My first gear is $#!t because of the 3.73 the 1st gear goes till 110 kph hitting 6200 rpm 2nd gear hits 180 ar 6200 rpm also Im going with 4.56 next month.

 

The problem is the highway rpms you'll be turning! .75OD vs .70 in the 60e. I already have 4.10s so the highway rpms are pretty high.

 

Exactly. That is the only thing I don't like about my 4L80E. I can make it better with bigger tires but still a higher ratio would be nice.


The 4L80E gets a bad rap because of its gear ratios. My engine makes around 330 hp and 400 ft lbs which according to desktop dyno the torque is peaked at 2000 rpms and stays table top flat past 4000. That being said my engine has zero issues with the slightly higher 1st gear of the 4L80E and I even have the stock diesel torque converter that only stalls at 1500 or so. It just rips through 1st and into 2nd like its nothing and I love being able to take it up to 85 or so WOT in 2nd before shifting. Its great to smack the pedal on the floor at 65 and hit 2nd and pass almost instantly. Everyone says it takes more power to run a 4L80E but I never felt the difference. I have 3.73s and 32 inch tires and it turns a reasonable 2100 at 65 but I would like for it to be lower. I'm actually planning on 4 inch spindles and 35's and staying with the 3.73s. Should work really well IMO.

 

As it is now I turn 1800 rpm @ 60mph and 2100 @ 70. Not bad at all I suppose.

I'm the type of driver that doesn't like to mash it to accelerate. I like instantaneous throttle response. Even with the 6.0 and 4.10s I feel like the low end is weak. That's why the 2.48 first gear of the 80e worries me. I'm strongly considering a Radix because I think it will suit my driving style.

 

I agree with this guy.

 

Put a Gear Vendors Overdrive behind it to use on the freeway as fifth gear. With that and 4.56:1 gears out back it the truck will launch the same as with a 4L60-E with 3.73:1 gearing, but shifts won't suck.

 

I don't see the gear ratio as any problem. If you want to spin your tires you need to make more power. 2.48 is just fine for 1st gear.

 

I don't want an anemic first gear. I had 3.42s with 31.5" tires and the first gear sucked, even with the 3.06 first of the 60e. The 80e's 2.48 combined with the 4.10s I just installed (that means 4.56s are out of the question) will be WORSE than the 3.42s and 60e. I just cannot have that. As far as making more power, I really don't see any other way I can make more low end torque other than a radix.

As of now I'm leaning back towards a built 60e, but we will see.

I have read that GM makes a 2.75/1.75 1st/2nd gearset for the 80e that goes in the RV's. I also heard of aftermarket gear sets similar to the ratios of the 60e. I wonder how much that would cost me.

 

Those of you ******* on the 4L80E have probably never driven one enough to know what its capable of. The taller 2.48 1st and 1.48 2nd gear ratios mean the transmission will stay in a lower gear longer, putting an equal amount of torque down for a longer period of time. The acceleration median will be very similar with a 60E and 80E. The 80E will feel slightly lethargic off the line because it puts slightly less torque to the ground compared to a 4L60E in first gear, but the 80E will put down more torque to a higher vehicle speed. That being said, I will take the 80E. I run a 700r4 with the stock 1,600 rpm converter, 3.08 gears, and P295/50/R17 tire (29" tall) tires on a 350 TPI powered fullsize van and cannot make it hook the least bit in first gear. The 80E I will be swapping in has many advantages for me.

 

While that is an option just from a cost stand point its not really worth while IMO. The OD ratio really is not that big of a deal. Yes it will turn a few more rpms on the highway but depending on where you live and your driving style that may not be such a bad thing. It actually works very well around town. I can hit 4th and lock the converter by 32 mph around 1100 rpms and just ease around town all day long and not use much fuel at all. I can also turn 21-2200 at 65 and pull hills almost effortlessly. Honestly I think once you bite the bullet and just do it you will fall in love with the 4L80E and there will be no turning back. I know I wouldn't have my truck any other way.