4l80E in a nova...??

[novaracer]

I have a 68 nova that I am putting a 4l80e in I have the transmission (built by finish line w/rossler brake) I also have Big stuff 3 w/transmission control what else will I need to change? ( has old style 408SB not LS style )

Crossmember....will be custom made to fit
drive shaft (need to be shorter)
shifter (4 sp)
new lines (will be made)

what about the flex plate will my current one work? I have a th400 in the car now...
Did I miss any thing else? I would like to have every thing before starting so I have less down time.
thanks BC

[Steve Chryssos]

Flxplate should be fine. Converter bolts will change to metric. Also Russell makes a great fitting that saves some space to the trans tunnel. Part Number 612000

[DeltaT]

You didn't mention converter but I'm sure you already know it's different. If you are running a transbrake you should tell the converter shop what you are doing.

Lokar makes a nice cable kit to go between most shifters and the 80E. Very good quality.

Tranny mount may need to be higher than the TH400.

I like the ARP converter bolts. There's only 3.

Hughes makes a really nice quality deep sump pan with a drain plug.

Redline Oil's Racing Transmission Fluid is a full synthetic Type F fluid, if Carl says a synthetic is OK with his tranny. With the deep sump pan mine took 13 quarts without a cooler on it before it was correctly filled!

B&M makes a nice brazed-plate-style SuperCooler that's more efficient than the typical tube and fin unit.

Do you already have a 168-tooth flexplate in the 400?

Finally, Lokar also makes a nice dipstick that mounts either on the engine or the firewall.

HTH,

Jim

[novaracer]

thanks guys

[ponjohn]

Is it actually in? The circumference of the 80e is much bigger and you may need to maasage the trasn tunnel to get it to fit.

[DeltaT]

I only had to massage the floor a liitle bit to accomodate the speedo cable attaching further back, like a 4"L x 3/4"D trough. Since I retained the stock column shifter, I have to lengthen and offset back the linkage retainer to work smoothly.

I never downshift manually lower than D, so I don't miss it, but the full-length headers conflict with the tranny linkage so I can not downshift manually to 2 or 1. I think you'd have to get rid of the column shift.

Jim