Any install issues 4L80E into a 69 C3??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 6
Any install issues 4L80E into a 69 C3??
Thinking of installing a Hughes 4L80E over-drive tranny into my 69 C3. Wondering if any of you guys are running this set up and have you had any issues installing/fitting the tranny?
If i decide to swap trannys I will be selling my full set up GForce T56 6spd tranny custom built to handle 1300hp, with bell housing, McLeod off-set shifter to fit the stock counsel, custom cross member, and the driveshaft. its a complete bolt in set up.
If i decide to swap trannys I will be selling my full set up GForce T56 6spd tranny custom built to handle 1300hp, with bell housing, McLeod off-set shifter to fit the stock counsel, custom cross member, and the driveshaft. its a complete bolt in set up.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
I had to deform the trans tunnel about a 1/2" to clear the drive shaft yoke. Other than that, the cooler lines are best converted to -AN to make them accessible. Try and buy a later model of the 4L80E with one cooler line routed to the center hub vs. both at the dipstick tube location. It was a GM correction to facilitate better lubrication to that area of the trans. to prevent failure under severe duty. TCI among others sell the TCU. Holley makes an EFI engine management controller that also controls the transmission. An ECU/TCU plus a bunch of other goodies all in one... grab yer wallet.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 591
Likes: 7
From: Batavia IL
If you need a trans to survive above 700 hp, dont even think about going with something 4l60 based. stick to the 4l80. This is the guy to go to for 4l80's. he is the most trusted by the really fast guys who want overdrive.
http://www.jakesperformance.com/4L80E.html
http://www.jakesperformance.com/4L80E.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
I would like to see how the hell you guys are getting 4l80s in a vette....any pics of these installs? Cutting up the floor tunnels?
A 4l80e is like 6-8" longer and thicker then a t400....
I am thinking about a Mike Kertz 200r4....about $3k though.
Also FYI, see the recent thread here about Jakesperformance.
A 4l80e is like 6-8" longer and thicker then a t400....
I am thinking about a Mike Kertz 200r4....about $3k though.
Also FYI, see the recent thread here about Jakesperformance.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Why a 4L80E (electronic) instead of a 700R4? They're basically the same mechanical unit, but you don't need a major electrical harness, a computer and all the peripheral sensor inputs to make it work properly.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 303
Likes: 2
From: southeast Idaho
I converted from a 4 speed to a 4l80e several years ago and the only thing I had to do was drill a hole through the drivers side floor board for the main electrical plug to clear. I used that spot to bring the wiring inside anyway so no big deal. I didnt have any other clearance problems except I couldnt use the stock dipstick and bought a locar cable dipstick, but its a tight fit. mine was the earlier model with the front cooler lines. I used a Powertrain Control Solutions controller for it. I used the stock auto shifter and added 2 micro switches to the side of it. one switches from auto to manual and the other is my mini paddle shifter, bump it one way it upshifts and the other way it downshifts, kinda fun actually. After blowing up two 4 speeds and wanting an overdrive trans I decided to try a 4l80e and so far its held up behind my twin turbo 468 pushing around 800 ft lbs of torque.
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
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I had a 850 hp 700R4 and Monty went to the 4L80E with his 1200 hp TT dart 427 raised cam small block.
The 200's can't take on big TQ at a certain point it becomes the case strength and the limits of the internal parts.
Then as power gets to high enough level the need for multi gears goes away and that is why the old two speed glide is what is used in up to 2000+ hp drag cars
The 200's can't take on big TQ at a certain point it becomes the case strength and the limits of the internal parts.
Then as power gets to high enough level the need for multi gears goes away and that is why the old two speed glide is what is used in up to 2000+ hp drag cars
Last edited by gkull; Oct 19, 2010 at 10:54 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,431
Likes: 52
From: Florida
I would like to see how the hell you guys are getting 4l80s in a vette....any pics of these installs? Cutting up the floor tunnels?
A 4l80e is like 6-8" longer and thicker then a t400....
I am thinking about a Mike Kertz 200r4....about $3k though.
Also FYI, see the recent thread here about Jakesperformance.
A 4l80e is like 6-8" longer and thicker then a t400....
I am thinking about a Mike Kertz 200r4....about $3k though.
Also FYI, see the recent thread here about Jakesperformance.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 6
I converted from a 4 speed to a 4l80e several years ago and the only thing I had to do was drill a hole through the drivers side floor board for the main electrical plug to clear. I used that spot to bring the wiring inside anyway so no big deal. I didnt have any other clearance problems except I couldnt use the stock dipstick and bought a locar cable dipstick, but its a tight fit. mine was the earlier model with the front cooler lines. I used a Powertrain Control Solutions controller for it. I used the stock auto shifter and added 2 micro switches to the side of it. one switches from auto to manual and the other is my mini paddle shifter, bump it one way it upshifts and the other way it downshifts, kinda fun actually. After blowing up two 4 speeds and wanting an overdrive trans I decided to try a 4l80e and so far its held up behind my twin turbo 468 pushing around 800 ft lbs of torque.
While tight, they do fit. No cutting was required in my case. This is the first Gen., I later swapped it out for the second Gen. with relocated cooler line to center hub and sleaker pan. I used a Lokar dipstick tube. IMO, you can't go wrong with a 4L80E, bullet-proof. A 700R4/4L60E....not so much. That's like comparing a TH350 to a TH400.
Great info guys!!! Thats what I needed to know, thank you!
If you need a trans to survive above 700 hp, dont even think about going with something 4l60 based. stick to the 4l80. This is the guy to go to for 4l80's. he is the most trusted by the really fast guys who want overdrive.
http://www.jakesperformance.com/4L80E.html
http://www.jakesperformance.com/4L80E.html
I talked to Carol at Russler Transmission 4L80E that he modifies is currently surviving behind cars making around 2500hp with no problems at all, but the price is pretty stiff $6400.00 for the tranny alone.
Ryan at Hughes Transmission make one rated 1000hp for $3757.00 and a stronger one rated to 1800hp $4385.00 reverse pattern manual shift with trans brake and all. Lock up converter another $1200 and option manual or automatic shift extra $550. He sad his tranny is currently behind a 1200whp turbo car in the low 8's holding out pretty good, and thats with using the over drive on the 1/4 top end with a lock up converter.
Still getting info and shopping around, but after hearing from you guys that it will fit I will be installing one in the next couple months for sure, any more info would be greatly appreciated.
-Paja
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
Actually the 700R4/4L60 is more a decendant of the TH350, with the 4L80 being more a decendant of the stronger TH400. 700R4's can be made plenty strong for most street application's, but think the OP is talking some major hp/abuse here.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 207
Likes: 6
While tight, they do fit. No cutting was required in my case. This is the first Gen., I later swapped it out for the second Gen. with relocated cooler line to center hub and sleaker pan. I used a Lokar dipstick tube. IMO, you can't go wrong with a 4L80E, bullet-proof. A 700R4/4L60E....not so much. That's like comparing a TH350 to a TH400.
What shifter are you guys using to fit the stock console for manual valve body standard pattern? Thanks !
-Paja
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 332
From: Woodinville WA
Thanks
Adam
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 2,979
Likes: 332
From: Woodinville WA
I've scoured the internets far and wide, I've sent far more email questions to TCI than I'd like to admit and I've posted to the TCI online forums with NO reply.
HOW THE HECK, do you wire in your own switches to switch to manual mode and then do bump or paddle shifting?!?
You have no idea how much I want to do this; it's an obsession and you're the only one who I've found who's claimed to do it so far.
TCI wants to sell me their $750 dollar wireless paddle shifter, but I'd prefer to just reuse the wires already running to my horn to mount a switch or fabricate a paddle shifter to the OEM steering wheel and make $50-$100 paddle shifters for my EZ-TCU controlled 4L60e. (Yes, I know we have different trans controlllers and I'll still need to figure out how to do it with the EZ-TCU unless I wire direct into the trans harness.)
Adam
Racer
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 390
Likes: 42
From: Austin Texas
With holley trans controller, this thread will get you started. If you don't have holley efi, an expensive proposition.
http://forums.holley.com/showthread....mmanding-Shift
http://forums.holley.com/showthread....mmanding-Shift