Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I'm looking into getting an LS2 to my new comp rig I'm building and I'm a little stumped on what auto transmission to go.

Would I be better off sticking with the old GQ auto trans or would I be better off going with the 4L60E or the 4L80E??

BTW what models are the 4L80E's in as I thought the ones in the new commodore was the 4L60E?

Any help would be appreciated

Cheers Mick.

I dont know for sure but surely its easier to use the GQ auto trans.

ie. easier to get a bellhousing than to get a trans to transfer case adapter?

I could be wrong.

new commodore is 4l65e.

the number is a torque rating hence 4l80e is stronger - not by any exact amount, just a GM rating.

Latest auto is 6l80e - 6 speed, same strength as th400, but about 5k new and double overdrive not of much use.

first number is number of gears inc 1:1.
l is for north / south layout
number is torque rating
e is electronic control.

I have priced a th400 for my buggy, they are $3200 in Desert spec inc torque converter (very low stall), massive cooler etc. For 4 speed add about 1k + control unit which are up to 2k

Go th400 for general racing, 4l80e for things like OBC with long transport stages.

I think this where I will buy mine, as for $3200 works out better than the 5k quotes I have had elsewhere.
http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/news.asp

mhgill wrote:I dont know for sure but surely its easier to use the GQ auto trans.

ie. easier to get a bellhousing than to get a trans to transfer case adapter?

I could be wrong.

Marks do all the adaptors so thats not a problem.

Cheers Mick.

bru21 wrote:new commodore is 4l65e.

the number is a torque rating hence 4l80e is stronger - not by any exact amount, just a GM rating.

Latest auto is 6l80e - 6 speed, same strength as th400, but about 5k new and double overdrive not of much use.

first number is number of gears inc 1:1.
l is for north / south layout
number is torque rating
e is electronic control.

I have priced a th400 for my buggy, they are $3200 in Desert spec inc torque converter (very low stall), massive cooler etc. For 4 speed add about 1k + control unit which are up to 2k

Go th400 for general racing, 4l80e for things like OBC with long transport stages.

I think this where I will buy mine, as for $3200 works out better than the 5k quotes I have had elsewhere.
http://www.automatictransmission.com.au/news.asp

Thanks bru

Thats the type of info I was after.

I was looking into getting a front cut from the wreckers which includes the auto and wiring.

Cheers Mick.

I'm running the GQ auto with a manual valve body etc but that is behind a turboed VH45 so it all bolts together.
When I was researching for transplant I looked at chev options and I wouldn't use a Chev with the GQ auto. If using the apaters it spaces the auto from the engine and uses a flywheel and a torque convertor.
If I was doing it I'd use the Chev auto and get an NP205 (or similar) tranfere case and just get new driveshafts made to suit. If you get the right auto and T-case then it should ll bolt up without any adapters at all. (eg TH400 and NP205)
Then you can run a really strong pto for a winch as well.
So although I think (and have proven) that the GQ auto is plenty strong enough, there is more to consider.

Running Gq gearbox limits you to a Gq transfer box unless you get a custom adaptor.
Maybe start with a standard 4l60e if it holds up great if not go the 4l80e. last time i priced a 4l80e they were $3500. Using 4l60e or 4l80e you have access to transfer boxs from the states Atlas, stak and the np 205 could be a good option for the type of comps your running.

I was thinking along the lines atlas or the NP 205 for a transfer. Less adapters will save me some dollars to put towards the transfer case.

cheers mick.

May want to look into Importing one from the states?

Abruzzi Racing do some kick ass Turbo 400's and Powerglides - Comp Spec $1200USD for complete box.

www.AbruzziRacing.com

I'll be getting one for my comp rig.

Only issue with useing a NP205 is the 1.98 or something like that ratio they have in low range. Off coarse if you are useing something like a unimog portal diff then this wont be such an issue.
IF going the atlas Stak or Lovell case then i would be looking at the Lovell case then Stak then the Atlass Last. So buy not using an adapter from engine to auto then you will have free rain to use what ever you like for the transfer as when buying one from the states the adapters are small bickies.
My thoughts anyway.

ive jst got a th400 for my ls1, 2800 bux, rebuilt,2200 stall, deep pan full man valve body, few other bits, strong as bugguery and reliable, there is a guy here in perth that nos his shit but thats to far from you.

bazooked wrote:there is a guy here in perth that nos his shit but thats to far from you.

Who is this?
I need to get a hardcore 4L60E/4L65E for my Lux.

I bought the atlas 3.8, th400 adaptor and shifters for $4060 which is pretty good seeing thats cheaper then the case alone in aust $. Marks 4x4 bought 2 befor the dollar crashed. Should be one left.

Also why buy a front cut when its not much cheaper than a crate ls2. I paid 4k for mine, $500 for loom, $100 for acc pedal. The auto's are under 2k from holmart.com.au. The best conversion I got priced was 5k motor / trans.

cheers bru

bru21 wrote:I bought the atlas 3.8, th400 adaptor and shifters for $4060 which is pretty good seeing thats cheaper then the case alone in aust $. Marks 4x4 bought 2 befor the dollar crashed. Should be one left.

Also why buy a front cut when its not much cheaper than a crate ls2. I paid 4k for mine, $500 for loom, $100 for acc pedal. The auto's are under 2k from holmart.com.au. The best conversion I got priced was 5k motor / trans.

cheers bru

Don't forget to add the price of Alt, Steer pump, Starter etc. Would be around $1000 in these aswell.

DO NOT use a GQ electronic auto behind an LS2, or any other non standard engine for that matter. It will give you nothing but problems trying to get it to shift properly.

If you want it bullet-proof, Go either the T400, or 4L80e. Really depends if you want an overdrive or not, If comp only then go the T400.

One other downside to the electronic boxes, Is even when locked in 1ST gear, the computer overrides and shifts to 2nd gear at set RPM.

If driven hard with big tyres i think you will kill the 4l60e, 4L65e may be ok.

Mick. wrote:
BTW what models are the 4L80E's in as I thought the ones in the new commodore was the 4L60E?

Any help would be appreciated

Cheers Mick.

I beleive they are only available in US models, Corvette's and trucks AFAIK.


Also if you need someone to do the EFI looms, Shoot me a PM.

Steve

Didn't Pete(OPW) use a c4 seen its a very short box with a adapter to LS1 he used.

turbo gu wrote:Didn't Pete(OPW) use a c4 seen its a very short box with a adapter to LS1 he used.

Yes he did and there a pretty cheap box too. I'd say he would have got a custom one off adapter for it though.

The reason i'm looking at crate engines is there available for around $2500 with the wiring and all the add ons which seem to be where the cost is. I don't really need a new engine for a comp rig that will be lucky to do 20,000km in 10 years.

Can anybody tell me if this is a NP205 transfer on this T700? The pictures are pretty vague.

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... otohosting

Cheers mick.

killalux wrote:

Mick. wrote:
BTW what models are the 4L80E's in as I thought the ones in the new commodore was the 4L60E?

Any help would be appreciated

Cheers Mick.

I beleive they are only available in US models, Corvette's and trucks AFAIK.


Also if you need someone to do the EFI looms, Shoot me a PM.

Steve

Thanks mate.

I'd say i'll need some help with the looms.

Cheers mick.