4L80E as replacement

93 TY 2185

93 TY 2185

Donating Member
I’m going the 4L80E route for a replacement transmission. I see we are in the early development stages of this project. Can I please get some direction on what parts I need to start pulling together? 4L80E transmission, and controller. Looks like we will need to relocate or modify the existing trans mounting, Shorter driveshaft, longer propshaft?
 
JSM

JSM

Active member
Tranny to transfer case adaptor & Modified Output shaft ~$500 (turbotime.us has one in stock ready to go)
aac.thumb.jpg

Tranny Controller ($200-$1500 depends on which way you go)
Modified, new crossmember ($free - $200)
Shorter rear driveshaft ($50 Local shop)
Longer front driveshaft (~$100)
Torque Convertor (~$850)
Rebuild kit (~$400)
Tranny Core (~$450)


We have done several scenerio builds, and the cost to convert. Basically it boils down to ~$3,000 if you build the tranny yourself.

The first look it seems a bit higher than a 700 install. The flip side is the rebuild can be minimal, as in just clutches and a Transgo shift kit, maybe a spraque. Then you have a bullet proof combo. I have talked to Robert in Sweden about this, and his build is basically a stock build going 9's all season and no issues.

I have my 80e stuff here, have several things in the works. As most already know I have made some adaptors and shafts available off the shelf now for people. I can further develop more parts, such as crossmembers, braces, etc. if there is sufficient interest.

My personal thought is people are waiting for others to do the swap first and see how it goes.

The tranny controller seems to be the biggest complaint people have, as it does add some expense. The most widely used is the TCI, available from Jegs/Summit for $650. Bigstuff3 is claimed to be adding it but I have yet to see someone use it, YET. It is also probably based off the TCI software based on the history of controllers as I know it.

There are other options though. www.transmissioncontrollers.com has one, actually I have read they have better TCC lockup control than the TCI (which is only on/off).

Another option is stock gm ecm control via another ecm, one I have been working on, and have 95% of the parts here to give it a try, if my truck was actually running.

If someone really wanted to get serious with this, shoot me an email and I can expand on things beyond here, source several of the parts, and make sure the swap goes seemless. I have only spent the last year looking into this, what it takes, etc.
 
93 TY 2185

93 TY 2185

Donating Member
Stangbeater said:
Did you run a search?

"4l80e"
Click to expand...
I did thanks Dameon

JS Manufacturing said:
My personal thought is people are waiting for others to do the swap first and see how it goes.
Click to expand...

Thanks Jeff that's what I was looking for. I'm one that doesn't need a trans yet but wanted to get the stuff together for when it is needed.
What about Torque Converters? Use the same stall as if it were a 4L60?
 
nightdiver

nightdiver

Active member
So with red altos and a shift kit we are done , right ? Any more hard parts to change ?
I emailed Hughes and thats what Matt wrote :

Hello Tasos,
Our Premium overhaul kit is definitely necessary in creating a 4L80E that will handle 1000HP. Pair that up with our performance valvebody reprogramming kit, and you are on your way to building a strong trans.
Let me know if I can get these for you.
Feel free to call me at the shop or you can respond to this email.

Thanks,
Matt Leischer
Hughes Performance
1-800-274-7223

I personaly would like to buy the tranny ready to work but the prices are a lot more expensive than if i get a core (or a rebuilted unit for 900$) and add the good parts.
What do you think Jeff ?
 
K

kwick6

Donating Member
Tasos and Wade, give me a call if your interested.

I can get you one built complete, or help you with the internal hard parts you'd want to have in there to make it bulletproof.


later,
 
JSM

JSM

Active member
I have talked to several people, know just about everybody currently building or planning an 80e, etc.

Here is the build I plan to do on mine. Keep in mind, my core came from a truck with engine fire so we are replacing anything electrical to be safe.

34 element sprag
Trangso HD2 kit
Heat ring kit Transgo
BW frictions and turbulator steels and bonded pistons
External wire harness
Force motor
shift solenoids
manifold pressure plate
PWM solenoid
External speed sensor on the front(don't need the one in the rear but they are the same)

In total, depending where you get above parts is ~$650 or so.

If you find a better core than I did, some of the sensor may not be needed.

The nice thing about the 80e's is some of the internal parts, are identical to a th400, which has many parts available. Some are different obviously.

So question comes down, do you want to do it once, and be done but spend a bit more, or go 700 and cross the fingers.

Worse case, you underbuild an 80e, and you update what broke. The expensive stuff like controller, core, etc. at that point are bought.

If you factor in what a 700 can bring as a core, it helps the cost out also.

I am working with my vendors to put a kit toghether, but until there is demand beyone 1-2 units it makes it hard to justify.

I am doing 80e in my build, will be doing all the mods, and will be glad to sell those pieces to someone that needs them. Price will obviously depend on how many people want pieces.
 
DanenGraham

DanenGraham

Big in the rear
Ok, i would see this as an option for my truck. the t350t400 just wont do as i want to have overdrive (dont want a 6speed with the extra overdrive you can add to the t350-t400)

Now as far as the 80E, I havent really read up on it. With it being electric and you change the shift points just by using the contorler??? That would be a big plus that i can see.

I will do some searches and see what i can come up with, But anyone know ALL the advantages in going with the 80E. I was planning on getting spending 2K-3K this summer for a 700 why not spend the same on this.
 
JSM

JSM

Active member
DanenGraham said:
Now as far as the 80E, I havent really read up on it. With it being electric and you change the shift points just by using the contorler??? That would be a big plus that i can see.

I will do some searches and see what i can come up with, But anyone know ALL the advantages in going with the 80E. I was planning on getting spending 2K-3K this summer for a 700 why not spend the same on this.
Click to expand...

Yes, you can adjust shift points as well as many other things.

Here is a typical screen shot showing just 3 adustable tables.

1st is the shift point -vs- tps for 1 -> 2nd gear
2nd table is downshift from 2nd to 1st vs tps
3rd is the lockup speed in 3rd gear.


Obviously there are more shift tables for 2nd-3rd, 3rd-4th, downshifts, and a 4th gear TCC control.

Some controllers allow you to control how hard the TCC locks up. So you can phase it in for a smooth transisition. Tends to be harder on TCC but it is there.

Shift pressures can be adjusted to a degree.

In total I have found ~20 tables, maybe more. Some controllers change things differently, don't offer all the tables, etc.

TCI and transmissioncontroller.com both offer online software downloads so you can look at them.

The GM ECM stuff I will offer the complete parts list etc. to anybody that does a conversion using my parts from one of my vendors at no charge.
This has involved hours of my own research and looking into the gm code personally.

It is one of those things, the more input work someone wants to do themselves the cheaper it can be done.
 
warmpancakes

warmpancakes

New member
also keep in mide there are 2 different 4l80s, early and late the cases are different where the cooler lines mount. The later model ones are more sturdy as the lack the early models heat problems.
 
Jer

Jer

Don't taze me bro!
Re: 4L80E as replacement

JS Manufacturing said:
Torque Convertor (~$850)
Click to expand...

Are torque converters universal? I have a new 9x11 3500 TC in my garage that was meant for the 700r4 but can it also be used in a 4L80E or will I need to buy something completely different?
 
JSM

JSM

Active member
Re: 4L80E as replacement

Jer said:
Are torque converters universal? I have a new 9x11 3500 TC in my garage that was meant for the 700r4 but can it also be used in a 4L80E or will I need to buy something completely different?
Click to expand...


I wish it was that easy. Doesn't work that way though.
 
Jer

Jer

Don't taze me bro!
Re: 4L80E as replacement

JS Manufacturing said:
I wish it was that easy. Doesn't work that way though.
Click to expand...

That's what I figured. Just wanted to check though. When this 700r4 lets loose on my Ty (Hopefully not for a while since I'm finishing up some stuff on it and then starting the Supra project) I'll go the 4L80e route and not have to worry about it again. Very cool.
 
Jer

Jer

Don't taze me bro!
Re: 4L80E as replacement

bluesy889 said:
I would do a 4l80e to but I just bout a built up 700 from mike lee.
Click to expand...

What's the cost of a Mike Lee built 700r4?
 
C

Crimson93Ty

PITA new guy
Re: 4L80E as replacement

There's no real comparison of a 4L80E to a 700r4. 4L80E's can be built to withstand over 1200HP. You won't find a 700 do that no matter who builds it.
Once you've seen a 4L80E torn down you'll understand. The only aluminum geartrain part in it is the overdrive "crown". Everthing else is steel or machined iron. Clutches are humongo. No comparison.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top