4l80e tranny installation. How hard?

[protour_chevelle]

So I have a few ideas right now. One of them involves running a 4l80e tranny. Now I know and have read that the 4l60e bolts right into the 72 Chevelle(which I have) But the 80e is a different story. Anyone able to guide me somewhere that can help me out or anyone able to lend me info??

Thanks a lot guys!

-Matt

[alky]

The bell housing is standard chevy bolt patern but I think the flex plate is 4l80e specific. You will need a manual valve body or a TCI trans controller to run electronic. Trans mount needs to moved rearward a few inches.

Denny

[Midwest Performance]

Here is some information for you Trans dimensions
Hope this helps


Kevin

[protour_chevelle]

Over at LS1tech they told me that the 80e is pretty much the same tranny as a th400. With that said, It shouldn't be that hard. Moving the rear tranny mount rearwards shouldn't be hard at all.

What other options do I have for a tranny controller? I'm trying to find a complete 6.0l with ecu and harness so that should still work with the tranny Correcto?

-Matt

[ryans67deuce]

Will an 80e bolt up to an LS1?? Or does it need to be a LS1 specific 80e?

[protour_chevelle]

I believe theres a spacer that is needed.
-Matt

[kball]

I was going to do this before i got my tko-600. I researched it quite a bit. I would forget all the electrics and run the trans go full manual kit. Any decent amount of stall speed will make lockup in the t/c pretty much useless anyway, so you dont have to worry about lockup either. You'll still get a good rpm drop in 4th w/a .75 od. Keep it simple and save headaches later, i think. But the tci ecm is a pretty cool setup. A freind has one in his sbc s-10 for the 4l60e

[Fuelie Fan]

How so? I think having a higher stall makes the option of lockup that much MORE beneficial, as you can lockup the converter during cruise and not waste fuel that you normally would be with the loose converter. It also lowers temps in the trans for increased life.

[protour_chevelle]

I was calling around today looking for a motor and tranny. Now one guy said that I would need a 2wd tranny. Isn't the 4l80e out of a 4wd truck? If so, wouldn't the tranny be run without the t-case?

Now I'm confuzzled(lol!)

-Matt

[Kenova]

The 4L80E is built for both 2wd and 4wd. The 4wd tranny has a shorter output shaft. If you were to compare the two side by side, you would see quite a bit of difference between the two output shafts.
Ken

[protour_chevelle]

The 4L80E is built for both 2wd and 4wd. The 4wd tranny has a shorter output shaft. If you were to compare the two side by side, you would see quite a bit of difference between the two output shafts.
Ken

Hmmm, So which one should I buy?! Hahah! oh crap. If the 2wd is the one to go with, what does it come out of?

-Matt

[derekf]

Followup question on the same lines:

Is there any real internal difference between the 2wd and 4wd versions, or is it just overall length - or does the transfer case bolt directly to the tranny and there's no provision for a yoke on the 4wd version?

According to the tranny dimensions on the TCI site, the 4x4 version lacks a place for the tranny mount (or only uses one bolt)?

[Kenova]

The trucks that are most likely to have a 4L80E are the 2500/3500 series.
Internally, I believe the trannies are the same with the exception of the output shaft. The 2wd output is longer to accept the slip yoke. The 4wd trannies don't have to make allowances for a slip yoke so they can be shorter. The transfer case adapter bolts right up to the tranny in place of the output shaft housing.
Here's a couple of links that may help out.

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/4L80E.htm

http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forums/index.php?

Ken

[protour_chevelle]

Hmmm, So where can I find a 2wd version? As in what application?


-Mat

[Kevin1kas]

Has anyone been able to determine if the size of the 4l80 housing is nearly the same as a TH350 or 400? One site said that extensive modification needed to be done to install the 4l80. Now do they mean you have to cut out your floor and fabricate a new floor to get it to fit, or simply that you have to weld in a new cross member support?

[kball]

You will need to find a 1 ton chevy. gmc pickup. That is what I found one for my chevelle from. A lot of delivery trucks or 1t cubes. The later model you can find the better because there are so many updates done every year to them.

[protour_chevelle]

The physical size of the 80e is damn near the same as a th400. They say the only difference between the 80e and 400 is that ones electronic, the other isn't. I talked to a guy that did a 502/4l80e swap into a 70 Chevelle. He said he only had to bump the trans hull a little bit and of cource cut and move the tranny cross member back a couple inches.

So what would I need to make a 4wd 80e tranny work in my car?

-Matt

[Kenova]

So what would I need to make a 4wd 80e tranny work in my car?

-Matt

Change the output shaft out for a 2wd shaft and find a 2wd output shaft tail housing. Or install a transfer case and 4wd :rolleyes5
Ken

[protour_chevelle]

Are you sure Mr? Someone told me other wise?

-Matt

[gmachinz]

I'm interested in the overall size of the 4L80E also. I have a TH400 in my '78 Monte and I did not have to modify anything for it to fit. Of course, I also used a crossmember from G-Force so maybe that was why. Anyway, what's up Protour? I'm looking to put a TT SB in an '86 Monte SS next spring and I think I will go the route of a HD automatic. Btw, do you know of an awesome tranny guy to build a race-prepped 4L80E? If not, I know of one here in Des Moines I can set you up with. I have connections at a local dealership so if you want a new one to modify, I can give you the hookup there, too. Drop me a line- [email protected] -Jabin