TH200-4R vs SP400+GVOD vs 4L80E for heavy street car

[CTX-SLPR]

Howdy,

As many of ya'll know I am building a '64 Riviera 4.1L Turbo6 hybrid. This car is far from light at around 3800-4000lbs so I'm quite worried about busting the transmission. I also am on a rather well defined budget so cost is definate factor. My goals aren't extravegant but even low 12's high 11's are going to be a big strain on the tranny with both the weight and the required power to get there. I plan on doing far more street than strip time so OD is a must but cost and durablity wise is it worth building a technically superior TH200-4R with its .67 OD over either the Switch Pitch 400 with Gearvendors OD (only a .78 OD, but I can build it in steps) or a 4L80E (electronicaly controlled and .75 OD). Best I can figure the 4L80E will be the cheapest overall since a stock unit would probably take the power easily with a shift kit, deep pan and a good aftermarket controller. It also sounds the most fun with a PCS controller that would allow me to customize all sorts of aspects of its shift characteristics. Not to mention the possiblity of paddle shifters.

Thanks,

 

[chris718]

if your on a budget build a 700r4 with adapter plate.itll be very capable of putting that car in the 12.0 high 11 zone.i get 1699.00 for it but you can build it yourself.the gear ratio will work great.

 

[CTX-SLPR]

Thanks for the reply Chris, how does the TH700R4 compare to its electronic 4L60E brother? I'm acutally using a computer control system that can run a 4L60E.

Thanks,

 

[mark ace]

same basic internal hard parts, aluminum valve body. the 4L60E or 4L65E would work nice! since you have the computer control system. the ability to control shift points by the electronic control system, this would be a neet upgrade!

 

[Mark E.]

I say go 4l80e and do not worry about it.

Especially if you are like me and seem to stress things more than some and find the weak links. I always lie to the trans guy by 100 hp.

I wanted a 4l80e when they just came out and I was building my motor up. I was quoted a price to scare me and it did. By now I probably have more than that in my 2004r. Had a T-350 for a while. Hated the freeway but never worried about hammering it, and that is how I like it.

Food for thought

 

[norbs]

In my opinion, nothing will be as strong as a gv and a turbo 400. But thats for you to decide:smile: