4l80e swap
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Joined: Mar 2023
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4l80e swap
Want to do a 4l80e swap. Just wondering how much tunnel modification needs to be done, if any? I'm sure this has been answered many times but I don't see anything in the first couple pages. TIA.
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
Well, that is not necessarily so. A 200-R4 can be built to handle high HP. Now, it is true that a 4L80E is basically a 4-speed TH400 with full electronics. Whose tranny controller are you going to use?
Fitment question - well I thought about doing this too at one time so I looked through all the threads. It seems to be a 'good luck' thing. Some reported that fiberglass work was needed to fit the tranny ( I think at the end of the tail shaft for u-joint clearance) but others got it to fit. I think it boils down to how your particular car was assembled.
Fitment question - well I thought about doing this too at one time so I looked through all the threads. It seems to be a 'good luck' thing. Some reported that fiberglass work was needed to fit the tranny ( I think at the end of the tail shaft for u-joint clearance) but others got it to fit. I think it boils down to how your particular car was assembled.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2013
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From: Central NJ
I had no problem fitting a 4L80E, but my engine location may have been different from stock because of the LS swap. Most likely you will need to modify the transmission support and the driveshaft length. The shifter cable and the electrical connector area were tight, but did not need modification.
I agree that for a high HP cruiser and drag car, the 4L80E is the way to go. Drive to the track on overdrive and lockup, and run the first 3 gears at the track. Don't put any power through 4th gear though. I run 4.10 gears and still stay under 2600 RPM on the highway. My build
Last edited by DblTrbl; Feb 27, 2024 at 09:25 AM.
Burning Brakes
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From: Foothills of the Adirondacks.
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Drifting
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Did the Vette's get a larger tunnel in 1974 like cars did or like Camaros in particular ? I had a customer bring me a Super T10 from a 74 Camaro to install in a 1965 GTO and there was no room in the tunnel for the shifter plate and the transmission literally was right up against the tunnel , the original Muncie has plenty of room . If so that might be why some fit the 4L80 and some don't ?
Racer
Joined: Mar 2021
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From: Kansas
I did not think the 6L80 would fit in the C3
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,753
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Manual Tunnels are different than Automatic Tunnels. See here .... I ended up using Banjo Fittings for the cooler fittings to fit a 200-4R into my Manual Tunnel 68.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...vs-manual.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...vs-manual.html
Did the Vette's get a larger tunnel in 1974 like cars did or like Camaros in particular ? I had a customer bring me a Super T10 from a 74 Camaro to install in a 1965 GTO and there was no room in the tunnel for the shifter plate and the transmission literally was right up against the tunnel , the original Muncie has plenty of room . If so that might be why some fit the 4L80 and some don't ?
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 188
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From: little rock Ark
True, many parts are shared with the first 3 gears of a th400 so they are both built to handle high horsepower, but the 4th gear in a 4L80e is an overdrive.
I had no problem fitting a 4L80E, but my engine location may have been different from stock because of the LS swap. Most likely you will need to modify the transmission support and the driveshaft length. The shifter cable and the electrical connector area were tight, but did not need modification.
I agree that for a high HP cruiser and drag car, the 4L80E is the way to go. Drive to the track on overdrive and lockup, and run the first 3 gears at the track. Don't put any power through 4th gear though. I run 4.10 gears and still stay under 2600 RPM on the highway. My build
I had no problem fitting a 4L80E, but my engine location may have been different from stock because of the LS swap. Most likely you will need to modify the transmission support and the driveshaft length. The shifter cable and the electrical connector area were tight, but did not need modification.
I agree that for a high HP cruiser and drag car, the 4L80E is the way to go. Drive to the track on overdrive and lockup, and run the first 3 gears at the track. Don't put any power through 4th gear though. I run 4.10 gears and still stay under 2600 RPM on the highway. My build
This is my 4l80E with the banjo fittings and a flexible dipstick
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,753
Likes: 1,393
You can mitigate any theoretical flow restrictions by marking the fittings and then orienting them, as you tighten them, such that the flowpath goes directly towards the outlet-- really a non-problem.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,008
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From: Space Coast Gator Territory
I went with a 2004R built with extremeautomatics internal parts by my chosen tranny builder. EA says it will take 1000 HP and way more than my engine will produce. Take a look: https://extremeautomatics.com/index....ory&path=89_79
I also have a 4L80 that was custom build with a full manual valve body for competition. It has been proven bulletproof behind a BBC, but too heavy and way more than my C-3, 425 HP SBC needs. Just something to consider as an option for others contemplating the upgrade. Best of luck with your trans swap!
I also have a 4L80 that was custom build with a full manual valve body for competition. It has been proven bulletproof behind a BBC, but too heavy and way more than my C-3, 425 HP SBC needs. Just something to consider as an option for others contemplating the upgrade. Best of luck with your trans swap!
Racer
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