Have some questions about the 4L80E.
1. Will it fit in my car?
2. How much does it cost?
3. How much does it weigh?
4. What kind of hp/tq will it handle?
5. Who makes the best converter for it?
6. Can you get a trans brake for it?
7. Is it any slower than a 700-R4?
8. Who makes a performance 4L80E?
9. What electronics do I need to run it?

I am looking at making 650rwhp at a minimum. I need an overdrive trans that will handle what I want to do. Any help would be great.

 

1. Not without some modifications
2. With computer, about $3500
3. A TH400 is 175 pounds and the 4L80E is heavier, wider, longer etc.
4. In stock trim about 400 foot pounds of torque. Maybe closer to 450.
5. I've seen a nice Art Carr converter. Like many other things, you get what you pay for.
6. Not sure since the valve body is electronically controlled. An aftermarket valve body is available to split the gears and make it a 6 speed. There's probably no transbrake available since this is a big heavy tranny and not a good choice for a drag car. Drag racers want a light tranny and don't need an OD.
7. Slower in what way? It has the same gear ratios as a TH400 but also has a .75 OD.
8. JET is one company
9. A standalone computer is required to operate the transmission unless the vehicle came with a 4L80E such as my 454SS truck. Then the main computer controls everything.

 

Transgo makes a kit for it that makes it a full manual shift tranny, no computer needed.

As for converters, I have a 4L80E Precision Industries Vigilante, 3200 rpm stall, 3-disk lockup, etc that works really well. Even with 1200hp/1000tq I can lockup the converter at WOT and it will not slip. Not cheap, almost $1100, but it's very effective.

Without the converter, a 4L80E is about 200lbs. The stock converter weighs almost 75 lbs but since these tranny's came in very heavy trucks and SUV's, they do not have the stall you'd want in a performance app anyway.

The 4L80E fit in my Corvette, which was originally equiped with a 700R4, with no mods, other than a new rear tranny mount. The 4L80E is about 4" longer than a 700R4, and the tailhousing is a little wider, but it still fit easily.

Used 4L80E's can be found for around $1000, sometimes a little less. Alot of shops will charge you up to a $1000 core charge for the 4L80E so if you can find it cheaper than that, consider it.