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duwem · 11-10-2011, 08:54 AM

Trying to plan ahead on my 1950 1/2 ton truck. I have a 6.0L GM LQ9 engine I plan to put in it. It came out of a 2002 Escalade, and originally had a 4L60E behind it, but it did not come with the engine. It really suprised me when I found out it had a 60 considering how heavy those SUV's are. Maybe they arent intended for towing or lead foot drivers?

Here is how I see it (but looking for more input from you guys)

4L60E:
Pros: smaller (may fit without a firewall and floor hump??), lighter, cheaper initially, easier to find
Cons: less durable in stock form so would probably have to get it built up which costs extra $$$

4L80E:
Pros: Pretty much bulletproof in stock form, add a shift kit and servo's and you can put some big power through them
Cons: Heaver, bigger (need floor and firewall hump to fit 47-53 trucks), consumes more power than the 60 (so worse fuel economy?)

I dont plan to make 600 hp any time soon, a solid 400 would make me happy for a while. I want to be able to drive the truck hard and not have to worry about the tranny puking out.

What do you guys think??

11-10-2011, 08:54 AM	#1
duwem Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: WI Posts: 347	4L60E or 4L80E Transmission? Trying to plan ahead on my 1950 1/2 ton truck. I have a 6.0L GM LQ9 engine I plan to put in it. It came out of a 2002 Escalade, and originally had a 4L60E behind it, but it did not come with the engine. It really suprised me when I found out it had a 60 considering how heavy those SUV's are. Maybe they arent intended for towing or lead foot drivers? Here is how I see it (but looking for more input from you guys) 4L60E: Pros: smaller (may fit without a firewall and floor hump??), lighter, cheaper initially, easier to find Cons: less durable in stock form so would probably have to get it built up which costs extra $$$ 4L80E: Pros: Pretty much bulletproof in stock form, add a shift kit and servo's and you can put some big power through them Cons: Heaver, bigger (need floor and firewall hump to fit 47-53 trucks), consumes more power than the 60 (so worse fuel economy?) I dont plan to make 600 hp any time soon, a solid 400 would make me happy for a while. I want to be able to drive the truck hard and not have to worry about the tranny puking out. What do you guys think??