I'm looking to drop a 383 stroker in my 97' S-10 and I'm looking to see what tranny I should put behind it. A Beefed up 4L60E? A Built 700R4? a 4L80E? Which brings me to the question of the hour, What is the difference between these transmissions? I know the 700R4 and the 4L60E are kin but what about the 4L80/85E? Where does it fit in the whole scheme of things?

 

4L80E if i remember correctly is the equivalent to a TH400 (but with OD). it is the more beefier of the 2 sizes

 

The gear ratio's are also different so you may want to take that into acount. The 4l80e will be the strongest, but depending on the power you plan to make and the weight of the s-10 you may be just as well off with a built 4l60e. Or if it is just to be a track truck then a T-350 or T-400 will be cheaper.

 

Many of us with the 1500 trucks and equiv and looking to make over 400rwhp have gone to the 80E for the strength and reliability. It eats about 50-70rwhp v the 60E (argueably), but even a built 60E is considered the weak link in a 500rwhp, 6000lb set-up. For an S-10 application, a level 5 60E shud be fine...in fact u can likely get away with just a shift kit and servos IMO. R/

 

The biggest difference between a 700r4 and the 60E and 80E is that the 700r4 is not an electronic controlled transmission. I think the only electrical requirement in the 700r4 is the switch for the Torque converter clutch.

With a 60E or 80E you will need a means to control them. Either an enabled PCM or a stand alone system.

 

Can the 80E's be used for drag racing? or at least to make the power streetable? Also, I'm aiming to make between 400-450hp with the enginge, which tranny would reliably hold that? I would hate to build this up and fry a tranny...

 

I honestly went thru the same thot process. IMO if u already have the 60E, there are plenty of doomsayers on here that'll tell u to change it right away, but there are others who never had a prob. Under 450rwhp I think u can get away with a level 5 built 60E, and above that I'd change over to the 80E. The cost of either ends up being similar. There are still no guarantees, but remember that the 80E will eat up lots of ponies (50+ min). I believe the tune u employ with the 60E as well as the wght of ur foot will be the real factor. A stock 60E with shift kit and servos and proper shift points will do well, but always at risk. Thing is, as I've recently discovered, the whole d-train is only as strong as the weakest link. So, an 80E will only be as good as the weak rr end...so if ur rr end fails it cud very well twist up ur tranny as well....GOD I hope not!!!
PS...we really need a crying smiley!

 

 

Thnx! Never found it!

 

thank you for the input. Where can I find parts to upgrade my 60E to Level 5? It seems that all i can find as of late are the valvebodies that fix the p1870 code....