turbo 400 or 4l80 for my F1A
#45
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just to let everybody know that the 4l80e swap is not a direct swap
you will need a new converter
flexplate (unless you get a converter that works with the ls1 flexplate)
transmission cross member
adapter harness
computer retune
some banging on the transmission tunnel
i am sure i am missing a couple of little things, but swaping to a 4l80e is worth it
you will need a new converter
flexplate (unless you get a converter that works with the ls1 flexplate)
transmission cross member
adapter harness
computer retune
some banging on the transmission tunnel
i am sure i am missing a couple of little things, but swaping to a 4l80e is worth it
#46
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There were two 4L80-E models if I remember correctly. There were some updates in I believe 1998; band, piston, etc. Nothing major that couldn't be updated on an older one. There is also a 4L85-E which was suppose to be even stronger than the 80-E. I suppose it's kind of like the 4L60-E, 4L65-E and 4L70-E. I know you want a stock transmission but you should seriously think about a shift kit and a large cooler. They are cheap, easy to install and make an already strong transmission even stronger.
#48
There were two 4L80-E models if I remember correctly. There were some updates in I believe 1998; band, piston, etc. Nothing major that couldn't be updated on an older one. There is also a 4L85-E which was suppose to be even stronger than the 80-E. I suppose it's kind of like the 4L60-E, 4L65-E and 4L70-E. I know you want a stock transmission but you should seriously think about a shift kit and a large cooler. They are cheap, easy to install and make an already strong transmission even stronger.
#49
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I think the older and newer style are basically the same. The main difference is the older style uses a different cooling circuit so the cooler lines hook up in different places. With the newer style you need to clearance the body for the rear cooler fitting. The older ones have the ports towards the front and do not need any modification for clearances.
Older style
Newer style
Thanks to Dave (Mightymouse) for the pictures
Older style
Newer style
Thanks to Dave (Mightymouse) for the pictures
#50
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1994 4L80-E going into a 1972 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ40
1998 4L80-E that was swapped into my 1989 Silverado 1500
1999 4L80-E that came stock in my 1999 Silverado 3500
2003 4L80-E going into my 2002 Silverado 1500
I must have accidentally counted my 4L60-E or 700R4 as an 80-E when I came up with my initial number of 5.
98+ are better but the difference is minimal at best.
Yeah i already have a bigger trans cooler, braided lines etc. and ive looked into the kits. I may do the shift kit just want to avoid spending like 3k on one right now, and see how long it'll last. Ive tried searching and havent come up with anyhting concrete. Ayy idea what year the 85e was. It seems like the 2000 yr was the best for them from what i have gathered.
According to GM 4L85-E Design enhancements include:
-A more robust overdrive roller clutch, featuring larger diameter rollers and a "shuttle car" design; it allows high-speed 4-2 downshifts without any shift sequencing delays and is designed with error-proof assembly features
-A more durable turbine shaft; the shaft is induction-hardened using an electrical heat-treating process and then shot-peened to relieve internal stresses in the metal
-Brazed blades inside the torque converter; they allow the torque converter to accept and transfer higher torque levels and increase durability
-More pinion gears (five total), allowing the gearset to handle higher loads
#52
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These quoted prices are crazy high. You can get a working trans for 400-500 from junkyards every day. I called for one for my dually pickup and every junkyard in my area had one for that price. Put in a transgo stage-3 shift kit. It is $260. It makes the tranny full manual, you don't need a controller, and it will handle the power you are making with no further upgrades. A modified stock converter will handle your power for $550ish. All the controller you need is switched 12v power for the lockup and a simple board with various resistors from radio shack for shifting. I found a 4L80e with the transgo shift kit already installed for 750 on craigslist in Portland. If you can install a shift kit (which I am confident you can) you can get out of a 4L80e for 1500 easy.
Also, the newer the better. 91-93's are the least desirable, but even they aren't bad.
Also, the newer the better. 91-93's are the least desirable, but even they aren't bad.
Last edited by Uglydog56; 01-28-2010 at 11:24 PM. Reason: fixing a couple of statements that didn't make sense after I read it.
#53
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I think swapping in the 4L85e would be the same thing as swapping in a 4L80e. They are the same transmission except the 85e had some internal upgrades to make it "better".
#54
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Turbo 400 and pick up some cheap taller tires to run during the week and whatnot to bring the revs down a bit. There was a guy that had 31" all-terrains on the back of his Camaro for weekday driving..not saying I'd go that tall but I believe he had a pretty steep gear. Pull them off and thrown on the drag radials or slicks when you need to.
#57
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If cost is the main factor just do what half the people here have already said and find yourself a working good condition 4L80e and put the Transgo Stg 2 shift kit in it, order the conversion parts, and get your pcm flashed. It won't be over $3k for all that. Or better yet if you can read a manual and don't mind getting dirty, order the $200 HD rebuild kit and build it yourself. It ain't that hard.
#60
I would vote for a Kilgore Superlite T400 - not cheap but will be quicker than either a full weight 400 or 4L80. Kind of cool to have 400 strength with internals that rivel a 350 turbo.