4L80E Clearance Issues?

[The Lost Texan]

@NickTransmissions

 

[The Lost Texan]

Nick
@NickTransmissions

Since you responded with some potential advice on this matter, would you care to elaborate and provide me your professional opinion? Based on my application.

Thank you,
Shane

 

[NickTransmissions]

Nick
@NickTransmissions

Since you responded with some potential advice on this matter, would you care to elaborate and provide me your professional opinion? Based on my application.

Thank you,
Shane

Hi Shane,

Are you looking for input on possibly doing a 6L80 or 6L90 swap for your truck?

 

[The Lost Texan]

I'm not Bextreme but if you can tell me how you plan on using the vehicle, engine power, frequency of high rpm use, frequency of heavy towing/hauling (if any), i can tell you what transmission, of the ones listed above, will meet your needs, given you're weighing ease of installation, fitment/integration as much as overall durability and strength handling...

Nick, this is the comment I am responding to.

I plan on driving it normal. Meaning I will be cruising it from town to town on county roads. In addition, I will be driving it at highway speeds (60-70mph) for the occasional weekend trip to cars shows, vacation, etc. I will NOT be drag racing, auto crossing, towing, etc. I want to build a reliable driver, with some decent power. I am a hotrod guy with multiple cars ranging from small block chevies to ford flatheads, all with 4 or 5 speed manuals. I don't know much about automatic trannys, like I do the muncie, saginaw and T5 transmissions. This will be my first LS/auto build. Finances are not a constraint, within reason. Just looking for advice, opinions on a combo set-up that will meet my needs, from knowledgeable people. The truck is completely blown apart with the frame powder coated on the hoist. I did install QA1's front crossmember/coilover system, along with the rack pinion steering- the idea was to make it more drivable. From here, I would like to make a decision on the tranny. I am almost 100% decided on the 6.2 motor, due to a friend having access to one. I also have another friend with a Stange ford 9" that will probably going into the truck. I am also asking for advice on gearing size, based on my application. I fully understand there are many variables to this, but just looking for opinions. As far as controllers, will the factory GM connect and cruise surffice? Or are there alternatives that you highly recommend? Are there controllers to avoid? Much Thanks, Nick.

 

[NickTransmissions]

Nick, this is the comment I am responding to.

I plan on driving it normal. Meaning I will be cruising it from town to town on county roads. In addition, I will be driving it at highway speeds (60-70mph) for the occasional weekend trip to cars shows, vacation, etc. I will NOT be drag racing, auto crossing, towing, etc. I want to build a reliable driver, with some decent power. I am a hotrod guy with multiple cars ranging from small block chevies to ford flatheads, all with 4 or 5 speed manuals. I don't know much about automatic trannys, like I do the muncie, saginaw and T5 transmissions. This will be my first LS/auto build. Finances are not a constraint, within reason. Just looking for advice, opinions on a combo set-up that will meet my needs, from knowledgeable people. The truck is completely blown apart with the frame powder coated on the hoist. I did install QA1's front crossmember/coilover system, along with the rack pinion steering- the idea was to make it more drivable. From here, I would like to make a decision on the tranny. I am almost 100% decided on the 6.2 motor, due to a friend having access to one. I also have another friend with a Stange ford 9" that will probably going into the truck. I am also asking for advice on gearing size, based on my application. I fully understand there are many variables to this, but just looking for opinions. As far as controllers, will the factory GM connect and cruise surffice? Or are there alternatives that you highly recommend? Are there controllers to avoid? Much Thanks, Nick.

So what type of transmission do you want?

If an automatic, what would you prefer to have? The choices could range from a TH350/400 to a 10L90 but prob lies somewhere in between...Given you're likely installing a 6.2, perhaps upgrading it's power output a bit and want overdrive, I'd recommend a 4L80E simply due to the relative simplicity, strength inherent in those units, support for tuning/controllers, etc relative to later 6-10 speeds and, dollar for dollar, much stronger than any 4L60-based transmission.

If you want to go with a manual, maybe an NV4500? I admit, I'm not nearly as knowledgeable about the manual transmissions given I very rarely work on them but others w/a lot more expertise will weigh in.