Under the Knife to install 4L80E - TBSSOWNERS.com Forums - The #1 TrailblazerSS Dedicated Owners Forum

Maverick0515 · Mar-03-12, 04:23 PM

Dropped the truck off @ Luckyspeed and Performance in Longview Tx to get my Performabuilt 4L80E installed. I'll post up after the install is complete to give my opinion on it. I'm excited to feel the difference between it and the 4L70e.

Maverick0515 · Mar-31-12, 10:23 AM

Update....just got some pics back from the shop. Still waiting on the converter. Should be back together next week depending on when the converter arrives. From what I can tell in the pictures the trans looks pretty good. Getting anxious , trucks been down for almost a month. I will post final install pics and test drive impressions when I get her back.

**TXBlownTBSS** · Mar-31-12, 10:31 AM

Nice man!!!! You're gonna love it!!

Maverick0515 · Mar-31-12, 10:37 AM

Yeah i decided to jump on it when I read your older post when you first got it installed. I liked how you said it built more boost in first gear because of the longer gear. My level II 4L70E was still holding but I didn't want to take the chance. Sometimes I think that I could feel it slip...but maybe it was all in my head.

**TXBlownTBSS** · Mar-31-12, 11:05 AM

Yes sir. It's definitely a different animal. You really don't need to run it up to 6500rpm anymore. I've never ran mine over 6200 and I've managed good times.

**Rat Raceway** · Apr-01-12, 08:14 AM

Congrats. You will enjoy it.

Edit...

Grocery Getter · Apr-01-12, 09:51 AM

Will be watching this thread as I am undecided on a built 70 or an "upgraded" 80. Lookin good!

Maverick0515 · Apr-01-12, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grocery Getter

Will be watching this thread as I am undecided on a built 70 or an "upgraded" 80. Lookin good!

Most people will tell you that it all depends on your horsepower rating. They say that unless you are pushing somewhere in the neighborhood of 500 rwhp then an upgrade might be necessary. There are however guys here including myself that are running around with built 4L70's that track their trucks regularly and they are holding up fine. Others had not had such luck with their built 4L70's. I'll give you my

about it. The 4L70e is a decent transmission.....for a car not a truck. With that being said it has sloppy shifting and poor road manners, not to mention the gearing for our trucks leaves a dead spot. Like Joe and others have said the 4L80e was meant for our truck. It may add a little weight, and some taller gearing but the truck will shift better, and generally be way more reliable. It is a better built transmission even in the stock form. A guy on here just installed one on an intake and tune truck and has had fantastic results, so I think putting a horsepower rating on when to upgrade to it is not necessary. That alone is all the convincing I need. The only downside is that the built versions of these transmissions are a little expensive compared to the 4L70... however looking at some of these extreme 4L70e builds with billet parts, the price is actually comparable if not a little more for the 4L70e. I will post up my impressions when I get the truck but I am convinced that I will be more than happy. I say go for it...it will be the last trans you ever put in your truck. Anyone that has a 4L80e's ( and I know there are a few) please feel free to comment on your impressions of the trans. Hope that helps with the decision making

Bullnettles · Apr-01-12, 07:51 PM

I will be going with a 4L80E before my next round of mods. Thank you for your input on this. Also, nice numbers!

lilaaron233333 · Apr-06-12, 09:33 AM

4l80or nothing jk.......I am loving my 4l80 even tho I have gotten to really test the waters(little scared from what I did to my 70e) but Im still liking it

**JD_SS** · Apr-06-12, 02:23 PM

Congrats on your 4l80e. This is the path I would like to take as well. Here is the thing. I am having a hard time figuring out just how much it will cost to install on an AWD. I've gathered that I need the following:

4l80e transmission (level 3) - $1,895.00
Deep Pan - $195.00
Lokar Trans Dipstick - $100.00
LC32 Conversion - $1,000.00
Shifter bracket - $8.00
27 Spline output and Adapter - $??? ($300?)
Shorten/Lengthen drive shafts - $??? ($200-300?)

Total in parts roughly $3,700 plus or minus

Then install another $400 or so?

So we are talking $4,000+ out the door, on the low end, not including shipping.......

Is this about right???

Aaron, didn't you say you got yours, parts + install, for around $3,000?

lilaaron233333 · Apr-07-12, 06:23 AM

Yes about 3k probley more. But you have to understand I had my labor all done for 200. I pulled my stock trans. I did a lot of work my self. And fluid it self is $100-$150. It all depends. I know AWD trucks will be a little more.

Grocery Getter · Apr-08-12, 01:30 PM

So for a dd, this is THE trans to have in our vehicles? Or is this the trans to have when you mod the mess out of the tbss?

SSPRMAN · Apr-08-12, 01:43 PM

What would be a price diff between stock replacement and the 80 if and when a tranny goes. I'm only intake and tune and it is my daily. And already at 65K would it be worth the money to go with the 80. Just trying to gauge what I'd be looking at in $$ if(knock on wood) I had to teplace

not quick · Apr-08-12, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD_SS

[B]4l80e transmission (level 3) - $1,895.00

Who is this through?

lilaaron233333 · Apr-08-12, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grocery Getter

So for a dd, this is THE trans to have in our vehicles? Or is this the trans to have when you mod the mess out of the tbss?

not sure if its THE trans to go with. i went with it for a few reasons. 1 its suppose to be better then are 70s. 2 one day i will be spraying and FI or just FI. so i got it for the future

Grocery Getter · Apr-30-12, 12:36 PM

Bump on this. Ready for an update!!

Sleezy E · Apr-30-12, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD_SS

4l80e transmission (level 3) - $1,895.00

Quote:

Originally Posted by not quick

Who is this through?

Mine was considerably more, but it is built pretty stout

it also included a custom stalled converter, however, and I didn't provide a core.

Maverick0515 · May-23-12, 07:19 PM

Update: 2 wrong torque converters and one SFI flexplate later... my truck will finally be delivered tomorrow. Will post up driving impressions and pictures of the 4L80 this weekend.

Maverick0515 · Jun-01-12, 09:42 PM

Just got the truck back tonight....I like the transmission a lot! I can't tell a huge difference in the taller first gear because I didn't get a change to hammer down on it. The shifts are very firm but quick and crisp. There is no hesitation the way the 4L70e did. The overdrive did not clunk when the torque converter locked. That's probably a function of a different torque converter. I decided to go with the 4L80e torque converter with the TCI SFI Flexplate. All in all a very worthwhile modification! Once I get some decent tires I will take it to the track and get some numbers.