Spires

Would love to hear how to do and how expensive a 4L80E install/conversion is for my 2001 chevy Silverado half ton 4x4... I'm fairly new to the new generation engines and transmissions, so I'd love to hear what is involved. Just from searching, seems a crossmember, flexplate, dipstick tube and a computer tune is in order, anything else? Stuff like what a computer tune will cost? Where to get it done at and so forth.. Should I get a 4L80E off of Ebay? Get a built one? Do the transfer case mod or the shaft change?

I plan on putting in a 14bolt full floating axel and a better transmission so I can tow a 5th wheel with some peace of mind. I have an STS turbocharged 5.3L engine and dont plan on doing any racing or rediculously huge boost mods. So any help would be cool.
Just seems some people are split on "just get a 4L80E" or "get a lvl5 4L65E from FLT." I like the ease of install for the lvl 5 built 4L65E and I trust FLT from what I have read. Has anyone ever destroyed a lvl5 4L65E? If so, what were you doing? What kind of horsepower do ya have?

My truck has two tranny coolers and any transmission going back in will have a large tranny pan and be babied when towing.

Thanks for any advice in advance dudes....

Stroker2112

Spires,

I recently made the decision to purchase FLT's 4L65E lvl 5 for my 2000 Silverado Z71 for a few reasons. The 65E will swap right into my truck without doing the following modifications required for the 80E:
1- cross-member mount(for 80E, needs to move 3inches back)
2- drive shaft(s); you must shorten the rear, and lengthen the front if you have 4x4 TC
3- additional harness connection(s) to PCM.

All of the above modifications equate to extra time & $$$...and for my application (500hP NA), I believe the 65E lvl 5 will work just fine.

Whatever you decide, Chuck at FLT has built these 65Es/80Es for some of the fastest trucks in the Midwest ...so you're in good hands!

Stroker2112
408cid iron, CNC'd LS6 243 heads, forged Eagle crank,rods, Diamond Pistons, Trqrv2 cam, chrome moly PRs, Dual SPrings, roller rockers, 80mm intake w/44lb injectors, true dual magnaflows. (picking up the 65E lvl5 w/3000 PI stall next week).

adam1803

iTrader: (65)

I think the biggest thing to think about here is how much weight you'll be towing with that 5th wheel and how often. Im no tranny expert but for towing i would think that a 4l80e would be much stronger than even a built 4l65e.

thunder550

iTrader: (70)

I paid the same for my 4L80E and conversion parts that people are paying for an FLT level 5. Expect to spend about $3000-3500 either way. PM me if you want more info.

Stroker2112

Spires,

My 65E lvl5 will cost me $2650....a little more I think than what the 80E costs outright....but there's not the extra cost/labor required to fabricate the cross-member mount, the drive shaft(s), and PCM connections (unless you're doing this yourself) ...so you'll want to budget/estimate extra for these as Thunder550 indicates above.....

Stroker2112

Spires

I am currently pulling my 22' 5th wheel that probly weighs about 6k to 8k loaded up. I have a stock 10bolt axle (4.56 gears though) and a bone stock 4L60E with two tranny coolers (stock and hayden), and have been towing around here and there without issue, but I'd like to expand my range and get some peace of mind doing it. Pulling a 5th wheel or any trailer I suppose requires gentle driving anyways, so I think it is possible to get by on stock stuff. I'm just worried about towing up over the pass from Oregon to Cali with a good loaded trailer and truck. I am implanting a full floating 14 bolt 10.5 inch axel built by Boyce equipment just for my truck. I was leaning on getting a lvl 5 4L65E with the largest oil pan, a billet input shaft and a tough torque converter that FLT would recommend for towing. I'll bet that it would hold up no sweat with gentle towing and good cooling. I have an STS turbo'd 5.3L, but will only use 5psi of boost when towing, so I would imagine I would only be at 425ish hp while towing.