Ask me anything about a 4L80e swap using standalone controller

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by GRADYS Performance

CleanSquare, How much did you have to shorten the driveshaft? I am coming up with 3.5 to 3.625 inches.

He won't be able to answer your question because his account has been suspended.

[slimneverdies]

Anyone else do this swap? I just got my hands on a nice running 99 4l80e for basically nothing. Is the gas mileage a big jump going from a 454/400 to a 454/4l80 on the same drivetrain? The price of the entire standalone, throttle control and speedo kinda got me second guessing myself. Would it be easier/cheaper to run tbi and computer to control the trans????

[Malibuick231]

slim the tci unit will be cheaper because you also have to add in the cost of the fuel system upgrade. I ran the 4l80 in a buick t type and loved it. It is also in the plans for my sons truck but later down the road.

[GRADYS Performance]

Gas mileage will increase about 20% highway driving. City driving will vary on if your speed reaches overdrive and lockup use. Well worth doing.

[slimneverdies]

Well, I have a change of plans. The 4l80 that I got has nothing but metal shavings in it when we drop the pan to change the oil. Not spending $1200 for a rebuild either.
I was also thinking of just changing the gears for 3:73 to 3:23 just so I could get some higher speeds on the highway. Right now I can only do 60mph with out sounding like I'm at 3000 rpms

[Malibuick231]

Slim if your not doing any towing you could use a 700r4 with a lock up converter. Ground the lock up switch in the pan and run a 12volt wire with a on/off switch then when at highway speed you can lock it with the switch.

[slimneverdies]

Originally Posted by Malibuick231

Slim if your not doing any towing you could use a 700r4 with a lock up converter. Ground the lock up switch in the pan and run a 12volt wire with a on/off switch then when at highway speed you can lock it with the switch.

I can find a 700r4 pretty cheap around here but unfortunately I will be towing a enclosed 22' trailer mostly and its Vegas where there's tons of mountain grades.

[slimneverdies]

Well I took the plunge and bought a rebuilt 4l80e with a shift kit from a trans shop down in Miami. My next question is can you get rid of the need to by the cable-x box for the speedo if I just bought a Dakota Digital gauge package instead???

[BigBlocksRule]

Electronic speedo should do away with the need for the box, but double check with DD.
Good idea on the 4L80E, it's a hoss

[slimneverdies]

Originally Posted by BigBlocksRule

Electronic speedo should do away with the need for the box, but double check with DD.
Good idea on the 4L80E, it's a hoss

I was hoping to kill two birds with one stone. I was at Tucker's in Las Vegas and the guy that's a vendor for Dakota Digital didn't seem to have all the answers. I was going the Gear vendors route but it's just not practical to me for the coin that you spend...

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

He won't be able to answer your question because his account has been suspended.

Wonder why?

[watahyahknow]

digging this one up from a while back :
has anyone used the us shift controller ?

my idea on it is that a controller works or doesnt work
you only install and set it up once and then leave it running so why spend the extra cash for it
besides that it as the same added functions like u downshifting with paddles and showing the temperature pressure of the trans
just curious if anyone that installed one ran intoo problems

the makers from megasquirt allso are teasing the audience with a realy tiny version of the micro tcu plug and play unit

, no price known yet and no idea when it be for sale actually , knowing them i can take up to two years

[GRADYS Performance]

I do not have any experience with the US shift controller. The TCI controller that I and several others have used seems to be the best price at 600 dollars US, And is easy to install, set up and adjust.

[watahyahknow]

it actually looks like us shift doesnt exist no more or at least doesnt return my mail , i been looking intoo a stock gm controller from a mecanical unturbocharged 6.5 diesel
one thing i found out is that you need to know if you own a pre 94 or post 94 transmission as they changed the solenoids after 94 and the older controller doesnt work on that and vice versa
goodm thing about that one is that if you find one you can buy them at the wreckingyards for about 150 dollar or less
after 94 there starting to get rarer as gm turned to allison transmissions some heavier duty vans busses and service trucks still running the old setup have this box i need

The GM partnumber for this TCM is 16196390.
there found in the Y code vinnumber
The TCMs were still used after 1994 in the 1994-1996 G vans and the 1994-1999 P chassis.

if anyone can help me to one of those tcm boxes i'm looking for one

[GRADYS Performance]

The GM controllers are not adjustable and any changes that would need to be made would have to be done by changing the computer programing. The TCI aftermarket controller allows for settings to fit virtually any vehicle combination. It also give you a display screen to access the information on the transmissions running status including speed, temp, tps, lockup and gear. you can adjust shift points, firmness, converter lockup.

[watahyahknow]

i agree on that but right now i just want the trans to work in the car as is
i could adjust the firmness a little adn the amount of grab with a shiftkit and if push comes to shove i can operate the trans manually
the tcm is for a project im working on the ecu for te engine is about 650 euro it controlls the fuel spark fans gauges ajust for boost and elevation and numerous other functions
for some reason i dont see te reason to spend the same amount of cash on a programmable tcm tat does not a lot more than switching solenoids on or of and pulses another
the actual input is speed trottle position and rpm its basic if rpm is 1500 shift up etc
i just KNOW these people sell the product for WAY more than the sum of its parts

its only a matter of time untill some braniac makes a shift computer program running of a android smartphone or a beaglebone and a box of relays then that market comes crashing down

[slimneverdies]

Do you guys have any info on any electric gauges for the tranny to send the signal to? I'm in the market for a gauge so I can start my conversion. Really would like all matching gauges...

[bilfman]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=537481

I was cleansquares inspiration for his swap and did quite a bit of research on a 4l80e swap. I went with a tci EZ tcu controller. No need for gauges as it is fully programmable and has readings for trans temp, rpm, throttle position, gear etc. the tci unit has been flawless and works excellent, you can make it shift like a top fuel dragster if you choose. I highly recommend it. Best bang for the buck in my opinion. Posted my swap link above.

[slimneverdies]

Originally Posted by bilfman

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=537481

I was cleansquares inspiration for his swap and did quite a bit of research on a 4l80e swap. I went with a tci EZ tcu controller. No need for gauges as it is fully programmable and has readings for trans temp, rpm, throttle position, gear etc. the tci unit has been flawless and works excellent, you can make it shift like a top fuel dragster if you choose. I highly recommend it. Best bang for the buck in my opinion. Posted my swap link above.

Hey bilfman, I'm talking about dash gauges that are electric so I don't have to use cable-x box that you used to convert you mechanical speedo...

[watahyahknow]

there a couple manufacturers that make gps speedo's you dont need any signal for that just power

other than tat i guess any speedo meant for a later model truck should work if they take signal of the trans and not the abs

[slimneverdies]

Originally Posted by watahyahknow

there a couple manufacturers that make gps speedo's you dont need any signal for that just power

other than tat i guess any speedo meant for a later model truck should work if they take signal of the trans and not the abs

I was hoping there were some aftermarket gauges that just plug into the tci unit from the trans. Don't they make autometer gauges with the elec signal? If I'm going to pay $300+ For a cable x box I would rather get new gauges if that's possible.

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by nekkidhillbilly

cant you slide it back and re drill it?

That worked on my 78 SWB with LS and D D engine mounts & 4L60E

[GRADYS Performance]

Originally Posted by slimneverdies

I was hoping there were some aftermarket gauges that just plug into the tci unit from the trans. Don't they make autometer gauges with the elec signal? If I'm going to pay $300+ For a cable x box I would rather get new gauges if that's possible.

Look a my trans swap thread, I have a tail housing on my 4L80E conversion so I can use the stock speedometer with the cable.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by GRADYS Performance

Look a my trans swap thread, I have a tail housing on my 4L80E conversion so I can use the stock speedometer with the cable.

I was going to go the route of modifying the tailshaft housing to allow use of a mechanical speedo when I considered this swap. It was about $400-500 for the machining & gear assembly.

[GRADYS Performance]

You can PM me for information on the price of the tailhousing speedometer conversion for the 4L80E.