17inac4

Hello all, i have a few questions that I hope I can get answered. My 4l60e is an absolute turd, 3-4 clutch pack is gone... I've done my homework and found out this is a typical problem with this model.. Anyway, I have been researching to either rebuild the 4l60e, or go with something stronger.. I recently have come across a 4l80e in very good shape.. 40,000 miles that are documented, came out of a 1 ton 90's chevy. only reason it is no longer in use is because of a total loss of the vehicle. It was paired with a 454. Now for the questions,
1. The big one, what all will I need to perfect this swap to get my vette road worthy?
2. On a scale of 1-10 how challenging would this be?
3. I eventually plan to go with bigger cam, block machined and all the goodies, will a 4l80e handle 350-450 horsepower?
4. How much would this cost in the long run? The guy is somewhat extended family
To me so he is selling it cheap for 250 dollars.
5. Will it require modification to the trans tunnel or firewall?
Thanks in advance to any advice!

Adrien

3D87C4

I considered the 4l80 for my EROD swap but my mechanic talked me out of it 'cause of its size, weight & gear ratios. Modification to the trans tunnel is likely. The first and second gear ratios are lower, and the overdrive ratio higher, than the 4l60 so less fun off the line and higer RPMs on the highway.

........ 1st .....2nd.....3rd...... od
4l60e 3.06:1 1.63:1 1.00:1 0.70:1
4l80e 2.48:1 1.48:1 1.00:1 0.75:1

tunedport85inject

Some months ago i went into a thread about the swap you want.The guy is a sweden,if i remember,lot of informations:

no problem it fit perfect into your tunnel

first, you have to modify your Cbeam,becouse of longer unit you'r going.C beam must be shortened and modified to fit the 4l80 E tail housing

second, 4l80 e tail housing ,if it come from a truck, have to by machined becouse of the park brake inside it,and to fit a slip yoke into.

then, you need a shorter custom drive shaft,

Then you need an aftermarket ecu to handle this bad boy,you can find it at TCI

then minor modds to oil lines and shifter shaft for exaust clearence

in my opinion the big part is modify the tail housing ,and modify the Cbeam,you need to weld a new flange for the 4l80E tail housing...

tunedport85inject

Ok found the link,enjoy!!
http://www.joby.se/corvette/mods/2004-12-26_4l80/

3D87C4

D'oh! Wish I'd a seen that a few months ago.

17inac4

Any way I could alter that to the 4l60e ratios? Excuse me if that is a dumb question.. I'm new to the transmission field

17inac4

Thanks so much! The transmission is out of a truck, I wonder what it would cost for the machining and ecu

tunedport85inject

Expensive parts are TH machining,aftermarket trans ECU and custom drive shaft,the guy that did it, have modified the engine with a big turbo on it...with a 4l80E and a Dana 44 you can handle more than 700 hp

17inac4

http://www.tciauto.com/tc/tcir-ez-tcutm.html

Would this work for what I'm wanting to do?

3D87C4

If you're replacing a 4l60e you might not need a new transmission controller.

Don't know if the ratios can be changed but would assume you could beef up your existing tranny for roughly the same amoung of money & not need the 4l80e.

No expert, so take all of the above with a grain of salt.

Muffin

I am still wrestling in the 700R4 pit but off hand it seems to me you could get a built 4l60e for less $ and a lot less trouble.

James93LT1

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/4l80e.htm

#C480. 4L80E in C4 Corvette Adapter (1984 - 1996). Swap your 700R4 / 4L60E transmission to the much stronger 4L80E transmission with our new double strength case hardened output shaft and adapter kit. At this time we have an adapter kit for the C4 Corvette to replace your 700R4 / 4L60E transmission with the much stronger 4L80E transmission. This 4L80E transmission will be the same length as your 700R4 / 4L60E transmission making it possible to reuse your existing 27 spline driveshaft and C-beam. All that needs to be changed on the 4L80E transmission is the tail housing and output shaft. The full manual shift model works without a computer. This tail housing is made of 6061T6 aircraft aluminum.

3D87C4

That's what we're using in my swap. I'm just not sure you need it. Your ECM is already communicating with the 4l60e & may be able to control the 4l80e.

383vett

If the op is only putting out 350-400hp, just build the 4l60e. I've been running one for years with over 500hp. So far it's good for 10.30s with close to a thousand runs with no failures. I use a TCI controller progammed with a laptop. It is deadly consistant for bracket racing. Just put it in drive and hit the go pedal. Every 2 years (300 runs), I have it freshened up. I have a buddy with a 10 second Callaway with a 4l80e and a transbrake. The thing is completely bulletproof and never needs freshening. The negatives are that it weighs over 200 lbs and you will need an aftermarket controller. Your 4l60e has totally different input and output signals compared to the 4l80e. It'll cost you some pretty good bucks for the conversion in parts and computer controller. Just find a good builder for your 4l60e unless you plan on bolting it up to a big block.

VenkmanP

Sounds like the OP needs a stock rebuild on the 4L60E or a low mileage pullout stock 4L60E.

bolowbc

I hope the 6l80e will go in with the adapter and little to no modifications to the tunnel.

I've always wanted to do the TCI 6X six speed auto transmission swap... after an LS swap.

yedister

I agree, your engine is not putting out serious power, can you afford to lose more power because of the transmission? it has been said that you can build a 4L60e to handle 1000 HP.

3D87C4

There you go.

17inac4

Well.. Guess a built 4l60e is the key. Thanks for your input gentlemen. I guess it all depends on the people who build it.. What is the reason a 4l60e burns up like that? Any ideas?

3D87C4

Just replaced the 4l60e in my truck---137000 miles and a lead foot seem the likely explanation to me.