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4L80 or 6L90 for drag racing

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Old Dec 19, 2012 | 09:01 PM
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Default 4L80 or 6L90 for drag racing

I am new here and in the process of building a 95 Camaro with a full BMR suspension and a LY6 pushing around 600 fly wheel HP. I am keeping this as a daily driver with minimal track time. I would like to know the best trans for this application. Thanks, John
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Old Dec 19, 2012 | 09:28 PM
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4l80..
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Old Dec 19, 2012 | 09:32 PM
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A 4l80E has better gear ratios, is lighter, cheaper and easier to control via PCM. (Not sure if there even is an aftermarket controller for a 6l80e.) The 4l80e is well proven and has plethora of aftermarket parts and builders that can handle 1000+ HP. Only very limited and very expensive parts available for a 6l80e and so far they cannot handle close to the power of a reasonably priced 4l80e.

Gear ratios are:
1st 4.02 2nd 2.36 3rd 1.53 4th 1.15 5th .852 6th .667

IMO, 1st is useless for anything other than a heavy SUV, and assuming you want only two shifts in the 1/4 mile, then 2nd, 3rd and 4th are spaced too close together. I suspect a 6l80e would cost you more than twice as much and give you slower ETs.

Well, that is my novice opinion. Lets see what others say.
Anyone actually tried both?
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Old Dec 19, 2012 | 10:03 PM
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This probably isn't really well known, and I've read no reviews.
Oh, bring your checkbook! Water cool the VISA card!

http://www.tciauto.com/tc/transmission-packages.html

6X 6 Speed tab.

Ron
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Old Dec 19, 2012 | 10:30 PM
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Originally Posted by RonSSNova
This probably isn't really well known, and I've read no reviews.
Oh, bring your checkbook! Water cool the VISA card!

http://www.tciauto.com/tc/transmission-packages.html

6X 6 Speed tab.

Ron
I'm using the TCI 6x....
it works spectacular at the track.

My old combo, in a 3800lb camaro... 10.97 on motor


and honestly.. its not really that pricey one you break it down...
stand alone trans controller that is WAY better than the stock computer... especially if you go the route of the old style red box or a powertrain control solutions TCU
the trans, a cooler, a shifter, fluids, and a well built transmission that handles a warranty 850 RWHP, and if you upgrade the input shaft and the clutch hub it handles closer to 1250 with no issues

Great bang for the buck... and its actually pretty well known in some other circles... a lot of conversion guys use this transmission... and quite a few buick guys according to my buddy over at TCI



back to the topic at hand...
I would do a 4l80 long before doing a 6l90
there are 2 options for a 6l90 control unit... LS3 PCM, or the MAST motorsports controller...neither of which is cost effective...
on top of it.. the 6l80/90 is a weak *** transmission that breaks too easily.. start to remove any torque management and wait for pieces to break by looking at them wrong.

with teh 4l80, just upgrade to a billet input shaft, and you already handle more power than a 6l80 does
buy anybodies built 4l80 for pretty cheap, and the swap is simple.

LOTS of options for a 4l80 for trans control...Full manual, stock LS1 computer with trans segment swap, a dozen different aftermarket controllers....pick your poison.

If I had to pick between the 2 in your title... 4l80 all the way..
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Old Dec 20, 2012 | 11:41 AM
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4L80E would definitely be my choice between those two transmissions, not only does it have a better aftermarket backing and it would also be cheaper/easier to do.
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Old Dec 20, 2012 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by soundengineer
I'm using the TCI 6x....
it works spectacular at the track.

My old combo, in a 3800lb camaro... 10.97 on motor


and honestly.. its not really that pricey one you break it down...
stand alone trans controller that is WAY better than the stock computer... especially if you go the route of the old style red box or a powertrain control solutions TCU
the trans, a cooler, a shifter, fluids, and a well built transmission that handles a warranty 850 RWHP, and if you upgrade the input shaft and the clutch hub it handles closer to 1250 with no issues

Great bang for the buck... and its actually pretty well known in some other circles... a lot of conversion guys use this transmission... and quite a few buick guys according to my buddy over at TCI



back to the topic at hand...
I would do a 4l80 long before doing a 6l90
there are 2 options for a 6l90 control unit... LS3 PCM, or the MAST motorsports controller...neither of which is cost effective...
on top of it.. the 6l80/90 is a weak *** transmission that breaks too easily.. start to remove any torque management and wait for pieces to break by looking at them wrong.

with teh 4l80, just upgrade to a billet input shaft, and you already handle more power than a 6l80 does
buy anybodies built 4l80 for pretty cheap, and the swap is simple.

LOTS of options for a 4l80 for trans control...Full manual, stock LS1 computer with trans segment swap, a dozen different aftermarket controllers....pick your poison.

If I had to pick between the 2 in your title... 4l80 all the way..
I have the oppurtunity to purchase a LY6 engine with the 6l80 attached, this is why I started this thread. What are the requirements and parts needed to use for the 4l80 with the LY6? I am extremely new to the LS engines but have been building engines for 25 years. Thanks for you input, John
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Old Dec 21, 2012 | 01:04 AM
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Just get the Truck "Flat" Flexplate along with the spacer, get a torque converter, and it should bolt right up
Just need to figure out your transmission crossmember for the vehicle its going in...and I know there are a bunch of 4l80 fbody crossmembers out there, I used one from Dave over at Yank Converters when I had my 2001 camaro
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Old Dec 21, 2012 | 07:11 PM
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4l80e ftw! Easier and cheaper to rebuild
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