4L80-E GOOD NEWS!!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 569
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From: SLC, UT USA
4L80-E GOOD NEWS!!
It has been a good afternoon!
Just got off the phone with Steve Holmes of Bow Tie Overdrives http://www.700r4.com/index2.htm
E-mail: dr700r4@earthlink.net
Phone: (760) 947-5240
Steve said he has successfully installed a 4L80-E in a 1976 Vette without cutting up the floor boards. He also said that he has a bolt in cross member for this transmission now, it's $179.00 and features a re-located emergency brake cable bracket and a new rubber transmission mount. And he has a modified tail shaft for the mecxhanical speedo.
$179 for the cross member saves me so much time, and now I don't have to worry about putting big block HP thru a 700R4.
Steve is a good guy and is really excited about his work!
Said he is curious to see how much interest in this conversion.
Just got off the phone with Steve Holmes of Bow Tie Overdrives http://www.700r4.com/index2.htm
E-mail: dr700r4@earthlink.net
Phone: (760) 947-5240
Steve said he has successfully installed a 4L80-E in a 1976 Vette without cutting up the floor boards. He also said that he has a bolt in cross member for this transmission now, it's $179.00 and features a re-located emergency brake cable bracket and a new rubber transmission mount. And he has a modified tail shaft for the mecxhanical speedo.
$179 for the cross member saves me so much time, and now I don't have to worry about putting big block HP thru a 700R4.
Steve is a good guy and is really excited about his work!
Said he is curious to see how much interest in this conversion.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,847
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
Re: 4L80-E GOOD NEWS!! (dsagers)
4L80E is just a TH400 with another gear. I would think this is a pretty straightforward upgrade. What were the issues? Probably the electronics was the toughest part of the upgrade. 4L80E is a brutally strong tranny if done correctly. I'd like to hear more..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 14
From: Tolar Texas
Re: 4L80-E GOOD NEWS!! (dsagers)
Steve said he has successfully installed a 4L80-E in a 1976 Vette without cutting up the floor boards and he has a modified tail shaft for the mecxhanical speedo.
Steve is a good guy and is really excited about his work!
Steve is a good guy and is really excited about his work!
What did he say to use for controlling the shift on the 4L80E?
I was under the impression that the shift controllers were very expensive. Either way, it is good to hear that they will fit in the C3 transmission tunnel. I had heard that they would not fit.
If there is a reasonably priced electronic shift controller to go with it, the 4L80E will be the ultimate automatic overdrive transmission!
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: 4L80-E GOOD NEWS!! (MIKER)
It is possible that the C3's that originally came with the TH400 would not need crossmember mods when switching to the 4L80E. I concur with above, its basically a TH400. I too agree that the electronics are the major item to contend with. Not cheap either. But people are using this setup. I myself have not yet seen one in a C3 yet. :chevy
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 569
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From: SLC, UT USA
Re: 4L80-E GOOD NEWS!! (dsagers)
Just for a comparision, i set the 4L80-E next to my TH400, and the 4L80-E is longer because of the overdrive.
Steve talked about the controller. Here is what I remember. He has a unit for $800. But I figure that is less than the cost of one rebuild on the 700R4.
The GM dealer sells a complete kit for some $1100
Steve is a dealer for the programable Compushift unit that controls the shift points and TC lock up, and if it locks up in third and forth or just forth. And it has a built in dyno function. This kit is another $300 - $400.
Steve talked about the controller. Here is what I remember. He has a unit for $800. But I figure that is less than the cost of one rebuild on the 700R4.
The GM dealer sells a complete kit for some $1100
Steve is a dealer for the programable Compushift unit that controls the shift points and TC lock up, and if it locks up in third and forth or just forth. And it has a built in dyno function. This kit is another $300 - $400.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 9,078
Likes: 7
From: DFW TX
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
Re: 4L80-E GOOD NEWS!! (dsagers)
A controller for $300 to $400 is a very good deal. Most of them I've seen are in the $800. range.
dsagers-Are you going to put this in your car? Sounds like a cool conversion.
Budman
dsagers-Are you going to put this in your car? Sounds like a cool conversion.
Budman
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Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,847
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
Re: 4L80-E GOOD NEWS!! (Budman78)
dsagers - Thanks for the info. Length isn't as big a deal, but good info nonetheless. Another thing to look into & something that I was seriously considering for a while is the 4L80E with a Gear Vendors unit. You have to doctor the shafts anyway to use it so the length wouldn't be too big a deal. Prepare to fork out huge dollars, but you would have a bulletproof 8 speed..
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 569
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From: SLC, UT USA
Re: 4L80-E GOOD NEWS!! (Budman78)
Like a moth drawn to the flame, I gotta put this in my '81.
I'll be heading for Dizzyland in Dec and will drop the tranny off on the way down and then pick it up on the way back a few days later. BTO is going to convert the tailshaft for a mech speedo, and I'll pick up the cross member at the same time. Then it's down to Habor Freight for a tranny jack.
I'll take some pics and post them.
I'll be heading for Dizzyland in Dec and will drop the tranny off on the way down and then pick it up on the way back a few days later. BTO is going to convert the tailshaft for a mech speedo, and I'll pick up the cross member at the same time. Then it's down to Habor Freight for a tranny jack.
I'll take some pics and post them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 14
From: Tolar Texas
Re: 4L80-E GOOD NEWS!! (dsagers)
4L80E "SIX SPEED!"
Check out this link. "JET Builds the Ultimate 4L80-E Automatic"
http://popularhotrodding.com/archive...phr_tech01.jsp
"If you really want to get fancy, JET offers this control unit which will engage overdrive between each gear. By using the O/D unit as a gear splitter, six forward speeds are available. JET also does custom programming on 4L80-E computers to suit your vehicle's specific weight, power level, and purpose. By altering shift points, shift firmness (through line pressure) and lockup clutch application, your transmission can do exactly what you want it to do."
Check out this link. "JET Builds the Ultimate 4L80-E Automatic"
http://popularhotrodding.com/archive...phr_tech01.jsp
"If you really want to get fancy, JET offers this control unit which will engage overdrive between each gear. By using the O/D unit as a gear splitter, six forward speeds are available. JET also does custom programming on 4L80-E computers to suit your vehicle's specific weight, power level, and purpose. By altering shift points, shift firmness (through line pressure) and lockup clutch application, your transmission can do exactly what you want it to do."
