Cucv M1008 4l80E swap

[lukeM1008]

I realized for me to drive my cucv around a lot and for it to be practical I needed an overdrive. I looked at a lot of options such as nv4500, gearvendor, ranger+sm465 but I found the easiest and probably the cheapest swap for me was going to be a 4l80E. Right now I have most of the parts I need to do the swap and I have spent about $875 but I still need to get the rear drive shaft shortened and front one lengthened. I found a deal on facebook marketplace for a 4l80E, np241, and a seized 454 all for $200 so I bought it and then sold the seized big block for $120. I pulled the pan off the 4l80E and it looked really nice inside and the fluid was not burnt so I put a new filter in it and I am planning on using it as is. I also am going to try to use the torque converter that was on it because it is probably a low stall one. Since the 4l80E is electronically controlled I needed a stand alone kit to control it so I got the Painless Performance Perfect Torc kit. I went with the Perfect Torc kit because it was the only kit I found that didn't need a tachometer input from the engine I also had to get a throttle position sensor for the stand alone computer to work so i got a acdelco one made for the 6.2 diesel and it just bolts on the injection pump where the vacuum valve for the th400 shifts used to be. my plan for the trans cooler is to use the stock in-radiator th400 one because i don't plan on hauling heavy trailers in hot weather and it will work out nicely because the 4l80E i have is the earlier one with the cooler line ports both in the front so they should be able to use the th400 cooler lines. In a couple days i’ll commit to pulling the th400 and post more about drive shaft length, the cross member situation, and shift linkage.

 

[cruzer747]

Killer deal! I found this that may help you id the TC. I have heard that they can be the same but then again, better safe than sorry. Good luck!

 

[lukeM1008]

Killer deal! I found this that may help you id the TC. I have heard that they can be the same but then again, better safe than sorry. Good luck!

Thanks for the info but I couldn’t find any numbers or anything stamped on my tc so I was just going to take my chances.

 

[cruzer747]

Thanks for the info but I couldn’t find any numbers or anything stamped on my tc so I was just going to take my chances.

no fins cast onto housing as described in pdf? The angle is supposed to let you know low or high stall.... (looking at the hub swirl counter clockwise = low and clockwise = high... just in case you missed hat bit and for anyone else who digs this up later)

Just noticed you have a goodwrench sticker on there so my guess is it has been replaced at some point.

 

[lukeM1008]

no fins cast onto housing as described in pdf? The angle is supposed to let you know low or high stall.... (looking at the hub swirl counter clockwise = low and clockwise = high... just in case you missed hat bit and for anyone else who digs this up later)

Just noticed you have a goodwrench sticker on there so my guess is it has been replaced at some point.

oh ok thanks I missed that about the fins and yes I believe the transmission was rebuilt or replaced recently because it looked pretty good inside

 

[lukeM1008]

no fins cast onto housing as described in pdf? The angle is supposed to let you know low or high stall.... (looking at the hub swirl counter clockwise = low and clockwise = high... just in case you missed hat bit and for anyone else who digs this up later)

Just noticed you have a goodwrench sticker on there so my guess is it has been replaced at some point.

I just looked at the tc it has the low stall pattern of fins so now I’m sure it’s low stall thanks again for the info

 

[lukeM1008]

I pulled the th400, put a cap on the vaccume pump and put the 4l80e in. I also put the tps on and wired it to the painless harness

 

[lukeM1008]

I welded some square tube to the cucv crossmember and used some 1in spacer between the trans and the rubber isolator. the turbo 400 dipstick worked with only one bend at the very top to get it more pointed forward

 

[Barrman]

Why the cross member mount square tubing? Mine bolted on without issues. What are your rear drive shaft angles now?

 

[lukeM1008]

Why the cross member mount square tubing? Mine bolted on without issues. What are your rear drive shaft angles now?

The th400 tcase adapter is like 4in taller than the one on the 4l80e. so the 4l80e+1 in spacers+The square tube +the rubber isolator made it the height of the th400 adapter. the drivshaft angles are exactly the same as when the th400 was in it.

 

[Shankem-Deep]

Have you made anymore progress?

 

[lukeM1008]

Sorry for the wait. I did all the little things like wireing, linkage lengthening, and cooler lines while I waited for my rear drive shaft. I got it shortened exactly 2 inches and it cost me 200 bucks. The truck is driving now and it cruises over 55 no problem. I used the diesel program on the transmission controler and just set the shift points down so it shifted sooner and smoother. I waited to do the front drive shaft because it was going to cost over 500 bucks so I’ll figure out some way to lengthen it myself and post about how that goes.

 

[mtperkins]

Did you get it working?

My 4l80e is missing the output VSS. Kind of at a stand still until i figure out what to do.

 

[Keith_J]

Later 4x4 4L80s used transfer case speed sensor output for speedometer and transmission controller use. I would recommend either have the transmission modified with output tone ring or add a tone ring to the transfer case adapter. Advanced Adapters does this on some 205 transfer cases to 4L80.

Aftermarket controller may not work in low range if you use the transfer case output for speed sensing.

 

[socalsrt]

If it is a 4wd 4L80E, pull the rear speed sensor plug out and see if the reluctor tone ring is already installed. I have seen two, post-2000, 4wd 4l80Es with the ring installed for whatever reason. When I rebuilt my 4wd 4l80E, I just added the rear reluctor tone ring. Unfortunately to install it, most of the transmission has to be disassembled. Other than that, The only realistic option is what Keith_J is saying with adding it to the T-case....

Also, I really like the 4l80E with 4.56 gears and 33" tires. Makes for a nice driving truck. You will not regret this mod!

 

[mtperkins]

Thanks Guys. Great info. I am mid cab swap right now. I wanted to swap the transmission at the same time. But I think it best to have it rebuilt and tone ring added before I install it anyway. Currently have my hands full with installing a civilian AC equipped cab on a non AC chassis. Just a way more solid cab to work with. Turned out to be a lot more work than I thought. The NY rust has mine looking like Fred Flintstone had the truck.

 

[McLovin]

Please keep us up to date, thanx.
Planning to replace th400/np208 on my M1009 with a 4l85e/np241c vss.

PS: checked the painless performance site:

PERFECT TORC GM 4L60/65E & 4L80/85E Transmission Controller Part No 66501

Basic required connections to run these transmissions with TORC: 1) (1) Ignition Switched Power and (2) Grounds 2) (1) Throttle Position Signal (5Vref and Reference Ground provided for Carb and Diesel applications where a universal TPS is used.) 3) Plug in the main 20 pin transmission case...

www.painlessperformance.com

That product has been discontinued

What controller do you recommend for that swap?
Thank you.

 

[chevymike]

This would be the controller I would buy, if/when I do a swap. Seems to be one of the better ones out there.

Quick 4 Stand-Alone Transmission Control

The Quick 4 controller makes your 4L60E, 4L80E, 4R70W, E4OD, or 4R100 transmission work in a wide variety of vehicles, including ones not originally equipped with electronic control. It also allows customization of the transmission's behavior with user-friendly software.

www.usshift.com

 

[McLovin]

Thank you @chevymike I will evaluate it

For the TPS, is this the right one?

https://www.amazon.com/ACDelco-213-879-Original-Equipment-Throttle/dp/B000C9GJ40

And what adapter between 4l80e and np241 I will need?
As I'm sitting in Germany, will this one work for me?

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PS: its a M1009, so that adapter should be a short one, as I have already a short wheelbase

Thanx