caddy tranny

[pl4yboy]

After having a 65e, then switching to the 6l80e, I'll never go back. It's so nice to not have to worry about the tranny every time I mash the go fast pedal (or button for that matter). I was constantly afraid the 60e was going to grenade going down the road.

[farmtruc]

A 4L80 and a 6L80 have NOTHING in common. They are not related in any way. A 6L80 is more relative to an Allison than anything because of two input ratios, three or four output ratios, and clutch to clutch shifting (no bands <4L80 has two> or sprags <4L80 has at least one>). The 6L80 is stronger than a 4L80 (stock) and obviously has six forward ranges, none of which are direct (like 3rd in any other GM RWD trans other than the LCT1000).

The OP's original question is very vague as he doesn't even mention what year EXT he is looking at. There are a lot of variances for sure and any GMT800 will have a 4L60/65E.

That's all good info and stuff, but nobody cares about that, that's why I said "It's a beefed up 80e with two extra gears, to make it simple"
The 80e is strong, 6L80 is stronger, hence the word "beefed up", and it does have two extra grears, just keeping it simple.

Jeeeez, you didn't have to go read the GM tech articles and get all fancy on us, jmwy!

[st8kfinger]

i would love to do a 80 trans upgrade & keep the avalanche but then i will need a 6L and more boost and so on to keep pace with the trans, but im not going to be the one doing most of the work so another 60 it is, my left hand barely works and it makes doing anything more than little things almost impossible and i cant count on friends to keep a hi maintenance hot rod truck together for me (their old school 350 no ecm guys). so i figured what the h i will just roll a caddy with shinny rims and a few bolt on's. worst case if the few minor mods kill a 60 in an ext i will have a performabuilt in the corner of the garage and the liquor store is only a few blocks away

[RedHeartbeat]

everyone thinks an 80e kills power but it really doesn't, only the stock convertor does due to it immense mass. Get down to a 10" convertor and they roll just as efficiently as a 60/65/70e does.

[farmtruc]

if you like the avalanche, keep it, especially since you're not going with the nbs escalade, then it would be worth it, cause it's got lots of upgrades.
i'd do the 80e swap and be done. spend a couple thousand or whatever, have it done and bam, back on the road and never look back.
the 80e isn't some biga$$ allison trans, it's just a little bigger, takes a little more power, but holds up well and feels better than a 60e.
Hell, the new 6L80e is behind some small engines and feels just fine, granted it has 6gears, but...

your truck has plenty of power and won't be compromised because of the 80e.

we do them all the time, in stock 4.8L's to FI engines, it's definitely worth it!

[kerrige]

You didn't listen to anyone about the trans when you started with boost and your not listening now. Everyone is screaming 80e at you, but you practically have your fingers in your ears yelling "la la la la la, I can't hear you, la la la la la". Either go 4L80e or buy a new truck with a 6l80e and forget about it. Its a lot easier and better upgrade than you think. You can resell your built 60e to recoup almost every penny. You won't be sorry. Just listen this time. It's that simple.

[Frenchy]

You didn't listen to anyone about the trans when you started with boost and your not listening now. Everyone is screaming 80e at you, but you practically have your fingers in your ears yelling "la la la la la, I can't hear you, la la la la la". Either go 4L80e or 6l80e and forget about it. Its a lot easier and better upgrade than you think. You can resell your built 60e to recoup almost every penny. You won't be sorry. Just listen this time. It's that simple.

Oh do tell me how it's easy to go to a 6l80e in a GMT800?

[kerrige]

Sorry frenchy on that part I meant that he should buy a newer vehicle with a 6l80e not swap one in. Like you inferred that would be a very tough swap.

[st8kfinger]

You didn't listen to anyone about the trans when you started with boost and your not listening now. Everyone is screaming 80e at you, but you practically have your fingers in your ears yelling "la la la la la, I can't hear you, la la la la la". Either go 4L80e or buy a new truck with a 6l80e and forget about it. Its a lot easier and better upgrade than you think. You can resell your built 60e to recoup almost every penny. You won't be sorry. Just listen this time. It's that simple.

ya, i admit i didnt listen, i didnt expect trannys to only last a month, it was never an issue b4, i learned quick, the only reason i got a built 60 & not 80 was that i was in a pinch & needed a truck back on the road quick, even with that said people are having performabuilt's hold up to more than im putting them through. im not gonna hot rod a caddy around, gonna be a dd & all show. i cant do the work myself so im not gonna mess with an 80. just sick of/ discontent with the avalanche, its a love hate kinda deal, i dont wanna see it go but i will be glad to see it leave. the only thing keeping me from getting a 07+ truck it the $, im gonna buy a 05 ext with ca$h, if i get a new one the 80 will be worthless because i wont have the $ to have it tuned or even put nicer wheels on it. i just wanna make sure a 60e trans wont explode just driving a caddy like my grandpa would, i just cant count on friends to do an 80 swap, its hard enough to get help just doing little things, the gto i want has a 6 speed so the 60e wont be an issue

[kerrige]

If you plan on driving it nicely and don't plan on modding it a stock trans will hold up fine I am sure. Although I will say you could sell that built trans for a decent amount on the forums. Just saying. Maybe it could help you bridge the gap to the more expensive truck. Just a thought. I hope this all works out for you for the best.