Hey guys! I figured what better way to say Hi, then to start my own build thread!

I am not a newb to the truck scene, my last rig was a ccsb lb7 with about 600hp. Now I am wanting to do something cheaper and different.

In this thread I will take you along with me on the build up of my 2003 Suburban.

I just picked it up from auction this past week, and will get pics up tomorrow.

I will take you along with me on all of the twists and turns of this project, including an itemized cost list of what it cost to get the rig, and what it costs to repair.

I don't see many threads like this and figure we could use more of them, so I figured I would contribute in what ways I can.

Also I aim to show you that anyone can do it, hence the itemized cost lists I will be including. Yet, because I am on a budget, this will be a slower build.

So for now, I will list my goals and some of the reasoning behind it.

Yall are welcome to jump in with thoughts and support!

Vehicle: 2003 K1500

Purpose: Daddy's toy and comfortable tow rig (I also have a 95 eclb Powerstroke)

Future plans:
1. Repair front clip to factory specs
2. KB or Trick Turbo 10-12psi 500ish whp and obviously custom tunes
3. Swap in 4l80E
4. Either 3/4 ton axle swap or replace the G80 with a Detroit tru tracker
5. Who knows...by this point maybe I will want 700hp... I have the bug.

Ok so I already know you are ready to say drop in a 4l80e right off the bat. Here is my reasoning. I can build a 4l60e for the same cost it will cost to get a stock w/ shift kit 4l80e and driveshafts. Plus this is also a tow rig.

I am often in the hills or off road in snow and steep grades, so a lower first gear is really a necessity. On the flip side, this will be our road trip and travel trailer towing rig so a higher OD is nice as well. So between a lower first and higher OD....I really would like to just build (the right way) a 4l60e.

I am also one of those guys that does like to occasionally get good fuel mileage.

Thoughts?

Another trend I see is using superchargers for towing. I am almost dead set on a turbo. Partly because I love turbos, and partly because if I were to get a supercharger it would have to be a maggie, and those are twice as much as a good turbo kit. Budget wins here.

You can expect pictures of the rig, and an itemized expense list coming shortly. I am stoked to start my own 5.3 turbo suburban build, and to share it with you all!

-Joshua

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Expenses:
2003 Sub: $1,028.00 with all auction fees
Shipping: I transported it myself fuel was less than $400, will get exact numbers soon.

Prices last updated as of 11/7/15

Parts:
Core Support: $156 (All parts from Spaldings of Spokane aka Spokompton)
Used Radiator:$63 w/core charge
Used Condensor:$66 w/ core charge
Used D Airbag:$68
Used P Airbag: $53
Engine Fan: $18 (ended up not needing this)
Drivers fender: $153
Hood $178
Grille: $53
Tax: $72.76
3 gallons recycled dexcool: Free
L hood hinge and mount: Free
L Headlight mounting bracket: Free

Total Parts to date: $880.76

Parts still needed:
All front end bulbs
Core support
Air Bag module reset
Fan shroud
Front bumper assy (including fogs)
Misc fluids
Transmission cooler (looking to get a 40k unit)

 

Finally someone else that sees 4l60 as way to go, hallelujah!!! 4l80 is great if you want to run higher gears to accomplish same ratios as a 60, which eats gas mileage, as well

 

Yeah, once I realized I can build one that will support 700hp I wondered why I don't hear more about them. It's basically a 700r4... definitely not a TH400 (4l80e's daddy) but, It'll get the job done.

I just can't wait to get it turbo'd Lordwilling, it should go down around tax season. I hear there are some good sales around that time of year

 

General consensus is they are junk and 80s are far superior.... Maybe true but still have thier own set of issues, also lower first gear means you can get away with 410s and not have to go overboard with 4.56/4.88 to make up for the higher gear ratios in the 80e, not to mention the 80 is heavier internally which takes more tonget movinb in theory!!!

 

I guess I'm one of those delusional people who think the 4L80E is the superior trans. The internals are bigger, more clutch surface, etc... The thing was designed for heavy duty applications from the factory. The 4L60E is a light duty trans that just does not have the architecture to live in these situations. The 80E's that came in gas vehicles came with higher stall converters to help with the taller first gear. The Lower OD gear is an asset while towing or in a heavy vehicle in general.

The combo of big Hp, boost, an extremely heavy vehicle, and throw in towing and you have a recipe that will gut even the best professionally built 4L60E. The ones who do this for a living (the honest ones) would sway you toward the 80E as well.

-I'm not talking from a place of inexperience. I've scattered yours, and my fair share of 4L60E variants. 22 of them to be exact, in different vehicles. If the cost of the 80E swap is the same as building your existing trans, you'll be money ahead the first time the OD clutch takes a dump in that 60E.... You'll be much better off in the long run. You should reconsider your plan.

 

Id love to do an 80 swap not saying its delusional just wish the 80 had a steeper first gear.... The 80 is a better built trans, and far better for heavier applications, i agree on that, but on same token its not for everyone..... Hell a mildly built 4l60 isgonna be same price as a stock 80e swap....

 

Hell i just finished building a 60 and am kinda wishing i had held out little bit longer, i have been building an 80 instead.... But i have this love/hate thing goin on with 4l60e so....

 

I don't like ether the 60E or the 80E. I say ether a ZF6 or a NV4500

 

Thank you for your input.

So you have had built 4l60e to withstand 5-700hp and it has not lasted? Multiple times?

So transmissions (or their kits) from ptac or other like companies that are rated to 7-1000hp would not live behind my 600hp burb? Granted it will be a tow vehicle, but I am not going to be putting out the full hp/tq pulling a grade.

I am all about longevity and doing the job right, the first time. But if it looks like (on paper) that a built 60e can handle my situation.

On the flip side, I understand experience speaks louder than what a company says their product will do on paper.

With 22 60e's destroyed to your credit, I certainly value your input!

If I went the 4l80e swap, what would you recommend for my build?

Thanks for your input. Seriously. 22 trashed transmissions is quite the achievement.

 

I love manuals for towing, but have decided I would like to keep it an auto slushbox.