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4l80e users - how do you like your 1st gear?

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Old 02-06-2009, 12:20 PM
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Default 4l80e users - how do you like your 1st gear?

I'm sitting here looking at what I'm going to do about my stock 150k mile 4l60e. Financially, it doesn't make any sense to go with a built 60e. I found a brand new 2005 4l80e for $800 on car-part. There are numerous other 2wd 05-06 4l80e's on there for $650-800. I'm thinking about adding an HD2 shiftkit and calling it a day. I contacted nonnieslman and I have a feeling he would help me out with the swap so I don't think that's an issue. Seeing as how it's such a ubiquitous swap now, I'm not concerned with any potential issues. As it is now, I cringe everytime I hit a 4-2 shift on the highway. The only thing that's really making me think of going with the 60e is the 2.48 first gear in the 80e. People with turbos seem to love it - those who stay NA seem to not like it. I do have 4.10s but even then it will be taller than my 60e with the 3.42s. I can stab my throttle 1/2 from a dead stop and literally roast my 285s all the way thru an intersection, I love it. So those of you who did the swap and are still N/A, how's the low end pull with the 80e? I'll also be adding a converter. I'm thinking a 3200 stall would really bring up the low end, possibly even better than my current setup with the 60e and 4.10s. Thanks!
Old 02-06-2009, 12:53 PM
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I forgot to ask what all do you have done to the 6.0?
Old 02-06-2009, 10:32 PM
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as of the end of this month, headers and ported heads. Cam to be determined in the future. Planning ~400rwhp.
Old 02-06-2009, 10:54 PM
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I love my 80e 1'st gear it solved some traction problems and pulls so much harder up top it is'nt funny.
Old 02-06-2009, 11:40 PM
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traction problems are always good to fix!!!
Old 02-07-2009, 05:47 AM
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I want one bad, 1st gear is a waste for a 2wd even with a stock 6.0 IMO. It may hook and put down a great 60 at the track, but 99% of my driving will always be on the street. Smoke isn't fun when you don't want smoke.
Old 02-07-2009, 07:37 AM
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More or less I'm just worried about not having the ability to light em up! I read a post by a member who had a NA 408 and could barely chirp the tires. That is pathetic!
Old 02-07-2009, 08:00 AM
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I forgot tot ask, will my dynatech Y pipe still work with the 4l80e in there?
Old 02-07-2009, 08:11 AM
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"I cant get over how bad the 80E sucks for anything but a turbo truck. The 1st gear simply kills ET but at the same time it is awesome on the freeway and top end racing.

For anyone thinking about the swap consider it carefully. I didnt expect it to have quite the impact it did but those of us that have done the swap are sitting at about half a second slower than we should be for our MPH.

At this point I dont have the cash to afford to go back to the 4L60E so I'm stuck and will just have to work around it. Or race Supra style."
Old 02-07-2009, 08:18 AM
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"We have almost the exact same set up, except I have an lq4. The 80e absolutely sucks out of the hole. A converter is just going to create wheelspin unless you have traction bars and run some type of drag radials on the street. I have a 2800 stall.

I can almost guarentee you that your mph in the 1/4 will go up and ET down with everything else held constant. My 1/8 mile times suck, but the truck runs really well up top. With only 448rwhp I was trapping 108+ in the 1/4.

The 80e is a blast to drive on the freeway and has much better trnasition into gears. The 65e absolutely sucks between gear shifts. The 80e "supposedly" takes an additional 20-25hp to turn as well.

For a piece of mind, do an 80e. For the best performance, go 65e. I honestly dont think a 4l65 will live for an extented period of time in a heavy 6L truck. I should know, I went through 5 of them.

Think long and hard bro. The determing factor for me would be your driving habits. If you drive hard, get an 80e. Just be prepared to be sluggish out of the hole."


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