4l80 or 6l80
4l80 or 6l80 Bought a 6.0 and trans combo out of newer Chevy truck... thought I had a 4l80 but as it turs out I ended up with a 6l80. I have a speartech harness for 4l and not the 6l so do I find a new trans or do I use the 6l . Its a foxbody turbo build for the street with some strip time for fun...... or do I scrap it all and go 400th, I'm stuck and don't think theres an easy way to go
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Lets see, a 6L80E is weaker than a reasonably built 4L80E, much more complex, heavier and bigger. Plus IMHO 1st gear is nearly useless for a light car, especially a turbo car and therefore needs to be disabled.
TECH Addict
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,513
Likes: 480
From: PDX-OR-USA
If your goal is power than ^^^ if your goal is a long distance cruiser than keep the 6..
Since your doing a fox body I assume fast is the goal..
So for that a th400/700R4 family unit would be my pick.
Since your doing a fox body I assume fast is the goal..
So for that a th400/700R4 family unit would be my pick. Trending Topics
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 33
From: Fort Worth, Texas
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: North Jersey
While I don't or shall I say haven't gone on any long trips (4.30's and a th350 not going very far) I don't regret swapping to an 80E.
I went with an 80E vs a 60E because there are FAR fewer post about them puking when pushed and watched my buddy drive his 470ci/625hp GS Buick to the track and click off low 11's and drive it home with no issues, sold me.
While my car was on the trailer (I could have drove the 45mi there) I couldn't keep up with my friend in the Buick.
I broke that day. THAT'S why I trailer it. The S clip fell off the manual valve in the VB and was stuck in 1st.
I have't been to the track yet to see if it has cost me any ET....but it sure feels exactly like
the t350 EXCEPT my rpms are very tolerable when I do go on the highway now.
The gearing is only .04 difference so that's a good thing too.
My 406 actually get good (for what it is) mileage now too.
I actually go deliberately out on to RT 80 now every time I take it out.
So IF it cost me a few .1ths it's well worth it to me.
If I want to remind myself of the 3 speed, I leave it in 3rd with the converter unlocked (doesn't lock till 4th and 45 mph) then I go whew, and click it up 1 more!
My car is a different scenario then most of the guys on here as their gearing is MUCH lower numerically then mine so that will help keep the rpms on a 3 speed down I guess but it's still not OD!.
Track car only..I could see the 3 speed tho.
I went with an 80E vs a 60E because there are FAR fewer post about them puking when pushed and watched my buddy drive his 470ci/625hp GS Buick to the track and click off low 11's and drive it home with no issues, sold me.
While my car was on the trailer (I could have drove the 45mi there) I couldn't keep up with my friend in the Buick.
I broke that day. THAT'S why I trailer it. The S clip fell off the manual valve in the VB and was stuck in 1st.
I have't been to the track yet to see if it has cost me any ET....but it sure feels exactly like
the t350 EXCEPT my rpms are very tolerable when I do go on the highway now.
The gearing is only .04 difference so that's a good thing too.
My 406 actually get good (for what it is) mileage now too.
I actually go deliberately out on to RT 80 now every time I take it out.
So IF it cost me a few .1ths it's well worth it to me.
If I want to remind myself of the 3 speed, I leave it in 3rd with the converter unlocked (doesn't lock till 4th and 45 mph) then I go whew, and click it up 1 more!
My car is a different scenario then most of the guys on here as their gearing is MUCH lower numerically then mine so that will help keep the rpms on a 3 speed down I guess but it's still not OD!.
Track car only..I could see the 3 speed tho.
Last edited by wht/73; Jun 21, 2017 at 06:51 AM.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: North Jersey
I have one in my 17 silverado and I love it. I also had a 2011 Ss camaro and I liked it. You don't need to run much gear, rpms on interstate are real low and it always has a good jump when you nail it and it downshifts to the appropriate gear. Say I'm going 40ish in my gto, 4l60e, nail it and it kicks down to second because I'm going to fast for first gear, it's really sluggish to about 50. Do that in my truck and it pulls much harder initially because second gear is lower in the 6l80 vs 2nd gear in the 4l60e. 4l60 is 1.625 vs 2.364 for the 6l80. The gears are split much more evenly. The 4l80 gears are spaced better than the 4l60, there's not a huge 1st to 2nd gear drop like the 4l60 has.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: North Jersey
I have one in my 17 silverado and I love it. I also had a 2011 Ss camaro and I liked it. You don't need to run much gear, rpms on interstate are real low and it always has a good jump when you nail it and it downshifts to the appropriate gear. Say I'm going 40ish in my gto, 4l60e, nail it and it kicks down to second because I'm going to fast for first gear, it's really sluggish to about 50. Do that in my truck and it pulls much harder initially because second gear is lower in the 6l80 vs 2nd gear in the 4l60e. 4l60 is 1.625 vs 2.364 for the 6l80. The gears are split much more evenly. The 4l80 gears are spaced better than the 4l60, there's not a huge 1st to 2nd gear drop like the 4l60 has.
So the 1st 3 gears are practically the same.
My van has the 6sp with a 4.8 and like you mentioned 3.42's.
It needs more gear.
I don't care what transmission or what gearing is in the trans.
I don't even have half the material in it that the old van use to carry around.
When my Nova downshifts, you'd better be holding on to something.
I guess that's why they make blue cars and red cars. LOL
What is ok for somebody might not be good for someone else.
TECH Addict
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,513
Likes: 480
From: PDX-OR-USA
I know the 700R4 isn't as strong as a TH400,, but I like as a cross over and it can be a decent transmission, maybe not 1200HP strong but it doesn't require the extra stuff to make it go, and if you want to run deep gears the OD is handy for the street drive.. And the parts are cheap..
i would like to see 1000 one day just because..... its a 6.0 with a s475 turbo build and I already have a speartech harness and tunes for the 4l80 that's the only reason for the 4l over the 400th it is stripped to the bones gonna be light but just figured since I had the wiring/comp setup it would be about the same to get a trans to hold the 1000 if I ever see it
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: North Jersey
I have one in my 17 silverado and I love it. I also had a 2011 Ss camaro and I liked it. You don't need to run much gear, rpms on interstate are real low and it always has a good jump when you nail it and it downshifts to the appropriate gear. Say I'm going 40ish in my gto, 4l60e, nail it and it kicks down to second because I'm going to fast for first gear, it's really sluggish to about 50. Do that in my truck and it pulls much harder initially because second gear is lower in the 6l80 vs 2nd gear in the 4l60e. 4l60 is 1.625 vs 2.364 for the 6l80. The gears are split much more evenly. The 4l80 gears are spaced better than the 4l60, there's not a huge 1st to 2nd gear drop like the 4l60 has.
So in a lighter vehicle and a larger engine I would like it.
Put the weight back in it and forget about putting the air on and I have to start flooring it again!
I'm in Louisiana. Half way would be to Tennessee. The problem is I just spent $800 on a yank power adder series 3400 for my 4l60 just last week. I've kinda been mulling around over buying the convertor because I was hoping I'd come across a 6l80 before my 4l60 bit the dust. I never did (until now, figures.....just my luck lol). So at this point I'll continue on with the 4l60. I already have a box of parts to build it and upgrade a bunch of weak points so might as well. Just out of curiosity, what were you wanting for the 6l80?
i dont need it i need it out of my way to find the correct one......i cant find any for sale to compare it came out of a 2wd 14 chevy 3500 reg cab with 70000 miles.....fluid is still in it and it looks very good to me but this is not an area i know.....1 was hoping it would be worth 700?
