I started by getting 411 rear end and don't want to change gears so I am looking into the bionic 80 4l80e transmission from patc speed shop. The gears are 1st=2.48 2nd=1.48 3rd=1 4th=.75 they say in 4th with 411 it will be 3.08 ratio. I have swapped trans in car before but this is way to complicated with so many choices. Would this be a good transmission for the gm 572 crate motor? I know this motor is to much but I already have it so no SS hood only 4" cowl. I'm assuming the standard size motor mounts will work. The stock oil pan will not fit so if anyone has done any similar set ups please let me know. Restoring has been fun but any modified parts are kind of figure it out your self deal. I should have ask you guys before ordering motor and rear end so I will not buy transmission until I know its not another mistake. thanks.

Tranny is good choice for a 572 and your gears. But just like Sears, it's not as good a choice as our best.

I have a 4L80E behind my 582 with a TCI 3600 Street Fighter locking converter, and the TCI flex plate going through 4.56 rear end gears. With a laptop computer (stored were my glove box used to be) I can change all of the parameters at a stop light; modifying shift points and line pressure (how hard it hits) as well as how quickly it shifts. By the way no transmission I have ever had shifts from one gear to the next as quickly as the 4L80E set on kill (I never leave it on stun).

What I can not do is get the car to launch worth a darn because the torque converter isn't loose enough for this size engine with the cam I'm running (it's not that much more aggressive than the stock 572 grind, it's just a solid roller). I push my car through the beams with the LineLoc, or I have to sit and then punch it from idle (instant tire smoke).

Our best in this case is a built TH400 (with transbrake) and a loose converter, and hang a GearVendor over drive unit hanging off the other end. You get the best of both worlds, in that you get an overdrive transmission for cruising, and a killer tranny for those inevitable roadside comparisons.


Larger Dave

The 4L80 is a better option than a 400 with a GV. You can have a looser converter with the 4L80 and lock it up at cruise in OD. You can't do that on the typical Th400.

With a 400/GV combo if you run the loose converter, in OD it will be slipping, killing fuel mileage and producing heat.

Unfortunately the 3,600 is as loose as they've got for the moment. There are more companies making stuff for the 4L80E (besides TCI) as it becomes more popular; but as I said I got one, and wish I had sent that same money I have spent on the TCI TCU, TCI wiring harness, TCI trans, and TCI lock-up torque converter on the TH400 with GearVendor.


Larger Dave

If you're going to drag race the 80E, Rossler makes transbrakes for them now.

http://www.rosslertrans.com/

Unfortunately the 3,600 is as loose as they've got for the moment. There are more companies making stuff for the 4L80E (besides TCI) as it becomes more popular; but as I said I got one, and wish I had sent that same money I have spent on the TCI TCU, TCI wiring harness, TCI trans, and TCI lock-up torque converter on the TH400 with GearVendor.


Larger Dave

There are other vendors who make higher stall rating converters for the 4L80.

I know this thread is 12 months old but does the 4L80E fit into a 1969 Camaro without any floor pan mods? :confused:

What about header clearance or trans cooler line clearance? :confused:

It isn't much bulkier than a TH400. Header clearance shouldn't be an issue. The earlier models have the trans line connections in similar location to a TH400, the 96 and later has one line further back on the case and it may cause a clearance issue.

I recently installed one in a '69 Firebird with a 6.0 LSx motor and there weren't any clearance issues with the floorpan. If your car has good body bushings it should fit OK.

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d8/jakeshoe/100_3141.jpg

Jake,

Just wanted to say THANK YOU for your insight & knowledge. It is always appreciated. :thumbsup:

What aftermarket shifter do you recommend for a 4L80E?

Shifter is a personal choice. I mostly deal with the transmission rebuilding side of things and my customers install their own transmissions, so they use what they want to.

My Chevelle has a column shifter :)
The Nova I did a V8/700 Swap in this last week has a column shifter :)
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d8/jakeshoe/100_3386.jpg

My Datsun V8 car has a ST-10 4 speed (Hurst Super Comp Plus).
It has a B&M Quicksilver when I had the automatic in it.

I personally like the QuickSilver but each shifter has it's own characteristics and each persons needs may be different.

I LOVE the Qicksilver. I had that in my first Camaro (a 1969). I bought that shifter way back in mid 1989 for that car. I'm glad to see it's still around.

I just checked B&M's site. Looks like you can get he Quicksilver for a 4L80E. I didn't think B&M made it for a 4L80. Nice to se that as well.

I still would go FMVB on the 4L80 and forget the "E" part. I also see some comanies now offer trans brakes for it and hopefuly soon the RPFMVB will be made for it.