thunder550

iTrader: (70)

Ok a few of you guys have told me that a stock 80E with a shift kit will handle the LQ9, Radix, and cam that I want to throw at it. I am thinking somewhere around 575 hp, so if I say 600 hp I should have room to spare. I dunno where that would put me in terms of torque. My truck is 4x4, I tow a 6000 lb trailer twice a week in the summer, I have 2 big trans coolers with fans, my 60E never got over 190-200 during the summer with this setup.

I have called a couple of trans shops, and they are telling me to beef up the 4L80E a lot for this type of usage. I looked at the FLT level 4 4L80E ($2450), which would be awesome, but is expensive and I have been told it is overkill for my setup.

* B/W high-energy clutches
* Seal & gasket kit
* Bushings
* 6 clutches in direct drum
* Bonded pistons
* B/W 34 element intermediate sprag
* Transgo HD-2 shift kit
* Low roller clutch
* All solenoids
* Internal wire harness
* Filter
* Spacer plate
* New speed sensors
* Set end play to performance specs
* Torrington bearing rear case

I called a local place, Phoenix ReTrans, who remanufacture trannies, and I was quoted $2200 for a 4L80E with:
* Straight cut planetaries
* Transgo shift kit
* Red Eagle high performance clutches
* Kevlar band
* Stock converter

Phoenix ReTrans has a stock 80E for $1525 (I don't have a core to return - they want to give me $20 for the 60E core )

Are they telling me to upgrade cause they want more $$? Or do I really need to upgrade? According to several people on the forum here, a stock 80E with a shift kit would be fine.

What about the converter? Will a stock converter from the 80E stand up to that level of hp?

hog

The stock specs for the 4l80e (MT1) and 4l85e (MN8) are as follows
Max engine torque
80e 440 lb/ft
85e 460 lb/ft

Max gearbox torque 885 lb/ft

Max shift speed 5200 rpm for all shifts: 1-2, 2-3,3-4
weight
4l80e 254 lbs
4l85e 255 lbs

pulse width modulated TCC apply torque converter clutch

ratios
1st 2.48:1
2nd 1.48:1
3rd 1:1
4th 0.75:1 OD

These trans are used in the Hummer H1, 2500 HD & 3500 Silverado, Avalanche and others.

peace
Hog

thunder550

iTrader: (70)

Thank you

Anyone else?

1slow01Z71

iTrader: (36)

Put it this way the stock 80e converter is designed to handle towing 12K#s and the torque of the big block it will be fine. Zippy who deals with those trans alot told me when i was talking to him about going the 80e route that it would handle 600 easily. Also parish made one with a shift kit last a while too behind his 6L with the turbo. The 80e is such a better design that it doesnt need alot of beefing to ahndle high hp. An acquatance(sp?) of mine is running a th400 behind his big block 505 and it is living happily with hardly anything done to it so IMO you will be fine and thats why Im going 80e or 85e(if I can get ahold of one) and throw a shift kit and clutches in it and see how it goes.

1SlowHoe

iTrader: (28)

Have you taken into consideration the extra power required to turn the 80E vs the 60/65E? Just wondering. I have heard up to 30hp more just to get the 80E moving. And I think it weighs 100 pounds more that the 60E (just guessing). I have a LQ4 @ 6psi and a small cam, my built 65E has been working great. This is the same 65E that I was abusing daily with the 5.3 @ 9psi. BTW, the 65E also got a 2600 Fuddle TC on it with the 6L install. When this one does finally let go I am looking at a FLT level 5 65E. I just don't want the gearing of the 80E or to pay for the conversion. P.S. the Tahoe weighs 5800#'s.

thunder550

iTrader: (70)

Yeah I have thought about it, seen differing opinions. I've heard that the closer gearing in the 80E actually makes up for the weight and parasitic loss as well as what you said. All in all I am willing to give a little in the performance department so I don't have to mess with the tranny again. I want something reliable that hauls ***, but I really don't want to take shortcuts to gain a little bit here or there. How long have you had that 65E in? I had my built 60E that was great for 2+ years, but the fact is that it did fail, and I don't want the same hassle in another 2 years.

1SlowHoe

iTrader: (28)

Had it in about 6 months. I'm not trying to sway you either way. Just throwing out ideas and questions. Maybe I'm not normal but if I can get a 65E to hold up to the beating I give it for 2 years, I will tell it "Good Job" as I send it to the re-builder. I'm actually gonna drop the pan and change fluid next week on it. I'll get a pic. The fluids been in about a month (since the 6L). I also stuck a big magnet on the pan so I'm gonna see if there are any metal parts that would have been floating around in there. But like you said, a 65E WILL fail in much shorter order than 80E. So if you don't want the hassle maybe the extra $$ for a 80E is your best choice. I would see if you can find someone nearby that's making good power and has an 80E and see what it feels like (SOTP) maybe that will help you decide.

thunder550

iTrader: (70)

Beto (desTRUCKtive) did an 80E swap when he did his 5.3 to LQ4 swap...I'll PM him and see how he likes the 80 so far.

1SlowHoe

iTrader: (28)

Let me know what he says. I'm curious. Not bi-curious, just curious. (Had to write it before someone else did)

thunder550

iTrader: (70)

AHHH!!!! You better not be curious about me.....



I'll post his reply in here.