$450.00 is not a bad price to pay for a 4L80-E core, as long as the case is not busted, the input & output shaft isn't rusted up. Ensure you can turn the input shaft both ways also. You can take it to a shop that you can trust and have a nice rebuild done with better clutches, bands, seals, sprags, bearings, solenoids, shift kit and a good converter. But I would recommend upgrading to a billet input shaft & forward clutch hub if you have 700 + hp and will be able to transfer that power to the ground. Several people are getting away without the input shaft change, but we have seen numerous shafts break, even in stock truck applications. Again it really depends on if you have enough tire to hook up or if you are going to just spin the wheels. If you end up with it and would like a quote for us to rebuilt it we will be happy to quote it. But if you have a shop that you trust locally you can save the shipping.
As for the controller the main two out there is PCS & Compushift. Personally I choose the Compushift. Both work well, but the Compushift is more user friendly and does not require a laptop to program. As Steve said, all of the controllers out there will work with the Shrifter. Let us know if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Mark
Bowler Performance Transmissions
www.bowlertransmissions.com