4L60E or 4L80E Transmission?

[duwem]

Trying to plan ahead on my 1950 1/2 ton truck. I have a 6.0L GM LQ9 engine I plan to put in it. It came out of a 2002 Escalade, and originally had a 4L60E behind it, but it did not come with the engine. It really suprised me when I found out it had a 60 considering how heavy those SUV's are. Maybe they arent intended for towing or lead foot drivers?

Here is how I see it (but looking for more input from you guys)

4L60E:
Pros: smaller (may fit without a firewall and floor hump??), lighter, cheaper initially, easier to find
Cons: less durable in stock form so would probably have to get it built up which costs extra $$$

4L80E:
Pros: Pretty much bulletproof in stock form, add a shift kit and servo's and you can put some big power through them
Cons: Heaver, bigger (need floor and firewall hump to fit 47-53 trucks), consumes more power than the 60 (so worse fuel economy?)

I dont plan to make 600 hp any time soon, a solid 400 would make me happy for a while. I want to be able to drive the truck hard and not have to worry about the tranny puking out.

What do you guys think??

[1959Chev]

If 400 is all you are after a solid 60 would do fine. I had a 60 in my 87 camaro built for ~550 HP. never had an issue with it and I drove it hard behind a beefed up 5.3

[wickid demon]

If your going to put 4 to 500 horses in the truck the 4L60 is fine and even if you went higher in horses you can put better components in the 4L60. I had a 4L80 let go in my truck and it only had 10,000 miles on it. With maybe 400 HP. What ever Trans you have just build it to suit you situation. Hope that helps.

[code4]

I run 80e's, & take the 60's to the wrecking yard. but that is just me. I would look for a deal on an 80e & if one falls into your hands use it. I find them in chevy express vans sometimes for pretty cheap, last one was $225. The OD clutch pack was a little worn, threw a tansgo shift kit in & running over 600 rwhp at it for 15k hard miles so far. I have two extra in the garage now just because I found deals on them.

You have to add a wire to the PCM for the second VSS, switch a wire on the trans plug, & get a segment swap for the pcm if you have HP Tuners. It's simple.

[OKGMC4]

Don't forget the difference in gear ratio - the 60 has a deeper first gear and a taller OD. That means faster take off and a better cruise RPM. The fact that it is 75 lbs lighter and easier to package is a big deal and I think Trailblazer SS 400hp engines have 60's behind them from the factory. I know it's not an 80.

[duwem]

Lots of good points.

What are you guys paying for your built up 60's?

Local shop can do one for around $1800 including the cost of the core tranny, but no idea on their reputation for such work or what HP it would handle.

Some of the well known guys will have reputation, but then your paying shipping....

As far as take off speed and crusing RPM, rear end ratios affect that as well.

Still unclear which way to go.

[50seven]

The 700R4's i had in my Nova couldn't handle a tame 350. Didn't match well gear wise with the 3.08 rear either.

Had a 4l85E break an input shaft behind a 6.5l diesel

Not to fond of either.

How about considering a 200r4 they apparently have a nicer spacing between 1 2 & 3 than the 4L60E?

The buick Grand National guys would be the ones to talk. Just my .02. They look pretty impressive at the track

[duwem]

I'm going to be using a computer controled transmission...

[solidaxel]

I an using a Comp-U-shift and a 4L60E with my ZZ 4 and the transmission works great in every gear and at the right speed, even the lock up!!
Can't go wrong with the 4L60

[hotrod1]

I have a brief rebuild on my build (56 pro touring - Hotrod 1) of an 80 in case u are interested.

[1956chevtruck]

I'm running a 4L60E behind my 95LT1 (350-380hp) and I hammer on it on a regular basis. No problems as of yet!

[duwem]

How much money do you guys have into your built 60's?

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by duwem

How much money do you guys have into your built 60's?

All total 3K up to and including a new drive shaft