hey guys i was looking at swapping out my auto trans seeing if anyone has done this before... i dont want a 700r4 and a 4l60e would be alright but i dont mind the extra weight for the added protection so i was thinking more along the lines of a 4l80e basically the same as my 400TH now but with over drive... ive seen a few on the market that bypass the electonics of it... and a few kits to make it and easy job of hooking the electronics up to any car... my question is has anyone done this how hard of a swap would it be to put in? custom drive shafts? that type of stuff i would really like the over drive because this 3 speed with 4.10's is fun and all but not on the e-way when im going to meet up with friends to cruise and whatever else... i can find the trans for a decent price and a build up kit isnt much more than any other kit... pretty much would bullet proff me agenst anything i throw at it too...

 

4L80E's are a very heavy tranny........it's the same tranny used in the new millitary Hummers(no not H2's....just an up grade to the old one.)If you build it be very careful when you disassimble the pump.....make sure the sun gear is place back in with the right side up.......if you remove the gear flip it over and reinstall it will fit fine and the tranny will work fine for about 5 min....then when you nail it no pressure and a smoked tranny.If you need a kit I have one that is missing the filter and valve body bolts(they must be replaced)......let me know if you need it....as far as the swap....the mount is the same as a 4L60E.....it is however a little longer that a 60,so you will need a custom d/s....the electronics are the hard part of the swap...if you have that down then its not much different than an other swap.Good luck and no I have never done the swap.

 

well the only time i have ever even used a 4l80e was in a couple cube vans for my fathers delivery route we had one go bad because of a factory defect.. its seemed pretty strong but if its not going to take the abuse much better than a 4l60e built up i might skip it for weight... i know alot of years of them had factory defects little things, but ill see i guess 700r4 would be the easiest but i never liked them even built up they dont seem to handle much. i have a manual sitting around that will fit but thats not great on the strip...