Mike, I appreciate you getting me those measurements. I put a post in one of the 4l80E threads about them but, the search doesn't seem to be working right.

What I found basically was that the frames are completely different from a regular 1500 to a 1500HD. The 4L80E crossmember would not line up with any existing holes in the frame and may interfere with some fuel equipment. This was all on a regular cab though so parish may be Ok with the extended cab.

I still think the frames(reg vs. ext) are the same as far as size is concerned so the frame would require some work to get the crossmember mounted.

Now, when you get to the electronics there is still alot of debate. John at Speartech looked into it for me and says that there are a few wires that need to be added and one that needs to be switched. Then there are others that say it's been done with no electronic work. I tend to side with the guy who does conversion work for a living.

BTW, I think with a 100 shot on top of 9psi parish is probably in the 650+/-rwhp range. A 200R4 may not like that too well in a 5500lb truck. I think a 4L80E swap would be cheaper anyway.

John

PS - Tom B. is right about the transmission controller. That would make the swap much easier.

 

Ahh yes, the sound I too know very well. 3 transmissions later this one seems to be holding up. I sent it out to Jet Performance in Hunington Beach and they took care of it for me. I have heard good and bad things about them, but I can tell you I am happy. (so far). Sounds to me that you blew the planetary gear or something of that sort, definately sounded like a hard part that broke.

Sorry to hear about it! I feel your pain!

 

blownchevy, what all did jet do to your tranny? i've heard they are pretty good, just curious as to how good they are with a 4l60e.

 

I didn't think you guys were being serious by saying a TH200-R4 that trans resulted in the ONE of very few class action law suits by all 50 states. Pretty much a lemon law issue, everyone who purchased a TH-200 vehicle was entitled to 1 transmission rebuild. The TH-200 was designed for less then 100 ft/lbs and thats what the engineering director said in front of the judge. I think you want a built 4L80e which is basically an overdrive verson of a TH-400. But a buddy of mine runs 11.50s in his GN with 26psi boost and he hasn't dropped the trans pan since he bought it.

 

Sorry to hear it. Did you get FLP's level IV 4L60E or the 4L65E? Don't know how much stronger the 4L65E is but, I'll be picking mine up on Monday. I told FLP I was getting ready to put down 600 HP and they told me it would hold up fine. There's no modifications needed to make it work except for the vacuum line that you already know about. I exagerated on the HP numbers because I wanted to make sure I'd get a trans that would hold up for a long time. Might want to call and ask how much they'd charge for the upgrade. Good luck.

 

Parish...that sounded gross in your trans. Speed Inc's trans seems to be the best "off the shelf" one I have seen. They have theirs behind a 10 sec LS1 Camaro making like 690rwhp or something insane. You breaking this trans makes me raise an eyebrow as to my plans. If you go the 4L80E route keep up posted on how it was stuffed in there. I am now beginning to reconsider a 2500HD... 3/4 ton parts don't break too much, if at all.

Fullfloating...I believe there is a 3 speed 200 and the 4 speed OD 200. I think that b/c one of my buds had an '82 Chevy Malibu w/ 3.8 V6 and a 3 speed auto. I am pretty sure that auto wasn't a TH-350 (we know damn well it wasn't a TH-400) and the only other out I could think of was that 3 speed 200. I don't have my ATSG book infront of me to see but I will check on that when I get home from work.

I've heard a few people blowing up a 2004R under extreme conditions. A buddy of mine in college has an '87 GN theft recovery (gutted interior, spray painted white, pitiful shape) that has about 40K mi on it and the trans only shifts through 1st and 2nd gears. His GN is stock except for a cat back...so I can't really say either way. I think the pump is bad as that car sat for a very long time before being moved again.

 

Slowverado, I love the trans. Not one hint of a promblem so far! 12000 miles and still kicking.

 

i got their best tranny, the level 4 with the 5 pinion sprages(4l65e now), i can see puting down 700 or 800hp some day and might as well just bite the bullet and make a built 4L80E fit in there. going to be a big job i bet, and expensive, probably 4k be the time i am done(tranny, converter, driveshafts, controler?)

 

If FLP warranties that trans get it rebuilt and sell it. That can help fund this project. You can also sell your Yank 3000.

I do know that the 4L80E will bolt to the 6.0 motor and your Autotrac transfer case also bolts up to the 4L80E. I just don't know how much longer it is in 4x4 form vs the 4L60E.

Hell you may be able to get away with longer drive shaft yolks and not touch the actual shaft, depending on length of the trans. Getting a shaft shortened is going to be $250 or so from what I have seen. A new longer front shaft you may be able to steal from a 1500HD.

You can get a low gear set for like $600! for the 4L80E also, I think that gives you gears around 2.60:1 for first and like 1.50:1 second. A fully built trans like ~$3000.

You are gonna need a 4L80E crossmember. I think getting that in the truck and having it mounted will be the hardest part.

Does EDIT have the capabilities to input gear ratios of the trans itself? I don't think you will need an external controller if it does. I also figure if you scored a new enough 4L80E, the wiring harness may be the same or very close. Just crawl under your truck and take some pics of the wiring harnesses...then crawl under a 1500HD with your pics and compare them.

Does anyone know if the 1500HD PCM is the same as the 1500 PCM??

 

I believe that the front yoke on the driveshaft is all that needs to be replaced to make the driveshaft work.But I think the TCI transmission computer is about $1200 and a 4L80E will cost about $3000 with no core and you'll need a convertor too.Your $4000 estimate may be low.I think I would send the transmission to FLP to see what broke before investing the kind of money you are looking at.