Big Block Transmission - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gsharp · 03-19-2021, 06:46 AM

I'm running a BBC 454 with a TH400 transmission with the original rear end and 295/50R15 tires. It runs and drives great but it revs pretty high at 60 mph. I believe the factory gears are 3.73. I want to install an overdrive transmission but I've read that a 700R4 won't hold up to a slightly built 454. So I've looked into a 4L80E which would work great but then comes the issue of not having a controller. They want huge money for a stand alone or you can build some kind of homemade one. Anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks

Thanks

**Clyde65** · 03-19-2021, 07:17 AM

Find a 4l80, not the electronic, that will live a lot longer behind your BB than the 700 will

**jayoldschool** · 03-19-2021, 06:06 PM

All 4L80s are electronic. You can get a stand alone controller out of a van, some had separate PCM and trans controllers.

**Captainfab** · 03-19-2021, 10:08 PM

I would suggest the 4L80E. Yes the controller and a TPS add up to some money. But you could get away with running a good used 4L80E versus spending $$$$$ having a 700R4 built to hopefully hold up behind a big block. The other issue with an electronic trans is the speedo is electric also. There is no speedo cable connection. There is info online on how to wire a factory ECM to operate an electronic trans as a standalone. That could be an option if you have more time than money

shsahs · 03-19-2021, 11:24 PM

Its pricy but there is the Gear Vendors route.

urmyboyblue · 03-20-2021, 09:43 AM

Another alternative is to change the gearing in the rear and run taller tires. This will kill RPM but also probably reduce acceleration some. When I have looked at a 4L80, it was almost a wash with buying a Gearvendors.

shsahs · 03-20-2021, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by urmyboyblue

Another alternative is to change the gearing in the rear and run taller tires. This will kill RPM but also probably reduce acceleration some. When I have looked at a 4L80, it was almost a wash with buying a Gearvendors.

That was why I mentioned it. Unless you stumble on a heck of a deal on the transmission and the electronics it can get quite expensive. Where the gear vendor unit is pricy you do have a brutally strong unit that can be moved to as many transmissions as you can destroy. lol
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gmc684x4 · 03-20-2021, 08:51 PM

You can run the ecm the 4l80e came with
Sloppy mechanic lays out how to do this

https://sites.google.com/site/sloppy...ans-controller

**1971 GMC SHORTY** · 03-21-2021, 01:53 AM

Find Early Diesel Step Van And get Harness And Ecm works perfect

**Clyde65** · 03-21-2021, 09:34 AM

A CableX box works to change speedo from electric to cable

vin63 · 03-22-2021, 02:27 PM

I run a US Shift TCM with my 4L80E. I think the Quick 2 unit and harness (TPS) are around $600.

03-19-2021, 06:46 AM	#1
gsharp Registered User Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Milan, Ohio Posts: 31	Big Block Transmission I'm running a BBC 454 with a TH400 transmission with the original rear end and 295/50R15 tires. It runs and drives great but it revs pretty high at 60 mph. I believe the factory gears are 3.73. I want to install an overdrive transmission but I've read that a 700R4 won't hold up to a slightly built 454. So I've looked into a 4L80E which would work great but then comes the issue of not having a controller. They want huge money for a stand alone or you can build some kind of homemade one. Anyone have any experience with this? Thanks Thanks

03-19-2021, 07:17 AM	#2
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,546	Re: Big Block Transmission Find a 4l80, not the electronic, that will live a lot longer behind your BB than the 700 will __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*

03-19-2021, 06:06 PM	#3
jayoldschool Moderator Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: ON, Canada Posts: 2,176	Re: Big Block Transmission All 4L80s are electronic. You can get a stand alone controller out of a van, some had separate PCM and trans controllers.

03-19-2021, 10:08 PM	#4
Captainfab 60-66 Nut Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Posts: 23,252	Re: Big Block Transmission I would suggest the 4L80E. Yes the controller and a TPS add up to some money. But you could get away with running a good used 4L80E versus spending $$$$$ having a 700R4 built to hopefully hold up behind a big block. The other issue with an electronic trans is the speedo is electric also. There is no speedo cable connection. There is info online on how to wire a factory ECM to operate an electronic trans as a standalone. That could be an option if you have more time than money __________________ Power Steering Box Adapter Plates For Sale HERE Power Brake Booster Adapter Brackets For Sale '63-'66 HERE and '67-'72 HERE and '60-'62 HERE and "60-'62 with clutch HERE Rear Disc Brake Brackets For Sale. Impala SS calipers HERE Camaro Calipers HERE D52 Calipers HERE 6 Lug HERE Hydroboost Mounting Plates HERE

03-19-2021, 11:24 PM	#5
shsahs Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Texas Posts: 37	Re: Big Block Transmission Its pricy but there is the Gear Vendors route. __________________ My 1966 Chevrolet C10 Pickup

03-20-2021, 09:43 AM	#6
urmyboyblue Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Montevallo, AL Posts: 272	Re: Big Block Transmission Another alternative is to change the gearing in the rear and run taller tires. This will kill RPM but also probably reduce acceleration some. When I have looked at a 4L80, it was almost a wash with buying a Gearvendors.

03-20-2021, 08:51 PM	#8
gmc684x4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Whitehorse yukon Posts: 1,218	Re: Big Block Transmission You can run the ecm the 4l80e came with Sloppy mechanic lays out how to do this https://sites.google.com/site/sloppy...ans-controller

03-21-2021, 01:53 AM	#9
1971 GMC SHORTY Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: SAN FERNANDO VALLE SOL CAL Posts: 1,064	Re: Big Block Transmission Find Early Diesel Step Van And get Harness And Ecm works perfect __________________ 1966 GMC K25 V6 351E Original Utility Truck 2000 C3500 Hot Rod Utility Truck 2003 ROAD KING 100th 124ci 6 Speed 145CI M/P Pro Street FXR 2002 FXDP 2007 2500HD DURAMAX. DD Studio Teamsters / Mechanic Retired GM Master Tech 20 Years Retired Ford Tech 15 Years

03-21-2021, 09:34 AM	#10
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,546	Re: Big Block Transmission A CableX box works to change speedo from electric to cable __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*

03-22-2021, 02:27 PM	#11
vin63 It's Better With Nitro Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chino Hills, CA Posts: 2,262	Re: Big Block Transmission I run a US Shift TCM with my 4L80E. I think the Quick 2 unit and harness (TPS) are around $600. __________________ 1963 C-10: Deluxe-optioned cab, shortbed, fleetside Pontiac 462 ci, Kauffman D-Port alum. heads 4L80E, narrowed sheetmetal Ford 9-inch Tubular front and rear suspension Custom 6-piston front disc and 4-piston rear disc brakes

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