The "six speed 4L80E" would i even want it?

[y5mgisi]

So, TCI has a trans out called the 6x. Its supposed to be like a 6 speed 4l80e. If money were no object, would i actually even want it over a normal 4l80e? Truck in question would be my 90 suburban thats mostly just DD status and occasional trips. What do you dudes think?

 

[Deuling]

Sounds like much better fuel economy to me

My boss has the 6 speed in his new 2500, and its way cool feeling it shift and shift and shift.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Are you going to be driving enough and fast enough to justify it? That's probably more gears from 0-55mph and then two OD gears for high speed.

To me, no. In a Vette you planned on driving across the desert? Sure.

Built 4L80E would do you just fine and not cause all the "never done this before" issues.

 

[shaun89]

i agree with him,who knows the 6x could be an awesome tranny but i no built 4l80e's r nice and get the job done day after day. how low do you want ur rpms anyways?

 

[y5mgisi]

I thought I read that the over drive was the same. It wasn't a double over drive thing. Just more gears.

 

[Slapperbar]

I would love to have it, with all of the hills here in western PA.

 

[folkenheath]

The six speed is not really six speeds I don't think, they just shift on the OD clutch between certain gears. The 4L80E is a TH400 with an OD planetary gearset in the front of it. It has a .75:1 OD. Normally the gears are 2.48, 1.48, 1, .75. So if you shift to OD between some of the gears, you can get this...

2.48, 1.86, 1.48, 1.11, 1.0, .75

Now, they could change the rear planetaries to 2.75/1.57 or something(would make 2nd 2.06, and 4th 1.18)), so they have a lower 1st gear, but you can get that without going to a 6 speed controller. I haven't actually looked at it, but that is how I suspect it works. A cool idea, a closer ratio box to keep you in the power band more often. But it's up to you if it's necessary.

 

[sweetk30]

just grab the newer ls motor and 6 series tranny for true 6 speed unit. low gear is 4.xx somthin

more power and a real 6 speed.

 

[folkenheath]

OK, I just looked it up, they changed the rear planetaries to their new 2.97/1.57 set. Which is like the 2.75 swap, but 2.97, which makes the trans...

2.97, 2.23, 1.57, 1.18, 1, .75

If you notice, 2.23 is 75% of 2.97, and 1.18 is 75% of 1.57, so that is exactly what they are doing, shifting into OD between each gear.

 

[Greg Ducato]

In addition the the 6X trans you will need its exclusive electronics. It is a pricey package for the two extra gears. This trans could be of benefit to someone with a smaller engine that needed to keep it in a rev range for better acceleration but if you have the torque it is not really a must have. If you want to split ratios, throw a gear vendors unit on the back of the transfer case for an 8 speed automatic, less $$ too.