Truck is a 2006 Escalade LQ9, 4L65, ON 3 80mm, 60lb Deka shorties, running 12-13psi. Truck runs real good but trans has been rebuilt about a year ago to roughly an average level 1 type that would be purchased when it burned most of the clutches and band. This is my wifes truck and she drives it daily and hard (never should have shown her the foot brake launch)
roughly a month ago it had lost second gear so I pulled the accumulator and welded about an 1/8-3/16" on the rod to get by until I gather the parts for the swap. Last Thursday just before Christmas fourth went out and then second was only seconds behind. Sunday pulled the trans and tidied up a few little things and grabbed the 4L80 stuffed with a new Circle D 3000 converter, cut off the ears (didn't really need to but wanted the extra clearance for new exhaust routing) and bolted it up. The driveshaft only needed the front yolk swapped to the 4l80 style and cut about 1 1/2" off and beveled the end. Cut the cross member and welded 1/4" plates to each side to bring the center back 6 1/4". Pay attention to the direction that you extend the center, I did not and ended up having it backwards with the drivers side on the passenger side and backwards. Fixed it with a small section on the top and bending the alignment tab in the passenger side cup. Wiring was simple, just follow LT1swap.com or Matt Happle's wiki site directions. AN -6 line with fittings have been on the truck since the rebuild on the 4L65 and the return line left long in planning for this swap. All said and done loaded the segment swap file with all settings and tables copied over in HP Tuners and trans works perfect. The speedometer is very close with a 4.10 gear ratio setting which can be tweaked a little. The converter is awesome and it makes it feel like a completely different truck than before, even with the slightly taller first gear ratio it has a much, much better take off and overhaul gets up so much better. Now the next step is a new cam, 80lb injectors, all new exhaust and maybe a new turbo! This is just a little write up for anyone looking to do this swap in there vehicle and hope it helps a little.

 

Side of 4L65 where the snap ring holds the accumulator cover!





Back side of accumulator.





New converter.

 

4l80 in its new home. Notice the shift lever, I cut it opened the cut and welded the opening to the new position for the cable.





Cross member.





The fix to my screw up!





Reuse same lines just cut a little extra off the return that was left from install knowing this swap was coming.

 

did you keep the full time awd or is it just 2wd now?

 

Never was awd, didn't want it when we got the truck and don't really have a need for it in FL.

 

Been driving around for a few days and new converter is absolutely awesome. Need to fine tune the gear ratio to adjust the speedo and install a shift improve kit. For the money I can not imagine ever rebuilding a 4l60e or 4l65e and using it over the 4l80e. This swap is actually super easy and pays off in the long run knowing I have a transmission that will hold much more then a descent 4l60e could. I hope this helps someone with there swap.

 

Thanks for the write up. Didnt think there was any Escalade love here.

I have an 05 ESV and want to do something with it. Its the AWD version and I live in Chicago so definitely want to keep that.

I too want to do an 80e swap. I have 140k now and although the 4l65 is good now when it goes Im not going to invest in it.

My only concern then would be the rest of the drivetrain. Do you know of any 6.0 awd guys making power in heavy trucks that were able to leave the transfer case front rear diffs alone?

 

there was a video on facebook of an EXT with a 408 and 175 shot of nitrous smoking the front and rear tire off the line. According to him he had stock drivetrain with a 4L60E from RPM transmissions I think it was. I would think the transfer case would be the first week link and they are fairly tough to around 450hp from what i have read.

 

Oh yeah the Caddy is my wifes and she drives the snot out off it. Going to be redoing the hot side and bigger intercooler soon so keep watching!