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HELP! 4l80e or 4l60e ???

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LQ9K5

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I have a 83 K5 blazer that I need some advice on. It has a LQ9 6.0 from a 2004 SS truck in it now. The motor has Fresh stage 2 heads and mild Cam and is running perfectly in the K5. However the Motor is Drive By Wire and won't work with my factory 700r4. So I would like to swap the tranny with a 4l80e or 4l60e. The truck has a 6 inch lift and has a NP208 transfer case from the Factory. I'm trying to make a decent Daily Driver with occasional off road use.

My questions.

1. Which tranny would be best for my k5 setup?

2. What parts would I need to complete the swap?

3. Has anyone done a 4l80e swap on my similar k5?

4. Should I keep my Np208 transfer case?
 
What's the budget? 4l80 should be the best for your swap.. 6.0 would make short work of that 4l60.. 4l80 will last prob unmodified..
 
I'm not worried about the money. I just want to pick the best choice possible cause I would like it to last. Besides I just want to drive the thing. It took 3 months for shop to complete my 6.0 swap. I try to tell them that the 700r4 wouldn't work with the DBW but they said they've done plenty of them. I Barley made it back to my shop . I've been researching the 4l80 swap for a month now with no exact answers as to exactly what I need to buy for the swap . Any help would work . Thanks
 
I have a built 4l60 going behind my 6.0 and I'm a little worried in a way.

It has a deeper pan, vette servo, ratio tech shift kit, .500 boost valve, kevlar bands and clutches and 5 pinion planetary.
 
If money isn't really an issue and you don't have the 80 yet, why not look into picking up the 6speed that is in the 09 and up 3/4 tons?

That would be a sweet set up
 
I'm assuming you are talking about the 6l80 transmission? That would an awesome setup !! I wonder if it would be hard to make it work with my transfer case . And work with the computer that's in the truck now?
 
The 6l80 and 90 have a transmission control module. It's much like doings 4l80e swap
 
How is the 6.0 controlled? Does it have provision to add a transmission or will you require a seperate controller? What size tires and gears will you be running? Where is the computer picking up a speed signal with that gear driven transfer case?
 
Greg Ducato said:
How is the 6.0 controlled? Does it have provision to add a transmission or will you require a seperate controller? What size tires and gears will you be running? Where is the computer picking up a speed signal with that gear driven transfer case?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately I was too busy so I trusted a local shop to do the swap so im not exactly sure about everything that has been done . I just know I got ripped off. The 6.0 is being controlled by the OEM computer from the donor truck (2004 SS 1500) I know there is a plug that can hook up to a 4l60 curled up by the firewall . I'm running 35" tires now and as gears go I'm open for suggestions . As far as the signal for the speed to the computer I'm not sure but I can check.
 
If you have the means to control a 4L60E at your disposal you can take advantage of that and hopefully plug and play. This trans will also accept the transfer case and adapter of the 700R4 and the flywheel and crank adapter I am presuming was used to connect with your existing trans. There are ways to build the 4L60E to do quite well in an application such as this with your intended usage, and the aftermarket is flush with upgrades. I would re-gear to 4.56's with the 35 inch tire and that will put you at a very nice engine rpm at 70mph the engine will be happy with. If you want to go with a 4L80E you will need another transfer case input gear, trans to T/C adapter, crossmember relocation, and some reprogramming of the ECM or TCM depending on your set up. Speartech www.speartech.com can help with an adapter harness and other parts you may need from a control standpoint. You will also need to rework cooler lines, front and rear driveshafts and possibly exhaust to go with the 4L80E. It is a stout unit and will need only minor upgrades to work with your engine. Either way you go I think you will be OK if you choose the right components and the right trans builder who understands your vehicle and goals.
 
Thanks for the info. I agree with you the 4l60 would be a much easier swap . Besides I really want to drive this thing it's been sitting in my shop for 2 months ( damn deer season ) . What sort of upgrades should I have done on a 4l60? Should I buy one already tricked out? The other thing is my 700r4 has 4 bolts to the Transfer case adapter and I think the 4l60 has 6 . I guess I just buy the proper Adapter?
 
The pre LS 4L60e were mostly the one piece case and have the four bolt tail and all external dimensions of your 700R4. The 1996 to 2005 electronics will interface with the 2004 set up you have. After the Trans is installed you will want to reprogram the transmission part of your control system for best results. Modifications will vary by builder but check reputation and talk with more than one before you pull the trigger.
 
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