1972 Suburban w BBC 468
 

Question, I am needing a transmission to put behind my 468 in my burb, what is the optimal strong transmission for this format?

Re: 1972 Suburban w BBC 468
 

If that were my vehicle I would be looking at a 4L80E. TH-400 with overdrive.

Re: 1972 Suburban w BBC 468
 

So that transmission is a th400 with overdrive?

Re: 1972 Suburban w BBC 468
 

Yes but electronically controlled.

Re: 1972 Suburban w BBC 468
 

What is needed for it to use the electronic control?

Re: 1972 Suburban w BBC 468
 

I just bought a 2003 Suburban with the 8.1L 496ci engine and it has the 4l80e H.D. trans and a 4.10 positraction rear in it.

LockDoc

Re: 1972 Suburban w BBC 468
 

Hello Sapulpa. I spent a summer years ago living about 1/2 miles from where highways 33 & 48 cross. For excitement on Friday nights we would drive to Sapulpa.

There are stand alone computers that are used to control the transmission. (Although there are folks on YouTube that are running them completely manual. So you have to flip a switch for every gear change. Much cheaper to do it that way but a bit of a pain to drive. Might as well go with a true manual at that point. At least in my mind) Plus the speedometer signal on those transmissions is electronic so a converter is needed if you want to run the factory speedo. Also saying a 4180e is a turbo 400 is a bit like saying a 468 is just a 409.
Do a search here for more info also Jegs and Summit carry the converters.

Re: 1972 Suburban w BBC 468
 

A 4l80E would be the way to go if you want overdrive. However it will not be a cheap swap compared to throwing in a TH400. Like HO455 and others have said you will need a stand alone controller. These range from $500-$1000 bucks. You will also need a throttle position sensor. This is 100-$150. IIRC the 4l80 is longer than a TH400 so driveshaft mods are in order. Approx $100-$150 bucks here. You will also need to convert your speedo or buy a aftermarket one $100-$200?
Or drive by GPS. Now you still need to buy the transmission. Prices here range wildly. You could buy a good running donor rig and part it out and end up with a free transmission. Or you can buy a rebuilt unit anywhere from $1000 to $2500.
Any transmission purchased used I would consider a core unless you can drive it or get a warranty from a salvage yard.

At the end of the day the TH400 starts to look mighty good.
Just my opinion. ;)