After going through the PIA of changing wgts and springs on my 700r4 (see c4 tech for my post on it!) -when this tranny blows I'm really considering an "E" tranny; but I don't want to change my ecm and harness etc etc.... so I was wondering if anyone knows of a stand alone control module to run it that is still programmable?
Or-does the "E" require specific inputs from tps etc...thinking... could I throw a pcm in there-flash what I want it to shift at and then splice in the required inputs from my existing tps etc????? Let it "set" codes for all else-don't care-but would it still run the tranny correctly? Anyone done it? It sure would beat yankin' that &*^%$*&# gov. too many times!

 

I'm interested in the answer to this also. I hope someone has the answer. :yesnod:

 

Yes there are standalone controls for the 4L60e and 4L80e transmissions. TCI and others have them, check this page out http://www.tciauto.com/electronics/index.htm

 

Cool, thanks!

 

How would one go about building a set of controls to manually control upshifts and downshifts? I want to find out how to make a paddle shifter for this tranny so that it would opperate as an auto unless you flipped a switch or something and could then use the new controls to select the current gear.

I don't know anything about the programming of these things yet though... Does this sound like something that could be done? :confused:
Any ideas of how to accomplish this?

 

In the 2001 copy of GM performance parts, page 169 they have a kit to install the E transmission in other cars. Part no. 24502513

 

Actually, the 24502513 is just for controlling TC lock on a regular 4L60 or 700R4. It won't control the electronic functions of the 4L60E or 4L80E. Gm does offer a kit that does. It is P/N 12497316 but it is the TCI controller mentioned above with a GM sticker on it. -Jeff

BTW - The 12497316 is also on major backorder with GM right now so I wonder if TCI has 'em on backorder too???

 

 

[QUOTE]
Im sorry, the part no. I ment to post was 12497316. Jeff will this one work on using a E transmission in a non e car?
QUOTE]

Yes, exactly. It is a very user programmable unit. Comes with a cable you hook up to a PC or laptop and make changes to the parameters for upshift points, downshift points, shift harshness, etc. I have a copy of the intructions that come with it. If anybody is interested in having it faxed I could do that or maybe even scan it to e-mail or something. -Jeff

 

OK, so the stand alone will control a 4l60E, now another thought....the 4l80e is even stronger, right? Would a 4l80e fit in there?

 

Not easily but anything can be done with enough ingenuity and $$$. Check this thread out for some possible helpful info:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=246034

 

I have talked with http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/

Wonderful people to work with. They sell a Compushift unit to control the elec trannys. They also sold me a new cross member for a 4L80E in a 1981. It's a tight fit, but it can be done without cutting fiberglass.

 

Bowtieoverdrives......well I think you've been lucky, or didn't you buy a tranny from them? Personally I wouldn't ever go back to them-thats based on personal experience not hearsay! They talked a good show so I had them rebuild my 700r4; and told them that a 406 was soon going in so "do everything" to upgrade it. Less than a year and under warr. and the tranny is gone! OK so they honor the warr. and rebuild it again; BUT then comes the crap....they say because I drive up and down the mtn I overheated it and so no more warranty! This is total BS-I have the Be Cool radiator with their 7 plate truck trans cooler in it and an additional B&M trans cooler in front of the rad! And ya they talk a good line untill there's problems. Also I had to take it back several times for leaks etc. and every time they screwed something up-like tore the wires to the tc, pulled the linkage loose inside at the shifter etc. So it may be OK to buy parts from them but I wouldn't even do that now! OK, done with my rant, but I don't want to see any one here go through the same crap that I did.

 

OK, I understand your rant, and hope you find a solution to your tranny problems soon. It will likely mean a different tranny that the 700r4. Too many built cars are eating them for lunch.

As for the subject, the tranny controllers Bowtieoverdrivers sell are made by Compuserve, a separate company. Based on the info from the few people who have plunged in and paid the price for these controllers, they are fantastic, but at $1500, they better be magic. The GM units referenced above
aren't cheap either, something like $1000, and these do not offer anywhere as many features as the Compuserve.

I decided to go with a 4L80E because of the strength and the overdrive. On several occasions I almost bought 700r4 units, but became cautious when the sellers said they were going to a TH400 or 4L80E. Seems too many guys are busting these trannys. So I could either pay the price of admission up front or just plan fixing a 700r4 every year. Since laying under a car pulling a tranny ranks right up there with changing diapers, I'll buy the best I can up front and pay a little more.

 

I have completed a 4L80E conversion in my C4. I fabricated an adapter utilizing the factory torque channel with minor shortening and drilling...I am actually selling the torque tubes and brackets for 4L80E ...$500.00 for the conversion hardware ready to bolt on.