My 427 is getting started, finally! The 4L80E (computer controlled TH-400) supposedly acts like the 4L60E.

My question is: I will not be going to the track and doing launches from hell, it will only be a street car. I plan to give it pedal from a stop but not harsh, just roll into the pedal, then hit it. Should I leave my stock 4L60E in there and see what happens OR should I have it built up OR should I get a better tranny (4L80E)?

Also, what about my rear-end, I have an A4, will it last awhile?

Thanks

 

What kind of RWHP do you think you're looking at? 480-500?

Even a very well built 4L60-E with a vacume modulator will have a hard time trying to keep up with that kind of power for long. It's not really the hard lauches at the strip that will put it to an early death, but the 2-3 shift at WOT. That's the 4l60-E's achilles heal.

How often are you willing to go through rebuilds? Not very often? Then you should probably get away from the 4L60-E. If you want computer controlled shifts and OD then the 4L80-E looks to be your best choice. If you don't mind a non-computer controlled tranny then I would go with a TH-350 with a lockup converter and a Gear Vendor's OD.

 

Colonel,

I do expect 500/500.

I went through this whole tranny thing a few months ago, it drove me nuts. I doubt I'll be able to do wide open 2-3 shifts anyway, I will be on street tires all the time. A will be getting 2 rims with mounted Nitto's or ET's but that will be done very infrequently, just to go out and scare some people (bikes) so maybe the built 4L60E will do.

Is the 4L70E worth getting? Or is it just like a built 4L60E?

Thanks for the help, I need to make a decision in 2 weeks.

 

A 4L70-E is a Yank built 200R4.

What would I do if I wanted a bulletproof OD tranny? Read my last post. <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">

 

Let me also point out that I have never had a 4L70-E nor a 4L80-E.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Colonel:
[QB]A 4L70-E is a Yank built 200R4.

What would I do if I wanted a bulletproof OD tranny? Read my last post. <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">
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The only problem with the TH-350, from what I've been told, is it will greatly effect gas mileage, the RPM's would be higher and worst of all it must be shifted manually.

The 4L80E according to Hughes is stronger than the TH-350 and acts just like stock with OD. This is the hard part to believe. I just want a tranny that acts like stock.

Colonel, What tranny do you have?

Do you think my built up 4L60E will last a long time with the type of driving I will be doing?

 

Colonel runs a TH400 if I remember correctly.

I personally think running any 4L60E behind a built 427 is an exercise in futility.

The 4L80E is physically bigger and weighs more. There'd probably have to be some trans tunnel clearancing. Probably your best bet if you want a reliable, streetable solution.

Dope

 

Hughes said it will go in with a little struggle.

I think Hughes said it weighs 50 lbs. more than the stock 4L60E.

 

Colonel runs a TH350

If you want o/d and something that will hold the power and be the most cost effective...

get a 2004R, but i wouldn't go with Yank.

go to the turbo buick boards www.turbobuick.com and go into the transmission section

Those guys build 2004Rs from hell that live behind low 10 second GNs and some 9 second ones too

i dont know if they can adapt it to the LS1 bellhousing though

 

"The only problem with the TH-350, from what I've been told, is it will greatly effect gas mileage, the RPM's would be higher and worst of all it must be shifted manually.

The 4L80E according to Hughes is stronger than the TH-350 and acts just like stock with OD. This is the hard part to believe. I just want a tranny that acts like stock."

A lockup TH350 combined with a Gear Vendors OD should get even better mileage than a 4L80-E. Why? It is a whole is far lighter and, more importantly, the internals are far lighter and thus less parasitic.

You only have to shift it manually if you install a manual valve body. Hundreds of thousands of GM cars and truck used to come with these trannys from the factory. They all shifted automatically.

4L80-E stronger than a performance built TH350? I HIGHLY doubt that. Maybe stronger than a stock TH350 but definitely not stronger than one like I'm running (yes, I'm running a TH350, not a TH400.) <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[Burnout]" />

[ February 11, 2002: Message edited by: Colonel ]</p>

 

But on the otherhand...

A 4L80-E will have computer controlled shifts which some people like much better.

You also wouldn't have to worry about engaging the OD manually which I believe you have to do with a GV OD.

Ahh! Decisions, decisions, decisions! <img src="graemlins/gr_judge.gif" border="0" alt="[judgement]" />

 

Colonel,
I refuse to let this drive me nuts again, I think I'm just gonna stick the 4L80E in there and be done with it.
If I don't like it I'll tear it out and try something different.

AAAAAHHH! I feel better now. I'm gonna call the shop right now and be done with it.

Now what about my stock rear-end? They recommend a Moser 12" Eaton Posi, 33 spline. I'm keeping my 3.23's.

Thanks

 

[quote]Originally posted by Colonel:
<strong>But on the otherhand...

A 4L80-E will have computer controlled shifts which some people like much better.

You also wouldn't have to worry about engaging the OD manually which I believe you have to do with a GV OD.

Ahh! Decisions, decisions, decisions! <img src="graemlins/gr_judge.gif" border="0" alt="[judgement]" /> </strong><hr></blockquote>

actually i was doing a little research on the gear vendors unit and it is only an OPTION if you want to do it manually. You do get a type of solenoid that does it automatically for you if you set it up that way

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Trans Am WS6 420:
[QB]I think the best solution would be to give me your 427 when it's done. That way, you won't break anything. <img src="gr_tounge.gif" border="0"> Don't forget I need it set up for about a 500 shot. <img src="gr_grin.gif" border="0">

<img src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" border="0">

- Matt

PS - You KNOW I want to run it when you're done, right? <img src="gr_stretch.gif" border="0">
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Well, since I think I'm gonna get the 4L80E and the 12" Moser, I can do some killer launches, sure you want to run it? J/K

I'll be asking you for some driving tips. If I don't like it I'll sell it to you for a few hundred bucks.

I'll keep you all posted in the SFFBA when it's done. A neighbor of mine, who is rather stupid thinks his stock Viper runs low 10's on street tires. He said when my car is done he'll go to Moroso with me. He's gonna get murdered.

Talk to you all soon,

Quickin

 

I'm very interested in the 4L80e also. What does the tranny outright cost from Hugh's, $3000 or so? Will it bolt up to an LS1 block or do you need a belhousing adaptor? I know its about 70-80# heavier, but using the TCI computer setup it might prove to be very reliable and easy to live with on a daily driver. I know its less efficient than the 4L60E, but do you think it sucks any more power than the TH400 which its based on?

 

TB,

I don't much about them. I am going by what Hughes said, they said it acts just like stock, feels like stock and can and has been installed in the F-Bods. They didn't mention power loss, I'll ask tomorrow about it and the adaptor. I think if I remember right (I have to call them tomorrow) the complete tranny with all harnesses and computer hardware is $2800 with a core change. Add $1000 if you don't have a core.

I am not positive of this price, I will post it tomorrow.

 

If you could find out about adaptor plate, what type of stall can be used (does a normal 4L60E torque converter fit or do you need a special one), and if they have any customers who are using one with an LS1 fbody. Of course you will need a custom cross member, torque arm mount, and driveshaft to make this work. Would it work with the stock shifter I wonder?

 

"but do you think it sucks any more power than the TH400 which its based on?"

Yes.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Terry Burger:
[QB]If you could find out about adaptor plate, what type of stall can be used (does a normal 4L60E torque converter fit or do you need a special one), and if they have any customers who are using one with an LS1 fbody. Of course you will need a custom cross member, torque arm mount, and driveshaft to make this work. Would it work with the stock shifter I wonder?
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Will do!

I know they have a custom built torque converter they offer.

 

For me the decision came down to a transbrake. I never called Hughes but I did call TCI and they said they don't make a 4L80E with a transbrake.

So, I called Chuck @ FLP. He's building me a TH400 with a transbrake and reverse manual valve body. The new crossmember and torque arm will come BMR and I'll have the transmission code pulled from the PCM by MMS. If I can add a gear vendors later I will but right now I just want to get the car together..