REAL power with reliability

Have you broken a Level II, V, or MXXVII 4L60E that is supposedly 700 HP capable with 450 HP? Multiple times? Have you ever read a build list for a 4L60E/65/70 and wondered why it sounded like everything in the trans was replaced for a performance build? That is because it’s the wrong unit to use in a big power application. We’re not here to mislead you. We could build and sell a very well built 4L60E that would compete with anybody’s on the market. But there is more demand for 4L80s, so business wise, it makes sense to pursue that market. We specialize in 4L80Es because we KNOW it is the only real option for REAL power with reliability.

Other builders are afraid to cut into their sales and tell you this. We’re not. We just want to be sure you get the strongest option available at the best price the first time. If this makes sense to you, take a look at our 4L80E options below.

2 product ratings - 4L80E TRANSMISSION CASE 04-UP GMC 4L80E CASE 2WD 4x4 24208421 No Internal Parts. Buy It Now +$128.75 shipping. S p o n s o r e d. Automatic Transmission 4L80E Opt MT1 135' Wb Fits 03 EXPRESS 2500 VAN 162709. 90 Day Money Back Guarantee! In Business Since 1986! Curt is in the testing dept to 4L80E Differences between Early and Late models. He's using some 4L80E cores to show the external differences between the earl. Our 4L80e and 4L85E transmissions are one of the strongest in the world. We offer several options so you can have one custom built for you particular application. Whether it is Offroad racing, Kings of the Hammer, drag racing or just a custom street rod. We can build it. We also offer Full Manual valve bodies or stand alone transmission controllers to run them. Our transmissions have withstood.

The 4L80E is the descendant of the “Ole Reliable” TH400 transmission. It shares many components and design features. At Jake’s Performance the 4L80E is our most popular transmission. We have built them for applications ranging from heavy towing vehicles to 1800+ HP street/strip cars. The 4L80E has proven reliable like it’s predecessor.

Most of our development time is spent on the 4L80E. Look for some innovative new products in the near future that should make the 4L80E even stronger.

As with all Jake’s Performance transmissions they start with a select core that is disassembled, the case is hot tanked, pressure washed, inspected, painted and prepped for reassembly. They include all new friction clutches, bands, steel plates, soft parts, filter, modulator (if applicable), as well as hydraulic upgrades, bearings added at several thrust locations, and other modifications depending on power level.

We have established ourselves in the industry with our exclusive innovative 4L80E valve body designs whether we use our in house recalibration kit, or one of our transbrakes, you are getting what no other company in the industry has. Our valve body hydraulics have proven themselves repeatedly and our transbrakes have set the standard for release time.

We specialize in building the 4L80E for retrofit applications. If you have a 500+ HP musclecar, late model LSx powered car, or other combo that demands THE bulletproof trans, we can build it for you. We have more experience than any other aftermarket shop building 4L80E’s.

We have several upgrade options for the various stages of 4L80E. We offer two different transbrakes. Both designs will work in a stock depth pan.

Our D1 transbrake, also known as the Manual Low transbrake, allows normal reverse operation but requires the gear selector to be in the 1st or low gear position to operate. It is a very quick acting transbrake. It works very well in full manual configuration. It has some special tuning considerations for use with a controller in an automatic shift situation.

Our D3 transbrake allows for transbrake operation in any forward gear range. It requires transbrake activation for reverse. It works very well in automatic computer controlled applications because the shifter can be left in D3 and the controller shifts the transmission, instead of requiring the driver to shift from D1 after launch.

All 4L80 builds now have a core charge due to core shortages. $250 for early style (91-98) and 99-up (late) style cores with a 7 bolt bellhousing will be $300. Providing a REBUILDABLE core will reduce the posted price by $250.

The Street/Strip (Stage 2) 4L80E includes all new friction materials, steels, bands, rollerized forward hub, rollerized output shaft thrust, heavy duty intermediate snap ring, 6 clutch direct pack, Hi-Energy carbon clutches in select locations, hydraulic modifications for much increased power capacity and firmer shifting. All 4L80Es also include a new boost valve assembly, new shift solenoids, manifold pressure switch, internal wiring, as applicable.

The Stage 3 4L80E build adds the billet input shaft and rollerized billet forward hub for applications above 750 HP. This build will handle well over 1000 HP assuming moderate RPM range (less than 7000 rpm), average or lighter weight vehicle, and no large N2O usage.

The Stage 4 4L80E adds the billet intermediate shaft. This makes it reliable to approximately 1000 HP/TQ. It will work at higher power levels if the RPM is less than 7000 RPM. Stage 4 builds are mainly for heavy vehicles, diesel, or large uses of N2O.

The Stage 5 4L80E build is the Stage 4 build but adds a 36 element sprag Super Drum for increased power capacity up to and over 1400-1500 HP/TQ.

One of our biggest customer demands for the 4L80E is an all in one kit to install the 4L80E into a classic Camaro, Chevelle, Corvette, Nova or other GM car. We have put together the common parts used in most of these retrofits to make it easier for the customer to do so.

The Muscle Car Kit will include a Stage 2 4L80E built with a mechanical speedo tailhousing for simple hookup to the existing cable speedo, a US Shift 80 Transmission Controller, Throttle Position Sensor (TPS) kit for Holley carbs, and a billet cover lockup converter. Typically this is all you need to put the 4L80E into your muscle car aside from driveline shortening and crossmember mods or fabrication. We will also offer tech support to help with the install. We have installed them in most of the early GM cars.

Pricing is $5600 plus $250 shipping within the continental United States (restrictions apply).

We are also offering a freshen up program for our customers who need a repair or rebuild after the warranty period or for maintenance in high powered combo’s. This service includes all new frictions, steels, bands, shift solenoids, rebuild labor, and dyno time. It renews the warranty. It does not include the converter cut and clean, or hard parts. It is only applicable to Jake’s Performance builds and customers. The 4L80E service will be $1250, not including any parts upgrades or shipping. See our pricing table below for hard parts and upgrade costs.

The 4L80-E (and similar 4L85-E) was a series of heavy-duty automatic transmissions from General Motors designed for longitudinal engine configurations. The 4L80-E was heavily based on the Turbo-Hydramatic 400 first produced in October 1963, adding electronic controls and an overdriven fourth gear. 4L80-Es were optioned only in Chevrolet/GMC pickups, Suburban 2500s, vans, and commercial vehicles, and the Hummer H1. It was also adopted by Rolls-Royce in 1991 and modified after extensive testing,^[1] and used initially in the Bentley Continental R, and subsequently other Rolls-Royce and Bentley vehicles. The 4L80E and 4L85E were built at Willow Run Transmission in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Gear ratios:

4L80-E[edit]

The 4L80-E (RPO MT1) is rated to handle engines with up to 440 ft·lbf (597 N·m) of torque.^[2] The 4L80-E is rated to max GVWR of 18,000 (Axle and vehicle dependent)^[3]

The 4L80-E uses 2 shift solenoids, initially called Shift Solenoid A & Shift Solenoid B, later changed to comply with OBD II (On Board Diagnostics revision 2) regulations to 1-2 Shift Solenoid & 2-3 Shift solenoid. By activating and deactivating the solenoids in a predetermined pattern by the PCM, 4 distinct gear ratios can be achieved. The shift solenoid pattern, also sometimes referred to as solenoid firing order, is as follows;

Shift Solenoid Pattern[edit]

No power results in 2nd Gear as 'Limp home mode'.

Applications[edit]

• 1991–2013 Chevrolet C/K/Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500 & 3500
• 1991–2013 Chevrolet/GMC Suburban/GMC Yukon XL 2500 & 3500
• 1991–2009 Chevrolet Van/Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana 2500 & 3500
• 2002–2006 Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 General Motors LS with L18 V8 only
• 1992-2006 Hummer H1
• 1992–1998 Rolls-Royce Silver Spirit/Spur II, III, IV
• 1991–1992 Bentley Eight
• 1991–1997 Bentley Turbo R
• 1991–2002 Bentley Continental R/S/T
• 1999–2006 Bentley Arnage Red Label / Bentley Arnage R/RL/T
• 1993–1996 Jaguar XJS
• 1994–1997 Jaguar XJR
• 1993–1997 Jaguar XJ12 / Daimler Double Six
• 1996–1999 Aston Martin DB7
• 2000-2006 Chevrolet HD trucks with L18 V8

4L85-E[edit]

The 4L85-E (RPO MN8) is rated to handle vehicles with up to 690 ft·lbf (935 N·m) of torque.^[4] The 4L85E is rated to handle vehicles with a GVWR of up to 18,000 lbs (dependent on axle ratio and vehicle)^[5]

Applications:

• Chevrolet Avalanche8.1 Vortec only.
• Chevrolet Suburban 8.1 Vortec only.
• GMC Yukon XL 8.1 Vortec only.
• Chevrolet Express with Duramax Diesel or 8.1 Vortec 2500 & 3500 only.
• GMC Savana with Duramax Diesel or 8.1 Vortec only.

4l80 Transmission Problems

See also[edit]

References[edit]

1. ^Adcock, Ian (1992). Bentley Continental R. London: Osprey Publishing. p. 113. ISBN185532 260 9.
2. ^'Archived copy'. Archived from the original on 2013-12-22. Retrieved December 22, 2013.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link) CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
3. ^GM Powertrain. '07 Hydramatic 4L series'. General Motors. Retrieved January 5, 2014.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
4. ^https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/transmissions/supermatic-4l85-e
5. ^GM powertrain. '07 Hydramatic 4L Series Specs'. General Motors. Retrieved January 5, 2014.CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)

4l80 Transmission Dipstick