Im doing the 80e swap. Been researching for a few days now. I need some expert input on this. I keep reading how much a dog the 80e will feel like. All about the 1st gear etc.

My past setup was 4l60e with a 3600 stall and loved it with my 3.73 gear ratio.

I was thinking to build my new 80e stall as a 3700 rpm unit and throw 4.30 gears or 4.56s in it. And I am leaning toward 3700 stall with 4.56 gears.

My truck is a heavy Tahoe on 285/50/20 which is like a 31.7 or a shy 32" dia. I do not tow, just need some insight on what rpm I will spin, say I cruise at 80mph on highways. And I occasionally want to be able to drive my truck for a 5hr hwy trip if needed.

My daily commute is about 40 miles only

 

Should I keep 3.73s and do the stall around 4k Rpms? Heck I may do 4.30 gears with a trutrac and stall with the 3700 rpm converter. Or a tight 9.5 converter that flashes to 3600 and 4.56 gears.

I just need to finish my drivetrain. At this point my truck is being built for just NA, or a procharger or something to compliment what I already done.

 

if you liked the way your setup was, its not going to be much different.... 3700 stall and some 3.90s

 

sorry, from what I read on PT I am not under that impression. I already have 3.73 gears, swaping to 3.90s will not make sense at all. The stall speeds I can pick whatever stall I need before I get it built!


You mean to tell me all that I am reading is because people dont have a stall converter and complain about 1st gear pull? I mean I read people with 3000-3500 stalls who still said it dont even feel stalled with the 80e trans.

 

FWIW I just did an 80e/3200 stall swap. I can definitely feel theres a converter in there.

 

the 80e does have a little longer 1st gear, but if you can't get traction in first gear, how is going to a longer 1st gear going to hurt you? Its the gear ratio in the tranny.

Typically you may lose a tenth or so but will gain mph. If you're going to commute with it, I wouldn't go with much more stall IMO.

 

ok the stall he recomended me was a 3600 stall like I had, but he is going to build it really tight, so it has manners, and is not even noticeable for my daily driver. He can build me a billet 9.5 converter like that..

I was just more so worried that I may have to change my rear end gears from 3.73s. I mean I do have 20s, and think about 22s from time to time. I think I may go with a 4.30 gears and the 3600 stall

 

Dont worry about the 80E 1st gear. Its no biggie and actually helps.

I had major traction/ wheel hop issues with my setup and 60e,

The taller 1st gear in my 80e helps me launch better with less spin and Zero wheel hop. I like it.

Now she still lays 300' burnouts from a stomp of the pedal if i want, just gets going better with the 80e first gear

 

thanks for that input TIM. I was mostly looking for people with experience. That sure was enlightening. I was just playing with gear calculators and realizing how much better I do like current gears. I deal with wheel hop as well, and my truck can use any help in traction department. So far It looks like the ONLY thing I may do the rear end is add a TRUTRAC. Get my stall converter built for 3700rpm... and just be happy, or working on making more hp if I want more.

 

If you think you're going to get a 9.5" 3600 stall in an 80 that is not even noticeable, I'd like to get one of those converters myself. I had a 10.5" 3600 and it was noticeable for sure.

Going from a 4l60 to 4l80 behind a N/A engine is a significant difference, and 1st gear is crappy. I have 4.10s and that's what I would go with at minimum.