Project

I quit driving my thirdgen a couple months ago and I need to get a new transmission. This is the second "bullet proof" 700-R4 I have had built by 2 seperate companies. I guess I'm just too rough on 'em.

I want something that will hold up longer than 5000 miles, has over drive and can hold upto 1000hp safely (only putting out 550 or so now) Have to have auto!

TH400 the ONLY route to go with this? I H A T E this tranny

1981LT1

iTrader: (1)

If you have to have an auto, then the TH400 will be the only affordable trans that will be able to handle that kind of power.

Angelis83LT

how are you toasting the 700-r4's so fast? something not adjusted properly on the TV cable or something causing the fluid to over preassure or not have enoungh causing pre mature clutch failure, or perhaps the trans fluid cooler is plugged which causes the transmission to overheat... causing failure...

Larry Dunlap

I guess you know the TH400 doesn't have overdrive. I put a TH350 in my car when the 700r4 went. I hated the 700r4 too, that dam TV cable is so sensitive and if out of adjustment can trash the tranny fast. However, with 3.73 gears and my TH350 I run about 3300 rpms on the freeway at 65 mph!. I figure I get about 6 mpg at that rate. My car is not a daily driver, the farthest I ever drive it is to Houston Raceway park 1/4 mile dragstrip, about 60 miles. Hondas are zooming past me on the freeway, but once I get to the strip, watch out!!

84z28350

A TH400 is the only auto trans beside a PG that can be built to reliably handle that kind of power IMHO.

The gas mileage is really going to suck on the highway with only a 1:1 3rd gear though.

Larry Dunlap

Righto, I put in a TH350 because I was told it was good up to about 400 hp or so. Since Im below that I went with the lighter TH350. Now after doing a 383 stroker and Nitrous, might need the TH400.

Powerglide is only two gears right? I guess that would even be worse for freeway driving.

Angelis83LT

You could go with the TH400 and then a gear vendors overdrive unit. That would give you the overdrive capability on the TH400 I believe. depending on the ratios used in it i suppose. and those are goo for some pretty decent power also i believe.. I am waiting for the new 00r4 to quit on me.. works will right now at least. but like alot of people i do not have luck with the things due to the TV cable crap.. to easy for something to happen to the cable to get it out of wack with something and then 3 months later it's toast because the preassure is not right. there is a specific preassure range where that has to sit, and unless you know that range per gear, adjusting that tv cable is nearly impossible to get exactly right

Larry Dunlap

Yeah, I tried putting a cool looking aftermarket throttle cable and TV cable on my TPI car and never could get the TV adjusted right. I switched back tothe stock bracket and cable that has the auto adjusting thing and it seem right, but third gear completely went no too long later. Im sure I hastened its demise fooliing around with that manual adjusting TV cable

I talked to a guy at a speed shop here and he said he put in a built 700R4 at the request of a customer in a car, and went to test drive it and had forgotten to hook up the TV cable. Trashed the brand new built tranny driving to the first corner.

84z28350

Yes a powerglide is only 2 gears, you still end up with 1:1 in 2nd so youll get the same gas mileage as a TH350 or TH400 except it will be a total dog down low.

NHRA427

I have run a lot of TH350s. I ran one in my drag car, 70 Nova 427, Never had a problem with it. The engine was supose to be 600 hp. Ran 10.50s with it. I blew a converter and a 9in rearend but never a 350. I do know what you mean about freeway. Even my Camaro with 3.42 and the turbo 350 it seems to scream. Guess i got use to my 99mustang gt. Does anyone make a 4L60 for non computer cars? That might be the way to go.

Angelis83LT

they make them.. but they cost, mostly because they have thier own little computer at that point.. I have seen them around on the net... just can not remember where

84z28350

a 4L60 is a non computer controlled trans, it is a 700R4...

a 4l60E is the electronically controlled version of a 4l60/700R4!

NHRA427

I thought the 4L60E was basically a 4 speed turbo 400, as far as being strong. I cant keep track of these new ones. Guess its going to cost to have that 4 gear, sucks

Randy82WS7

4L80/4L80E

NHRA427

thats right i thought of that after i left the last post.

84z28350

Isnt the 4l80/4l80E a 6 speed? I thought someone here mentioned that...

NHRA427

nope its a 4 speed. chevy doesnt have a 6 speed auto

Angelis83LT

correction
GM does have a 6spd auto trans that will be out in a few months I believe. I seen one of the 2006 cars had one in it... supposed to be a biog ticket aftermarket seller. so just be patient and sit back and wait for it lol.. if you can at least lol

84z28350

Their was a link in one of the threads right to a GM site for the 6 speed but i just wasnt 100% sure on what it was. ill see if i can find it.


Edit:

Ok i found out what it was, the 6 speed auto is the 6L80 used in the new vettes and northstar.

Heres a link to the 6L80's specs!

http://media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en...80%20(MYC).pdf

Damn that thing has a 4.02 first gear, it must rip off the line!

Angelis83LT

here is a link to a press relaease about up and comming drive trains technology that GM is putting into place

Link To Information


So basically through thier press releases and such, GM / Chevy will have standard 6 spd automatic transmissions in cars in 2006 which is just a few months away basically. which would actually be alot nicer compared to the old 700r4 platefor or the 4L60 or what not...

Angelis83LT

Just found this also which states a few specific 2006 cars you will find it in

[QOUTE]
Six-speed automatics deliver improved efficiency, performance
In addition to improving engine efficiency, GM is launching a broad portfolio of advanced six-speed automatic transmissions to increase overall powertrain performance.

“During the next five years, GM will launch 10 new automatic six-speed transmission variants," said Stephens. "In fact, by 2010, GM will be producing more than three million six-speed transmissions per year."

GM six-speed automatic transmissions use a wide gear ratio spread to improve both performance and fuel economy over traditional four-speed automatics.

GM will launch seven of the six-speed automatic variants in North America and Europe . These include rear-wheel variants of the new Hydra-Matic six-speed, which debuted with the Hydra-Matic 6L80 in the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac STS-V and XLR-V. Also included in the new rear-wheel drive six-speeds is a new Allison 1000 six-speed, introduced in the 2006 Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD pickups.

Rounding out the seven variants is the new front-wheel drive (FWD) Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission. The 6T70 is one of the industry’s most advanced FWD six-speed transmissions and is scheduled to debut in the all-new 2007 Saturn Aura midsize sedan.
[/QOUTE]

greggbruce

iTrader: (1)

4L80E can take up to around 1200hp, but will cost you around 5 grand for the conversion. you got deep pockets??

Joe knott

There is a tranny called the 4L80-E . It is a cousin to the 400
turbo- it takes a computer to shift it- came out in the early 90's
and still made today.

3.8TransAM

Well,

Done right, a 700 should hold in the 500hp + or - range quite well.

IF your having someone reputable do them, Jimmy's Trans, Pro Built, CK, PMAC, etc.

Otherwise I wouldnt hold my breath if its a TCI or BandM setup or the equivelant.

A 4L80E can be done without going broke pretty easily. There are a lot of them out there. Auto big block trucks from 96-96 on had them and they get used in all the other large GM auto truck apps also.

Run the later TBI ecm with tranny controls, get a wiring diagram, learn to burn your own chips and your in business.

Bet you you could have it running for under 1500$ if u can find a good deal on a tranny and can either gut or build a harness to control it

later
Jeremy

BruceEmbry

Hi,
My conversion to the 4L60e is costing me around $3200. This is using a reduced price new 4L60e transmission and TCI controller. Over a $1000 has being spent in the cross member, drive shaft, and the other machnical parts required for the conversion. Anyone with an 82/83 orginal three speed will run into the same cost. My total cost for he 4L60e and controller is less then $1800.

The 200c to 700r4 is easy compare to the 200c to 4L60e conversion. But after weighing in all of the advanages including TCC lockup in 2nd, 3re, and 4th gears, programable shift points, programable shift feel, paddle shifters support, etc........ I think the work involved in installing the wiring harness may be well worth it.

The biggest problem with the n 6Lxxe is finding a controller for it. But in a few years I sure if there is enough interst that there will be an aftermarket TCU controller for it. I note that the six speed top two gears are overdrive.

For this thread I would consider doing the 4L80e conversion. You'll get all of the same advanages that I have with my 4L60e conversion.

greggbruce

iTrader: (1)

Keep in mind the 4L80 e is probably another 100 lbs. heavier and it takes more HP to turn the thing. unless you're running a supercharger AND nitrous and about an 8 second quarter mile, I would think the 4L60 e is enough. After building a few hundred of these (some for performance too) I'm sure they're pretty capable.

gm sells a diesel control box to run a 4l80e in the performance parts catalog. dunno if there's a wiring harness available for it or not, I imagine painless wiring already has something for them....

BruceEmbry

Actruely GM sells a repackage 4L60e/4L80e controller made by FAST which is the same as the TCI controller. The controller comes with the wiring harness, software for the PC etc.