Ford/ZF 6R80 behind a LS3?

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Feb 14, 2018 | 03:14 AM

260DET

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Staging Lane

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Ford/ZF 6R80 behind a LS3?

Present auto for my circuit car is a manually shifted 4L85E which is sort of OK but it shifts a bit slow and is excessively heavy. The only alternative which is relatively light and shifts fast is one of the ZF 6R family used by Ford, BMW and a few other euros. But there seems to be nothing on anyone doing this conversion, no adaptor kit, nothing.

Anyone got anything on this?

Feb 14, 2018 | 07:36 AM

FTICONVERTERS

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I cant say on the adapter kit to bolt it up, but i would assume there are already some adapter midplates out there somewhere and if not, one could be made.

I do know that we have PLENTY of 6R80 guys pushing 1200+ through there 6R80s with just some clutch pack upgrades and a billet input shaft and a billet torque converter. There are also a couple stand alone controllers for the transmission that will cover that aspect for you.

-Dalton

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Feb 14, 2018 | 09:10 AM

JoeNova

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Do you need overdrive?

Feb 14, 2018 | 02:54 PM

260DET

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Staging Lane

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Thank's for that FTI, yes Joe, overdrive is needed.

Given the amount of design and fabrication already put into the car it would be nice for a change to be able to get a bolt up kit, by all reports the 6R family are great autos far more suitable for my application than a 4L.

Feb 16, 2018 | 02:44 AM

260DET

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Staging Lane

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A 6HP urinates all over any GM aftermarket 4L, not just for the number of speeds but the greater efficiency, faster shifts and engine braking. I'm surprised but not that there is apparently little interest in a far superior non GM transmission that should be able to be put behind a LS for significantly more performance on the ground.

Worth an ask here though, no problem, I'll continue putting the pieces together. Anyone know of a stand alone controller for the 6R?

Feb 16, 2018 | 08:31 AM

JoeNova

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Quote:

Originally Posted by 260DET

The 4L60e is a bad transmission, but the 80e is just so damn strong that people don't bother to venture out much further.

Feb 16, 2018 | 04:57 PM

Game ova

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Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeNova

The 4L60e is a bad transmission, but the 80e is just so damn strong that people don't bother to venture out much further.

Did you mean the 4l60 is" bad" as in good?

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Feb 16, 2018 | 05:18 PM

Game ova

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Quote:

Originally Posted by MY_2K_Z

No I think he means bad as in total piece of **** boat anchor.

Yea, those things are COMPLETE trash.

Feb 19, 2018 | 11:00 PM

#10

260DET

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Staging Lane

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The 6L80 is of course an alternative but finding a stand alone controller is a problem although this mob say they can http://tbmsport.com/6l8090eswapcomponents.html
Anyone know anything about them?

Feb 20, 2018 | 12:24 AM

#11

clinebarger

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What controller are you running on the LS3? There is probably a way to run a 6Lx0E in your car without all the conversion junk.

Sounds like you want a manual transmission??

Feb 21, 2018 | 01:09 AM

#12

260DET

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Staging Lane

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Oh I wish there was a way.

Feb 5, 2019 | 07:07 AM

#13

JLCORB

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LS3 to 6R80

Did you ever find out if you could connect an LS3 engine (GM) to a 6R80 transmission (Ford) without an adaptor?

Feb 5, 2019 | 03:53 PM

#14

260DET

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Staging Lane

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No, went with a 6L80E instead.

Mar 14, 2021 | 06:08 PM

#15

chargedvx6

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From: Down Under

How did this go?

Get the 6r80 fitted up?

Apr 12, 2021 | 03:04 PM

#16

Artie Anton

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you would think that there would be an abundance of options for this setup considering that the LS gets swapped into a ton of fords right? it would be the exact same adaptor plate needed as if you were going to put an LS in a ford, rather than the ford trans in an LS powered car, but yet, here we are. I can't personally find much on this either

Apr 12, 2021 | 04:57 PM

#17

FTICONVERTERS

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Artie Anton

I think the reason that hasn't happened yet is that logic only applies to cars that came equipped with the 6R80 from the factory which would be 2011+ 5.0L coyote cars. IMO in that situation the LS offers very little if not no benefit over the coyote in terms of upgrading and adding power except for maybe cost of parts, which would be quickly offset with the cost of the swap vs just upgrading the coyote.

Where you are referencing Mustangs getting LS swaps more commonly that is mainly happening in older Fox and SN95 bodies which would require custom fabrication to fit the motor and the transmission in either scenario. The difference is the 6L80 bolts right up to the LS and can be upgraded to handle the abuse and the 6R80 does not bolt right up but can also be upgraded to handle the abuse.

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Apr 12, 2021 | 08:02 PM

#18

vorteciroc

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From: Nitro Alley

The reason that Ford 6R80 Transmissions are not commonly paired with LS engines; is because:

-LS engines are offered with a GM 6L80E Transmission.
-Both the Ford 6R80 and GM 6L80E are the same Transmission (ZF 6HP Based) except for the case, bell-housing, pump, and valve-body/ TCM.

Why use the same transmission (6R80); but with a Ford bell-housing and an adapter plate, flex-plate, torque-converter, Etc...

When a direct fit (6L80E) transmission is already available???

Last edited by vorteciroc; Apr 13, 2021 at 01:04 AM.

Apr 13, 2021 | 07:00 PM

#19

FTICONVERTERS

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From: Deland, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by vorteciroc

Basically what i was getting at! Plus the 6L80 has a lot more aftermarket support than the 6R80

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