4l80e transmission controller
 

Hey- I'm swapping a built 4l80e into my 1975 Trans Am, with Pontiac power. I do not want to manually shift the trans, so I am looking at a stand alone controller. I would love any info from anyone using one right now, what brand/model, what they do/don't like about it. I am looking at the TCI/FAST EZ-TCU, and the FiTech GoShift. Any info would be great- Thanks!

This is one I plan on using.

https://www.usshift.com/

I have the USShift and love it! Excellent tune-ability. I am running a Quadra jet so I had to get a TCI throttle position sensor. You didn’t mention if you are running a carb or EFI. If there is any Chance you want EFI look into Holley stealth. You can do EFI and a 4l80e controller all in one. I might make that switch one day.

I went with EFI Sniper a month or so ago, planning on doing the 4L80 later.

Sorry, yes I am running a QJet, and plan on staying carbed- I was looking at the USshift, but would like a larger display, like the tci EZ-Tcu-

How about one you can tune with your smartphone? It's also compatible with paddle shifter adapters.

https://www.hgmelectronics.com/trans...ntrollers/#buy

Compushift is a popular one around here and one that Hughes Transmissions prefers to use with their trans kits. It's also smart phone programmable.

The US Shift Quick 6 pro will have an integrated transbrake.

I plan to get my 4L80 from Jakes. He advised me they include a US Shift controller with their trans. In my case that's good as US Shift's plant is only about 30 miles from me if I need help with it.

http://www.jakesperformance.com/

https://www.usshift.com/index.shtml

That's a big factor in decision making for me as well so completely understand. That's why I'm going with Hughes for the trans, converter and controller. If I have any issues with anything they are a simple 90 mile drive away.

Yes, the USshift was my top choice, but I contacted them to see if they would be willing to ship via USPS, as I am in Canada, and ups is very difficult and costly to deal with here. The email I received back from them just stated they will only ship ups, so I guess I'll spend my money elsewhere. I thought they would want a sale, I guess not!

I recently did some homework on stand alone controllers, and the USShift Quick 4 is the best bang for the buck that I came across. The Quick 2 doesn't have the adjustability that others have for the price, and the Quick 4 is less expensive than others for those added/required features.

The screen size is moot since after you manage all the settings to where you want them, it's rare you will ever touch it again.

I love and have used the CompuShift controllers in the past, but wow, they are more expensive, like by $200 or so. If money were no object, that would be the go-to. Not sure I would care for the Bluetooth feature, I kinda don't see that as a feature that is useful, since it's the set-it-and-forget-it kinda thing. Maybe if I tried it, I dunno...

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I could not see the features that the compushift offered. Appeared the Quick 4 had some great thought put into it..i.e. - burnout mode.

Compushift has definable values, the USShift has pre-programmed 'modes', so you generally have to pick a 'mode' and make limited changes to it.

The CompuShift has fields you can actually input values into, not pre-programmed stuff.

Or that at least how I saw it, could be mistaken, it's been about 3-4 mo that I looked at the data, and my comments were consolidated ones from that previous research, if you get what I mean.

I've never physically held a USShift unit in my hand, or set one up, so that would have to be taken into account.

I don't see a 'burnout' mode as being any great benefit, you can manage a burnout when the trans program is 'right' without any 'feature'. If you want more line psi for a burnout, you set it. Done. In general, you can 'drive' on that 'program' without any difficulty, if you catch my drift.

I can't see where locking up the converter for a burnout has any benefit, and that's the only thing I can think of that might be of value for a burnout. And you generally wouldn't lock up in 1st or 2nd gear in normal driving.

Maybe I'm not understanding the feature, but regardless, the CompuShift is considerably more expensive, and you can get around the missing 'management' with the USShift unit.

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What I've noticed is some of the different models will monitor trans temps, line pressures and other parameters while some of the cheaper versions don't. In that case, if you like to see those things, screen size could become an issue for some.
Some of the cheaper stuff has basic parameters to set, with simple options to choose and no real fine tunability and no displays.

With Hughes and the Compushift, you have the option to choose whether you want those features or not. Compushift has different levels of controllers and prices change accordingly. Hughes also has their own controller with different features of their own that are kind of interesting.

I for one, am used to infinite adjustability from tuning LS engines with HPtuners and having total control over all transmission functions, pressures, etc... I really liked being able to play with line pressures and TPS values for low throttle comfort and ramping things up as you got more aggressive and change anything in between, Like torque converter clutch lockup aggressiveness (duty cycle) I always liked to have it feel like another gear change, not that slip and slide feeling the factory programs in.

It's all that adjustability that absolutely has me going for the premium controller setup with all the bells and whistles.

I used a TCI controller and the Throttle Positioning Sensor TPS. I had a few bugs to work out but overall it went well. One thing I'll say about TCI is that they actually answer the phone and you can speak with someone pretty much immediately versus some of the other Large companies out there,

Great info, GaryH do you like the TCI unit? would you choose one again? I have been leaning toward that unit, as I like the display size, and that you can monitor trans temp with it easily.

How about the FiTech goshift? anyone with experience on one of those?

I helped a guy retrofit a FAST EZ2.0 TB & Ignition, along with a new cam and a TCI/FAST tranny controller, about a year ago. Overall, it runs much better than it used to. But, he has had issues with the TCU. To their credit, TCI has been working with him and giving him good support.


I believe the USShift is the old Baumann company. I had a Baumannator controller on my old Falcon's 4R70W tranny. It worked very well, I never had any problems, and could pull up the shift curves for each gear and customize the line pressure, shift points, and lock-up points VERY precisely. Now, I sold that car several years ago and the new owner contacted them for some help awhile back. He was told that they are now using the new hardware and offered him ZERO support for their discontinued controller, just suggested he buy their new version.

Where I would see the benefits of the bluetooth (depending on the controller being compared) would be:
-use of touch screen for the initial setup (as opposed to toggling with arrow keys to select parameters and values)
-good resolution (as opposed to 90's LCD-quality displays)
-not being wire (mount/hold where-ever)
-and you could to a screen capture to datalog.


Looks like TCI also has wireless now available at least as an option.