4L60E, 4L80E, or 4L65E

[JMarsa]

Where's the love anyway? I guess we're not them.

Posted here today:

http://www.lateral-g.net/forums/showthread.php4?t=160

--JMarsa

[Steve Chryssos]

The 4L80E will handle upward of 1000 ft.lbs of torque if prepared properly. I decided mid way to ditch the T56 for one to go behind the 427TT going in my project. It's the way to go when running big boost. the 4L80E is the new generation Turbo400! Expect to pay $1800-2000 for a bullet proof unit. The converer will run another $750-900.00 Then buy Steves paddle shifter!!!!

Steve....they ready yet??

Howard

Yup. Shipping begins next week. You can visit www.twistmachine.com for details.

[brrymnvette]

So, can I buy a 80E out of a junk yard and drop it in? Why couldn't I use the factory TC? Is it really $1200 for a controller. I'm not building a full blown PT car I have a poor boys street car. Thanks, Andy

[myclone]

So, can I buy a 80E out of a junk yard and drop it in?

As long as the trans is healthy to begin with then sure.

Why couldn't I use the factory TC?

You could use the factory TC very easily if the engine you have makes plenty of low end TQ. Most 80E trans's are in big trucks which were designed for hauling/towing and have fairly low stall TCs.

Is it really $1200 for a controller.

The controller Ive seen is 1200 bucks for the unit and the in car display/keypad but Im sure there are slightly cheaper units out there without all the bells and whistles. Or you could ditch the electronic control all togeather but that has its draw backs (reread my post about the contoller).

I'm not building a full blown PT car I have a poor boys street car. Thanks, Andy

Right now an 80E install isnt really a budget oriented type deal IMO. Maybe when the prices come down in the future like the 700s are now but expect to take a hit in the wallet unless you can get a unit from the bone yard cheap and do your own code hacking on the stock PCM to control it.

[brrymnvette]

Ok, so if I don't want a manual valve body I need a controller or I need to make up my own controller, if it can be done. The price of an 80E isn't so bad if you've blown up a 700 every 6 months like anybody with anything more than 350hp has done. I'd rather spend $800 (www.car-part.com) on a 80e than $250-350 every six months on a 700r4. A controller shouldn't be that hard to make up(guessing here.) All it is, is electrical current at certain points in the throttle right? If it meant saving 1k I'd sure as heck try to fab one up. I don't mind a manual valve body but, then I'd just get a 6 speed. Andy

[Steve Chryssos]

TCI and Powertrain Control Solutions both sell controllers for about $600-$700.

[MuscleRodz]

Can any of the 4L60e, 4L65e, or 4L80e trannies to made to fit a Pontiac 455 with an adapter plate. I thought I saw this done a while back. Thinking about the Shrifter for a buddies 71 Firebird.

Mike

[myclone]

Can any of the 4L60e, 4L65e, or 4L80e trannies to made to fit a Pontiac 455 with an adapter plate.
Mike

Mike,

I dont see why fitting any of the above to a 455 would be an issue as there are a hand full of companies that make adaptors to bolt the SBC/BBC patterned trans to BOP (buick/olds/pontiac) block. Advanced Adaptors comes to mind and Im sure there are at least 3 or 4 more.

FYI I believe the 200R4 4sp OD that is used in the turbo buicks has the same bell housing pattern so it might be worth investigating if thats the case. Plus if it will bolt up it requires no PCM or high dollar control module as it uses a TV cable just like the 700R4. The turbo buick guys have gone LOW 10s/high 9s on a well prepped 200 so they can be made pretty durable in the right hands.

HTH

A controller shouldn't be that hard to make up(guessing here.) All it is, is electrical current at certain points in the throttle right? If it meant saving 1k I'd sure as heck try to fab one up. Andy

Andy,

The control for the 80E/60E is a lot more complicated than just turning selonoids on and off. Well, actually you could do that but the trans would shift brutally hard. Anyways, the shift selonoids are pulse width modulated (pwm) which means instead of being either completely on or complete off they are pulsed rapidly by the PCM to control how firm or easy the trans shifts. The PCM tailor the shift feel to several parameters including TPS, RPM, MPH, and fluid temp to name a few.

To sum it up Im an electronics tech by trade as well as a tight wad and I wouldnt attemp to build my own. Id buy one.

[MoeBawlz]

great posts myclone...

great info and thanks to all...

Im pretty darn sure im gonna go with the 80E. Id like to try to get a 1 ton version but we'll see how easy that will be to come by.

[Fuelie Fan]

Myclone

My company makes EFI ecu's. I'm an engineer and I'm well aware of the challenges. I've been toying with different control algorithms for a little while, but right now it's just toying since I haven't convinced my manager to develop it on company time...yet.

[myclone]

Myclone



My company makes EFI ecu's. I'm an engineer and I'm well aware of the challenges. I've been toying with different control algorithms for a little while, but right now it's just toying since I haven't convinced my manager to develop it on company time...yet.

Cool. Sounds like youre way ahead of the game then with the resources you have available and coming up with a workable controller on your own prolly wouldnt be a huge undertaking.

FWIW a budget oriented controller around $400 that had a fair amount of tuneability but not loaded with pretty lights and fluff would prolly sell like hot cakes (dibs on doing some beta testing should you get that far hint hint wink nudge ).