4L80E and Horseshoe shifter?

BigBlock1969RS · Feb 22, 2008

I know a number of manufacturers make a conversion kit to get a 700R4 or 4L60E to work with the Horseshoe shifter, but does anyone make one to work with a 4L80E and a horseshoe?

http://www.shiftworks.com/camaro.htm#6872camaro
(Scroll down to the 4spd kits)

Right now I have 69 Camaro with a 700R4 in the car and the stock console with a horseshoe shifter. I would eventually like to get either a 4L60E/80E and Paddle shifters but I would like to be able to retain the stock horseshoe shifter and console.

Thanks in advance!

brad6899 · Feb 23, 2008

You know, I have wondered the same thing myself. The way I understand it is that the kit that shiftworks produces really just gives you 4 detents (OD, D, 2, 1). I don't actually think that the kit is specific to the 700-R4, 200-4R, or 4L60/65/70s. For example, the 3 speed auto shifter can work a TH-350 or TH-400 (maybe even a TH-375).

Theoretically, I do not see why you couldn't use this detent kit to go and do something completely crazy and put in a ford AOD or Mopar truck 4 speed auto. Send shiftworks an email, tell us what they say.

One other thing, I think you can use the 3 speed shifter with the 4 speed, the only down side is you can't find low (1st) gear.

onovakind67 · Feb 23, 2008

I use a stock column shift PG shifter with my 700R4.

DjD · Feb 23, 2008

Using what onova has said the detent plate in the shift works doesn't add a detent for the extra gear. The PG and TH350(400) use the same detent. The linkage at the transmission is different and allows the shifter and detent plate to be used with either 3 or 2 forward gears. There are notes in the '69 Factory AIM to support this. The shiftworks kit includes a detent plate but it was identical to the one in my car that worked when it was a PG equipped and had a TH400. I swapped in the 700r4 and used the parts that attach to the pan and the shifting shaft on the trans from the kit. The change in leverage made it possible to hit all 4 forward gears.

As for the 4l80e you would have to know if the internal shift between gears travels the same as on one of the other 4 speed transmissions.

Steptoe · Feb 24, 2008

I havnt ever mess with 4 sppeds, but my 350 I cut a new profile (the bent I assume is the plate that one lifts the leavers over for diff gears?
IT wa not diffucult to make a plate (dent)
lift out of park into a rev notich
lift again into neutral
drop straight back into D and 2 lift to 1st
No worries about hitting N or 1st accidently

This is the carboard template I made
I see no reason why one couldnt made one in a few minutes siutable for a 4 speed??
Looking at the pic ..the pen marks are where the gears actually are, there appears to be a heap of space on the back of N and back of 2 and front of 1st to drop another couple gears in there???

Sure D maybe 4th and 2nd maybe 2 and 3 ansd 1st 1st
But hey, in practical terms, I realy cant rember the last time I actually had to look down to see what gear or if in N etc.

dnult · Feb 24, 2008

Before you go to a lot of trouble messing with the detent plate, check the stroke on your shifter and cable. What I found was the stroke is limited to 2" of travel. As a result, the fix was at the tranny bell-crank and not the shifter end.

BigBlock1969RS · Feb 27, 2008

Thanks for all the great info.

BigBlock1969RS · Nov 11, 2008

Update (for future info) - According to Shiftworks they have an adapter that will work with a 4L80E they just don't have it on their website. They said to just either call or put it in the notes if ordering online and they would ship the correct parts for a 4L80E

4L80E and Horseshoe shifter?

BigBlock1969RS

brad6899

onovakind67

DjD

Steptoe

dnult

BigBlock1969RS

BigBlock1969RS

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