Aftermarket transmission
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 764
From: Sligo PA
I'm assuming that this is an auto car. I don't think most manual guys are swapping theirs out for something else.
So with the bad track record that most trans shops have gotten lately and with how cheap electronic trans control has got in the last few years I would just upgrade to either a 4L60e or if it's a high powered situation then the 4L80e. I have had both of these in my 84 and they both were 100x better than the 700r4. The best part is that if you manage to break one then you can just get another one. 4L60e's are the cheapest trans in the wreaking yard right now. Sometimes sub $100 with a warranty.
If you are making a lot of power (700hp+) then I recommend the 4L80e with the CK Performance upgrade kit. It will take a beating and is very reasonably priced. Installing the kit does take some skill and space but it's doable. If I can do it then so can you. You will need a shorter driveshaft with the 4L80e. The factory shaft will work with the 4L60e.
So with the bad track record that most trans shops have gotten lately and with how cheap electronic trans control has got in the last few years I would just upgrade to either a 4L60e or if it's a high powered situation then the 4L80e. I have had both of these in my 84 and they both were 100x better than the 700r4. The best part is that if you manage to break one then you can just get another one. 4L60e's are the cheapest trans in the wreaking yard right now. Sometimes sub $100 with a warranty.
If you are making a lot of power (700hp+) then I recommend the 4L80e with the CK Performance upgrade kit. It will take a beating and is very reasonably priced. Installing the kit does take some skill and space but it's doable. If I can do it then so can you. You will need a shorter driveshaft with the 4L80e. The factory shaft will work with the 4L60e.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
I'm assuming that this is an auto car. I don't think most manual guys are swapping theirs out for something else.
So with the bad track record that most trans shops have gotten lately and with how cheap electronic trans control has got in the last few years I would just upgrade to either a 4L60e or if it's a high powered situation then the 4L80e. I have had both of these in my 84 and they both were 100x better than the 700r4. The best part is that if you manage to break one then you can just get another one. 4L60e's are the cheapest trans in the wreaking yard right now. Sometimes sub $100 with a warranty.
If you are making a lot of power (700hp+) then I recommend the 4L80e with the CK Performance upgrade kit. It will take a beating and is very reasonably priced. Installing the kit does take some skill and space but it's doable. If I can do it then so can you. You will need a shorter driveshaft with the 4L80e. The factory shaft will work with the 4L60e.
So with the bad track record that most trans shops have gotten lately and with how cheap electronic trans control has got in the last few years I would just upgrade to either a 4L60e or if it's a high powered situation then the 4L80e. I have had both of these in my 84 and they both were 100x better than the 700r4. The best part is that if you manage to break one then you can just get another one. 4L60e's are the cheapest trans in the wreaking yard right now. Sometimes sub $100 with a warranty.
If you are making a lot of power (700hp+) then I recommend the 4L80e with the CK Performance upgrade kit. It will take a beating and is very reasonably priced. Installing the kit does take some skill and space but it's doable. If I can do it then so can you. You will need a shorter driveshaft with the 4L80e. The factory shaft will work with the 4L60e.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 764
From: Sligo PA
THIS IS SO HELPFUL. I was looking for orginal 700r4, because I have also heard terrible things from rebuilds. It sort of sucks, because its electronic, and I dont have that setup, but my hp is anwyhere from 600 to 650. The darn thing only shifts into 2nd when you let off the gas.
It would be more work on your end but just convert it to 4L80e. The LQ9 I'm putting together will be around 500 hp NA at the crank with a 200 shot on top so 700 hp total. I put in a low mileage 4L80e with a 3600 stall FTI converter. The only real fab work needed is to make a tail housing adapter, cut the C beam down and have a driveshaft made. I went with a steel 4130 shaft with 1350 yokes but you could probably go smaller if you want.
I'm currently using my 4L80e in my 84 with my cammed LS6 and it's holding up just fine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 764
From: Sligo PA
This is a link to the thread I made showing how I fabbed the tail housing adapter for the 4L80e.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...dana-44-a.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...dana-44-a.html
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 22
Likes: 2
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 764
From: Sligo PA
The only reason I didn't was money. The 6L80's cost a lot more. Also the converters and the controllers to run them are a lot more. It would be awesome to have 6 gears but I didn't want to pay for it. That and if I ever do anything stupid and break my trans I can just go grab another one. 4L80e's are super common. Just find any 1 ton Express van up to 2009.