn't putting out over 600ft. lbs. to the wheel. S-10 will be lighter anyways so the 200-4R could be a good combo for it. Either will last longer than a stock 4L60e though that's for sure.

 

lol whoops i misread that one, but you're right, i don't think i'll be near 600 lb-ft either. the one thing i have going for me is the weight of the vehicle

 

It will hopelessly spin any tires on your S10 and then prematurely shift from 1st to 2nd (because the spinning tires are at the shift-speed and rpm) and then bog down in 2nd gear.
Like I said, it is designed for heavy cars and SUVs. Something that works well for a heavy car will not necessary be "even better" on a light car. Gearing needs to be matched to the weight.

I would personally never consider a 200R4 because so few parts are available for them; they are becoming rare and expensive.
Also with the latest aftermarket parts available for 4L60E, IMO they can now be built at least as strong as a 200R4. Ask Jake Performance about this as he is also a 200R4 proponent on other forums. Also I prefer laptop programmable transmissions.

Hey, just my opinions.

 

ok thanks! the truck is a back halved ladder bar suspension setup. so hopefully that will help with the launch. Also has a 8.50 certified cage (not saying that i need it, but i figured "hey why not" lol)

 

A 4l80e will then perfect fit your "not saying that i need it, but i figured hey why not" philosophy.

 

Anything against a built 4l60e?

 

hahaha nicely put!

no i don't have anything against a built 4l60, but it just seems like the 4l80 would just be a better option durability wise? not sure yet tho, i have plenty of time to decide which trans to use since i'm still piecing my motor together before i send everything to the machine shop. i guess if i wanted to go the expensive route, i could always go with a clutchless 5 speed lol i think that would fit the "not saying i need it, but why not" mentality

 

A 4L60E power flow is just "wrong" from a design standpoint. It will NEVER be as strong as a properly built 200-4R until you somehow create more 3-4 apply area (bigger piston for the 3-4) and get rid of the forward sprag and even then, it would be more of an equal.

The 200-4R stuff isn't as readily available and is a specialty deal.

It is also not vacuum operated, it uses a TV cable (correcting other posts).

A 200-4R has a more rigid support design, and uses the same power flow as a 4L80E, just smaller, lighter parts.

In the S10 I would probably use a 4L80E if it were mine (and I'm 4L80E biased) . However it also depends on what you are doing for engine control, primary usage of the vehicle, etc.

 

My apologies, you are indeed correct about the Throttle Valve cable.

No boys and girls, the 200-4r does not get HBO or Skinimax