[Half-Inch Stud]

2 1/2 hours to unbolt & pay $81.50 for a 4L80E (& converter, dip-tube, manual lever stuff, & harness stuff) from the U-Pull-It.
So, got it home, photo'd side-side with TH400. Then dropped the tail cup & pan. (more beer).

Reviewed my plans:
Column-shift for PARK, REVERSE, Neutral, Drive
Clutch Pedal for NEUTRAL at any time.
Hurst 4-speed shifter for 1, 2, 3, 4 (Overdrive & lock-em up converter).
Vacuum-Modulator controlled Line Pressure.
Speed....hmmm I will do what it takes to use the Mech speedo.

Since the 68 GTO was originally a 4-speed car, this begins the "new for 2012" Poor man's Lenco.
================================================== =
Who has done this 4L80-M, how do you like it, and what advice have ya?
...crap I meant to post this in the Street section.

[Sirrotica]

Mark, see your gonna get it done cheap, and still have the advantages of a rugged tranny and OD too. If you go to the big box store and buy all the latest and greatest and don't want to do anything yourself except plug and play you can spend a bunch of money, you wanna be somewhat resourceful and spend some time scrounging and do it yerself, you'll save money. I keep trying to tell people you don't have to spend 5 grand to have a 4L80E...........................

[Half-Inch Stud]

Brad, well yea, the Switch-Pitch TH400 with Hurst Competition Plus activated Stall reflects the DIY activity (except for Converter purchase). You know I build TH400s for giggles & beer, so a 4L80 DIY is a given.

I loath to refer to it as a 4L80E because I insist GM should have evolved the TH400 to a 4L80, THEN the 4L80E. The TH400 automatic valvebody, Vac Mod, & Governor should have been retained for a few years, at least for MANY reasons.

Still need to hear how folks "whodunit" like their 4L80 (manual) shift feel, and geez did anybody else ever mount an H-pattern Stick shifter onto their hydro?

[BruceWilkie]

Might want to talk with Jakeshoe. Seems he's been intimate with these for awhile.

Good score btw! I havent been in one yet. For some reason I've been getting inside Ford c6's lately as no one around here seems interested. Overall easier to work onthan t400 but valvebody is a big key to getting those right and live. Roller thrusts the other longevity mod.

I'd like a good look inside the Allison trans behind some turbo diesels. Might be useful on ultra high powered apps.

[Sirrotica]

Jakeshoe does have the parts available to make it full manual with no electronic controller, so there is always that option if you just can't stand to have it electronically controlled.

[indymanjoe]

I may have a harness if ya need HIS..still in the suburban if i recall right..

[indymanjoe]

LOL thats what i get for skimming threads...carry on..

[Half-Inch Stud]

I gots the harness. Gotta make 3 more switch-mountings to the Hurst Competition Plus Shifter. The rest is easy as upside-down dash work.

Familiar with Jake's Performance web page and Jake's excellent converter offerings. Uhm, quite certain of TH400 build-for stout, so the 4L80 build is falling off that log.

BTW I've do have a spare 4L80 OD section & input shaft to know how it compares to the 4R70W input OD section, and TH400 input shaft. Despite the 4L80 input shaft being thicker, I wish to be capable of retaining the TH400 Converter (Switch-Pitch vs Lockup is a loosing argument). But on the even of building 4L80s for folks, I wish to claim capability of re-using a proven TH400 converter when desired. I'm certain that is desired by most folks.

So the Topic; who has completed a 4L80 manual in their Pontiac & how nice does it go?

[wheelspin]

Talk to Dave Anderson (big injun) who is in the process of completing the install of this trans into the Gee-Tow-Wagon. Dave has developed some low cost workarounds for some of the issues that you may face.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Les,When I hit the snags I'll try that. Thanks, HIS

[Half-Inch Stud]

HAs anybody HERE put the Vacuum Modulator kit on to their 4L80E??

MODERATORS: please more to Street/Strip. Tanks

[TheMonkey]

man i was close to putting 4L80E into my car, had one hauled home and everything. i swapped to manual instead.

i read loud and clear that you thought this thing should have evolved and had some non-E abilities - but have you considered a DIY kit to do the electronic characteristics? i've had luck with the Megasquirt stuff for EFI and ignition on a couple projects. I have not done megashift stuff, but I think you can do their GPIO board for 4L80E for about $250. I'm thinking there is other functionality you can work into the unit also like EGT logging or whatever. something to consider.

wish i had comments for you how it works - like i said it was on my to-do for awhile. Also check out the pro touring forum, 4L80E is pretty popular there.

i think it's a great move - can't wait to read how it works out for you.

[v869tr6]

I just picked up a 4L80E also, in a very short time, couple of weeks, there will be a machined pump and bolt on bellhousing. Trying to decide what to do myself, but I want a trans. brake and a converter I can use at w.o.t. don't need to lock at wot, just use it locked up in overdrive.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Removed the Valvebody last night.

A) There are 2 extra accumulators that TH400 did not need. Oh the wonder.

B) LO-Servo cup is identical to TH400, even down to the Yellow spring. Goes to show 2 tings:
1) Even a 4L80E ( Computer-controlled MANUAL VB) needed to retain the reliable operation of the Hydro-Analog Rear Servo.

2) TH400 was/is NOT deficient back there, and a certain "Racer" Manual VB kit ought NOT be removing the rear Servo piston rings!

[tininjun67]

half,

the th400 convertor uses a slotted drive for the pump, the 4l80 is an h drive. they will not interchange. I've been running a 4l80 behind a 400 pontiac in my 65 chev pickup for about 10 yrs with a little over 30k miles of operation. trans was used with unknown mileage, but was clean inside. I shift it manually with 4 switches, 3 operate the A B solenoids, (A on= 1 AB off= 2 B on = 3 AB on = 4) 1 operates the tcc. they're all in a row, shift like a lenco, pull, pull, pull, pull. it will lock up in all gears but first. I do nothing with the pressure control solenoid. leaving it unpowered gives max line pressure. i let off the throttle between shifts when I want to be nice to it, stay in it when I want to chirp the tires. I always lift when engaging the tcc. I wouldn't bother wiring your clutch pedal into the tcc, but rather install a cutout into the brake pedal to kill the tcc during a panic stop to prevent killing the motor. This is my tow vehicle, love the overdrive, I cruise at 70 at around 2k rpm. I lock the convertor in 2nd and idle through town. when people look in the truck they see the switch box and ask if I have hydraulics. I put one like it in my buddies dually with a 468 in front of it, he loves it, tows everything with it. good luck! there is info about the front pump seal blowing out and what to prevent it, but I haven't had any trouble yet running around with full line pressure all the time.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Originally Posted by tininjun67

half, the th400 convertor uses a slotted drive for the pump, the 4l80 is an h drive. they will not interchange. ... there is info about the front pump seal blowing out and what to prevent it, but I haven't had any trouble yet running around with full line pressure all the time.

@ tininjun67: I'm aware of the Converter neck diff for Pump drives. Have not torn-down the 4L80 Pump yet to see if the pump gears swap. Seems impossible to blow a TH400 front PUMP seal, so Blowing the 4L80 Front Pump seal has GOT to be a basic drain-to-pan issue.

Originally Posted by tininjun67

I shift it manually with 4 switches, 3 operate the A B solenoids, (A on= 1 AB off= 2 B on = 3 AB on = 4) 1 operates the tcc. they're all in a row, shift like a lenco, pull, pull, pull, pull. it will lock up in all gears but first. I do nothing with the pressure control solenoid. leaving it unpowered gives max line pressure. i let off the throttle between shifts when I want to be nice to it, stay in it when I want to chirp the tires. I always lift when engaging the tcc. I wouldn't bother wiring your clutch pedal into the tcc, but rather install a cutout into the brake pedal to kill the tcc during a panic stop to prevent killing the motor. I haven't had any trouble yet running around with full line pressure all the time.

@ tininjun67: each one of these pointers will get serious consideration in my 4-speed GTO application. MT plan is to graft reliable micro-switches to the Hurst Competition Plus, and use proper wiring ( switch ports have normally on normally off) to assure a 1, 2 3,4 H-Pattern. TCC capable in 4th only, with a junk toggle to dis-able TCC while in 4th.
Brake-pedal switch tap (for Swi-Pitch) is already there, so I'm inclined to consider your idea.
Clutch-pedal with switch is already there, so I'm inclined to connect.

Originally Posted by tininjun67

half, I do nothing with the pressure control solenoid. leaving it unpowered gives max line pressure....I haven't had any trouble yet running around with full line pressure all the time.

@ tininjun67: Excellent to know. As for me I have a pet-peeve for attaining the highest dynamic line pressure variation in response to engine vacuum. Is an old TH400 habit.

Oh, one more thing: I assume the Manual Valve is paramount for Park, Reverse, Neutral, and enables "drive". Can you describe the 4L80 behavior to shifting the Manual-Valve?
Particularly if any solenoids power is needed/unneeded for Reverse (or Neutral).

Thank you for the real-world information from experience. HIS

[70 bird]

HIS here is a link to a build thread about a 4l80e controller....

http://www.theturboforums.com/smf/ad...e-controller)/

[tininjun67]

the manual valve is your typical set up, I use the stock column shifter (actually out of a 76 gran prix) connected to it. I didn't modify the gate in the column, so I can only get it down to second manually. So far I've only wished I had engine braking in first a couple times. If you're in 4th electrically(D), tcc on or not, and manually downshift, it will bypass the electronics and downshift. you want to be aware of when the tcc is applied. you can upshift into the next gear with it applied and rattle your teeth and the drivetrain. no electronics needed for reverse or neutral, manual valve takes care of this. loss of power to the trans will result in second gear operation, so you can limp it home at a reasonable speed. let me know if you need schematics on the wiring, they should be easily found on the net. the pressure control is pulse width modulated, I think it's from 0 to 1 amp, 1 amp exhausting the most fluid, giving the least line pressure. the factory pcm periodically drops the amperage to zero, (I'm sure they have a reason) while driving, but you'll never feel it.

[tininjun67]

It's been a long time since I've had an '80 pump apart, couldn't tell you if the gears interchange. I did do a mod to one that was having problems blowing the pump seal. I think that trans had a shift kit though. The Trans-go kits show the modification. it's simple. I considered some type of 4 speed looking type of box with a joy stick in it to "shift" the gears, but never pursued it. the 3-4 upshift had me a little worried, as you would prefer to keep the B solenoid applied while shifting into fourth to apply AB. Otherwise a temporary downshift to second would result when you pull the shifter out of 3rd (releasing the switch applying B) and into 4th. I was too lazy to deal with a work-around on that

[Half-Inch Stud]

Originally Posted by tininjun67

...the stock column shifter ... no electronics needed for reverse or neutral, manual valve takes care of this.
...loss of power to the trans will result in second gear operation, so you can limp it home... ...let me know if you need schematics on the wiring...
...pressure control is pulse width modulated,...from 0 to 1 amp, 1 amp exhausting the most fluid, giving the least line pressure...

Roger that Column-Shift for Park, Reverse, Neutral, and sounds like Manual-valve-shift will operate 3,2,1. Just wonder if Solenoid electricals are over-ridden by Manual-Valve or not.

Good to know that 2nd gear happens with loss-of-power.
Please PM schematics to me, as yes I can use them.
I loath PWM of anything hobby-related, so planning to use the Transgo Vacuum Modulator kit for the 4L80 Line Pressure control; Sounds like analog heaven.