1SlowHoe

iTrader: (28)

Just trying to dispel some rumors. I’ve read every 80E swap/install thread on this board in the last 2 days. I’ve read very conflicting opinions on the 80E v. the 65E. I know the 1st gear is taller. That’s not an issue as I had traction issues anyway. I also know the 2nd and 3rd gears are a closer ratio so it helps once you get past 1st. The part that bothers is me is "someone" claims that the 80E stays in 1st gear at WOT until 60+mph.

I am looking at a LQ4/80E tune and WOT shifts 1-2 at 25mph then 2-3 at 55mph. That was at 5200rpm for both and 4.10 gears. Pushing the shift rpm to 6200 will add a few mph but not another 35.

I have 4.10 gears and a 32” tire (and a Radix on the LQ4 @ 9spi) A 2800-3000 converter is also going in.

I’m sure it will feel different but, can 1st gear be all that bad with the mods I have?

Is it guys with 3.42’s that hate the 80E?
Not to be an *** but,….
I’d really like to hear from guys who have actually made this switch and not so much from the guys, who know a guy, whose brother did it.

For those who have done the swap…. what are you short term and long term impressions of the 80 v. the 65 concerning overall performance, ET, and launching?

onebadrubi

Another option is the FLT regearing the 4l80e?

I cant see a 4l80e shifting at 25mph. Unless they had alot of gear and short tire. Sorry I cant verify this but it just seems to slow to be shifting.

1SlowHoe

iTrader: (28)

Looked into that. It would help however, I also read that those parts were smaller or not as strong and then become the weak link in the 80E. I don't know if this is true. I have not spoken to FLT about it directly. I don't have the time right now to send my 80E for that swap anyway so, I am trying to get first hand impressions from people who have a stock or a stock+shift kit 80E.

1SlowHoe

iTrader: (28)

Played with the tune a little. It looks as if at 6200rpm the 1-2 shift at WOT would be at 54mph and the 2-3 shift at 6200 rpm would be at 90mph. That makes more sense. Going from 0-54mph in one gear might suck. I hope I have enough bottom end tq to make it feel ok instead of feeling like a .


(the 3-4 shift would be at 133mph, LOL)

onebadrubi

Im sure you have plenty of torque to make up. Can always bump the TC up a few rpms to help. You build the tranny right and then worry about the power.

Didnt you have a flt lv5? im guessing you busted it?

1SlowHoe

iTrader: (28)

The tranny didn't fail, but the driveshaft took it out. Click sig link. Trying something different.

thunder550

iTrader: (70)

Here's my impressions. Keep in mind that I'm running 3.73 gears so it will be a little different than yours.

The 1st gear really sucked a lot when I had my 6.0 with the blower, and my N/A 408. Keep in mind though that I wasn't putting down anywhere near the numbers you're getting. My 5.3/4L60E combo with a 210/218-551/551-116 cam at 10 psi (3.0" pulley) with the Radix went a best of 13.57 @ 97 with a 1.85 60 foot time. My 6.0/4L80E with a 216/224-551/551-115 at the same Radix boost (2.8" pulley) ran a best of 13.64 @ 104 with a 1.92 60 foot time. You can see the difference in the short times against the difference in the trap speeds, while keeping ET's very close. (I think the 60' times are right, I don't feel like looking them up but they are close anyway)

Now that I have the turbo 408, my best time is a 12.74 @ 106, with a 1.88 60 foot time.

I like the 4L80E much better with the turbo 408 than I did with the 6.0/Radix combo, although I was so sick of breaking 4L60E's that I would never go back to one anyway. Overall, on the street, I don't notice much of a difference in normal driving. At the track, I can brake stall and build boost and get myself to launch at about 8 psi at 3000 RPM, that was a huge help to lowering my short times.

People talk about losing mileage on the freeway and around town and whatever....I didn't notice much difference around town and I might have lost 1 mpg or so on the highway. Not that I'm much worried about the difference between 12 city/14 hwy

When I was running the 1/4 1st gear took me to about 6300RPM/60 mph, and 2nd took me to about 6100 RPM/105 mph. I was just shifting into 3rd when I crossed the traps. Obviously yours will be lower because you have 4.10's out back vs my 3.73's, but that 1st gear will feel like it lasts FOREVER. The 3000 stall converter should help you out a ton though getting your heavy beast off the line. IMO, at your power level, you should definitely seriously consider the 80E.

BTW - what size tires are you running? Mine are 33's, so whatever yours are factor that into your numbers too.

1SlowHoe

iTrader: (28)

My tires are 32" overall height. The 80E with a HD shift kit and a Vig triple disc are already on the truck headed my way
I guess I will have to wait and see how it feels. I just cant imagine going from 0-60mph in 1 gear.
Does it pull pretty hard or does it start off like a big turd and then slowly build into a strong pull before the 1-2 shift?
I was told by one guy with an 80E and 3.73's that he could light the tires up from a stop with no problem.....guess I'll know in a few weeks.

thunder550

iTrader: (70)

It'll pull ok if I just nail it from a stop. Once I get over about 20-25 mph it goes really strong, but getting there takes a little more effort. My 408 had weak low-end to begin with, but I could still scrub the tires a little bit. If I brake stall it up to 3000 in 2wd and pop my foot off the brake I can roast the tires all the way through 1st and about half of 2nd.

Bill Reid

iTrader: (14)

Great feedback thunder... had the same questions as Slow. Can't wait to get the 80E installed.

Bill