Transmission advice (6L80E Replacement/Build)

[Tampa Tuning]

Originally Posted by camaro1

how about a ZL1 6l90e swap like this guy:

http://**************************-cama...p-into-ss.html

Yes Ive been tuning this car via Email

[speedmon]

Originally Posted by bigsquirrel

For me I road race way more than drag strip, I need a 5 speed at the least. The other thing I've been thinking is you can get a new/nearly new stock tranny for a 2 grand or less. I's need to replace this thing 4-5 times to get the cost benefit of going to the 4 speed. My Tranny lasted 30,000 miles at least 8000 of that was rally/road course.

WOW...I'm surprized that it lasted that long.
Since you're a roadracer guy (as am I) I won't say you're using the wrong transmission.....manual would work better and last longer.

But since you're committed (and thats cool) heat is the number one enemy of any hydromatic auto....especially with a stall converter which gens heat all by itself.

If you can keep it cool, it will last a very long time, but extended time of high temps will kill it.

Things you can do.....to keep it cool.

1. Dewitts makes a large capacity radiator for the Camaro with integrated oil and trans cooler...water based cooling is the best....yours is probably two stage now....tranny cooler to aux air cooler right?
2. Bring a garden hose to the track and park next to a spigot. Between sessions run water over your external cooler while idleing and bring the temp back down to 170......auto trannies take hours to cool down without assistance.
3. If you overheat the trans and burn the fluid (you can smell it)...flush it all out an replace with new....I hate that part....lil expensive.

And I agree with the Huffer...Circle D makes a great upgrade ($4K) for strength.....but it won't last if you can't keep it cool.

[lewylew]

I went with a PATC 6l80. Should be here late next week. I do not want to go the 4 speed route.

[speedmon]

Originally Posted by lewylew

I went with a PATC 6l80. Should be here late next week. I do not want to go the 4 speed route.

That Phoenix looks pretty tough.
Most vendors focus on strength modifictions which is great....primarily for drag racing.

I wish someone made a cooling solution for the 4 or 6 that would keep the temp under 200 for a 20 minute spin on a road track. But I know the demand isn't there because 98% of club drivers use manuals....me included.
I take my auto on the track sometimes, but the temp thing just becomes another constraint.

I wish GM would source an SMG from germany....that would be the bomb.

[bigsquirrel]

Originally Posted by speedmon

WOW...I'm surprized that it lasted that long.
Since you're a roadracer guy (as am I) I won't say you're using the wrong transmission.....manual would work better and last longer.

But since you're committed (and thats cool) heat is the number one enemy of any hydromatic auto....especially with a stall converter which gens heat all by itself.

If you can keep it cool, it will last a very long time, but extended time of high temps will kill it.

Things you can do.....to keep it cool.

1. Dewitts makes a large capacity radiator for the Camaro with integrated oil and trans cooler...water based cooling is the best....yours is probably two stage now....tranny cooler to aux air cooler right?
2. Bring a garden hose to the track and park next to a spigot. Between sessions run water over your external cooler while idleing and bring the temp back down to 170......auto trannies take hours to cool down without assistance.
3. If you overheat the trans and burn the fluid (you can smell it)...flush it all out an replace with new....I hate that part....lil expensive.

And I agree with the Huffer...Circle D makes a great upgrade ($4K) for strength.....but it won't last if you can't keep it cool.

That radiator sounds great. Time was a factor, one of my biggest events of the year is right around the corner so I didn't have time for a proper build.

[speedmon]

Originally Posted by bigsquirrel

That radiator sounds great. Time was a factor, one of my biggest events of the year is right around the corner so I didn't have time for a proper build.

Whatever you're doing, given the longevity you've seen, you're doing something right, especially with the whipple power and the track duty.

It'd be interesting to know what failed on your 30K trans.
If you can use a stocker and squeeze 30K miles out of it with track punishment....you may as well buy low mileage used ones for $1300....I think I saw one here the other day.

What kind of converter are you running?
And who tuned the trans?
How many whipple miles was that of the the 30K
Do you have stock 327 gears?
Were you running special fluid?

Do you mind sharing your specs?

Power on!

[speedster]

The part that kills me about trannies like this, (this is a quote for the 4L80E) is how high 'normal operating temperature' is listed as acceptable. 265 degrees is not conducive to a long lasting tranny.

From the Silverado Owners Manual:
.....If your vehicle has a Heavy Duty Automatic Transmission, you will have a Transmission Temperature Gauge,
....When your ignition is on,the Gauge shows the temperature of the transmission fluid. The normal Operating Range is from 100 Degrees (38C) to about 265 Degrees (130C)

[cl1motor]

the 6L50/80/90 all have the same gears, just beefier internals to handle the extra torque. The 6L90 should hold up stock to the horsepower you are putting down and plan to put down.

[DandD]

Speedmon, thanks for that tip on Dewitts radiators, I looked them up and it turns out they are less than 10 miles from where I live. I stopped in there today and talked to John there and he showed me all around their shop and explained their operation. He showed me the stock trans cooler and their trans cooler, and there is a HUGE difference. Their operation and workmanship look first rate for sure, the shop is very clean and they were very busy. They just picked up the contract to supply Ford Racing which they were pretty excited about. I was able to look at their Aluminum radiator they build for the Camaro and when I do my trans conversion this winter one of their radiators will be part of the project. I figure for what a good auxiliary trans cooler would cost and what it would do, I might as well go with one of their serious radiators with the big trans cooler, I feel it will be money well spent.

[speedmon]

Glad to provide some value.....
Its funny you live that close.

They make good stuff for a good price and they will custom make just about anything you want.

[2SSCAMARO]

Originally Posted by bigsquirrel

Hey Guys, my tranny went out on the squirrel so I'm looking at options.

The dealer will drop a new one in for me for 3200, seems like a good deal but it's just going to break again so maybe not.

I'm capable of doing my own labor. So swapping transmissions isn't a big deal. I do a lot of road racing and a little bit of dragstrip.

I make 550 at the wheels and am happy at that power level, might pursue up to 600 but nothing more than that.

I have a rally the first week of August so I don't have a ton of time.

Most of the builds I see are for massive HP dragstip cars. I need something more mild. I also remember hearing people talk about dropping a truck transmission in. Could you make recommendations please?

Big Squirrel due to a recent very bad experience with a "upgraded" "built" 6L80E transmission that didn't last 90 days of only ordinary street driving, I now believe the new Goodwrench 6L80 is the way to go. It only cost me a little over $4,000 to arrive at that conclusion.

[camaro1]

how about a ZL1 6L90e its about the same price from gm as an 80e, just need the zl1 crossmember and a new driveshaft

[2SSCAMARO]

I think the 6l90 is a great way to go for those who are at a power level that justifies the additional cost of the crossmember and driveshaft and any additional flashing and/or tuning costs and needs a bit more toughness than the 6l80 can offer.

[S3XPanther]

bump

so what happened, OP?