Why did you stay with a 60e and not do an 80e swap? Im not talking about a built 80e (theyre expensive) but even a stock 80e is damn strong. Ive been trying to save up enough to buy a built 60e and its pretty hard these days. My stock 60e has 210k and is dieing quickly. An 80e swap (stock) is cheaper (?) than buying a built 60e and is still stronger (right?). Im trying to keep my options open. Ive been trying to save for the last few months, but everytime Im almost there, I end up having to spend the money on something else. Downtime is not an option unless its a weekend.

 

In most cases a guy that is not able to tackle the swap on his own will opt to go the built 60 route. I feel that an 80 swap is a very good option if you have a good amount of HP and your truck is heavy. Looking at your sig pic with the size of that truck, depending on the hp, it might be a good idea to consider it. I would need more details on your truck to give you an honest opinion on what would be best for you. However like you said a built 60 is still more than doing the 80 and the 80 will be stronger IMO. Vince

 

I'm just some bolt ons (CAI and full exhaust) with a stock LQ4... 37s, 4.88s and a tune. I do drive ~35k/ year and pull a loaded 5x8 enclosed trailer 95% of the time.. I drive like a grandma.. hence why the 60e has lasted me 210k.

 

Because my truck doesn't have enough power for the 80e.. And a lot of ppl have good luck with the performabuilt so why not

 

Back when Vince built my 65E in 2006, there really weren�t many good options for adapting an 80/85E type transmission to the NVG-149 transfer-case. Had there been, I probably would have went that way myself. Never-the-less, I�ve never had a minute�s trouble out of the 65E. I go to the track every once and a while, and I run it pretty hard all the time, but I don�t go around beating on it like a redheaded step child at every stop sign either and is most likely why it�s lasted me so long. Even my factory 65E lasted over 5 years spraying the 6.0L with a 150 shot, and when I pulled it, it had just started flaring on the 1-2 shift. That said, now that there are options available, I may go ahead and make the swap, but if the economy doesn�t improve for me, I may just have it freshened up when it needs it and keep rocking on. At this point it doesn�t scare me to keep running it.

I do agree that if you�re going to be spending the money anyway, you might as well go with the strongest option available.

 

Money.. thats the only reason. I want one, but if I can have a stronger trans for less money, its a win-win. Its hard trying to save $2500.

Ive thought about just finding a stock 65e too. I know theres one on here in the FS ads.

 

I went with a built 60e because my local builder does a damn good job for 700 bucks, Ill know here soon just how good it is but his builds are doing well in some fairly stout combos around here. When/if I blow this one Ill swap back to an 80e. I had an 80e in with my stroker motors and loved the shift quality and just the general driveability, if I wouldve had a better converter(was running stock) it wouldve been even better.

 

The difference in performance between the stock converter and an aftermarket one is mind boggling!

One of the things about the 80e is gas mileage, if you care about that. It just seems to kill gas mileage. I guess one of the reasons is that the stock stall is significantly looser than a stock 60 stall.

 

OP im in your boat as well, bu being im a RCSB and turboed i think a strong 60e will be my move, but that big boy in your pic, and some towing....80e no question about it if it were me. You may can get another stocker for a little while till you get that cash saved up

 

I guess that a 60 would work due to your driving habits. It seems guys that don't beat on these units constantly have had good luck with them. However take a guy that does drive it hard all the time and the life of the trans is greatly reduced. Its your call! Vince