4l60e or 4l80e for 5.3 swap?

[Mattchu60]

So I recently picked up a 5.3 which I am having rebuilt. going to put a little wilder cam in it (not too crazy) - goal is around 375hp afterwards.

I already have a 2wd 4l60e transmission I planned to use for the 5.3 swap into my 87' 2wd short bed C10. The transmission needs to be rebuilt, and have some upgrades done to handle the power of the 5.3 after the rebuild.

I ran accross a 4l80e 2wd on CL today - ad says it needs a rebuild which is fine - planning to do that anyways.

Would I be better off with stock rebuild 4l80e or a built up 4l60e? I know the 4l60e has better 1st gear ratio and is more compact in size.

Thoughts?

[mongocanfly]

4l60 is same as t350 w/od
4l80 is same as t400 w/od
its gonna depend a lot on how the 60 is built as to wether or not it'll be better than a 80

[davepl]

Thing is you could likely go through three 4L60s for the price of one 4L80E.

The 80 is the "right" way to do it but I'd have no problem running a 60 behind a 5.3 I think!

If you're going to invest in a trans rather than just junkyard swaps, invest in the 80. Or a 65. But not a 60.

[Heavymetl]

The 4L60E sucks.

The gear ratios are terrible, the 1-2 shift rpm drop is an ET killer. They're weak sauce....last one I recommended was broke behind a STOCK 5.3 on sticky tires.

Rebuild the 4L80E, use a good 3500 converter, and cam the 5.3 to your liking. You'll never break it and enjoy great shifts and gear spacing.

[Mattchu60]

Sounds like the 4l80e is favored quite a bit.

Some more info - the 4l80e would be a stock rebuild, where if I did a 4l60 it would get the common HD upgrades like the aftermarket sunshell, 490 boost valve, etc.

The above is because my trans builders pricing is really similar for either a stock 4l80e or a built up 4l60e rebuild.

Also - I won't be racing this at the track - more of a daily driver but will probably get on the gas from time to time.

[mongocanfly]

I'd still go 80 if given a choice...

[DLW]

If your builder is good the 4l60E will have no issues living behind a 5.3L if he knows your goals, which sounds like a moderate HP driver. The 4L80E is a better choice if you have the room for it especially if you like the numerically lower 1rst gear.

[Heavymetl]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

4l60 is same as t350 w/od

Negative, sir. The 4L60E is a 700R4 with electronic controls instead of the TV cable. 80s fuel economy V6 and 305 fodder.


The TH350 is awesome and other than lacking overdrive, a legend!

[YoungPup1977]

On the 4L80E make sure you get the year that allows the cooler line return back into the center support, the earlier ones had both lines next to each other like the 4L60E on the case. Its a much better design with the return line into the center support.
===============================================
TIP: if you rebuild the 4L80E, make sure your builder uses the 200R4 center support cup seal in the center support for the 4L80E, this eliminates any cross leaks the 4L80E has at the center support (t400 technology).....which the 4L60E will not have....
===============================================
I do not have a favorite from the 4L60E vs the 4L80E, I have built many of the 4L60's and the 4L80's, it all depends on how you are going to USE it....

With the right upgrades on the 60, it would perform for the engine you have...and the 80's needs upgrades as well....

If I was going to race my truck I would run a power glide..... I raced back in the 70's and had built one of the first glides in our area to go in the 9's in the QTR I was a very busy guy on building Glides........no one thought the glide would hold up.....so we teamed up with TCI and guess where that went...

[mongocanfly]

(Negative, sir. The 4L60E is a 700R4 with electronic controls instead of the TV cable. 80s fuel economy V6 and 305 fodder. )

so true.....I got my cart before the horse........

[davepl]

Whereas the 4L80E is very close to being a TH400 with overdrive (if you look at the two trans side by side the relationship is close and clear).

A non-abused, stock 4L80E will take anything a naturally aspirated 5.3 can do short of drive drops and overheating it!