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I worked at the Bellsouth fleet repair center back around 2002 and the vans that had 4l80e all failed usually under 200k.Lots of waterpumps and trans replacements.Not saying a 80e is particularly bad but it happened quite often.
I personally wouldnt run a HD transmission behind a small block because of all the parasitic power loss, have you ****** seen a th400 or 4l80e in comparison to a 4l60e, th350 or 700r4?
Now behind a STOUT big block, **** that.
Th400 or 4L80e. Or a really well built th350.
When I installed the '71 402 BB in my '82 lowrider I wanted the lower first gear of the 700R4 and the overdrive. Knowing that 402 originally sat in front of a TH400 I expected I may have issues. So I got a spare 700R4. These were built with all the upgrades that were available at the time. 4L80's did not yet exist.
So I got very good at swapping the trans, that I could do it in an evening in my driveway after work. If you want to play, you got to pay. And I'll say it again. Man, what a ride!