Going 4l80e
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Lawrence- Rock Chalk, Jayhawk. KS
Going 4l80e
I have decided to take the plunge and build a 4l80e. PATC sells the adapter for the C-beam and TCI sells a manual valve body with trans brake (bye bye IRS 
) that still retains converter Lock up.
To those that have done this, How has it worked out for you? Anything I should know that I may not foresee? Trans tunnel interference? Exhaust interference etc? Any weak links (hard parts etc) rear their ugly head?
BTW, my car is an 89 auto, with a typical 383. My intentions are for more in the future.
P.S. I know a 700r4 can be built to take quite a bit of power (for a while). I also realize the 80 is heavier and is more parasitic to power and will require a rear gear change (Hello 9 inch), some people don't think its practical to run a manual v/b on a car that sees the street (but neither is no heat, ac, radio, wipers, and I love it like that) and that I'm not making the kind of power right now to require this. That is not what I'm asking. Just doing my planning and prep. to get a solid drivetrain in place so it's ready when I'm ready to really turn up the wick.
) that still retains converter Lock up.To those that have done this, How has it worked out for you? Anything I should know that I may not foresee? Trans tunnel interference? Exhaust interference etc? Any weak links (hard parts etc) rear their ugly head?
BTW, my car is an 89 auto, with a typical 383. My intentions are for more in the future.
P.S. I know a 700r4 can be built to take quite a bit of power (for a while). I also realize the 80 is heavier and is more parasitic to power and will require a rear gear change (Hello 9 inch), some people don't think its practical to run a manual v/b on a car that sees the street (but neither is no heat, ac, radio, wipers, and I love it like that) and that I'm not making the kind of power right now to require this. That is not what I'm asking. Just doing my planning and prep. to get a solid drivetrain in place so it's ready when I'm ready to really turn up the wick.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
Joby made his own custom adapter 6 years ago before they were commercially available but nice 4L80E C4 fitment write up
http://www.joby.se/corvette/mods/2004-12-26_4l80/
http://www.joby.se/corvette/mods/2004-12-26_4l80/
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Kingwood TX
You can build the 700 to take the power your making or even a 200 that will take the power. I have a 4000+ pound truck with a blown big block in front of a 200 and have had no problems for 5 years.
had a 700 behind a twin turbo set up and had no problems. the 4L80 is going to suck up lots of power and the new 75E is a better choice for if you just have to have a transmission that is way over kill for that car.
had a 700 behind a twin turbo set up and had no problems. the 4L80 is going to suck up lots of power and the new 75E is a better choice for if you just have to have a transmission that is way over kill for that car.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 85
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From: Lawrence- Rock Chalk, Jayhawk. KS
Cores for these are getting much cheaper than they used to be. I just picked up a nice used '94 2wd 4l80 for cheap ($125). The guy claimed that it was running fine when he parted the truck. I guess I will see soon enough when it comes apart. Just hoping for intact hard parts.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
Raptor transmition in LA has all the parts you need to do a 4l80e build for a corvette.The tail shaft is real pricy.
http://www.700raptor.com/
http://www.700raptor.com/
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
From: Lawrence- Rock Chalk, Jayhawk. KS
Raptor transmition in LA has all the parts you need to do a 4l80e build for a corvette.The tail shaft is real pricy.http://www.700raptor.com/
http://www.700raptor.com/I wish I was ready to do the solid rear so I wouldn't have to go that route. I guess I could fab an adapter like RODJ posted of Joby's setup but again the PATC setup is so easy...
Btw, the PATC output shaft is 27 spline to adapt to the 700r4's yoke. What is that yoke good too Hp/tq wise?
Also, Does anyone know if Jesse's (0ski_dwn_it) "cross member" needs the corvette style tailshaft?
Last edited by chad89; Feb 5, 2010 at 08:00 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
Likes: 31
From: Australia
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/STR-U-1662/
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 1,502
Likes: 12
From: Yorktown Heights NY
Talk to Pete K first....
He helped me to take the plunge and I rebuilt my 4L60E with new raptor heat treated input shaft assembly, new 13 vane pump guts, new alto red high performance frictions and kolene steels (heat treated), 4L80E shell bearing and "the beast shell" as well as 3/4 Raybestos Zpac, all new roller bearings and case bearing inserts, super hold vette band servo as well as the alto red band, transgo performance shift kit and 9" 3,000 pro-torque lockup converter. Note, you have to pin the TCC PWM Torque converter clutch pulse width modulation valve full forward towards the front of the car to get the 9" converter to lock up properly (stock converter is 12" so the 9" will slip if this is not done) in one of these trannys...a little trick I learned.
Anyway, my self rebuilt high performance rebuilt will kick any stock 4l80E tranny's butt
It purrs like a kitten and shifts nice and smooth as long as you're easy on the pedal, but when you get on it watch out cause it will shift hard and fast when you want it to
He helped me to take the plunge and I rebuilt my 4L60E with new raptor heat treated input shaft assembly, new 13 vane pump guts, new alto red high performance frictions and kolene steels (heat treated), 4L80E shell bearing and "the beast shell" as well as 3/4 Raybestos Zpac, all new roller bearings and case bearing inserts, super hold vette band servo as well as the alto red band, transgo performance shift kit and 9" 3,000 pro-torque lockup converter. Note, you have to pin the TCC PWM Torque converter clutch pulse width modulation valve full forward towards the front of the car to get the 9" converter to lock up properly (stock converter is 12" so the 9" will slip if this is not done) in one of these trannys...a little trick I learned.
Anyway, my self rebuilt high performance rebuilt will kick any stock 4l80E tranny's butt
It purrs like a kitten and shifts nice and smooth as long as you're easy on the pedal, but when you get on it watch out cause it will shift hard and fast when you want it to
Last edited by 95BLKVette; Feb 6, 2010 at 02:12 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 7
From: Lahaina Hi
If you are intrested in the 4 link that Jessie makes .Only go with the 9 inch ,his measurements on the 12 bolt are off by 1/2 inch and causes the 12 bolt rear 4 link to set over to the drivers side to far and you have to manhandel your trans to get it to line up.off by 1/2 inch but it hits the floor board because of it.
Stay away from the 700 200 350 th, if you are going to go with the 4 link that jessie makes.I will tell you if I had it to do over I would have tubbed the and back halfed the car.Here is how you do it .Take the 700r4 and through it in the trash or buy my monster trans that is rated to 850hp manuel reverse valve body, with the vig tork converter, *cheap* and buy Jessies rear the trans and converter will hold up but you have to use the corvette tail shaft and a rigged up c-brace,it did not work on my car.I now have a extreamautomatics.com 400 trans and jessies 12 bolt rear and welded a bar from the back of the trans to the sides of the car and lined up the rear and now it can hold my 1035 hp in a 4k on the car. 6k rear 2 k 400 turbo and alot of welding,then came the drive shaft from inland empire 635.00$$.plus 800.00 for a converter.Now which way do you want to go??????
Jessies rear will hook real good I can tell you that and you will have to spend alot of time setting it up ,but you would any rear if you go with a 4 link.If you do it Jessies way the biggest tires you can use are 29 inches tall and 10.50 wide.Tubb it and or buy a vett already done you will save a fortune.
Stay away from the 700 200 350 th, if you are going to go with the 4 link that jessie makes.I will tell you if I had it to do over I would have tubbed the and back halfed the car.Here is how you do it .Take the 700r4 and through it in the trash or buy my monster trans that is rated to 850hp manuel reverse valve body, with the vig tork converter, *cheap* and buy Jessies rear the trans and converter will hold up but you have to use the corvette tail shaft and a rigged up c-brace,it did not work on my car.I now have a extreamautomatics.com 400 trans and jessies 12 bolt rear and welded a bar from the back of the trans to the sides of the car and lined up the rear and now it can hold my 1035 hp in a 4k on the car. 6k rear 2 k 400 turbo and alot of welding,then came the drive shaft from inland empire 635.00$$.plus 800.00 for a converter.Now which way do you want to go??????
Jessies rear will hook real good I can tell you that and you will have to spend alot of time setting it up ,but you would any rear if you go with a 4 link.If you do it Jessies way the biggest tires you can use are 29 inches tall and 10.50 wide.Tubb it and or buy a vett already done you will save a fortune.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,679
Likes: 1
From: South Amboy NJ
If you are intrested in the 4 link that Jessie makes .Only go with the 9 inch ,his measurements on the 12 bolt are off by 1/2 inch and causes the 12 bolt rear 4 link to set over to the drivers side to far and you have to manhandel your trans to get it to line up.off by 1/2 inch but it hits the floor board because of it.
Stay away from the 700 200 350 th, if you are going to go with the 4 link that jessie makes.I will tell you if I had it to do over I would have tubbed the and back halfed the car.Here is how you do it .Take the 700r4 and through it in the trash or buy my monster trans that is rated to 850hp manuel reverse valve body, with the vig tork converter, *cheap* and buy Jessies rear the trans and converter will hold up but you have to use the corvette tail shaft and a rigged up c-brace,it did not work on my car.I now have a extreamautomatics.com 400 trans and jessies 12 bolt rear and welded a bar from the back of the trans to the sides of the car and lined up the rear and now it can hold my 1035 hp in a 4k on the car. 6k rear 2 k 400 turbo and alot of welding,then came the drive shaft from inland empire 635.00$$.plus 800.00 for a converter.Now which way do you want to go??????
Jessies rear will hook real good I can tell you that and you will have to spend alot of time setting it up ,but you would any rear if you go with a 4 link.If you do it Jessies way the biggest tires you can use are 29 inches tall and 10.50 wide.Tubb it and or buy a vett already done you will save a fortune.
Stay away from the 700 200 350 th, if you are going to go with the 4 link that jessie makes.I will tell you if I had it to do over I would have tubbed the and back halfed the car.Here is how you do it .Take the 700r4 and through it in the trash or buy my monster trans that is rated to 850hp manuel reverse valve body, with the vig tork converter, *cheap* and buy Jessies rear the trans and converter will hold up but you have to use the corvette tail shaft and a rigged up c-brace,it did not work on my car.I now have a extreamautomatics.com 400 trans and jessies 12 bolt rear and welded a bar from the back of the trans to the sides of the car and lined up the rear and now it can hold my 1035 hp in a 4k on the car. 6k rear 2 k 400 turbo and alot of welding,then came the drive shaft from inland empire 635.00$$.plus 800.00 for a converter.Now which way do you want to go??????
Jessies rear will hook real good I can tell you that and you will have to spend alot of time setting it up ,but you would any rear if you go with a 4 link.If you do it Jessies way the biggest tires you can use are 29 inches tall and 10.50 wide.Tubb it and or buy a vett already done you will save a fortune.
The Jesse 12 bolt is the reason I sold my car. 
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,991
Likes: 5
From: The Pines South Jersey
If you are intrested in the 4 link that Jessie makes .Only go with the 9 inch ,his measurements on the 12 bolt are off by 1/2 inch and causes the 12 bolt rear 4 link to set over to the drivers side to far and you have to manhandel your trans to get it to line up.off by 1/2 inch but it hits the floor board because of it.
Stay away from the 700 200 350 th, if you are going to go with the 4 link that jessie makes.I will tell you if I had it to do over I would have tubbed the and back halfed the car.Here is how you do it .Take the 700r4 and through it in the trash or buy my monster trans that is rated to 850hp manuel reverse valve body, with the vig tork converter, *cheap* and buy Jessies rear the trans and converter will hold up but you have to use the corvette tail shaft and a rigged up c-brace,it did not work on my car.I now have a extreamautomatics.com 400 trans and jessies 12 bolt rear and welded a bar from the back of the trans to the sides of the car and lined up the rear and now it can hold my 1035 hp in a 4k on the car. 6k rear 2 k 400 turbo and alot of welding,then came the drive shaft from inland empire 635.00$$.plus 800.00 for a converter.Now which way do you want to go??????
Jessies rear will hook real good I can tell you that and you will have to spend alot of time setting it up ,but you would any rear if you go with a 4 link.If you do it Jessies way the biggest tires you can use are 29 inches tall and 10.50 wide.Tubb it and or buy a vett already done you will save a fortune.
Stay away from the 700 200 350 th, if you are going to go with the 4 link that jessie makes.I will tell you if I had it to do over I would have tubbed the and back halfed the car.Here is how you do it .Take the 700r4 and through it in the trash or buy my monster trans that is rated to 850hp manuel reverse valve body, with the vig tork converter, *cheap* and buy Jessies rear the trans and converter will hold up but you have to use the corvette tail shaft and a rigged up c-brace,it did not work on my car.I now have a extreamautomatics.com 400 trans and jessies 12 bolt rear and welded a bar from the back of the trans to the sides of the car and lined up the rear and now it can hold my 1035 hp in a 4k on the car. 6k rear 2 k 400 turbo and alot of welding,then came the drive shaft from inland empire 635.00$$.plus 800.00 for a converter.Now which way do you want to go??????
Jessies rear will hook real good I can tell you that and you will have to spend alot of time setting it up ,but you would any rear if you go with a 4 link.If you do it Jessies way the biggest tires you can use are 29 inches tall and 10.50 wide.Tubb it and or buy a vett already done you will save a fortune.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 9,922
Likes: 38
From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Can you run this EFi set up, using an LS PCM to control the 4L80E?
http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/default.aspx
http://www.eficonnection.com/eficonnection/default.aspx
