Project Underfunded / next phase - LSx carb'd to LSx efi

[68Stepbed]

I don't think that trans will work too well with half the case missing. Just messin. Let us know how well the new trans works. Also, if there's any difference than the 200-4R.

[68GMCCustom]

Will do. The 200-4r was a great trans in 1st and 2nd, and cruising....but just wouldn't hold the power for a WOT 3rd gear shift. I think had I started with a Grand National 200-4r, or at least that valve body and governor from one, it would have performed better. That and I couldn't ever get it sealed (3 or 4 new rear seals and 2 new gaskets, then an aluminum trans pan upgrade with another gasket....its still leaking fluid on my floor.

I'll be glad to have a trans that's truly built for abuse...and hopefully holds its fluid too.

[68GMCCustom]

ecm, tcm, and harness all pulled and shipped back to the tuner. Really surprised me how quick it came out. Anyway he's gonna do a full checkup on everything with it hooked up to a test motor they have...and promised a quick turnaround on it.

Whatever he sends me should be OK....so if I hook it all up and it still won't start...... I'll be thinking I suck as a mechanic worse then I thought.

4L85e should be shipping out today or tomorrow....so with any luck I'll have it all back together, the drive shaft measured and modified, and up and running for next weekend? Make a few passes? My luck it'll rain!

[68GMCCustom]

contact at Pace emailed today that they finally got my Hughes 1350 yoke and are ready to ship my new trans....but since the yoke got there late...they won't ship till Monday....

I did get my NOID kit in! That and a DC test light, a grommet kit, a Hughes dipstick for my 4L85e, a Jiffy-tite -6 AN quick disconnect kit, 3/8" s.s. hose, 1/4" s.s. hose, various black AN fittings, and ARP torque convertor bolts....and an all important transmission adapter for my floor jack. I don't wanna drop that big brute on an arm or hand or something.

[BigDan3131]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

Will do. The 200-4r was a great trans in 1st and 2nd, and cruising....but just wouldn't hold the power for a WOT 3rd gear shift. I think had I started with a Grand National 200-4r, or at least that valve body and governor from one, it would have performed better. That and I couldn't ever get it sealed (3 or 4 new rear seals and 2 new gaskets, then an aluminum trans pan upgrade with another gasket....its still leaking fluid on my floor.

I'll be glad to have a trans that's truly built for abuse...and hopefully holds its fluid too.

So...who built the 200R4? Was it you? Art Carr builds them quite well, with or without lockup convertors. http://www.cpttransmission.com/index.htm

[68GMCCustom]

Local trans shop. Was supposed to be built by the owner but my guess is he had one of his guys do it. I don't have anything against the 200-4r and would have probably bought another one from either Art Carr or TCI to replace the one I have. The trans was well out of warranty when the builder replaced a noisy torque convertor. I felt I pretty much used up my "free pass" when he gave me the convertor. He's a long way away from my house...and just didn't want to continue working with him. Not because he did anything wrong...just wasn't the builder I was looking for.

The truck has sort of taken a different direction...and burned thru some cash along the way. But it was fun! And still will be....but now it'll be a little more driver friendly, especially as it gets quicker.

[jfortvalley]

i hope you guys buy from the real art carr he is in california because the people whi bought him out SUCK i bought tourque convertors for customers from them and never could get one right

[jfortvalley]

yes cptransmissions is the right one

[68GMCCustom]

Its here! My GMPP 4L85e trans and Hughes 1350 yoke arrived today! Neat case sitting on a pallet that they ship it in. Works out great...I'm sure my little 200-4r will fit in it with room to spare













Driving by the end of the weekend? Nawwww......?

[gringoloco]

Purdy! Now, get to work
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[mcbassin]

awesome parts and tranny! Looks bulletproof.

[68GMCCustom]

Thanks guys. Finally heard back from my tuner. Their motor they were using for testing was eating up crank sensors, evidently because of a wobbly reluctor ring...which of course has slowed down the trouble shooting/repairs of my system. Hopefully they get it fixed and shipped out today but with my luck I'm guessing next week.

Oh well.....I can do my trans swap while I'm waiting.

I have to laugh.....considering my truck has hardly been on the road all of this year...and I'm still paying insurance on something that's sitting...and I can't go to the track. Ya....it's laugh or go berserk!

[mooseknuckles]

...so that tranny is just a beefier 4l80e??

[68GMCCustom]

Yup:

19156257 Hydra-Matic 4L85-E Four-Speed Automatic Transmission, 2WD The strongest 2WD performance transmission offered by GMPP. Rated for a maximum torque output of 460 lb.-ft. in two-wheel-drive applications using a Gen I & II-style or big-block engine. Die-cast aluminum case reduces weight to just 255 pounds. Includes torque converter with stall speed of approximately 2300 rpm. Gear ratios: 1st: 2.482, 2nd: 1.482, 3rd: 1.000, 4th: 0.750.

not the strongest anymore though:

19154550 SuperMatic™ 4L85-E Four-Speed Transmission
The SUPERMATIC 4L85-E heavy-duty, high-performance transmission is based on the GM Hydra-Matic 4L80, and was designed specifically for GMPP’s powerful big-block family of engines. It was meticulously tested and validated to the high standards of GM Performance Parts, using both dynamometer and real-world, in-car testing. In fact, the mighty ZZ572/720 crate engine put this transmission through its pace, so racers can be confident that it will perform dependably on the track.
Unlike some transmissions that are remanufactured, the SUPERMATIC 4L85-E is assembled with all-new parts, several upgraded internal components and a revised valve body. It is supplied with a production torque converter (approximately 1,800- to 2,000-rpm stall speed), and requires the GMPP transmission controller (part number 12497316 – sold separately) that allows the user to customize the shifts to fit the driver’s style or engine combination. When the transmission is used with a late-model LS engine, a special transmission flexplate with adapter must be used (part number 12621399).

With all of its enhancements and modifications over the production 4L80 transmission, the SUPERMATIC 4L85-E is rated to 720 horsepower (537 kW) and 685 lb.-ft. of torque (929 Nm). And while it was designed specifically to be used with a big-block, the high torque capacity makes it a perfect complement to LSX and small-block engines.
The included torque converter may not match the requirements of other engine combinations. An aftermarket converter may be required.

• Newly designed for use on our ZZ572/720 crate engine
• All new parts, including additional clutch plates
• Improved valve body for firmer shifts
• Direct bolt-on for Gen I Small-Block and all Big-Blocks
• Includes torque converter for Big-Block applications (approx. 2,200 rpm stall)
• For Small-Block applications, an aftermarket converter is strongly recommended
• Gear ratios: 1st: 2.48, 2nd: 1.48, 3rd: 1.00, 4th: 0.75
NOTE: Use with electronic controller P/N 19212657.
Use P/N 15000206 Dust cover for sb, bb applications.

[mooseknuckles]

supermatic!......wow....should work good tho....I put a TCI shirt kit in my 4l80..shifts hard!....all gears!...almost too hard!...I'm afriad it's gonna bust somethin with the new gears...

[68GMCCustom]

I hope to find out the difference in the 4L85e, and the Supermatic 4L85e...and just upgrade my 4L85e.

[chevytruckluver]

ok Kurt, whats the good word?

[mcbassin]

Originally Posted by chevytruckluver

ok Kurt, whats the good word?

I was wondering the same thing??

[68GMCCustom]

funny you should ask.

They found the problem. Was in the harness. A pin (47?) that shows as a ground circuit in the '09 schematics is actually ignition +12v, as per '07 schematics. Or something along those lines.

Anyway they corrected it and installed it on another motor and tested it out. Everything good to go he pulled and packed the harness and modules and shipped them out the next day. I just got the harness, ecm, and tcm via the little brown truck today. So I started installing it and somehow...pulled a lead out of the injector #7 connector.

He's sending me a repair kit.

After cooling off a bit, I continued installation and have everything is pretty much ready to try and fire it. I was going to get it running before the trans swap....but since I had to loosen the passenger headers and drop the starter to reconnect the crank sensor...and since I'll want to go beat on it when I get it running...........I decided heck I might as well go ahead and drop the 200-4r now and install the 4L85e. I drained the 200-4r tonight and tomorrow will drop it and then work to get the 85e into position. This way I can go ahead and measure for and get my almost new driveshaft modified with the new 1350 slip yoke and shortened. Next to beef up will be rear yoke and rear end, then it should finally be fairly safe to beat on... and trust it to get me home.

Question to our transmission experts....I purchased a brand new 4L85e from GMPP and would like to know if when I pull the retaining bar that holds the torque convertor in place for shipment...is this transmission ready for install since it reads "tested" on it and seems full of fluid?
Or, do I have to pull the TC out of position and pour in some tranny fluid to make sure it doesn't dry start... like I would with a dry trans & convertor? I'm guessing its good to go??

[85burb]

On the trans question when I got my trans they told me to not remove the converter cause it was already tested so it was full. I would assume that if it is assembled you should not have to fill it. But that is just what they told me.
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[Daaaanz67]

It's ready to go I've installed numerous trannys from gm tested and ready out of the box. Also on that front bracket It's pretty handy, I usually keep it in place loosely bolted. This was because I was installing with a floor jack. Would keep the converter from falling out if i had any mishaps and possibly damaging the front pump just remove it once the tranny is jacked up to its highest position just my.02c worth
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[68GMCCustom]

Ok thanks guys...thats what I thought... but this is my 1st "new" trans that didn't come with a vehicle attached to it!

[68GMCCustom]

getting ready to drop the 200-4r. drained o/n. wondering how I'm gonna get this heavy beastie into position on the trans/jack while working on a truck 18" off the floor.

[68GMCCustom]

200-4r is out, 4L85e sitting under truck in position......I just have to coordinate a helper and get it bolted in. Trans is holding everything up now!

[effects66]

Can't wait to hear how the trans works. Have been debating on the same tranny. Just curious, you are keeping the same converter that came with the trans.