4L80e Recommendations for a LS3 57 Swap
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 80
From: North Houston
4L80e Recommendations for a LS3 57 Swap I'm putting a crate LS376/480HP engine in a '57 Chevy 210 wagon. My previous experience with autos has been my stock 4L60e in a 2000 B4C with bolt-ons and a stage 2 Performabuilt 4L60e and 3200 9.5" billet stall in the same car at (guessing) just shy of 400whp. Otherwise, all M6 experiences.
I've got the motor, a PSI wiring harness for DBW and 4L80e operation, an ECU tuned for 4L80e operation, a TCM (hopefully) calibrated for 4L80e operation and tons of other stuff to get it in the car. For example, I've learned from this site that I need an offset flexplate with the LS3 and a 4L80e, so I bought one that I saw the P/N listed for on a few threads. So, between the flex plate, harness, ECU and mounts, I'm committed to a 4L80e.
Problem is, I have no idea who to get a trans from! LOL!
So I need recommendations on who to buy from. Here are some quick facts:
Budget is ~$2K for the trans, <$800 for the converter
Will NOT race, only a street car
No "used" (no take-outs)
Brand recognition is a factor (GM, Hughes, etc, no Maddog, no eBay, local shops are out as well)
I'm sure I'll need to include more info, let me know what I'm missing. Thanks in advance for the help!
Also, here's a couple pics of what's getting the trans.
I've got the motor, a PSI wiring harness for DBW and 4L80e operation, an ECU tuned for 4L80e operation, a TCM (hopefully) calibrated for 4L80e operation and tons of other stuff to get it in the car. For example, I've learned from this site that I need an offset flexplate with the LS3 and a 4L80e, so I bought one that I saw the P/N listed for on a few threads. So, between the flex plate, harness, ECU and mounts, I'm committed to a 4L80e.
Problem is, I have no idea who to get a trans from! LOL!
So I need recommendations on who to buy from. Here are some quick facts:
Budget is ~$2K for the trans, <$800 for the converter
Will NOT race, only a street car
No "used" (no take-outs)
Brand recognition is a factor (GM, Hughes, etc, no Maddog, no eBay, local shops are out as well)
I'm sure I'll need to include more info, let me know what I'm missing. Thanks in advance for the help!
Also, here's a couple pics of what's getting the trans.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 80
From: North Houston
Thanks! I plan on diving right in after my Hombre is back on the road. Scope of work is ridiculous, but I feel I'm ready thanks to the wealth of info out there.
No, thanks. For one, I don't intend to work on this thing as often as my other LS vehicles. Second, can't find one in a local junkyard. Third, I wouldn't trust a local shop for crap on a trans rebuild. Fourth, I have it in the budget to buy a rebuilt one from a reputable shop. I can go on, but basically, I'd like to buy once and forget it for years.
No, thanks. For one, I don't intend to work on this thing as often as my other LS vehicles. Second, can't find one in a local junkyard. Third, I wouldn't trust a local shop for crap on a trans rebuild. Fourth, I have it in the budget to buy a rebuilt one from a reputable shop. I can go on, but basically, I'd like to buy once and forget it for years.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 80
From: North Houston
Anyone? I looked at Jake's and RPM, but they really don't accommodate a simple rebuild trans like I want, theirs are all built to handle power. I did get a lead on a FL builder and I'm looking into that, but are there any others out there?
For reference, I'm eyeing the 3000-3200 stall Circle D basic (big, 11"?) converter for $550.
For reference, I'm eyeing the 3000-3200 stall Circle D basic (big, 11"?) converter for $550.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 518
Likes: 0
From: North Jersey
Anyone? I looked at Jake's and RPM, but they really don't accommodate a simple rebuild trans like I want, theirs are all built to handle power. I did get a lead on a FL builder and I'm looking into that, but are there any others out there?
For reference, I'm eyeing the 3000-3200 stall Circle D basic (big, 11"?) converter for $550.
For reference, I'm eyeing the 3000-3200 stall Circle D basic (big, 11"?) converter for $550.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 80
From: North Houston
"While any of the pro vendors on this site will build a strong unit.....I would search out a local to you guy/shop with a good reputation for what your looking for."
See, here's the thing... I'm not from 'round here. Over the 9 years I've spent here, I've come to the conclusion that this area is awful for anything performance. There's a trans shop in my neighborhood, and I wouldn't trust them to know what a shift linkage is. I heard great things about a guy in Long Beach, MS and went with him on some work with my B4C. Tried bolting up a converter that he bought, wrong bolt pattern. Turns out, he apparently didn't know that my 98-02 Camaro had a 4L60e from the factory. Um...
My father in law started the other day, "Hey, you were looking for a 4L80e, right?" Stopped him there... he's blown two or three TH350s in a '48 Chevy with no more than 300hp at the flywheel with locally built transmissions. Basically, I won't even consider a local trans. Kind of snobbish, but based on experience, it's not worth the headache.
Bumping it up, looking for more recommendations. A few builders on the short list, but still looking for good recommendations for a reliable, minimally strengthened 4L80e. In the mean time, I went ahead and bought/powder coated a pan, bought a Lokar floor shifter, a dipstick... I mean business, need the trans!
See, here's the thing... I'm not from 'round here. Over the 9 years I've spent here, I've come to the conclusion that this area is awful for anything performance. There's a trans shop in my neighborhood, and I wouldn't trust them to know what a shift linkage is. I heard great things about a guy in Long Beach, MS and went with him on some work with my B4C. Tried bolting up a converter that he bought, wrong bolt pattern. Turns out, he apparently didn't know that my 98-02 Camaro had a 4L60e from the factory. Um...
My father in law started the other day, "Hey, you were looking for a 4L80e, right?" Stopped him there... he's blown two or three TH350s in a '48 Chevy with no more than 300hp at the flywheel with locally built transmissions. Basically, I won't even consider a local trans. Kind of snobbish, but based on experience, it's not worth the headache.
Bumping it up, looking for more recommendations. A few builders on the short list, but still looking for good recommendations for a reliable, minimally strengthened 4L80e. In the mean time, I went ahead and bought/powder coated a pan, bought a Lokar floor shifter, a dipstick... I mean business, need the trans!
Last edited by themealonwheels; Nov 9, 2017 at 11:51 AM.
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TECH Addict
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 2,513
Likes: 480
From: PDX-OR-USA
Why not just go with a retail brand from Jegs or whatever..? if your building a street cruiser,, I'd go with a standard national brand and just order it, heck, Good-wrench used to actually be relatively competitive and as long as a dealer fires it up the first time you get a 35K mile warranty..
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 24,241
Likes: 89
From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Our local builder does them for around 1k-1200 and has a fantastic reputation. His shop is at least an hour away but i happily drive it due to not really trusting anyone in town. Try to find a guy like that.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 80
From: North Houston
Alright, well I thought I had this sorted out... Jegs gave me a price of $2100 on a Hughes 25-1. I was all set, but I shopped the price around and discovered there's a 25-1A and 25-1B... it went downhill pretty quickly, and I was back to the $3000 mark for a trans after freight, a core and all that horse malarkey.
I did more research and saw Circle D mentioned. I ordered a Circle D 2600 stall during Black Friday, so I gave them a shout. Their price was not competitive, but the guy I spoke with knew what I was going for and tried to steer me to a GM Performance 4L85e for $3,422. Right now, there's a $250 mail in rebate, which helps. And it's a new GM unit, which also helps. The price is way out, but I'm starting to talk myself into it.
From what I've read, the 4L85e is a beefy 4L80e, like a 4L65e is to a 4L60e. So, does that mean the TCM I had programmed for a 4L80e will control the 4L85E? Will the converter I bought for a 4L80e work in the 4L85e? I'm not convinced this is the way I'll go, but it's worth thinking about.
I did more research and saw Circle D mentioned. I ordered a Circle D 2600 stall during Black Friday, so I gave them a shout. Their price was not competitive, but the guy I spoke with knew what I was going for and tried to steer me to a GM Performance 4L85e for $3,422. Right now, there's a $250 mail in rebate, which helps. And it's a new GM unit, which also helps. The price is way out, but I'm starting to talk myself into it.
From what I've read, the 4L85e is a beefy 4L80e, like a 4L65e is to a 4L60e. So, does that mean the TCM I had programmed for a 4L80e will control the 4L85E? Will the converter I bought for a 4L80e work in the 4L85e? I'm not convinced this is the way I'll go, but it's worth thinking about.
Yes the 4L80E Converter will fit the 4L85E with no problems!
__________________
FTI COMPETITION CONVERTERS AND TRANSMISSIONS
"IT'S NOT CHEATING, IT'S THE COMPETITIVE EDGE."
1-866-726-8358
info@ftiperformance.com
FTIPerformance.com
FTI Converter build sheet
FTI COMPETITION CONVERTERS AND TRANSMISSIONS
"IT'S NOT CHEATING, IT'S THE COMPETITIVE EDGE."
1-866-726-8358
info@ftiperformance.com
FTIPerformance.com
FTI Converter build sheet
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 1,921
Likes: 80
From: North Houston
All done, bought a Hughes 25-1BHD. After several calls and discussions, it seemed to be the closest to my budget for a "sure thing". Jegs ended up getting it without a core and with free freight at the best price I could find, just a little over my $2K budget. Thanks for all the input.
