4L80E into a 74 Vette???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 11
From: Omaha ne
4L80E into a 74 Vette???
Has anybody put a 4L80E into a C-3????
I have a handicapped customer who wants to put a 500+ HP big block into a 74 vette with a 4 spd auto (4L80E preferred due to it's strength).
He is also contemplating a paddle shifter set up. I am curious as to whether anyone here has done this swap and if so what's involved????
Thanks in advance
Tim
I have a handicapped customer who wants to put a 500+ HP big block into a 74 vette with a 4 spd auto (4L80E preferred due to it's strength).
He is also contemplating a paddle shifter set up. I am curious as to whether anyone here has done this swap and if so what's involved????
Thanks in advance
Tim
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
My '72 vert here took a tranny tunnel widening to put a 700r4 in there, but it was a muncie car to start with....I don't THINK there is a differance in the floorboards, but I had to move MINE about 1.5 inches inward down that bottom curve along the tranny housing....height wise it was fine....driver's side was fine also....had to mod the 'shoe' mount for the muncie tail shaft to take the 700.....about an inch lower and further back by about 2 inches or so....dunno about cars that are allready automatic, much less a 4L80e....
I know the 80 is a much larger/heavier tranny....about 50 lbs over a 700which is heavy enough for a vette....just not very reliable, in NO WAY to use one with a BB.....
I know the 80 is a much larger/heavier tranny....about 50 lbs over a 700which is heavy enough for a vette....just not very reliable, in NO WAY to use one with a BB.....
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
4L80E was put in 3/4 and one ton pickups two wheel drive and probably
four wheel drive, it was the trans of choice for pulling RV trailers
of 8 to 10 thousand pounds before it was replaced with the five speed
allison.
four wheel drive, it was the trans of choice for pulling RV trailers
of 8 to 10 thousand pounds before it was replaced with the five speed
allison.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Yes they put it in thousands of two wheel drive pickups. When the 4L80E
quite a few yrs ago came out I was considering buying a new pickup, at that
time the 4L80E was only available in 3/4 on up pickups I don't know If they
ever offered it in a half ton later on.
quite a few yrs ago came out I was considering buying a new pickup, at that
time the 4L80E was only available in 3/4 on up pickups I don't know If they
ever offered it in a half ton later on.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Jan 15, 2007 at 06:55 PM.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
Yes the 4L80E is electronic. Notice the E at the end lol. But it is very strong. Some of the parts will even transfer over to the Turbo 400 such as the sprag. So it is just as strong as the Turbo 400 except it has an over drive. You would go with a built 4L80E For high HP and TQ applications. 
On a side note. The last time I looked into this conversion the cost was a little more than going with the TKO-600. But then again as I said the 4L80E stands above the TKO-600 when you go above 800HP. And when you get into those HP numbers most would rather concentrate on steering the beast with both hands lol.
On a side note. The last time I looked into this conversion the cost was a little more than going with the TKO-600. But then again as I said the 4L80E stands above the TKO-600 when you go above 800HP. And when you get into those HP numbers most would rather concentrate on steering the beast with both hands lol.
Last edited by SHAKERATTLEROLL; Jan 15, 2007 at 08:42 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
I have a 4L80 tranny in my '94 GMC Sierra Turbo Diesel (3/4 ton)
It's a heavy tranny but it's strong.. However, TH200R4's can be built stronger than a stock 4L80 (but not stronger than a "built" 4L80).
If the engine will have under 800 HP, a well built 200R4 will get the job done! I have 180 drag strip runs on my 200R4 and I'm running low to mid 10's and have 650 HP on engine!!
It all depends on who builds the tranny.. I got mine at
http://www.cpttransmission.com
That tranny has several advantages over the 4L80.. I'd only go with a 4L80 if I'd have a 800+ HP street car...
Here are some of the advantages:
1) lightest of the common overdrive trannies
2) least parasitic loss of the common overdrive trannies
3) easy bolt on installation ('79 and earlier Vettes)
It's a heavy tranny but it's strong.. However, TH200R4's can be built stronger than a stock 4L80 (but not stronger than a "built" 4L80).
If the engine will have under 800 HP, a well built 200R4 will get the job done! I have 180 drag strip runs on my 200R4 and I'm running low to mid 10's and have 650 HP on engine!!
It all depends on who builds the tranny.. I got mine at
http://www.cpttransmission.com
That tranny has several advantages over the 4L80.. I'd only go with a 4L80 if I'd have a 800+ HP street car...
Here are some of the advantages:
1) lightest of the common overdrive trannies
2) least parasitic loss of the common overdrive trannies
3) easy bolt on installation ('79 and earlier Vettes)
Last edited by GrandSportC3; Jan 15, 2007 at 08:46 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
I have a 4L80 tranny in my '94 GMC Sierra Turbo Diesel (3/4 ton)
It's a heavy tranny but it's strong.. However, TH200R4's can be built stronger than a stock 4L80 (but not stronger than a "built" 4L80).
If the engine will have under 800 HP, a well built 200R4 will get the job done! I have 180 drag strip runs on my 200R4 and I'm running low to mid 10's and have 650 HP on engine!!
It all depends on who builds the tranny.. I got mine at
http://www.cpttransmission.com
That tranny has several advantages over the 4L80.. I'd only go with a 4L80 if I'd have a 800+ HP street car...
Here are some of the advantages:
1) lightest of the common overdrive trannies
2) least parasitic loss of the common overdrive trannies
3) easy bolt on installation ('79 and earlier Vettes)
It's a heavy tranny but it's strong.. However, TH200R4's can be built stronger than a stock 4L80 (but not stronger than a "built" 4L80).
If the engine will have under 800 HP, a well built 200R4 will get the job done! I have 180 drag strip runs on my 200R4 and I'm running low to mid 10's and have 650 HP on engine!!
It all depends on who builds the tranny.. I got mine at
http://www.cpttransmission.com
That tranny has several advantages over the 4L80.. I'd only go with a 4L80 if I'd have a 800+ HP street car...
Here are some of the advantages:
1) lightest of the common overdrive trannies
2) least parasitic loss of the common overdrive trannies
3) easy bolt on installation ('79 and earlier Vettes)
Well there you go TJP440.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I have a 4L80 tranny in my '94 GMC Sierra Turbo Diesel (3/4 ton)
It's a heavy tranny but it's strong.. However, TH200R4's can be built stronger than a stock 4L80 (but not stronger than a "built" 4L80).
If the engine will have under 800 HP, a well built 200R4 will get the job done! I have 180 drag strip runs on my 200R4 and I'm running low to mid 10's and have 650 HP on engine!!
It all depends on who builds the tranny.. I got mine at
http://www.cpttransmission.com
That tranny has several advantages over the 4L80.. I'd only go with a 4L80 if I'd have a 800+ HP street car...
Here are some of the advantages:
1) lightest of the common overdrive trannies
2) least parasitic loss of the common overdrive trannies
3) easy bolt on installation ('79 and earlier Vettes)
It's a heavy tranny but it's strong.. However, TH200R4's can be built stronger than a stock 4L80 (but not stronger than a "built" 4L80).
If the engine will have under 800 HP, a well built 200R4 will get the job done! I have 180 drag strip runs on my 200R4 and I'm running low to mid 10's and have 650 HP on engine!!
It all depends on who builds the tranny.. I got mine at
http://www.cpttransmission.com
That tranny has several advantages over the 4L80.. I'd only go with a 4L80 if I'd have a 800+ HP street car...
Here are some of the advantages:
1) lightest of the common overdrive trannies
2) least parasitic loss of the common overdrive trannies
3) easy bolt on installation ('79 and earlier Vettes)
AS usual, Oliver is dead on.....
good post man....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Very similar, but different company. It was still an auto...that one looks like it's a manual shift only.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 175
Likes: 11
From: Omaha ne
Thanks for all the replies guys.
Two things that still concern me are the big ratio jump between 1st and 2nd on the 200 and 700 r4's, which the 4L80E does not share
Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid about this as the car will be a mild big block torque monster and due to the torque the ratios may not be that big of a deal
The second advantage to the 4L80 is the electronic control. The individual is handicapped and has expressed an interest in adding paddle controls.
I am hoping that somebody has done this and can give a clue as to how difficult the swap might be
.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Thanks for all the replies guys.
Two things that still concern me are the big ratio jump between 1st and 2nd on the 200 and 700 r4's, which the 4L80E does not share
Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid about this as the car will be a mild big block torque monster and due to the torque the ratios may not be that big of a deal
The second advantage to the 4L80 is the electronic control. The individual is handicapped and has expressed an interest in adding paddle controls.
I am hoping that somebody has done this and can give a clue as to how difficult the swap might be
.
Two things that still concern me are the big ratio jump between 1st and 2nd on the 200 and 700 r4's, which the 4L80E does not share
Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid about this as the car will be a mild big block torque monster and due to the torque the ratios may not be that big of a deal
The second advantage to the 4L80 is the electronic control. The individual is handicapped and has expressed an interest in adding paddle controls.
I am hoping that somebody has done this and can give a clue as to how difficult the swap might be
.
The TH200R4 has a very similar gear ratio for 1, 2, and 3 to a TH350.