4L80E disadvantages?

[Grimgrak]

I'm just wondering what the disadvantages of swapping in a 4L80E are aside from cost?
Are they worse on the highway? Worse for milage? Not as smooth for daily driving?
Price of a 4L80E conversion from what i gather is
1.5k for a built race 4L80E on ebay trans shop
1k for the adapter kit
1k for the converter
1k for the computer
Aside from labour am I missing anything else are the prices close?

 

[SyTyJedi]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

None.
No, No, No.

Computer is about $600.

I wouldn't buy a trans from Ebay.

 

[JSM]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

Almost identical on hiway, slightly more rpm in OD but not much (.75 OD -vs- .7 in 700)

About the same mileage no difference you will notice.

Smoother for daily by far.

 

['JustDreamin']

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

Well. lets see....

It's bigger and weighs more (like 75lbs or so more).

Due to the larger parts involved, it may be less efficient. I haven't seen anybody do a comparison between the 700R4 and the 4L80E, so it just that people speculate that its less efficient. No actual data.

Gear ratios are different. 80E has less ratio spread. 1st gear isn't as deep (2.48:1 vs 3.06:1 in the 700R4) and Overdrive isn't as steep (.75:1 vs .7:1 for the 700R4). That does mean that the rpm drops between gears aren't as severe, but you're giving up torque multiplication.

But those things aren't really too much to give up for a trans that you can beat on regularly and has enough strength to take a licking and keep on ticking.


I can't say that an egay builder will do you any justice or not. What I can tell you is that in order to put the output shaft in the transmission, you've got to take the WHOLE transmission apart. So, having one built and then pulling it all apart doesn't seem like the brightest idea (but that's just my opinion). Seems like you probably ought to have whoever build it put it together with the correct output shaft. That means either they need to be able to get the output shaft, or you've got to supply it.

'JustDreamin'

 

[TYTILIDIE]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

What does the output shaft have to do with anything, ofcourse you have to take the whole thing apart, same with the 700.

 

[JSM]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

What he is saying if you buy an ebay trans it won't have the right output shaft in it. So it will need to come all back apart.

 

[ShuggsRR]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

Whats the diff between a 4L60E and a 4L80E?

 

[Andreas]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

Whats the diff between a 4L60E and a 4L80E?

4L60E=TH700R4+computer ,1993 and up

 

[ShuggsRR]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

Oh sweet! I have one and didnt even know that. (kicks self in ass)

Thanks!

 

[myclone]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

Whats the diff between a 4L60E and a 4L80E?

60E is the electronic controlled version of the 700R4 (no tv cable). 80E is a HD electronically controlled 4spd OD trans that can take tons more power without spilling its guts unlike the 700/60E.

 

[ShuggsRR]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

On with that topic...
How much power can they reliably take stock?
And how much power can they take reliably modified?

Just curious...

 

[JSM]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

With just a HD2 shift kit (fixes some pressure issues) 5-600 without issue.

With more mods, parts 1200ft lbs is fairly easy.

 

[GM TURBO]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

The biggest disadvantage of the 4L80E is forgetting how to replace a 700R4.

 

[blk00z28]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

Do they offer the same first gear ratio as the 700's in the 80E's? (Or at least has anyone made our stock ratio for them yet?)

One would think you'd be giving up some 60' or so due to it being that much different, no?

 

[midnightbluS10]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

Look at Jeremy's truck. His 60 foot didn't suffer.

 

[It's just a six]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

Do they offer the same first gear ratio as the 700's in the 80E's? (Or at least has anyone made our stock ratio for them yet?)

One would think you'd be giving up some 60' or so due to it being that much different, no?

For turbo 400's you can get a first & second gear set, first gear is 2.75.
I heard they have a tendancy to break??
I think you can get that type of gear set for the 4L80-E?????

 

[Try Me]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

Do they offer the same first gear ratio as the 700's in the 80E's? (Or at least has anyone made our stock ratio for them yet?)

One would think you'd be giving up some 60' or so due to it being that much different, no?

it actually helped my truck a ton off the line. with my 700 anything 5lbs or more of boost from a launch and it would instantly turn the tires to smoke. then with the big drop to second it would fall out of the power. with the 80e i dont spin as bad from the line, and it doesnt fall out of the good rpms when it hits second.

I think if you ask any one here who has an 80 they will tell you the same as me, i would NEVER go back to a 700. NEVER.

 

[l-eater]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

When I went from the 60e to the 80e in my Silverado I slowed down 2 tenths on sixty foot. I ended up getting a little of that back by turning up the power but it never did sixty ft as well with the 80e.

The advantages are much improved shift feel, its not "clunky" like the 60, increased durablitiy, and the gear spacing is alot better. 2nd gear is "mean" in the 80e, at least it was with my combination. I cant wait to see how it is going to act in the Blazer with the turbo.

 

['JustDreamin']

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

There is a 2.75:1 ratio 1st gear available. I can't comment on its strength, haven't used it or seen much about it.

Everything that I've seen says that the 2.75:1 ratio won't work with GM computers. If you're using a standalone unit (like the TCI) you should check with the manufacturer before thinking about it any further....

When I went from the 60e to the 80e in my Silverado I slowed down 2 tenths on sixty foot. I ended up getting a little of that back by turning up the power but it never did sixty ft as well with the 80e.

Your Silverado is likely to have a fair bit more weight (especially if its an ext cab) than a Sy or Ty or S10. It really needs the extra grunt off the line offered by the low gear. Other way to fix it is change rear gears (which is what the factory does), but that hurts mileage and is why you can only get the 80E in applications that are heavy enough to be CAFE exempt (over 8600 lbs).

'JustDreamin'

 

[George Blake]

Re: 4L80E disadvantages?

As far as the 80e being inefficient, false. It is a very efficient trans as pertaining to function and internal friction of thrust washers, torringtons and drum components. The process of shifting is much better than a 700r4. Being a dog off the line.....turbo and supercharged applications won't be "dogs" off the line. The 80e keeps them loaded in 1st and 2nd gear longer so you'll actually be quicker. Another issue of the 80e is the stock converter for the 80e weighs in at a heavyweight tonnage of 65 pounds. If you stuck a 65 pound torque converter on a flywheel of an engine that used to have a 30 pound converter on it, it will be a dog. USE AN AFTERMARKET CONVERTER AND CATCH UP WITH CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TECHNOLOGY. Another thing is the .05 difference in 4th gear. For example, 3.08s will help get back the .05 gear ratio difference for 4th plus some if you are concerned about that.

80e is a misunderstood trans that is just now being appreciated for it's ability to just flat be beaten on, behave like a grocery getter at part throttle and shift crisp and sharp at WOT.
I've built them, driven them, they are not dogs.

Internal transmision gear ratio changes. ANY gearsets made for the TH400 will work for the 4L80e. Same trans in that area(where the planetaries are). 4L80e is a TH400 with an overrun drum and planetary and a OD crown in the front. Where the 700 applies a band for 4th, the 80e has an aluminum crown bolted to the case that houses the apply piston and clutch pack. That's it.