Automatic Transmission 2-Speed thru 10-Speed GM Autos | Converters | Shift Kits
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

6 speed 4l80e w/ paddle shift?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 25, 2013 | 09:54 PM
  #1  
Heat Seeker WS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee,WI
Default 6 speed 4l80e w/ paddle shift?

Thinking of a different direction for my 93 T/A. I have a 4 sp manual valve body 700r4 now but after experiencing a few paddle shift cars I'm wondering what is all involved in making this happen. The car is still controlled by its OEM prom based computer with a custom chip.
I track the car at Road America and the additional gears and paddle shift would definitely make this a different animal.
Anyone done this on an early LT1 4th gen? I have a 383 short block in my garage that would go in with this project, although I still haven't decided on what electronics will control the engine yet.

Thanks as I'm beginning to research this and my knowledge in this dept is limited.
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2013 | 10:06 PM
  #2  
HexenLord's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 728
Likes: 3
Default

You mean 6L80?

There are actually several paddle shift conversions out there for it. Btw, if you're going to road race it, use an overflow and a BIG trans cooler, and you're set.

http://twistmachine.com/index.php?ma...products_id=39
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2013 | 10:11 PM
  #3  
Heat Seeker WS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee,WI
Default

Originally Posted by HexenLord
You mean 6L80?

There are actually several paddle shift conversions out there for it. Btw, if you're going to road race it, use an overflow and a BIG trans cooler, and you're set.

http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/8...or-6L80E-6L90E
Its got a huge B&M trans cooler on it now and an Autometer trans temp gauge.

...a 6l80, thanks for the heads up. So the 4l80 is the 4sp variant and the 6l80 is the 6sp?
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2013 | 10:21 PM
  #4  
HexenLord's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 728
Likes: 3
Default

Yes that right. I also edited my post but apparently wasn't quick enough before you made a reply. I gave a direct link to the product website instead of the link where it was announced on pro-touring.
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2013 | 11:01 PM
  #5  
Heat Seeker WS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee,WI
Default

Thanks much for the link. When downshifting, are there 'rules' for longevity such as no throttle blipping to rpm match ... or does the gear change alone pull up the rpms ? The paddle shift cars I've been in blip the throttle automatically on the downshift command.
Reply
Old Dec 25, 2013 | 11:06 PM
  #6  
HexenLord's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 728
Likes: 3
Default

The paddleshift conversion link I sent you is for a plug and play conversion. It is simply a hub/paddles and a harness/controller. It doesn't change any transmission settings. It simply provides input signals to the transmission to force it to shift. Any other tuning/settings that you want changed in the transmission must be done with a separate controller.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2013 | 07:56 AM
  #7  
aknovaman's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
Liked
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,012
Likes: 111
From: Hog Back, KS
Default

Works like a champ. We used it on the twin turbo 6.2L '69 camaro.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2013 | 11:14 AM
  #8  
soundengineer's Avatar
8 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,651
Likes: 17
From: Chicago IL
Default

Originally Posted by Heat Seeker WS6
Thinking of a different direction for my 93 T/A. I have a 4 sp manual valve body 700r4 now but after experiencing a few paddle shift cars I'm wondering what is all involved in making this happen. The car is still controlled by its OEM prom based computer with a custom chip.
I track the car at Road America and the additional gears and paddle shift would definitely make this a different animal.
Anyone done this on an early LT1 4th gen? I have a 383 short block in my garage that would go in with this project, although I still haven't decided on what electronics will control the engine yet.

Thanks as I'm beginning to research this and my knowledge in this dept is limited.

Originally Posted by Heat Seeker WS6
Its got a huge B&M trans cooler on it now and an Autometer trans temp gauge.

...a 6l80, thanks for the heads up. So the 4l80 is the 4sp variant and the 6l80 is the 6sp?
No...it is not the same type of transmission....very very different in how it works






I think you may have experienced a TCI 6x.. I have one...
it is a 4l80 chassis, with custom gears and a custom valve body
it uses the overdrive drums to get extra gears giving you 6 gears total
you basically have a 2.97/2.23/1.57/1.18/1.00/.75

or 1st, 1st with OD, 2nd, 2nd with OD, 3rd, 4th


it is NOT a 6l80....6l80's are junk and dont hold up well past 500 RWHP without serious mods and custom programming

the TCI 6x has a warranty good to 850 HP with no changes done to it, and a simple upgrade of the Clutch Hub and input shaft and they hold up to quite a bit more punsihment

the 6x can be paddle shifted/button shifted, or driven like a regular automatic(put it in Drive and go)


the 6x is great to drive....and helps out with your 1/4 mile times as well because of its close gear set and fast shifts.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Dec 27, 2013 | 12:40 PM
  #9  
Heat Seeker WS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee,WI
Default

Originally Posted by soundengineer
No...it is not the same type of transmission....very very different in how it works

I think you may have experienced a TCI 6x.. I have one...
it is a 4l80 chassis, with custom gears and a custom valve body
it uses the overdrive drums to get extra gears giving you 6 gears total
you basically have a 2.97/2.23/1.57/1.18/1.00/.75

or 1st, 1st with OD, 2nd, 2nd with OD, 3rd, 4th

it is NOT a 6l80....6l80's are junk and dont hold up well past 500 RWHP without serious mods and custom programming

the TCI 6x has a warranty good to 850 HP with no changes done to it, and a simple upgrade of the Clutch Hub and input shaft and they hold up to quite a bit more punsihment

the 6x can be paddle shifted/button shifted, or driven like a regular automatic(put it in Drive and go)

the 6x is great to drive....and helps out with your 1/4 mile times as well because of its close gear set and fast shifts.
Thanks for the info. I just called Jegs and they have the TCI 6x kit (PN 271-600-P) that includes new cooler, trans, paddle shift, harness & trans controller. I like how this tranny system works independently from whatever computer setup controls the engine and that supposedly nothing else is needed. I'll still want some sort of dash mounted gear indicator. Punishment at the track will be happening as it will be seeing over 150, full on braking and about 24 gear changes per lap.

That wasn't a 6X I used, it was on a few Ferraris I got my hands on. One was a 6 sp paddle, the other was a 7sp paddle. The experiences were unbelievable and so quickly made my car feel as though it's living in the stone age. So after directly comparing standard 6 speed vs my 4 sp manual valvebody vs paddle shift, for me the next direction for my car is pretty clear.

I also understand that I'll need a new trans crossmember and have the driveshaft shortened.

Assuming the motor & its mods don't change, does doing this trans conversion increase the car's top speed potential?
I haven't had the T/A dyno'd but it has TPiS AFR heads CC305 cam & usual stuff, but still a 350cu. Next step for the engine is the 383 shortblock in my garage, new cam and refreshing the heads & valvetrain.

The current tranny is starting to howl in 2nd when it gets hot, so this is all going to go down as a single project at this point.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2013 | 01:04 PM
  #10  
poorhousenext's Avatar
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 317
Likes: 2
From: TN
Default

Originally Posted by Heat Seeker WS6
Thanks for the info. I just called Jegs and they have the TCI 6x kit (PN 271-600-P) that includes new cooler, trans, paddle shift, harness & trans controller. I like how this tranny system works independently from whatever computer setup controls the engine and that supposedly nothing else is needed. I'll still want some sort of dash mounted gear indicator. Punishment at the track will be happening as it will be seeing over 150, full on braking and about 24 gear changes per lap.

That wasn't a 6X I used, it was on a few Ferraris I got my hands on. One was a 6 sp paddle, the other was a 7sp paddle. The experiences were unbelievable and so quickly made my car feel as though it's living in the stone age. So after directly comparing standard 6 speed vs my 4 sp manual valvebody vs paddle shift, for me the next direction for my car is pretty clear.

I also understand that I'll need a new trans crossmember and have the driveshaft shortened.

Assuming the motor & its mods don't change, does doing this trans conversion increase the car's top speed potential?
I haven't had the T/A dyno'd but it has TPiS AFR heads CC305 cam & usual stuff, but still a 350cu. Next step for the engine is the 383 shortblock in my garage, new cam and refreshing the heads & valvetrain.

The current tranny is starting to howl in 2nd when it gets hot, so this is all going to go down as a single project at this point.
I you go with TCI 6x with paddle shift kit with indicator can be purchased from several different sources, at different prices, up to $1,000.00 off TCI price.

Now if you really want to track car, you might want to look into having 4L80e 6 speed built using Powertrain Control Solutions gears, paddles, TCM an engine braking valve body. I'm not sure if if controler will blip the throttle when down shifting or not.

http://www.powertraincontrolsolution...ed-Valve-Body/

Here is a video of TCI 6x being paddled becaused person shooting video didn't believe it would shift quick and have very little rpm lost between shifts.

Reply
Old Dec 27, 2013 | 01:47 PM
  #11  
Heat Seeker WS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee,WI
Default

Originally Posted by poorhousenext
I you go with TCI 6x with paddle shift kit with indicator can be purchased from several different sources, at different prices, up to $1,000.00 off TCI price.

Now if you really want to track car, you might want to look into having 4L80e 6 speed built using Powertrain Control Solutions gears, paddles, TCM an engine braking valve body. I'm not sure if if controler will blip the throttle when down shifting or not.
Good to know there's options out there. An engine braking valvebody would be beneficial. I like that Vette vid and will have to listen closer later on with better speakers.

to be blunt, it will be tracked like how I tracked this.....


...and even though there is juuust a 'little ' technology gap going on here between the 2 cars, I know the end result and performance I'm looking for.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2013 | 01:50 PM
  #12  
Heat Seeker WS6's Avatar
Thread Starter
Launching!
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 2
From: Milwaukee,WI
Default

Generally speaking is there alot of massaging needed to fit in the 4l80?
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2013 | 04:32 PM
  #13  
soundengineer's Avatar
8 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,651
Likes: 17
From: Chicago IL
Default

Originally Posted by Heat Seeker WS6
Generally speaking is there alot of massaging needed to fit in the 4l80?
small amount...but not a lot...
basically you need to hit where the connector would fit, and a couple of other small spots.

you can do it with a little mini sledge and a few good whacks.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:33 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 18:13:20


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE