A 4L80E is a transmission from GM that is capable of handling a high amount of power. This transmission is a four-speed unit with a torque converter.
The amount of torque that a 4L80e can handle depends on the year and model of the vehicle.
GM’s 4L80E transmission
The 4L80E transmission is a four-speed longitudinally mounted automatic shift transmission. It has a powertrain control system that controls the torque distribution and can handle GVWRs up to 8000 pounds.
It also has a die-cast aluminum casing. The transmission was used in a variety of GM vehicles from large pickup trucks to luxury vehicles.
The 4L80E is designed for use in a heavy-duty truck or SUV, but is also a great option for enthusiasts. It is a bolt-on automatic transmission that is more substantial than the 700R4. This makes it the perfect mid-level option for truck and SUV enthusiasts looking for the middle ground.
The 4L80E’s design has remained mostly unchanged over the years, but there have been some notable differences.
The early models were built with different lubrication systems than later models. The late models also have a different case plug for electronic shift controls.
Although the stock 4L80E transmission can handle 450/450HP over the long term, there is a critical component that will wear out faster. This is the input shaft. While it is easy to replace, internal changes are needed to make it more reliable.
The input shaft is a weak link and should be replaced at least when a vehicle reaches 750ish HP/TQ. The transmission will likely die if you hit 900/900 horsepower, so a billet input shaft is recommended.
The 4L80E transmission can handle up to 450 Nm of torque. This is twice as much as the 4L60E transmission. Depending on the model, the difference may be significant enough to change the transmission’s performance or durability. Besides horsepower, the difference in torque figures also has an impact on twisting capacities.
The 4L80E transmission is the next generation of the TurboHydramatic TH400 transmission. This transmission has several key features that make it capable of handling a greater amount of horsepower than the previous version.
Its main differences include overdrive gears, a lock-up torque converter, and advanced electronic controls.
The 4L80E was first introduced in the 1991 C/K Truck line-up and remained in production until the 2009+ model year.
Despite the fact that the 4L80E is a more powerful transmission than the 4L60E, there are still some things that you should consider before upgrading to it.
The most important thing is to keep in mind that the 4L80E is heavier than the 4L60E. The 4L60E weighs 150 lbs dry compared to 236 pounds for the 4L80E.
GM’s 4L80E transfer case
The 4L80E is a four-speed longitudinally-mounted automatic transmission that can handle a high amount of power. Its design incorporates a powertrain control system and a die-cast aluminum casing. It has the ability to handle a GVWR of 8000 lbs.
The 4L80E was suitable for a variety of GM vehicles, including light and medium-duty trucks. It was also a common transmission for luxury vehicle brands.
The design of the 4L80E transfer case has remained relatively consistent over the years. However, there are some differences. Early models have a different case plug, and later models are equipped with updated lubrication systems and an electronic shift controller.
Purchasing a new 4L80E transfer case from a dealership will provide you with a transfer case that can handle high horsepower and torque for a long time. However, it is important to keep in mind that these transfer cases are designed for street use, and not for drag racing.
The 4L80E is larger and heavier than the 4L60E. It also has more line shafts and holds up to 13.5 quarts of transmission fluid. It also features an electronic ECU and has a 25% overdrive ratio. It can also handle the power output of a higher-powered engine.
A 4L80E transmission is typically equipped with an electronic speed sensor. A mechanical speedometer tail-shaft conversion is also available for older vehicles. GM also made the 4L80E transmission more advanced with a PWM lockup solenoid.
This system controls the torque converter and helps reduce hunting. Some performance enthusiasts reprogram this solenoid to achieve better performance.
GM’s 4L80E sprag over-run in deceleration
If you’ve ever driven a GM 4L80E, you know that the clutch can over-run when deceleration is fast. This is especially problematic when downshifting to 2nd gear.
The manual gear selection applies the clutch, the band, or both to keep the transmission from over-running.
In contrast, if you use the 4L80E electronically, the transmission is under even greater stress because the intermediate band is not engaged to take off the sprag load.
GM originally introduced the 4L80E in 1991, and the transmission was improved continuously throughout its production run.
Then, in 2002, GM introduced the 4L85 transmission, which featured a five-pinion reaction and output gearset. GM also changed the transmission fluid formulation in 2006, claiming that the new fluid would increase the transmission’s performance and extend its life.
Some transmissions include two-speed sensors, one for input speed and one for output speed. If the transmission is equipped with two-speed sensors, the PCM can command the engine to decrease power during the shift.
In addition, the transmission may include grade braking. It may also include a clutch line pressure sensor. These features are active during the tow and haul modes.