Bismarck

iTrader: (1)

Hello folks, A&A Corvette is building me a nice engine that will have about 800HP on a long body all wheel drive Escalade weighing about 6000lbs

I have heard so many different opinions that I am lost.

I was told 4L65E cannot handle more than 500HP under such a heavy car reliably so go for a built 4L80E conversion. So I did. Later I heard thats BS and a rightly done 4L65E can handle it no problem.

Now I would much rather go with the 4L65E so I can avoid having cross members and drive shafts made. But I have no clue who is telling the truth.

HELP

performabuilt

iTrader: (25)

Well 800 I am assuming rear wheel HP but even crank in such a heavy vehicle would definatly be pushing the limits if not exceeding the limits of a 4L60E but I would like to put our level three up to the task if you decide to stay with the 65E so take a look at it.

Bismarck

iTrader: (1)

WEll, I have actually mentioned to Andy, the builder if maybe we should back off the boost to lower the power to 740HP.

I have noticed that Lingenfelter which has their twin turbo at 740HP, still runs with the 4L65E. On one or two occasion they told me they went to the 4L80.

I do not plan on racing the car, but for that once in a while making a yellow light or hitting the petal to the metal, I want to make sure I do not hear a blender with Ice in it under the car.

What I wonder is if the 4L80 is really that much stronger? I have hear people having more problems with the 4L80 than the 4L65E. I got this built 4L80 from Speed Engineering.

Any opinion on teh difference between the two?

Bismarck

iTrader: (1)

One other note, The guy who bulit the 4L80 mentioned something about the (again I am no tranny expert) 4L65E having a much weaker reaction shell???

or an aluminum housing around the main shaft with the 4L80 having an steel??? Sorry if I sound totally dumb, but he was stating a fundamental limitation.

Was he truthful? IS the 4L80 really that much stronger than the 4L65E?

Many thanks

performabuilt

iTrader: (25)

The 4L80E is that much stronger its a comparative monster really , Its used in very large dually trucks to pull very heavy loads, So theres no doubt they are the stronger option an I tell you that even though we dont presently offer them, The down side is there heavy and exspensive to retro into the place of a 4L65E. And yes the 4L65E does have and aluminum input drum. and the 4L80E a much stronger set up but really the service you would get would really depend of how you drive. But that is a heavy vehicle and I will say this If you go with the 4L60E go with someone with a good warranty. And if you Go with the 4L80E get with someone expereinced with the swap.

Bismarck

iTrader: (1)

When will you be offering a 4L80? I wish you would offer a conversion kit with it.

performabuilt

iTrader: (25)

Not for a while yet since we dont require core returns we only offer transmissions we have and adequate core supply on but we are working on it So maybe in a few more months /

Gilbert@Ace Racing

A 4L65E could conceivably be built to withstand that power to weight package. But it can be pricy for some. It would need to have the input and output shafts replaced with hardened components.

If it were my vehicle, there is no doubt that I would install a 4L80E. As previously mentioned it is a brute. It's a pain now, but you'll be glad you made the swap months and even years down the road.

Good Luck.

g

Bismarck

iTrader: (1)

Thanks folks, I did end up with the 4L80, though the project is not yet finished.

cablebandit

iTrader: (37)

you did the right thing. the 80e is a beast. I take mine out and beat it with a hammer occasionally just to keep it tough

silver-mod-o

iTrader: (15)

all I had to do was read the first sentence of post #1... an 80 is the ONLY way I'd go in something like that, especially after breaking 7 4L60E variants before getting my level 5 FLT unit. so far at a little over 450rwhp/500lbft and 4600lbs of truck on top if it, my FLT's running flawlessley...

jimbob

iTrader: (4)

A properly set up 4L60E can handle big power over a long period....Twofast4lv (Speed Secrets) has proven this time and time again. Ellis has one of his tranny's in a 402 cammed, full lenght headered Hummer running 12 lbs of boost. It's now been in there 2 years with lots of drags runs. Ellis's car is making 600+rwhp on juice and has had zero problems. Wahuskers car is making 620 rwhp, street drives it, drag races and is a class winner at an open road race. The only failure so far was Ryan K's turbo car at 700-750 rwhp (broke the output shaft). It ran for years at 650 rwhp. Dynoed 800 rwhp with the tranny before the output shaft snapped (a hardened shaft would fix that problem...) Now, if your looking for something that races big power and last 5 years you might want to move on to a 80E or a turbo 400...

FRDnemesis

iTrader: (19)

Okay, here's a question I hope I can get some help with. Is the 4L80E stronger than the TH400? Which eats more power? Is a built 4l80E and Excellant quality stall cheaper in cost than a built TH400 and Excellant quality stall with a gear vendor O.D. or some other brand O.D.?

I'm doing a nitroused 427 (750RWHP is the goal) and I dont want to bother shifting my 6speed when I need to keep my attention on the track (going for single digits).

Thanks,
Jeff

silver-mod-o

iTrader: (15)

if you main goals are track oriented, I'd go with a 400, way cheaper for a quality converter... and cheaper for a trans thats been proven to handle some SERIOUS power... the only drawback is having no overdrive... for a single digit street car, I'd go with the 80...

FRDnemesis

iTrader: (19)

I'm almost afraid to ask, but how much is a quality converter for the 80?

-jeff

70 LS1

iTrader: (1)

I found this company that has 4l60E to 4l80E conversion kits, even for AWD.

http://speed-eng.com/store/index.php...9e725e31593e06

Bismarck

iTrader: (1)

OK well its been a while so thought I post an update.... 4L80 is in, what a nighmare... last bit of problem: The tranny is only going into 3rd gear. Suspect its a software problem as they are trying to convert from the 4L65E, they have the adapter plug but its not behaving right.

performabuilt

iTrader: (25)

That would indicate a software or wiring problems sorry its being a pain for you

Bismarck

iTrader: (1)

What are the chances of the solenoids being bad? Tranny is from RPM transmissions.

Gilbert@Ace Racing

I would doubt the transmission is at fault immediately after such a conversion. However.... if you have access to a scanner you could determine the condition.

The trick is to make sure the command is being made for it to go into 4th. If that signal is making it to the transmission then it could be inside the unit.

g