Ask me anything about a 4L80e swap using standalone controller

[cleansquare]

Anything. Lol. Just got done with my 4L80e swap into my 85 C20. Replaced the 400 trans and used TCI's EZ-TCU controller for it. Also used acculinks TPS kit and Cable x's speedometer converter to convert from mechanical to electronic speedometer.

Moved the crossmember back after I installed the trans. I was running a 2 piece driveshaft so I had to have the front driveshaft shortened 3.25". Had to use a 4l80e trans mount as the 400 was different. Install the dipstick as you install the trans! Meaning as you raise the trans up to the block stick the tube in while its still lower than the motor. This will save you some grief.

What else...if you buy a early 4l80e youll need to upgrade to the earlier harness in the pan so that itll mate up to the controller harness. Make sure when you install the controller harness onto the trans you install it with the harness sticking out towards the back of the truck!

There are videos on YouTube on how to install the tps sensor on most popular carbs.

If you get an earlier style trans then the cooler line connections will be close together like the 400. If a later model like my 98 then yiull need to get some quick connects as they are not the screw in type on later year trans. Then youll need some 3/8" to 5/16" connector unions and some 3/8" copper gas line to mate the cooler lines up together.

Youll need to alter the shift linkage to make it work. Ill get a pic of that tomorrow. This is not a how to article but rather a "ask any questions and ill answer it or pm me. Also for future users to look up. There was another thread on here I used for help but ill have to post the lin the user was bilfman who did that swap.

The controller is neat, you can change tq converter lockup and shift firmness and points etc. Shows you live rpm, mph, trans temp, gear selection, tps percentages, when torque converter locks up etc.

With a 350 and 400 trans and 4.10s I was running 3300 rpm at 70 mph. Now im at 2300 at 70. love it!!! Will post gas mileage info when I get it. I got 12.2 with the 400. Heres a few pics.



Speedo box converter







Big plug is newer harness installed in pan. Left small plug is not used but the right small plug is used for the speed sensor.



Here are my cooler line quick connects. Earlier.transmissions had the screw in type akd were.closer like a 400.

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[cleansquare]

Copper for cooler lines


Controller on floor board




Happy c20!


This is the next truck of mine that will get the 4th gear gift in the form of a 700r4. For my little bro.

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[meatwagon83]

i cant wait to do this to my dually! i need to rebuild my engine first!

[Desert1957]

compression fittings are a no no my friend, so is that copper line...

compression fittings are NOT designed for pressures in an automatic transmission, and copper lines WILL crack due to vibration.

Sorry
Desert

[1985_C10]

that truck looks nice. i need to get me a solid back window. i love the sliding one but it took me 1 minute to figure out how to break into my truck when i locked they keys in. lol

[cleansquare]

Originally Posted by Desert1957

compression fittings are a no no my friend, so is that copper line...

compression fittings are NOT designed for pressures in an automatic transmission, and copper lines WILL crack due to vibration.

Sorry
Desert

I did my research on this and there are more positive reviews than negative. My trans shop told me to do it this way and I can only go by their experience. They have not steered me wrong yet. Hard for me to see how 6" of copper line could crack due to vibration on a pair off loose cooler lines lol.
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[cleansquare]

Originally Posted by 1985_C10

that truck looks nice. i need to get me a solid back window. i love the sliding one but it took me 1 minute to figure out how to break into my truck when i locked they keys in. lol

Thanks, yes mine had a sliding back glass but I changed it out for that reason.

Oh yes and btw one more thing the dust pan that covers the converter is different from a 400 you will need the 4l80e dust cover
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[BigBlocksRule]

cleansquare, spend a little time scrounging through junkyards, there should be plenty of '97 & up trucks that still have the tranny lines. You can get 'em cheap so you don't have any splices.
I know you've read a lot of pros and cons, but have you considered what you're going to do IF one of those fittings OR the copper line gives way while you're going down the highway at 75 and sprays tranny fluid on the ground in front of your back tires?
Other than that, great install, I've been a fan of the 4L80E for a long time, great tranny!

[mrolds88]

What is the model year break for the early/late trans?

[BigBlocksRule]

Through about '92, they used a plug that had a bolt in the middle of it. Problematic, most folks just swap the internal harness and they're done.
I think that '96 was the first year for the staggered oil lines, same year as big and small block Vortec engines came out. They have quite a few upgrades, but I'm told the 2001 & up are the best, they have all the internal mods. From what I understand, mods can be performed on an earlier tranny when it's rebuilt. As long as you're not racing it, a '96 - 2000 should be fine.

[cleansquare]

Tested it on a 60 mile trip and got a solid 3mpg increase at 15.2 mpg. This was at 70 with converter locked and a nasty headwind I was driving into. Very happy, truck feels great at 2200 rpm on highway
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[cleansquare]

Pic of the linkage. Notice I used tubing to get the angle of the dangle just right. Also had to lengthen the rod to the right by welding a bar on it.



Here are some current pics of the truck from today



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[meatwagon83]

any mileage results yet?

[school boy]

Nice! ill be doing the swap this fall. Picked up a 92 4l80e with 40,000 on it.

[SCOTI]

What did you spend for everything?

[cleansquare]

The ez-tcu was $615 well worth the money. The tps kit was $120. The cable x box was $350 to convert speedo from mech to elec. Rebuilt 4l80e was $1474 and 14 quarts of fluid was extra. Driveshaft shortening and new carrier bearing was $150. Converter came with trans.
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[cleansquare]

Here are some pics of the controller screens. Shows things like tps percentage, mph, trans temp, when the torque converter locks up etc.



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[cleansquare]

Double post

[cochino12]

I'm glad you posted this. I am looking to order a controller this week, any reason you decided to use TCI? I was looking at the usshift controller.

[cleansquare]

I bought the tci because another member-bilfman, recommended it. Look up his conversion thread. The harness is labeled great and tci is a huge trans company so I figired why not go with this. I love It.
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[GRADYS Performance]

I am preparing to put a 4L80E transmission in my 1985 2WD C20 Suburban 454 to replace the TH400 Transmission. What did you do to accomadate the new rearward position of the transmission crossmember mount for the 4L80E transmission?

[bilfman]

Glad to see your square up and running with the 4l80e! I just did a trailer trip to pick up an old 47 Dodge Power Wagon, my next project. It was a 31 hour round trip in 30C/86F degree heat towing a trailer and 6600 pound truck, worked flawlessly. I have no regrets and glad that you are liking the TCI unit. I love it too, even towing in that heat I had peace of mind by being able to watch my trans temp the entire trip. Here is the link to the swap. Also a pic of the 2 beasts after the long trek, these 2 struck up many conversations at pretty much every stop along the way.

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

[king-918]

Why not just do a complete drive line swap?

[GRADYS Performance]

Originally Posted by king-918

Why not just do a complete drive line swap?

The rest of the vehicle is a clean low mileage vehicle that I use for towing in the summer months only.

[nekkidhillbilly]

Originally Posted by king-918

Why not just do a complete drive line swap?

that is a good question prob could get a ls engine and trans for the same as the trans and controller or at least a vortec. that said od is better than no od.