Been reading about the different 4l80's which years are best to go with for a Gbody swap? Something about the lines and plug are in different areas so they fit better?

 

Interesting, we talking older 90s VS newer 99 up or somewhere in the direct LS family?

 

95-96 ish iirc they went to a trans case with one of the trans cooler lines near the back of the trans. Makes it difficult to fit in some cars.
Earlier versions have both up front like all the other rwd gm trans.

Easy to tell by looking. The cooler lines connections are either next to each other vertically or split front and back.

 

Is the electrical plug in a different place also?

 

Never noticed, don't think so.
The old and new are different plugs IIRC.

Easy to swap out connector though.

 

I am just trying to get the best fitting model for mock up right now then have it built when i'm done. So it looks like the older model is what i need is the bolt pattern on the
4l80's all the same for lq,ls,lsx blocks?

 

No

Old version, not sure when it changed, is old gen 1 6 bolt pattern. 10 & 2 o clock

Newer ones are LSx. But you can run them as is either way or get the drill out.
2 o clock bolt is missing and they put a top center bolt in instead. It can be a MF to get to. I'd swear they did it so they could put a stud there and hang stuff of it. I think the inline 6 had the top center bolt also. Can't remember what old chevy I saw it on before.

The one missing bolt in the LSx pattern won't matter.

You can make the late model fit by making a custom fitting or buying one.
MightyMouse has a post on the one he made.

 

1998-back has ISS and OSS, 99-up is just ISS.

 

Don't forget some (like the one I bought) came with a big *** brake on the tail housing that would need to be removed for installation in a car. Cost around 200 to get the tail housing changed along with a different output shaft for a slip yoke. Most 80's came with a bolt on yoke, so keep that in mind.