Help me pick out a 4L80e
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 439
Likes: 26
From: IA
Help me pick out a 4L80e Sorry to keep beating the dead horse.....but
My current build: https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...l80e-swap.html is at a standstill due to some unfortunate circumstances. I had planned on building a 4l80 with the Stage 3 Jakes kit that i purchased along w the 252mm Circle D converter. My dad is my mechanic but due to his health, he is unable to do the build for me. Now I gotta try to scrape up funds and buy a built one. Chevelle is a street only car, and depending if i go w/ e85 or not, it should produce 650-700 whp. I've contacted all the big vendors (Jakes, FTL, Peformabuilt, RPM, and Gearstar) and I'm more confused as ever. Trying to decipher what I need, what might be 'good enough' or what's overkill. So here are my choices:
Gearstar - $3700 w/ billet input shaft and FWD hub (which they recommended) 3yr/36k warranty. + Core
Performabuilt - $3600. Claimed to be good for 1000hp but has no billet parts. So really confused on whats used for parts. Unsure on this one. No core charge
RPM - $3825 for their Stage 4 (they recommended). No billet parts. No core.
FTL - $2950 with billet input shaft (they recommended). + core
Jakes - Hasn't returned email but only been a day, but from original build - Stage 3.....$4150 w/ billet input and FWD hub (he reommended) No Core
Price alone, FTL is a no brainer. Do I NEED the billet parts? I do know, I smoked a 4L60e once before and I'm not going through that again. Want a trans that'll last and will have support after the sale. Whatcha all think? Thanks!
My current build: https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...l80e-swap.html is at a standstill due to some unfortunate circumstances. I had planned on building a 4l80 with the Stage 3 Jakes kit that i purchased along w the 252mm Circle D converter. My dad is my mechanic but due to his health, he is unable to do the build for me. Now I gotta try to scrape up funds and buy a built one. Chevelle is a street only car, and depending if i go w/ e85 or not, it should produce 650-700 whp. I've contacted all the big vendors (Jakes, FTL, Peformabuilt, RPM, and Gearstar) and I'm more confused as ever. Trying to decipher what I need, what might be 'good enough' or what's overkill. So here are my choices:
Gearstar - $3700 w/ billet input shaft and FWD hub (which they recommended) 3yr/36k warranty. + Core
Performabuilt - $3600. Claimed to be good for 1000hp but has no billet parts. So really confused on whats used for parts. Unsure on this one. No core charge
RPM - $3825 for their Stage 4 (they recommended). No billet parts. No core.
FTL - $2950 with billet input shaft (they recommended). + core
Jakes - Hasn't returned email but only been a day, but from original build - Stage 3.....$4150 w/ billet input and FWD hub (he reommended) No Core
Price alone, FTL is a no brainer. Do I NEED the billet parts? I do know, I smoked a 4L60e once before and I'm not going through that again. Want a trans that'll last and will have support after the sale. Whatcha all think? Thanks!
TECH Junkie
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 3,615
Likes: 1,327
From: Iowa
Where are you located in Iowa? I can easily build you a 700hp 4l80e.
If you already have the Jakes stage 3 parts, I can use your parts and just charge labor.
Shoot me a PM if you would like.
If you'd instead go with a major branded vendor like the ones you listed above...Then I would go with the Jakes stage 2. It is rated at 750, and I've personally seen cars that handle much much more than that rated HP. I personally don't see any need for you to get billet input shaft at your power level. Forward hub is about a $150 part...no biggie
If you already have the Jakes stage 3 parts, I can use your parts and just charge labor.
Shoot me a PM if you would like.
If you'd instead go with a major branded vendor like the ones you listed above...Then I would go with the Jakes stage 2. It is rated at 750, and I've personally seen cars that handle much much more than that rated HP. I personally don't see any need for you to get billet input shaft at your power level. Forward hub is about a $150 part...no biggie
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 439
Likes: 26
From: IA
Where are you located in Iowa? I can easily build you a 700hp 4l80e.
If you already have the Jakes stage 3 parts, I can use your parts and just charge labor.
Shoot me a PM if you would like.
If you'd instead go with a major branded vendor like the ones you listed above...Then I would go with the Jakes stage 2. It is rated at 750, and I've personally seen cars that handle much much more than that rated HP. I personally don't see any need for you to get billet input shaft at your power level. Forward hub is about a $150 part...no biggie
If you already have the Jakes stage 3 parts, I can use your parts and just charge labor.
Shoot me a PM if you would like.
If you'd instead go with a major branded vendor like the ones you listed above...Then I would go with the Jakes stage 2. It is rated at 750, and I've personally seen cars that handle much much more than that rated HP. I personally don't see any need for you to get billet input shaft at your power level. Forward hub is about a $150 part...no biggie
