Gear Vendors or Transmission?

[swissarmychainsaw]

Hey guys, I have a 4x4 73 Suburban that has a Carb'd 6.0 Aluminum block LS2 backed by a TH350 and 3:73 gears with 33" tires and a 4" lift (for now, not sure I like the monster truck thing).

The trans has been rebuilt, and I'm wondering if a gear vendors setup is a good idea vs. a 4L80e (which I have).

Seems that the Gear Vendors set up might be the easy option (I'm worried a bit about drive shaft angle being there is a transfer case).

The 4L80e would need a controller, and either a new Transfer case or a way to mate up to the one I have (NP 203).

This is all about chasing the dragon of fuel efficiency. Thus far I have mentally just said "it only costs you money when you use it!" and let it go.

Enjoy it as is, or tinker away?

[Alex V.]

The 4L80E is a good unit and them GV's is expensive. FWIW

Seems to me you may save a little weight with the 4L80 than adding the OD, too. Definitely have a tougher transmission - it's basically an updated TH400, even has the same ratios in 1, 2, and 3, with a .75 overdrive.

[Clyde65]

Have you thought about a 6L80e? That might get you where you want.

[mongocanfly]

Cheaper route may be a good 700r4..by the time you get all the computer setup or gvo and driveshaft work done your gonna be real deep into this just to get a few more mpgs..for what your gonna spend you could buy a beater mpg truck or car and be cheaper and leave the burb as is...what kinda mpgs does the burb get now?

[swissarmychainsaw]

Yep, I have a 2002 Honda civic that is my daily, so this is just for fun.

I think I'm getting roughly 8 mpg HWY out of it now. Truth is the carb needs to be tuned properly...(holley 670)

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

Cheaper route may be a good 700r4..by the time you get all the computer setup or gvo and driveshaft work done your gonna be real deep into this just to get a few more mpgs..for what your gonna spend you could buy a beater mpg truck or car and be cheaper and leave the burb as is...what kinda mpgs does the burb get now?

[dennislbrooks]

Had a gear vendor --- good OD and expensive but was only on rear wheels for 4wd. I did forget once in my 86 toyota 4wd that gv was on and pulled into 4H. Tires squealed big time to wake me up.

I just put a 700r4 in my 67 behind the bbc with a np208. With the 3.06 first gear in the 700r4, it may work nice for your 33's.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=734258

[Alex V.]

Yikes - seems like that 8 MPG number could be improved on some outside of a trans. swap.

[swissarmychainsaw]

Originally Posted by Alex V.

Yikes - seems like that 8 MPG number could be improved on some outside of a trans. swap.

Yes I'm planning on getting an exhaust gas analyzer and doing a proper carb tune (I just threw the 670 holley on it and got it to run OK for now)

[mongocanfly]

8 would be hard to live with..my lq9 6.0 gets over 15 with 4.10s and a 5spd...but mines still injected..