[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

So spending $3-4000 to get a 200 with all billet parts is cheaper than taking a 4l80E that in stock form (add Trans Go shift improver kit) will easily withstand 5-600 HP, modified they can go to 1500 HP.

My stock 4L80E with 270,000 miles on it in a 93 turbo diesel 4x4 dually behind a turbo diesel will withstand all the abuse you can throw at it.

For about 2 grand you could have a 4L80E done and running in the car that will last as long as the car is running, you can run slicks if you want to, and never worry about it coming apart.

Myself I like all the safety margin I can get for the least amount of money expended. I also like to start with a platform that was engineered for abuse from the beginning, 440 lb ft of torque in stock form.



Notice 2007 post, where Jake is recommending a 4L80E over a 200 because the 200, even with billet parts is getting sketchy at between 550-660 HP.

Depends on what you want to spend, and how much HP/TQ you want it to withstand reliably. Are you ever going to run slicks at a dragstrip with the car? The car owner/OP is in control of the decision.

Frankly, I think 2 grand is about $500.00-700.00 too high unless you are factoring in everything including adaptor plate, crossmember, cutting the driveshaft, etc. But then again, I guess it all depends on location, connections, etc.

[Sirrotica]

Originally Posted by Chief of the 60's

Frankly, I think 2 grand is about $500.00-700.00 too high unless you are factoring in everything including adaptor plate, crossmember, cutting the driveshaft, etc. But then again, I guess it all depends on location, connections, etc.

Buying the aftermarket ECM and harness, shortening the driveshaft, or buying new. I can modify or build my own crossmember so some here can't, and making the speedometer work by electronic, or mechanical means would be included.

I can shorten or build my own shaft, but some here can't and have to pay to have it done. Even if you have a transmission shop go through the used transmission before installing it, you should be around 2 grand, give or take. But you should be good to go for a lifetime of mixed street strip driving with a very respectable engine in the car, without buying a host of billet and hardened hard parts to keep the unit from destructing prematurely.

Ultimately the power of the engine, and the traction out back, and how hard you intend to flog it will figure into the decision. With a mostly stock 400 engine you can obviously get away with less strength in the transmission, but if you ever intend to upgrade the engine, it never hurts to have room to grow without revisiting another transmission upgrade, on top of the engine upgrade. You can't build too strong, but you can definitely build too weak.