4L80e application questions

[88bigburb]

OK so i'm hoping to go to the parts yard thursday in hopes of picking up a 4l80e, but i need to figure out what to look for.

1. in order to bolt on a stock 32 spline passenger drop 241, does it have to be a 4wd transmission to avoid swapping output shaft?
1a. if it does have to be 4wd does it matter what case is behind it?
1b. if a 2wd transmission will work are there different output shaft lengths?
1b-1. And if so, what length will i need to avoid spacer between trans and t-case?
2. i believe i heard that a 4l80e came behind diesels with a standalone computer/harness, would that allow me to use the trans behind a carb'd engine?
2a.if so do both the trans and the computer have to come from the same vehicle?
2b. Or can i grab a harness from a diesel and the trans from a gasser?
3. is there a specific year range i need for the transmission, or the computer?

thanks in advance guys, i searched briefly, but i tend to make decisions quickly as soon as an idea hits me, i figure being $50 transmission week, i really cant go wrong on pickin one up, even if it ends up needing rebuilt... i assume anyway. thanks again

 

[imiceman44]

I will answer what I know.
the 4wd case all have the same output shaft, I believe but not sure that 2wd is the same.
They did come in diesels with a standalone computer only in 93, in 94 the diesel was computer controled and so was the tranny.
You can use the gasser tranny with a controler for a diesel.
And they are all 32 spline.

OK so i'm hoping to go to the parts yard thursday in hopes of picking up a 4l80e, but i need to figure out what to look for.

1. in order to bolt on a stock 32 spline passenger drop 241, does it have to be a 4wd transmission to avoid swapping output shaft?
1a. if it does have to be 4wd does it matter what case is behind it?
1b. if a 2wd transmission will work are there different output shaft lengths?
1b-1. And if so, what length will i need to avoid spacer between trans and t-case?
2. i believe i heard that a 4l80e came behind diesels with a standalone computer/harness, would that allow me to use the trans behind a carb'd engine?
2a.if so do both the trans and the computer have to come from the same vehicle?
2b. Or can i grab a harness from a diesel and the trans from a gasser?
3. is there a specific year range i need for the transmission, or the computer?

thanks in advance guys, i searched briefly, but i tend to make decisions quickly as soon as an idea hits me, i figure being 50 transmission week, i really cant go wrong on pickin one up, even if it ends up needing rebuilt... i assume anyway. thanks again

 

[sweetk30]

OK so i'm hoping to go to the parts yard thursday in hopes of picking up a 4l80e, but i need to figure out what to look for.

1. in order to bolt on a stock 32 spline passenger drop 241, does it have to be a 4wd transmission to avoid swapping output shaft? yes 4wd shaft required and if 2wd swap out there is a oil plug to swap also.
1a. if it does have to be 4wd does it matter what case is behind it? same shaft
1b. if a 2wd transmission will work are there different output shaft lengths? yes there is
1b-1. And if so, what length will i need to avoid spacer between trans and t-case? 4wd shaft is the shortest shaft
2. i believe i heard that a 4l80e came behind diesels with a standalone computer/harness, would that allow me to use the trans behind a carb'd engine? need throttle position sensor.
2a.if so do both the trans and the computer have to come from the same vehicle?
2b. Or can i grab a harness from a diesel and the trans from a gasser?
3. is there a specific year range i need for the transmission, or the computer?

thanks in advance guys, i searched briefly, but i tend to make decisions quickly as soon as an idea hits me, i figure being $50 transmission week, i really cant go wrong on pickin one up, even if it ends up needing rebuilt... i assume anyway. thanks again

there will be deisel convrtor in tranny from deisel.

and true 4wd tail shaft is best option. if eman of 2wd is needed swap one in then.

freeze plug on tail shaft of case @ 3oclock position needs to be swaped for non pin hole version to 4wd solid so you dont loose oil pressure on cirkit.

and here is a nice controler to run needs just tps throttle position sensor to run tranny. http://www.optishift.com/index.shtml

also read n look here for 4l80 to 4wd swap info http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166233&highlight=4l80

 

[Greg Ducato]

If you can find a gas, 4x4 trans and converter you will have found what you need for the most simple conversion. Be sure and grab the cast iron adapter between the trans and transfer case which will bolt straight up to the 241. You can use any year model, the later the better, try and avoid any pre-1995, no aftermarket harnesses will work with the earlier models without switching internal harnesses and electronics. I don't know if I would trouble myself with a diesel controller and harness, you will be married to the diesel shift parameters which are far from ideal for even a mild gas application. Why fight with old junk when there are so many excellent aftermarket control systems available out there. Put your savings from the trans purchase towards a good control system and never look back. We have been using the Compushift system for years and love these, great tech support too.

 

[88bigburb]

great help guys, so diesel is pretty much out, no need. i dont want the stock engine to be the permanent, in the long run i would like to put some variety of ls in place, then get a harness that works for both, i'm assuming the stock harness and computer kindof need engine and tranny to be installed to work? or could i modify it to just control the tranny? i have no way of testing engines or tranny's in the yard so far as i know, maybe a jump pack, oil filter and oil, lol, but i may just go pick up the engine next week, lmao. if nothing else, good for mockup, lol, ok i think thats the last of the questions for now, somebody very well poke a hole in my reasoning, then i'll have more, lol, but till then, thanks all

 

[dhcomp]

Truthfully, getting the right 4l80e and getting it to run with a computer on your carb seems like more effort that its worth.

If a motor swap is down the line, pickup a motor/trans combo to upgrade your 4l80e.

The stock standalone 4l80e computers are few and far between, and the aftermarket ones are $$$. If you swap a motor/trans at once, you can use the computer for that setup that will control both.