chris kirk
Active Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2013
I'm trying to make a decision between using a 4L80E or staying with a 200. I don't want to use a 400. I want overdrive. I know there are several threads out there (because I've read them) about people converting to the 4L80E, so I apologize for the redundancy. It's not my intention to ask "how good is it", but rather what exactly is involved. Does it fit/making it fit, the drive ability, and was/is the performance worth it. I'm getting close to putting my car back together so I have to make a decision on a transmission very soon (a month or so). I already have a good idea what's involved (Lonnie and Dusty Bradford) and they were very helpful. I would also like to hear from some people who have actually made the conversion. The details..... The intended use of my car is strictly a hobby, so if I were to drive it more then a 1k miles a year that would probably be a lot. Therefore, my concern isn't street driving, but rather the time I spend with it at the track. I understand that track launches are pretty rough on the tranny and rear (amongst other things as well). The big question is how much track time and unfortunately I can't answer that. It might be 20/30 passes/times a year, or it could be 70/80 passes a year. I realize it may be difficult in forming an educated opinion with it being that vague, therefore, I apologize. Some things I'd like to know:
1. How much (if at all) do you have to "massage" the floor boards for it to fit under the car.
2. What are the convertor options. Are they limited? Single disk? Multi disk?
3. Electronic shift points. Are they difficult to set up? Is it better with the option of the electronic shift points?
4. What type of electronic shift controller. Can I use a FAST XFI controller?
5. Using it with an XFI 2.0 engine management.
6. Speedometer. Buick has a mechanical speedo. The 4L80E is electronic.
7. Gear ratio. Do you lose 1st gear? Dose that effect normal street drive ability?
The miscellaneous stuff like the cross-member, trans mount, driveshaft, bolt pattern.... doesn't concern me. I'll buy a new cross-member and mount, I have to have a driveshaft made anyway, and I have a TA aluminum block that has the correct bolt pattern for the 4L80E. I've read some things on the internet about some people having trouble with the speedo, shift points, reverse gear, and reverse lights. It didn't say anything about their applications and/or who did the work, so I don't know how knowledgeable they were with doing the conversion.
1. How much (if at all) do you have to "massage" the floor boards for it to fit under the car.
2. What are the convertor options. Are they limited? Single disk? Multi disk?
3. Electronic shift points. Are they difficult to set up? Is it better with the option of the electronic shift points?
4. What type of electronic shift controller. Can I use a FAST XFI controller?
5. Using it with an XFI 2.0 engine management.
6. Speedometer. Buick has a mechanical speedo. The 4L80E is electronic.
7. Gear ratio. Do you lose 1st gear? Dose that effect normal street drive ability?
The miscellaneous stuff like the cross-member, trans mount, driveshaft, bolt pattern.... doesn't concern me. I'll buy a new cross-member and mount, I have to have a driveshaft made anyway, and I have a TA aluminum block that has the correct bolt pattern for the 4L80E. I've read some things on the internet about some people having trouble with the speedo, shift points, reverse gear, and reverse lights. It didn't say anything about their applications and/or who did the work, so I don't know how knowledgeable they were with doing the conversion.