I plan to buy this tranny to be installed by MMS to compliment the engine package their putting in.
Hughes Performance told me it will easily handle the RWHP and RWT I will have (500/500). Especially considering the rather small converter (3000) I will be using and due to the fact that I don't go to the track, my goal is a street killer.

Anyone with experience on this computer-controlled TH-400, I would appreciate it.

And does anyone think it's overkill?

Thanks <img src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" border="0" alt="[jester]" />

 

Other than extra weight, how much of the tunnel will have to be removed to get it in place. Plus cost those things arent cheap. I think it would be cheaper for a turbo 400 with a gear vendors overdirve plus lighter and also take more abuse. I have not real experience with a 4l80e but it will require an additional computer or at least a piggback computer to interface with the stock one.

Gary

 

redws6,

The cost is about $4,000, but piece of mind is priceless.
Hughes Performance provides the complete wiring harness and computer ready to go.

Your thought: T-400 with Gearvendors Overdrive, will it take the HP & TQ I will have (500/500). Thats all I care about, I don't want to be fixing tranny's every year. How do I find out info on this set-up?

Thanks

 

Built TH400 W/O Transbrake = $550
Built TH400 W/ Transbrake = $850

Gear Vendors o/d unit = $2200

getting driveshaft fixed = $~50~100

George Baxter used the Gear Vendors in his 1100hp LT1 that went 9.20s with it.
you'll be fine with it <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">

grand total is STILL ultimatley cheaper and easier to use, plus you get 6 SPEEDS...instead of 4

 

Get the 4L80E, it fits in the tunnel with no problem, and its a real computer controlled tranny. TH400 = manual shifting at WOT, no speedo, etc.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Terry Burger:
[QB]Get the 4L80E, it fits in the tunnel with no problem, and its a real computer controlled tranny. TH400 = manual shifting at WOT, no speedo, etc.
__________________________________________________

Another good point, the manual shifting.
I want to have a tranny that acts like the stock tranny BUT is a beast. You have MMS work done, in your opinion, if I simply send this tranny and all of it's components, will Mike Morgan and crew do the install with no problems. I'm getting his 421 stroker?

Thanks

 

Oh, I was planning a 12" Moser with Eaton posi, 33 spline,
what do you think, is there something stronger.

I would like to do 1 install for everything and make it the best stuff.

 

Its your choice I was just offering options. You will would be able to get the turbo 400 to shift at WOT, also you would still have speedo. It will cost more than listed below for the turbo 400 setup. You would also need a program the computer to delete the transmission or an pcm tricker. Plus a new cross member, driveshaft, torque converter, driveshaft, and if you want a little piece of mind an adapter platedddd for the transmission. Plus most likely a new shifter. Of course you are going to have buy or fabricate some of this stuff to get the 4l80e to work. Because I think the $4000 is just the transmission and computer and nothing else.

By the way I am putting a FLP 4l60e behind my car when finished it will make 450-500 rwhp and about the same or higher in torque. They have a GP going on right know for $1800.

Just another option.

 

[quote]Originally posted by Terry Burger:
<strong> TH400 = manual shifting at WOT, no speedo, etc.</strong><hr></blockquote>

thats not true, they make an electric kickdown that works fine

you can also get a conversion kit from autometer to get the stock speedo to work

 

Oh man, this is getting deep again like the last time I tried to figure out which tranny to get.

All I want (cost does not matter) is a tranny that acts EXACTLY, EXACTLY, EXACTLY like stock BUT, will not brake on a regular basis.

I will not be going to the track (maybe once or twice but I'm not going to ring it out every weekend), Just a street monster.

Which should I go with?

I don't know much about this stuff, I will go with what I hear from you guys, and whatever Mike Morgan tells me.

Also, what about ther 12" Moser?

[ December 06, 2001: Message edited by: Quickin ]

[ December 06, 2001: Message edited by: Quickin ]</p>

 

To be honest I'd try to make the 4L60E work first, as it will be the cleanest and most affordable option. Just do a mild rebuild on it (around $1200), pick a moderate stall converter (say yank PY3400 or 3600), and you should be OK. Then if it breaks (it probably won't, if you are only racing it on the street), go the 4L80E route. MMS has done 4L80E trannys before and they are familiar with the problems that come up, I'm sure they will do a fine job for you on that.

The TH350/400 will not act like the stock tranny, no matter what anyone says. The 4L80E will be a lot closer, but not perfect. Try to make the 4L60E work.

 

Mike Morgan, in the estimate he sent me, included the heavy duty rebuild for my stock 4L60E. Does Chuck at FLP do something better for his rebuild? How can I get info from him and prices?

Thanks

Man, this never ends does it!

 

Would the FLP stage IV be able to handle a 422 with about a 3600 stall?

 

Talk to Chuck at FLP 630-820-9294. I talked to him about running his stage IV behind my stage II twin turbo kit, which will have tons of torque and he said it would work fine. Chuck can give you all the details.

Gary

 

Does he give a warranty on it? <img src="images/icons/smile.gif" border="0">

 

The 4L80E is based on the good old TH400. The TH400 was a very very strong 3-speed automatic in it's day, so strong that GM reduced the quality of it's components because TH400's would easily last over 250,000. The TH400 is heavy and less efficient that it's lighter counter part the TH350. The 4L60E is based on...you guessed it the TH350.

<img src="graemlins/gr_judge.gif" border="0" alt="[judgement]" /> Just how tough is a TH400? Well I was manually shifting a TH400 one day on the street and slammed into reverse at 25mph when I was a kid. This stalled the engine, but didn't gernade that TH400. I didn't know not to push the button on the handle in...

With that said since money isn't an issue for this decision, I'd try a built 4L60e first because:
That's what the car is designed to work with.
It's lighter.
It's more efficient so it rob less hp and tq
Your application far more street than strip.

If also asking about using Mobile 1 synthetic ATF in the tranny, the Mobile 1 will resist heat <img src="graemlins/gr_images/icons/mad.gif" border="0" alt="[very mad]" /> better and this will help the tranny live. Heat is a top killer of transmissions. Also change the fluid very often. Maybe like every visit to the strip or every 10,000 miles which ever comes first. A good transmission fluid cooler might help too. Ask your tranny builder...

If that don't work, go for the 4L80e.

 

The 4L60E is actually a electronically controlled
TH-700R4.

here's the GM link for specs on the different transmissions.Lots of good info there.

www.gm.com/automotive/gmpowertrain/transmissions/index.htm

[ December 06, 2001: Message edited by: BLKTA ]</p>

 

Thanks alot for all the input.
I guess since it will be 95% on the street and I'm not using a high stall I'm just going to go with the 4L60E and have it rebuilt by FLP or MMS. If I go to the track I just won't do a launch from hell, I'll take it a bit easy out of the hole.

If it blows, then I'll go for the heavy stuff.

As someone mentioned, the 4L60E was meant for this car.

Oh, should I go carbon fibre drive shaft?

[ December 06, 2001: Message edited by: Quickin ]</p>

 

Stick with the stocker until you need to upgrade. Then consider what first gear the TH400 has, and what first the 4L80E has. Remember a big reason the A4's do so well is that steep first gear.

 

From what I have seen if you are serious about drag racing and making 400+rwhp the stocker just will not last reliably. I don't care who builds it. Sure there are some who have had good luck, but I think they are outweighed by the vast majority.

Personally for the amount of money you are spending a road race lenco (was it lenco)? like SAM is using seems to me to be the way to go.


Chris