What I did: Rebuild 4l80e with good clutches / steels, 34 element sprag, TCI manual reverse v/b with transbrake, PATC C4 conversion output shaft and tail housing, Circle D Pro Stage III 245mm 4C converter, TCI Outlaw shifter.

I finally got my car back on the ground and on the road and my first impression is WOW, I'm in love. My car is like a whole new animal (in a good way) The gear spacing is sooo much better than the 700's ridiculous first to second. The Circle D converter is awesome and totally streetable. The manual reverse v/b is not going to be for everyone (no engine braking for you road course/ auto x guys) but I am really liking it without the engine braking. Lockup is limited to overdrive only, I have it within simple reach on a toggle. I have only "road" tested it at this point, no strip time yet. I don't plan on launching hard off of the brake until I figure out what direction I am going with the rear end situation.

All in all, I can't think of many down sides (for me). Cost was just a little more than what a "built proof" 700 would of been, weight is a little more, probably around 75 lbs, I scaled my car for the first time this weekend so I don't have a comparison but it was 2960 lbs. with a quarter tank. Again, this is not for everyone, some would hate manually shifting all the time but with the aftermarket shifter it quickly becomes second nature.

All I have to say is the piece of mind is worth the effort alone. Anything can break and will, but, I am pretty much checking trans off of my list.

 

For sure the gear spacing on a Th400 or 4L80E makes more sense.

What exactly have you stripped out of your car to get it down to 2,960 lbs? That is a flyweight C4, especially after the weight addition of your new trans.

Thomas

 

I was pleasantly surprised with that weight. The fuel gauge was reading 1/4 tank (probably less, unreliable c4 fuel gauges) so with a 1/2 tank the car would be @ 3000 lbs. ok, but not spectacular.

Weight reductions: heat, A/C, radio, speakers/amps, emissions (cats, evap etc), air pump, tons of wiring, wipers/motor (rain x works fine when caught in a little storm), sound deading, power seat tracks and wiring (using manual seat tracks on both sides), fuel injection (gone dark side), 3/4 length exhaust system using two bullet mufflers in tunnel with turndowns right at rear end housing, anything else that I deemed unnecessary.

I have a few ideas left, light weight wheels, more under dash deletions of wiring that is not being used, the heater core is still under their, light weight Toledo pro hood (to make room for an nx plate). I do not forsee going with any "exotic" weight reductions such as carbon fiber etc (not enough bang for the buck for me to justify).