4L80E discouragement - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Big69C20 Toy · 12-19-2002, 08:32 PM

talked to JET and asked about their setup for a 4l80e.... the dude quoted me at 4195 alone for the compents... ummm for that sorta cash i can just pick up a GV over/under and then some other goodies.... dang what a fortune for OD....

I was reading however about a 4l80e that is manually controlled called the Modzilla from transmissiontechnologies... anyone heard of or used one of these bad boys?? Also i'm assuming the swap would be VERY easy since the 4l80e is the same size etc as the th400 no??? thanks mucho.
greg

68 with 350 TPI · 12-19-2002, 09:03 PM

The 4L80E is pretty much a turbo 400 with a overdrive built in.

They are heavy,expensive,and suck a lot of power up.

I have built a few and while they do last I would tell anyone to get a TH400 and then a add on overdrive unit like the GV over/under.

A good example is the strait cut gears in it are around 400$ alone.
I use them in turbo 400's and it makes it kinda like the old TH 475's that were in the really heavy duty stuff like motor homes.
The only reason I use the strait cut gears out of the 4L80E and then put them in a TH400 is that they are much stronger for hi hp stuff and finding a used TH475 is like finding gold.

I would stay away from them unless you just have to have one.
A turbo 400 ,a 700r4 with some parts from www.700r4.com , or even a turbo 350 with a new drum/sprag assembly to replace the weak links would be a better idea.

And that price they gave you is about 1000$ too high anyways unless they are doing the install and tuning.

neonlarry · 12-20-2002, 12:30 AM

Or, what about a Th2004R? I know stock ones aren't strong enough, but what about the ones that are built for a 650+hp turbo buick? As far as I know, you can get one for less than $1500.

Low67C10 · 12-20-2002, 01:26 AM

Saw a ad for a 4L80e w/ convertor, cooler and controller for around $3500. Thats still too pricey for me. The only advantage I can see w/ a 4L80e is the lock-up convertor, other than that I think a th400 and a bolt on OD like the one from GV or US gear would be a better set-up. Ive also seen a few 4L80h transmissions in late 80s/early 90s chevy and GMC box vans but Ive heard they arent too reliable. On a somewhat similiar topic, I wonder if a th400 switch-pitch pump/front support could be modified to work a lock-up convertor, get the best of both worlds.

Big69C20 Toy · 12-20-2002, 02:54 AM

i've had no luck with any 4l60's or the like... i thought about a 200r4 since it's got great gears but dunno if it'd much like the weight and hp... when my truck is done i'm figuring at around 700+ ponies on the lower side i believe... so i dont wanna tear anything up...

any sites for those BUILT 200r4 and how tough you think the swap would be?

68 with 350 TPI · 12-20-2002, 03:50 AM

Switch pitch transmissions are kinda rare now of days.
I think that the reason is the parts are hard to find and the new stuff is high $$$.
Stuff like the pump,solenoids etc to make them work.

A lockup version would be neat but that would be even more parts and $$$.

You can get a 700R4 _4L60E to work in most anything if you use the right parts.
I have seen too many builders let a 700R4 go with a set of good frictions,steels,band,shift kit,and a corvette servo.

To really make one hold you need parts beyond that.

You need a input shaft/drum, a hardend sun shell, and a sprag worth talking about on top of the other parts and seals without a gap on the shaft.
If you dont use those parts you are buying time with anything over 350-400 HP at best.

The 2004R is a good trans if built right but as with a 700R4 it is pretty much all the way or nothing.

A good drum/sprag setup on a TH350 will cost you about 350$ but after that they will hold anything a TH400 will and then some.
Like a good motor its all about the parts.

TERRYP · 12-20-2002, 04:31 AM

Here's some 200R4 sites:
http://www.ptsnctb.com/
http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/tran...tranfluid.html
http://www.turbobuick.com/messagebd/

mikep · 12-20-2002, 08:12 AM

I just picked up the van from work . 1 ton with 454/4L80 . Paid $900. Good deal ? 150,000 miles but well serviced.

12-19-2002, 08:32 PM	#1
Big69C20 Toy Livin' it up. Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Richland, MI Posts: 2,212	4L80E discouragement talked to JET and asked about their setup for a 4l80e.... the dude quoted me at 4195 alone for the compents... ummm for that sorta cash i can just pick up a GV over/under and then some other goodies.... dang what a fortune for OD.... I was reading however about a 4l80e that is manually controlled called the Modzilla from transmissiontechnologies... anyone heard of or used one of these bad boys?? Also i'm assuming the swap would be VERY easy since the 4l80e is the same size etc as the th400 no??? thanks mucho. greg __________________ -Greg; Sold the 69 C20. It's off to a better home with more love! Now onto the 86 CUCV M1009; K5 blazer with 6.2L diesel, corp 10 bolt axles, Detroit locker in the rear, trutrac front, 3.73 gears, 35" tires.

12-19-2002, 09:03 PM	#2
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	The 4L80E is pretty much a turbo 400 with a overdrive built in. They are heavy,expensive,and suck a lot of power up. I have built a few and while they do last I would tell anyone to get a TH400 and then a add on overdrive unit like the GV over/under. A good example is the strait cut gears in it are around 400$ alone. I use them in turbo 400's and it makes it kinda like the old TH 475's that were in the really heavy duty stuff like motor homes. The only reason I use the strait cut gears out of the 4L80E and then put them in a TH400 is that they are much stronger for hi hp stuff and finding a used TH475 is like finding gold. I would stay away from them unless you just have to have one. A turbo 400 ,a 700r4 with some parts from www.700r4.com , or even a turbo 350 with a new drum/sprag assembly to replace the weak links would be a better idea. And that price they gave you is about 1000$ too high anyways unless they are doing the install and tuning. __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro Last edited by 68 with 350 TPI; 12-19-2002 at 09:06 PM.

12-20-2002, 12:30 AM	#3
neonlarry Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Vacaville, CA Posts: 2,745	Or, what about a Th2004R? I know stock ones aren't strong enough, but what about the ones that are built for a 650+hp turbo buick? As far as I know, you can get one for less than $1500. __________________ 70 C/10 Light Red 350/TH350, HEI, Duals w/40 series Flows, 91 seat, LED taillights 99 Pontiac S/C GTP, SLP Ram Air hood, GMPP Konis & springs 95 Neon ACR, MP PCM, AFX UDP, 3.0 CAI

12-20-2002, 01:26 AM	#4
Low67C10 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 66	Saw a ad for a 4L80e w/ convertor, cooler and controller for around $3500. Thats still too pricey for me. The only advantage I can see w/ a 4L80e is the lock-up convertor, other than that I think a th400 and a bolt on OD like the one from GV or US gear would be a better set-up. Ive also seen a few 4L80h transmissions in late 80s/early 90s chevy and GMC box vans but Ive heard they arent too reliable. On a somewhat similiar topic, I wonder if a th400 switch-pitch pump/front support could be modified to work a lock-up convertor, get the best of both worlds. __________________ No, Its not a 454

12-20-2002, 02:54 AM	#5
Big69C20 Toy Livin' it up. Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Richland, MI Posts: 2,212	i've had no luck with any 4l60's or the like... i thought about a 200r4 since it's got great gears but dunno if it'd much like the weight and hp... when my truck is done i'm figuring at around 700+ ponies on the lower side i believe... so i dont wanna tear anything up... any sites for those BUILT 200r4 and how tough you think the swap would be? __________________ -Greg; Sold the 69 C20. It's off to a better home with more love! Now onto the 86 CUCV M1009; K5 blazer with 6.2L diesel, corp 10 bolt axles, Detroit locker in the rear, trutrac front, 3.73 gears, 35" tires.

12-20-2002, 03:50 AM	#6
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	Switch pitch transmissions are kinda rare now of days. I think that the reason is the parts are hard to find and the new stuff is high $$$. Stuff like the pump,solenoids etc to make them work. A lockup version would be neat but that would be even more parts and $$$. You can get a 700R4 _4L60E to work in most anything if you use the right parts. I have seen too many builders let a 700R4 go with a set of good frictions,steels,band,shift kit,and a corvette servo. To really make one hold you need parts beyond that. You need a input shaft/drum, a hardend sun shell, and a sprag worth talking about on top of the other parts and seals without a gap on the shaft. If you dont use those parts you are buying time with anything over 350-400 HP at best. The 2004R is a good trans if built right but as with a 700R4 it is pretty much all the way or nothing. A good drum/sprag setup on a TH350 will cost you about 350$ but after that they will hold anything a TH400 will and then some. Like a good motor its all about the parts. __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

12-20-2002, 04:31 AM	#7
TERRYP GYRO GEARLOOSE Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Nevada City, CAEverett, WA Posts: 361	Here's some 200R4 sites: http://www.ptsnctb.com/ http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/tran...tranfluid.html http://www.turbobuick.com/messagebd/ __________________ Nevada City, CA Everett, Washington 57 3/4 rat, 235, 3spd 66 C-10 Panel, SWB. 350 from '68, 200R4 tranny, 3.07 rear ratio, restoring 68 C10 LWB 350 4spd, 4.56 rear dump runner 82 Camaro, 305, THM-200-R4 84 Monte Carlo 305 TH350, land tuna 85 Tercel SW, snow runner DISGRACED OUTLAW MEMBER OF THE DRUM BRAKE CLUB

12-20-2002, 08:12 AM	#8
mikep Used to have a truck Join Date: May 2002 Location: port orchard WA Posts: 1,552	I just picked up the van from work . 1 ton with 454/4L80 . Paid $900. Good deal ? 150,000 miles but well serviced. __________________ No truck :-(

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