opinions on 4L80E converted 6speed automatics

[Jr]

Rick,

Tci makes a 6 speed auto out of a 4l80E. They are expensive...

For the money, I would use a 4L80E and be done with it.

[ULTM8Z]

Understood it's expensive. I'm really just looking for real world experiences with it. The price is kind of a separate question.

[ULTM8Z]

Interesting development...

Over at Protouring.com, a company called Power trian control solutions came up in discussion.

they make a valve body that converts a 4L80E to a six speed using the overdrive gear as a gear splitter.

Talked to the guys at PTCS just now...

Take it for what it's worth...

I guess they developed the valve body for a military application that, according to the tech guy, was far more brutal on the trans than what I'd subject it to.

Since the car is only driven <5000 miles/year, if the long term durability of the transmission is even partially degraded (which they contend it isn't), seems like it would still last me a long time.

They're stuff to do the conversion is ~$2000 (controller, paddle shifters, valve body, and harness). So if I can get a low mileage used factory GM transmission for ~$1000 or less, could probably do this pretty cheaply. Probably would get the lower gear set too from TCI for $900.

[rickpaw]

Originally Posted by Jr

Rick,

Tci makes a 6 speed auto out of a 4l80E. They are expensive...

For the money, I would use a 4L80E and be done with it.

My mistake. Thought he was just referring to the regular 4l80e, not the 4l80e-based TCI 6x.

Originally Posted by ULTM8Z

Interesting development...

So if I can get a low mileage used factory GM transmission for ~$1000 or less, could probably do this pretty cheaply. Probably would get the lower gear set too from TCI for $900.

If I were you, and dead set on a 6 speed auto, I'd go with GM 6l80e and be done with it. But then I heard the 6l80e is huge and may require cutting the trans tunnel.

[ULTM8Z]

Yeah from everything I've read, the 6L80 doesn't fit.

[rickpaw]

Originally Posted by ULTM8Z

Yeah from everything I've read, the 6L80 doesn't fit.

Well, everything fits with enough cutting.

Been to your site several times, loved what you've done to the car.