Harnalien's Build Thread

[Pro Performance]

Nice project. That should make a great driver! What are you using for a transmission?

[75ChevyGuy]

Originally Posted by Street3285

Nice project. That should make a great driver! What are you using for a transmission?

700R4 is what I belive is being used

[Gordonr1973]

What are these two gold sensors for? I'm searching for the sensor numbers for the oil pressure sender and adapter if there is one...thanks!

[harnalien]

That's right, I'm using a 700r4. The reason is before I decided to do this swap, I had Phoenix Transmissions build a stout tranny for me. I didn't want to let it go to waste. I figure if it goes out, I will upgrade to an electronic one. I think I will be alright for a while though.

Those gold adapters are from Autometer and they are for the oil pressure and coolant temperature sensors. I used the oil pressure adapter at the back of the block behind the manifold, and the coolant temperature adapter on the passenger side head at the rear by the firewall. The part numbers are 2277 and 2268.

[harnalien]

Well...I was wrong. I just started getting it somewhat back together, then BOOM, out goes the tranny. I was on the highway and tried to "give it just a little more." Bang, clank, clunk clunk, drip, drip, drip...cuss, tear, etc. So, if I don't sell it, the search for a new tranny is on. I would like a 4l80e, but the price of upgrading is ridiculous. I'm really considering a TH400 because of the power level they can handle with minimum fuss. I want to say I'm putting out around 460ish hp/ 450ish tq. The overdrive is not that important because I only drive it for 20 miles at most on the highway. Anyway, this sucks and I am still waiting for that light at the end of the tunnel. So far, it's just been the headlight of an oncoming train.

[Gordonr1973]

Very sorry to hear about the tranny but glad that you were able to stop ok asnd that you weren't too far from home.

Let us know what you end up going with.

[mcbassin]

What did you decide on the tranny? Isn't a 400TH basically the same as 4L80? Sorry to hear about the misfortune. Subscribed.

[rs72z]

Originally Posted by mcbassin

What did you decide on the tranny? Isn't a 400TH basically the same as 4L80? Sorry to hear about the misfortune. Subscribed.

4l80e is a overdrive trans. computer controlled.

[harnalien]

I haven't completely committed to anything yet. The 4l80e would be nice, but the cost of upgrading can get out of hand. I'm looking at cores, but I'm having a hard time finding a shop to rebuild it and put it in since it's a custom deal. Either tranny is going to require driveshaft and crossmember mods. I already have a harness with a 4l60e connection on it, so I would just need the adapter and to get my computer retuned. The only obvious difference between the two is the overdrive and the electronics. Basically, I am trying to decide whether 2200RPM at 75mph or 3100RPM at 75mph is work the extra 1500 or so that the 4l80e will cost. This is just a toy, so I don't really worry about fuel mileage too much. Also, I only drive about 12 miles to work one way and I would only drive this every now and then. Anybody have any opinions?

[harnalien]

Two votes for the TH400. Keep 'em coming. Does anyone know if 3200RPM is "hard" on an LS motor? That's my main concern is that it will hurt the motor. Maybe I'm overthinking it. I can't see making the 4L80E work for less than 2 grand, so that is leading me more towards the TH400.

[Gordonr1973]

I have the 4L80E.....not running yet but I am thinkiong that a TH400 or 4L65 would have been good enough and a better / cheaper choice.

I just don't think that the 4L80 is necessary for the light driving I will do with it.

Depends what you will do with it I guess.

[broey]

sweet truck dude

[harnalien]

Thanks for the votes and comments everyone. After lots of research, I just can't bring myself to spend the money on the 4l80e. Everything for it seems to be twice as much as the TH400. Even if I found a decent salvage case, I would still have to pay a lot of money to get it rebuilt. Then I have to get the computer redone, conversion harness, blah blah, blah. Thanks for your honesty Gordon, I think you helped me make my decision. Again, this will be a weekend/every now and then driver and I just can't justify the extra $2K give or take. I plan on getting started towards the end of January. I want to get a unit from Jakes Performance because I've heard good things about them. We shall see.

[franky69c10]

truck lookn good bro
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[harnalien]

After the thrush exhaust got installed a few months ago.

Thrush mufflers - YouTube

[73gmc454]

Sounds great!, good choice on the th400, make sure they put a HD sprag and drum in it ,

[truckzilla]

Updates?

[harnalien]

Thanks for asking! Well, long story short, I ended up getting another 700r4. The reason being is I explained my situation to the shop that built it, and they gave me a really good deal on the 700 and it was less than a th400 would have been. The 4l80 wouldn't work for less than I was willing to spend. The main reason is because the owner of the shop said that if I broke this one, he would give me a full credit towards a 4l80. To me, especially with his reputation, this was what made me go for it.

I picked the truck up on Friday and it feels good. However, it is now overheating. I think it's because I didn't fill it up correctly after a changed my radiator and it has air in the system. Also, while changing the thermostat, I broke a bolt off in the water pump and I know I didn't fill it up from the upper radiator hose then. So I plan on trying to get it back in shape by this weekend. I will let y'all know what happens.

[SBTork]

That's good news about getting the truck back on the road. Let us know how the cooling system issues get resolved.

[gringoloco]

Hope the 700 holds up- going this route myself. How do the headers fit? Any pics from underneath?
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[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by harnalien

Thanks for asking! Well, long story short, I ended up getting another 700r4. The reason being is I explained my situation to the shop that built it, and they gave me a really good deal on the 700 and it was less than a th400 would have been. The 4l80 wouldn't work for less than I was willing to spend. The main reason is because the owner of the shop said that if I broke this one, he would give me a full credit towards a 4l80. To me, especially with his reputation, this was what made me go for it.

I picked the truck up on Friday and it feels good. However, it is now overheating. I think it's because I didn't fill it up correctly after a changed my radiator and it has air in the system. Also, while changing the thermostat, I broke a bolt off in the water pump and I know I didn't fill it up from the upper radiator hose then. So I plan on trying to get it back in shape by this weekend. I will let y'all know what happens.

How is your 700r4 holding up. Correct my ignorance but isn't the later version of this very similar to the early 4l60e? thanks

[owner 84]

nice work bro keep up

[harnalien]

Originally Posted by SBTork

That's good news about getting the truck back on the road. Let us know how the cooling system issues get resolved.

I think I got it figured out. Apparently my troubles started when I replaced the radiator last year. I originally filled it up from the upper hose, but being in a hurry, i forgot to tighten the upper hose clamp and it came off during the test drive. i tightened the clamp, but only put coolant in the radiator. It's running at about 190-200 during the last few drives.

Originally Posted by gringoloco

Hope the 700 holds up- going this route myself. How do the headers fit? Any pics from underneath?
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I will try and post some more pics from underneath when I get some time to take them. The one thing I can tell you is that i did have to get a Lokar shifter because the stock one rests right on the O2 sensor.

Originally Posted by mcbassin

How is your 700r4 holding up. Correct my ignorance but isn't the later version of this very similar to the early 4l60e? thanks

The 700r4 is holding up good. I had a new cooler installed at the same time and it feels good. I punched it the other day and it pinned me in my seat. i had to let out of it because i was getting nervous, lol! I need to find a good local tuner because there are just a couple of pesky things it's doing that i need someone to look at. One thing it's doing is when I slightly open the throttle body by hand, it jumps up about 5-700RPM for about 15 seconds, then idles back down. Not sure why it's doing this. The other mishap I had the other day is somehow my quick connect on the upper fuel rail came loose and was spitting gas out while i was test driving...scary. I limped it back home and got it back on and it's tight now. Not sure what caused that.

Originally Posted by owner 84

nice work bro keep up

Thanks buddy!

[gringoloco]

Originally Posted by harnalien

I will try and post some more pics from underneath when I get some time to take them. The one thing I can tell you is that i did have to get a Lokar shifter because the stock one rests right on the O2 sensor.

That would be awesome, thanks!

Originally Posted by harnalien

...One thing it's doing is when I slightly open the throttle body by hand, it jumps up about 5-700RPM for about 15 seconds, then idles back down. Not sure why it's doing this...

Do you have a VSS connected? They do funny things without it...

[harnalien]

Vss, hmm don't think I do. Guess its time for some research.
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