4L80E Info?

Discussion in 'The "Juice Box"' started by rmstg2, Nov 29, 2008.

  1. Jim Weise

    Jim Weise EFI/DIS 482

    Chris.. read the fine print.. there's a table way down on the bottom of the page that states what does and does not come with the Bionic 80

    Here's what you have to add for durability upgrades, as well as to install it in a GS

    Bionic 80 trans (97 up case)- $3245
    Converter- $1065

    Trans upgrades

    Hardened input shaft- 449.00
    Deep alum pan- 212.00
    Neutral safety switch- 54.00
    Wiring harness pigtail- 29.00
    hardened front hub- 106
    5 pinion planetary set- 449.00

    upgrades- $1299

    And the stuff you need to install it

    Crossmember- $200
    Dust cover- $69
    Controller (with trans purchase) $1099.00
    Cable X for speedo- $319
    Dipstick- $45
    And the unknowns on shifter cables, brackets, and shifter ??

    Install parts- at least $1732, if you can figure out the shifter stuff at no cost.

    So..

    Trans- $3245.00
    converter- $1065.00
    Upgrades$ $1299.00
    Install stuff $1732.00

    Now we are at $6054.99- I was in a hurry last night, so I was off on my calculations. Maybe you don't need the pigtail or neutral safety switch, if you can get the column stuff to work, and the pigtail comes with the computer, but those are small potatoes here..

    And it's not in the car yet.. and anyone using on OE block has to add the adapter plate cost to these numbers. Another couple hundred, and more hassle.

    As far as not needing the upgrades, two concerns.

    1. Trans center recommends most of these after 500 HP.. that's most hot rod Buicks big blocks. As you well know, transmissions get hurt by torque vs weight, and Buicks have a bunch of both. I beleive their baseing this "500" number on power production of a BBC, and they don't make the torque that the BBB does.

    2. The GM bean counters got to this trans from Day one.. and you well know that thru the years, with only one exception (that being the trans support spacer ring mod in 71) everything the bean counters did, weakened the TH 400.. Plastic accumulator pistons, roller clutches, stamped steel clutch pistons ect ect..

    And you have to figure there is a reason they won't put this trans behind the Duramax, and instead went to all the expense of the Allision trans, even with all it's issues.

    I'm not saying that most guys here couldn't handle the technical issues putting this trans in, I'm saying it's not cost effective yet.

    Most guys here need a $900 TH 400 a $465 converter, and the $2600 GV, to have effectively a 5 speed auto trans, for $3965.00


    JW
     
  2. 73-462GS

    73-462GS GS Mike

    First off I would like to say ; very interesting thread. With that said I have a friend that has a high horsepower BBC powered 64 Buick Special. He builds trannys and engines on the side in a shop at home. He runs this car on the street. He finally got tired of breaking 700R4 tranny's that he had built to take the abuse and I mean he abuses them. He went with a built 4L80E that he put together a 2300 stall lockup converter and a compushift controller with the LCD readout. He has $2500.00 in everything including the controller the tranny core and all the update parts he put in it. Now remember he buys everything at cost, builds everything himself and installs it himself. The car has not been on the street yet but is ready to go when the weather breaks this spring. He has done the baseline setup on the controller. He said installing the tranny in the car was not a problem. The only thing he noticed was the tranny was much heavier than the 700R4. I know this is a backyard build that a professional shop could not do for a paying customer. Use this for background if thinking about doing this for yourself. I am on this board all the time and will pass along any information on how this works out as I see and run with this guy a lot. Mike D
     
  3. 73-462GS

    73-462GS GS Mike

    No modification to the tunnel on his car. I was asking him about a setup for my 72GS and he said the compushift would cost $1250 from his supplier. I don't know if that is what he paid for his. He did say he had $2500 in his ready to run setup complete. Mike D.
     
  4. SS-TRUCK

    SS-TRUCK Stage 1 X

    Chris enjoyed talking with you too. I learned some interesting hi-po mods for some of the transmissions we are using . Good thing we have unlimited minutes and free long distance .
     
  5. 73-462GS

    73-462GS GS Mike

    I am guessing around 650-700H.P. Mike D.
     
  6. Jim Weise

    Jim Weise EFI/DIS 482


    Great Mike, that's some hard info, in that it apparently fits in a 64. If you can, get us some more details on crossmember, shifter and other related installation stuff. That's what I was looking for to begin with here. Pictures would be great..

    JW

    I have also edited this thread, to just leave the 4L80E info. We can use this thread for info, as more folks actually do the installs, and gain real world experence with this trans in a 64 up GS.
     
  7. nekkidhillbilly

    nekkidhillbilly jeffreyrigged youtube channel owner

    it handle close to that stock i know they will handle 500 ft lbs stock
     
  8. DaWildcat

    DaWildcat Platinum Level Contributor

    I'm looking forward to this kind of detail. Since my 400 could use a rebuild I started looking at the different 4L80E options out there over a year ago, but couldn't (and can't) pull the trigger on that upgrade due to the $$$.

    One thing to watch out for is the old saying "caveat emptor " (let the buyer beware!). There are several companies offering aftermarket builds and some have received some pretty bad complaints if you check out a typical google search or the Better Business Bureau. There are some companies that will automatically void their warranty if you do something as simple as remove the pan.

    As with all things, try to do as much research and learning from others before diving in yourself. I wish I had done that before buying my last VP converter.

    Devon
     
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2008
  9. tom Hearsey

    tom Hearsey Well-Known Member

    There is an artilce in the DEC. issue of Hemmings muscle machines, where a fellow put a 4L80E in his El Camino with the Compushift controller. Didn't mention anything about tunnel mods. Seems to like the tuning aspect of the setup. Street strip setup with 410HP to the wheels. Running high 11s in a full weight car (truck).Work done by Ed Fredette of Crown Valley Transmissions in Laguna Niguel CA. Tom
     
  10. 73-462GS

    73-462GS GS Mike

    Here is an update on the guy that put the 4L80E tranny in his 64 Special behind a BBC. I know, I know.
    Anyway-
    He used the same drive shaft he was using on his 700R4. The 4L80E is about 1" longer.
    The tranny he used as a core had the good planetaries and the straight cut gears in it. He said he did not put any special parts in the tranny other than molded pistons, a mild shift kit and a special lockup converter he bought from his tranny supplier.
    He changed the output shaft and tail housing to a short one.
    The tranny fit in the car with no floor modifications. He did say it was very tight and he had to use one 90* elbow on one of the cooling lines. He also said he had previously clearanced the floor around the servo housing on the 700R4.
    The speedo in the car is not currently hooked up because the tranny puts out an electrical signal. He is working on trying to figure out how to get the speedo to work. He is thinking about the converter box. He said the compushift has a speedo readout in it.
    He was able to modify and use the stock shifter linkage (column shift) by lengthening the down rod and moving the hook up point to the tranny back about 1 1/2" by making a bracket.
    He used the stock crossmember and said he had to "notch it" but it worked fine.
    He said he is till learning the Compushift controller, but it looks to be a great setup.
    He said he was out doing a lot of test and tune(by that he means full throttle shift points,pressures and so on).
    He said the lockup works good but will only hold until 80% throttle. He wants that to hold full throttle but isn't sure it will work that way.
    He said the compushift box is pretty deep and he is going to call his supplier and ask some questions.
    He said he is delighted with the whole setup so far and would recommend it. He said after the tranny gets done shifting the torque converter locks up and he said it is WILD.
    He wants to take me for a ride. I am scared to go!!!!!!!!!
    If I can get pictures I will.
    Thats it to date.
    Mike D.
     
  11. 73-462GS

    73-462GS GS Mike

    Here is more info and I hope pictures on the 4L80E tranny swap into the 64 Special.
    The tranny has the 5 gear straight cut planetaries.
    The car is a 64 Special that was transplanted to a convertible frame to gain stiffness.
    The engine is a 496 BBC.
    He previously used a 700R4 but kept breaking them. He gernaded the BBC once also. This is a street car.
    The tail housing he used was PN 8677464 with the appropriate output shaft.
    He used an aftermarket pan. The stocker would provide much better ground clearance.
    In my previous posts I said he notched the rear tranny crossmember. This was only to clear the exhaust (4") and had nothing to do with the tranny install.
    The tranny is only slightly longer than a 700R4.
    In my previous posts I had stated he went with a 2300 RPM stall conveter. That is not true. His converter stalls about 2000 RPM. He said a 2300 RPM stall would have to be a 10" and was crazy money so he went with this one with a lockup feature.
    The compushift works great and gives you a lot of tuneability. The hand held unit is connected via a "phone cord" to the computer box that he mounted under the passenger side dash.
    You can set the WOT shift points but the tranny will upshift at normal RPM under light throttle pressure.
    You have to run a wire harness from the black box to the output connector on the tranny, the TPS on the throttle linkage, and provide a tach signal also.
    This guy builds tranny's at home amongst other things.
    I hope the pictures attach
    Mike D.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Jan 2, 2009
  12. rmstg2

    rmstg2 Gold Level Contributor

    What about the converter. Don't the 4L80 come with a 5 or 6 bolt converter?
    Pictures are helpful by the way. Thanks
    Bob H.
     

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