Zfan1 Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Anyone running a 4L80E in their Z's? I am looking at the 4L80E because of it's noted thrength and the need for an overdrive transmission. My old build has/had a 700r4 behind it and it handled 568/640 to the rear wheels for several yrs. I am looking at mating the 4L80E to a L76 6 liter with approx. 420-430 RWHP before a added 150 shot of juice. Hoping to keep it in the 9's in the quarter like my old set up. Anyone out there running an auto behind there LS project? Thanks Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNNY Z Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 There were a couple people using a 4l60e. Cable had one at one point. The 80E is a great tranny, and at that power level should hold up just fine. It is a big boy though, so tunnel clearance might be an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 I'm subscribed to see how this works out and how that tranny fits. IF I build another z I plan to use the same setup vs a powerglide or a t350 which seem to fit the tunnel easily. You will love the Ls platform. Biggest reason I can see to use the tranny you are using is to be able to buy motor and trans as a unit just to keep things simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zfan1 Posted November 26, 2012 Author Share Posted November 26, 2012 I am shopping for the 4L80E as we speak, just got to call Edge and find the right converter and stall fpr my application. The wrong converter will really mess things up for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktm Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I installed a 4L60E behind an LS1 in my 240z. The 4L60E has weak 3-4 clutch packs which seem to go out anywhere over 80,000 miles or so. They went out on my car so I had Xtreme Performance Transmissions build a unit for me for $1400. If I were to do the install over again, I would have had the transmission built before I did the original installation to save the hassle. I really did not feel like pulling the transmission myself so I had Xtreme do the install as well (another $400). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zfan1 Posted November 28, 2012 Author Share Posted November 28, 2012 I have run a 700r4 in mine for yrs with a first gen sbc on the hose (spray), they are decent if you do not run them in a heavy pig. My friend killed several built 4l60's in his 64 Chevy II with a 402 LS2 and spray (125) shot. I looked at the transmission dimensions on the 4L60, 700r4, 4L80, 200r4 and the 4L80 doesn't seem to much bigger, mainly longer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNNY Z Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 Looks to be about 2 inches wider, and a bit longer. http://ls1tech.com/forums/13239929-post8.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zfan1 Posted November 29, 2012 Author Share Posted November 29, 2012 My transmission guy quoted 1.5" wider. We shall see soon enough. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dans toy Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 I have a 4L80E in an early 260z but I'm not sure I could give you any info to compare with. My engine/trans location is 3"+ further back & 1" up from the usual kit location/ rearend change / firewall is also sectioned and moved back. Also the independent rearend was changed and that certainly made a difference in the pitch. That being said it took a fare amount of slug hammer work to make room. I believe you will have some work to do. Mainly the width of the tunnel but when your done you won't ever have to worry about trans failure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zfan1 Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 I am worried about it fitting but I am sure I could make it fit, it just would be a lot of owrk. My transmission guy said to take a look at a 4L65, said they are a lot stronger than the 4L60...? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dans toy Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 My pickup chewed up two 4L65E transmissions in a very short period of time (Built by Monster Trans!). I will say it weighs 4500 lbs, but why take a chance?" Ls1TECH" has a laundry list of failures with 4L60/65 trans in performance vehicles . If you have plans for nitrous, do it once with a 4L80E. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zfan1 Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 I see your point! I am going to hit it with a 150 shot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dans toy Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 A little off topic question. I think I've seen track videos of your car. 1.41 60ft w/nitrous. 1.46 w/o? Whats the run down on your suspension set up/ shocks/ springs/ sway bars/ vehicle weight F&R ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RebekahsZ Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 (edited) I'm interested too, Dans toy and ZFan1. Didn't you say you use a 3600 stall? I've got a T56 and I'm working on my 60' using a 2-step, so I can set my leaving rpm anywhere I want. Seems like a lot of manual guys try to leave at high rpm and snap stuff, so I've been leaving at 2500 and 3500 rpm and doing as well as they are but not breaking. If you are getting such great 60' times with 3600 stall, I wonder if there is really anything to gain by upping the rpm, other than a snapped axle. Your thoughts? I've got nitrous visions dancing around in my head for next summer... If I'm thread jacking, reply back by PM. Edited December 2, 2012 by RebekahsZ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cable Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I ran the 4L60e in my latest 280z and have done many customer cars the same way. I would use one again in a heartbeat in a light car, even with nitrous using a window switch to cut the spray during the shifts. I am also running a built 4L80e in my Blazer with a TVS1900 blown 5.3 making 550HP at the crank. It never misses a beat. My old 454 powered 280z had a TH350 when I sold it, but the current owner has swapped it over to a 4L80e. Maybe he will chime in.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Woj Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 I was the one that purchased the Cable's old BBC-powered 280Z. I initially replaced the TH350 with a 200-4R but quickly asploded my cheap eBay transmission. After talking with Cable, he convinced me to purchase a 4L80E (and got me a hookup from a friend on the actual transmission) and I went to town fitting it. I did not move the engine mounting location at all when installing the transmission, but the transmission mount had to go back several inches. If you look at my mounting plates, I believe the crossmember was on the middle set of bolts and the transmission mount was going through the offset hole rather than the centered one. The only clearencing I remember doing was where the main computer plug goes into the transmission - it sticks out kind of far so I had to add a little room with a hammer in order to plug and unplug the tranny. Additionally, I nixed the front transmission coolant line and went with a brass fitting from the parts store. This screws in and doesn't leak, though technically it's the wrong thread. I was using a brass fitting on the back of the transmission also, but ended up burning up the rear of the transmission and doing a $1000 rebuild because the stock fitting has a pipe in it that drops the fluid onto wear items, which the brass fitting does not. I have included pictures of my cut down and bent piece of stock cooler line that I ended up putting in. So, to summarize pictures: 1. Torque converter size difference between 4L80E and 200-4R (I never put the trannies next to each other, only in a line which isn't a very telling picture). 2. The ear on the transmission that has to be cut in order for it to fit in the tranny tunnel. It is in the bottom left of the pic and has a line cut across it already. 3. Part of the original mounts in the tranny tunnel that had to be cut off. 4. The top of the transmission crossmember showing the mounting hole dead center. 5. The mounts on the car from the bottom of the car. 6. The mounts as they are inside the car. 7. The hard line I pulled from Pick-a-part. 8. The cut down hard line (before being flared) 9. The engine as it sits in the engine bay, showing proximity to firewall. The remaining pics show the TCU I used, and how I mounted it and the wiring for it. If you have anymore questions or I glossed over anything let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cable Posted January 8, 2013 Share Posted January 8, 2013 That is alot of detail. I vote this should be made a sticky... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zfan1 Posted January 11, 2013 Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 Sweet, 4l80E will be in my set up, should have the motor dropped in with in 3-4 weeks. The the real work begins...yuck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zfan1 Posted March 25, 2013 Author Share Posted March 25, 2013 Well we got her in this past weekend, cut the ears off like you mentioned. My friend is a wizard with hard lines, used 3/8 brake line and away he went with his bender. We made a temporary mount for the 4L80E and will fab a mount for it this week/weekend. I'll have to pull it one more time to do a little clearancing on the drivers side for the socket/plug, it is too tight for my liking. Will post more pic's soon. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Woj Posted June 20, 2013 Share Posted June 20, 2013 Well we got her in this past weekend, cut the ears off like you mentioned. My friend is a wizard with hard lines, used 3/8 brake line and away he went with his bender. We made a temporary mount for the 4L80E and will fab a mount for it this week/weekend. I'll have to pull it one more time to do a little clearancing on the drivers side for the socket/plug, it is too tight for my liking. Will post more pic's soon. Mike Yeah, I forgot to mention that I clearanced a bit for the plug on the drivers side. Just to reiterate, make sure you use the rear cooler fitting that came with the transmission, otherwise you will be doing a tranny rebuild shortly down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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