Going 4l80E, I'm off the deep end again!

[cwmccray]

Are you using a single exhaust or a crossflow muffler?

 

[Paul69camaro]

What wheel are you using and what backspacing. You car really looks like a G Machine... Good work...

Chuck,
Thanks for the compliments. Ultimate G machine is the goal but I have a lot of suspension work ahead of me still. For wheel info check out this link. http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/threads/rushforth-18s-on-the-gn.341412/ . As far as the muffler, I currently have a big magnaflow that runs across the car behind the rear end. It's honestly not the best setup but it packages nice. We actually discussed how we would change it today while under the car if I ended up with a watts link.

Paul

 

[Solid_Fox666]

When using an adaptor to bolt that trans on, did you use spacers between the flex plate and the torque converter bolt holes?

 

[Paul69camaro]

When using an adaptor to bolt that trans on, did you use spacers between the flex plate and the torque converter bolt holes?

Yes I did, TCI supplies them with the adapter. They are the same thickness of the adapter. I'm glad you asked this question because its important for people doing this swap.

Paul

 

[d0n_3d]

Looks good! You will not be disappointed with a good running 4L80E. It is the strongest overdrive trans out there.

 

[Paul Lohr]

I installed one. Buy a TCI adapter plate for like 80 bucks, bolts up great. Using the adapter plate you need a custom converter made that is a big bigger to compensate for the plate.

Someone else mentioned that spacers can be used between the torque converter and the flexplate. If these spacers are used, can an OEM converter be used (rather than having a converter custom built)?

 

[turboc87gn]

Subd......

 

[dsapper]

You need a converter custom built to compensate for the adapter thickness. At least thats what I was told by pte

 

[Paul69camaro]

You need a converter custom built to compensate for the adapter thickness. At least thats what I was told by pte

I'm no expert but my understanding is that this is incorrect. I think a custom convertor is probably the best choice but correct thickness spacers between the torque convertor and flexplate is a good solution that allows the use of any 4l80e convertor.

Paul

 

[Paul69camaro]

Alright guys, got good progress done. I was able to drive the car around a little today, I'm unsure of the tranny fluid level since I'm still waiting on my 4l80e dipstick but I filled the converter when it was installed and I added 8 quarts to the trans today. The good news is that the tci ez-tcu works and so far it seems awesome, and my factory digital dash works! The trans feels nice, good firm shifts. The bad news is that using only my bar and plate trans cooler with a 2200 cfm fan doesn't seem up the the task of keeping this thing cool, gonna route it through the radiator again. The second problem is that reverse only seems to engage when I rev it up a bit. I'm hoping its a fluid level issue and will confirm once the dipstick arrives. I do have to say that I'm pleased with the preliminary results and have to thank jake from Jake's performance for setting me up with his stage 2 rebuild kit as well as for the awesome customer support and answering all my stupid questions, there is no way I could have rebuilt this thing with him. Also need to thank Kevin at TCI, Kevin is the one who gave me the confidence that this swap could be easily done in our turbo buicks, if anyone plans on ever doing this swap I would highly recommend you speak with these two individuals as they go above an beyond to ensure your happy.

Paul

 

[nonosv6]

It sounds as if u are low on fluid. I'm very interested in this swap. What stall speed did you go with ? And what do u think your total investment is? What kind of power will it handle ?

 

[Paul69camaro]

It sounds as if u are low on fluid. I'm very interested in this swap. What stall speed did you go with ? And what do u think your total investment is? What kind of power will it handle ?

According to Jakes performance its rated to 750hp but I feel he is a little conservative which I prefer. I got a phoenix transmission stall (part # VPTGM88245SD). I'm told the stall is supposed to be around 3400 but we'll see when I get everything buttoned up. I got it from a buddy that made 1 pass on it before melting his turbo SBC and decided to switch combos (big block, blower with a lower stall speed) I'm kinda afraid to see my total investment as it wasn't cheap but I'll give it a go. (some of these numbers are rough estimates as I don't remember what I paid)

4l80e core from craigslist $200
Stage 2 rebuild kit from Jakes Performance $750
Phoenix Trans convertor $970 (i traded another 4l80e core i had for it so it cost me $150)
TCI BOP trans adapt ~$60
TCI EZ-TCU $600
Drive Shaft from Inland truck parts $320
TCI Coolant Fittings 4l80e ~$30
AN -6 lines and oil cooler fittings $160
TCI dipstick ~$50
Energy Suspension Trans mount $30

I guess it cost me around $2350 but if i would have paid full price for a convertor it would have been more around 3K. It's a bit early to say but just from what I experienced toying with it yesterday I would definitely recommend doing this swap over the 2004r. I really value having the ability to control everything on the trans, gear selection, shift points, firmness, lockup speed gear selection and more on the fly. Not to mention that the beefiness of the 4l80e lets me sleep better at night, I'm thinking it should hold up to the abuse a lot better.

Paul

 

[Paul69camaro]

One last thing, Can anyone give me guidance on how to get the reverse lights to work? Where can I tap into the reverse light wires and how can I get a signal from the 4l80e or EZ-TCU?

Paul

 

[Paul Lohr]

Not sure on the reverse lights. Maybe someone has a transmission wiring diagram for a vehicle with a 4L80E. I would think you need a switch on the column or console shifter that is activated by the transmission linkage.

At what power level are the upgrade items of the Stage 2 kit necessary? I found the page it is listed on but nothing about power levels.

http://jakesperformance.com/Kits_and_Components.html

I plan to use a Megasquirt 3 on my project. The MS3 GPIO board can be bought, built, and configured to control the 4L80E (aka, Megashift). This way a transmission controller can be had for ~ $275 plus your time. Of course there will be additional dollars and time in the MS3 base unit.

Paul Lohr

 

[Chuck Leeper]

One last thing, Can anyone give me guidance on how to get the reverse lights to work? Where can I tap into the reverse light wires and how can I get a signal from the 4l80e or EZ-TCU?

Paul

I think the PNP sw, [if you have it on the trans], has the ability to control back up lites. [My 4L60E PNP does].
Look to see if green wire @ A9, is the back-up lamp feed.

 

[haywire4130]

If youre using a chip that has different timing for 1/2 and 3/4 gears (example 23/21) you may want to investigate how to wire the 4l80 to tell the ecm what gear youre in- if left disconnected the ecm thinks its always in 1/2 and your timing might be too high for hard pulls in 3/4. Just a thought that could potentially save your head gaskets. Swap looks great though, wish I had pockets deep enough to do this!

 

[Paul69camaro]

Paul Lohr,
I would recommend speaking with Jake, I'm not sure at what point you want to upgrade but I did it simply because I wanted to replace everything in the trans since I didn't know the history of it. I've heard of people running stock 4l80e's at near 800hp but who knows. I think if you have a good trans that you know and do the dual feed mods it would be pretty strong. I like your idea of a switch off the shifter, I may refer to that if I can't get Chuck's idea to work.

Haywire,
I was just thinking about that last night, It hadn't crossed my mind before but I'm glad you asked as someone on here may have an idea of how to fix this issue. Maybe I'll call Eric at turbo tweak.

Paul

update: Eric Marshall just replied to an email and said that the TT chips work off the VSS signal and not the signal from the trans so given I have his chip I'm in good shape. For anyone doing this swap, add a TT chip to the list of stuff to buy...

 

[MCH86GN]

Paul Lohr,
I would recommend speaking with Jake, I'm not sure at what point you want to upgrade but I did it simply because I wanted to replace everything in the trans since I didn't know the history of it. I've heard of people running stock 4l80e's at near 800hp but who knows. I think if you have a good trans that you know and do the dual feed mods it would be pretty strong. I like your idea of a switch off the shifter, I may refer to that if I can't get Chuck's idea to work.

Haywire,
I was just thinking about that last night, It hadn't crossed my mind before but I'm glad you asked as someone on here may have an idea of how to fix this issue. Maybe I'll call Eric at turbo tweak.

Paul

update: Eric Marshall just replied to an email and said that the TT chips work off the VSS signal and not the signal from the trans so given I have his chip I'm in good shape. For anyone doing this swap, add a TT chip to the list of stuff to buy...

I wasn't aware that the 200 4r had a tss output.

 

[MCH86GN]

This should be a sticky. Once my father in law gets his garage done, he will be putting a lift in and that is where my car will stay in the winter. He is literally building a garage for his cars and a loft to live and sleep in.

 

[Pronto]

Once my father in law gets his garage done, he will be putting a lift in and that is where my car will stay in the winter. He is literally building a garage for his cars and a loft to live and sleep in.

You better not cheat on your wife!