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4L80E in a 3rd Gen - Tranny gurus your help is needed.

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Old 07-19-2007, 09:33 AM
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Car: Camaro RS '91
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: Auto w/ TransGo shift kit
Axle/Gears: 2.73
4L80E in a 3rd Gen - Tranny gurus your help is needed.

I've got a 350 TBI and a 4L80E from a '94 full size van and was wondering if I can put this combo in my '91 Camaro RS.
Currently I have a 700R4 with a TransGo kit (love the manual shift).
I've got the wiring harness and computer from the van as well.
One think I can't figure out is what controls the tranny in the van, is it the ECM (or do they have PCMs) or should I go back and look for a stand alone tranny controller? The van is going to the junk yard in a week so I really need to know if I have to pull other stuff from it.

I understand the 4L80E can go in a 3rd gen with some tunnel hammering and torque arm changes and modified k-member.

If you have any info re. the swap that would be great. I've searched the forum but everybody talks about using a separate controller like the one form TCI but I have the ECM (PCM?) already and it would be a waste to buy something I don't need.
I also have a programmer from Moates and TunerPro and this will allow me to make some changes in the ECM if I have to.

Before you say a 4L80E is overkill know that I plan to rebuild the 350 for maybe 350-400 HP and I'd love to be able to program the shift points the way I want them. I'd also like to eventually have some sort of paddle shift so if you have any suggestions re. mods or controller please feel free to post them here.

Dana from Pro-Built if you read this post please let me know what TransGo kit and rebuild kit I can buy from you for the 4L80E, also thanks for your help with the other TransGo kit i got from you last year.

Thanks

D.
Old 07-19-2007, 12:51 PM
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Re: 4L80E in a 3rd Gen - Tranny gurus your help is needed.

Originally Posted by Vortex91
Before you say a 4L80E is overkill.........

D.

But it is..... it weighs more than theTH400 by quite a bit, and a regular 700R4 can be made to handle 400hp with some shift kits etc... Same with the TH350 or TH400, or even the TH200R. Alot of hassle for more weight, where a lighter easier to install tranny will do the job your after. my 0.02.
Old 07-19-2007, 01:51 PM
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Car: Camaro RS '91
Engine: 305 TBI
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Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: 4L80E in a 3rd Gen - Tranny gurus your help is needed.

I know but think about this: custom shift points, paddle shift.
Wouldn't you like to have all that control in your 3rd gen?
Old 07-19-2007, 02:18 PM
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Re: 4L80E in a 3rd Gen - Tranny gurus your help is needed.

Couldnt that be done with a 4L60E as well?>
Old 07-19-2007, 03:15 PM
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Car: Camaro RS '91
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: Auto w/ TransGo shift kit
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: 4L80E in a 3rd Gen - Tranny gurus your help is needed.

Yes but I got the engine and tranny for free. Now if I could get a 4L60E for free then I'd go for it no doubt.
Old 07-19-2007, 06:55 PM
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Re: 4L80E in a 3rd Gen - Tranny gurus your help is needed.

A TH400 is about 130 pounds. A 4L80E is about 250 pounds. The ECM in the van controls the tranny as well as the engine. The PCM is part of the ECM. When in doubt, remove everything electrical and don't cut any wiring.
Old 07-19-2007, 08:28 PM
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Car: Camaro RS '91
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: Auto w/ TransGo shift kit
Axle/Gears: 2.73
Re: 4L80E in a 3rd Gen - Tranny gurus your help is needed.

Yeap, I saved the wiring harness. It should be fun trying to figure out how to hook it all back once it's in the Camaro. I labeled most of the connectors but I'm sure it won't be that simple.
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