RPM 4L65E auto trans swap pro's and con's?
 

After studying all of my options for repairing and upgrading my 6L80E. I'm strongly considering the 4L65E swap from RPM. I really want to do this once for a long time. As of right now I'm only at 621/576 (know a built A6 can handle that) but after putting this kind of money in the car either way I go. I'll probably hang on to it for quite a while and eventually gain horsepower in the future. Guys that done the swap or know someone who has, please advise me of the pro's and con's? Besides the price and non use of the paddles. Thanks fellas.

I did the swap late last year coming from a 6 spd manual. I did the level 10 with all the trimmings & I haven't regretted at all. The car is still a blast to drive & flat works on the street & strip. One of the cool parts of the whole deal is the fact everthing bolts up like OEM, no need to cut up a nice car. My car makes right around 700 rwhp with a 200 shot & has been some 9.70's on a small drag radial with completely stock suspension. The guys at RPM were great to deal with, answered all my concerns, & delivered the goods on time. Its an expensive swap but you're done with trans issues until you want to start pushing north of a 1k rwhp. Good luck with your build.

I have a few of the parts needed for the swap if your interested.

I'm pushing close to 800 through the stock 6L80. It's been fine for years now. A cooler and the tune are what helps keep the 6L80 alive. If you had issues at 600 - tune and cooling is what I would address as opposed to 4L60/65 swap.
My $.02

Also interested in doing this swap also. How much was the quote from RPM? They quoted me $20,000 just for parts for a powerglide swap

Have half the parts needed for cheap.

I appreciate it 1MEANGS but if I go with RPM. I'll just drop the car off and let them handle it. Thanks

I know exactly what you mean M M. I have to rebuild my trans at this point anyway and if I'm going to invest this kind of money in my 6l80e with all the good parts needed to help make it live. In the end, I'm not to far off from the conversion.

Level VII 4l65 swap installed is about half of what you were quoted.

Any other pro's or con's on the swap??? All opinions are welcome. Thanks guys.

1MEANGS, did you out grow the 4l65e? What was your experience?

Call me I can save you a lot of $ for what I have to say.

I just did, call me back when you get a chance. Thanks

Still looking for other opinions. Most of the research that I done on it had been great.

I'd stick with a stock 6L80 with a good tune for <800 rwhp..... Lots of them are living at 700 rwhp..

4L60Es are stronger when built right but, will not drive as nice as your 6L80, you'll have much less top speed etc... Just not worth it unless you are shooting for 800+ rw...

My A6 trans dilemma was one of the biggest car build decisions I ever had to make after building quite a few hot rods in my lifetime. I looked at having someone local (very experience builder) rebuilding my A6 with all the good parts available including factory upgrades for my 07 trans, new torque converter and external trans cooler with fan set up and installation. It ended up totaling in the upper part of $5k. I ended up being hesitant with him because I didn't know if we could get "The 3/5/R drum is machined to accept our sprial-lock snap ring upgrade that retains the 3/5/R piston housing. We have seen the factory snap ring fail to hold " quoted from Century that I believed was the problem with my A6.. Which would add more $$. I looked at having my local speed shop installing a Century trans with everything needed and it was upper 7k when all said and done. At that point I talked to RPM again and Jeremy gave me a good deal considering.

I dropped my car off at RPM and went with the RPM level VII 4L65/70E added the Sonnax input drum upgrade (now good up to 800rwhp), 3200 Vigilante, and 3:42 rear gear set up. I had my car back for about 3 weeks now and it's a Blast to drive! I could tell from the first 25 feet on my test drive that my car was much quicker. I don't have any regrets on my decision and glad that I went with RPM. My A4 is alot more predictable and dependable than my old A6. Rodney, Jeremy and the crew at RPM was very nice and did a fantastic job. This trans is awesome! :thumbs:

Awesome man I'm glad you took my advice... bet you it's a blast to drive! :cheers:

I was envious of you when I went to go pick up my new rpm Z t56. I was really looking hard at a 4 speed auto swap with my 2005 bastard child.

Definitely man, I appreciated your time on the phone and vote of confidence on my decision. :yesnod:

Oh, did you see my car there? I also considered a t56 conversion but Jeremy did tell me that the A4 swap would make a quicker car. So I went that way.

Your experience is very similar to mine. I'd do the swap again in a heartbeat. The car is still a blast drive on the street & deadly consistent at the track. Glad it worked out for you, didn't think you'd be disappointed.

I appreciate the vote of confidence you gave. Guys like you chiming in, posting your experience makes all the difference. :cheers:

Other than the trans and convertor what else is needed for the swap? I went to their site but there wasn't a conversion package listed that I could find.