Should you Build a 4L80e Yourself? 

Yeah I didn’t on my powerglide videos and that transmission is so simple it just worked. I did cut a rear seal on it tho and had to go back into it but it did work. Powerglide is really easy to do yourself. I skipped the th400 all those I had a friend fix one for me that I got to take apart at the time and I was like nope not doing this.

@@Burndown 4L80e seemed a lot more involved to me after a couple th400's, but about the same as a 700r4 t 4L60. I'm just hoping it holds up better than the 4L60's I rebuilt. They burned up repeatedly and in an instant with any abuse behind a cammed 406 SBC.

Yeah installing them from a jack stand in the driveway is tuff only to find out it doesn’t work. That’s why I drove so far to hang out at WARR and use their lift and tools and help. We pulled the trans out in 30 min the second time! It would take me a half day to do it myself at home I bet.

The hours put in were more like 3 days but yes one weekend total. It was a 20 hour day for me on Saturday 😆

Well like you said I won’t make those mistakes again, I’ll find new ones to make I bet😂. Joke aside I enjoy doing the transmission builds and it’s rewarding when it works but frustrating as hell when it doesn’t.

@@Burndown sure is. I don't have a lift either so if I screw up it's on jackstands. I do enjoy building transmissions and rear ends now.

I live here so i speaking from the trenches🤣. I learn faster from screwing things up then getting them correct tho.

If I had a local transmission bro I could trust like Blaser to be like here have at it I would. I’m sure someone out here in So Cal. knows something but even my dyno guy was asking me who builds 4l80s out here and I haven’t heard of anyone building performance units. I have watched a bunch of Blaser videos and have sent him a few messages over the years. Nice guy. He would be fun to meet and hangout with I bet.

@@Burndown Dane Paul You should certainly have some performance, transmission experts in the SoCal area, accessible, available to You if and as You need, 😃 That area, region is certainly among the pioneers, developers within performance, speed, racing, as many know. 🤓 Just from a few of the individuals within their channels that are among those that are within my following consistently, regularly, are based, reside, live in SoCal: Emelia Hartford [her friend Aly], Tess Woods [Miss Midnight Maverick] & Tony [Av Boys], Olivia and Danny [Gnarly Speed Shop], John Reynolds, Certainly Alex & Dennis Taylor [Dennis born and began racing in SoCal], Alex connections within Hot Rod Garage currently [SD] along with all of those involved within Hot Rod Magazine Hot Rod Garage, Roadkill, David Freiburger, etc. Tick Performance is a common supplier with high performance transmissions which they have shown among others. Perhaps, if you need more assistance, components, instructions, guidance, some of them can help Alex hs including Dennis showing describing disassembly, checking, repairs, in the shop, at the track, though not actually full instructions, teaching. Dennis is nearly my age [65] at 64 y/o with man years of experience with engines, transmissions, chassis, fabrication, building, racing, troubleshooting, fixing, problem solving, solutions, successes, challenges, failures, etc. along within the Drag & Drive events for many years, which Alex has also participated now in eleventh year since 16 y/o. Alex has become more expert within electrical, wiring, ECU-ECM-PCM programming, tuning, along with other aspect from her Dad, still developing, learning 🤓 Dane Paul, You certainly did amazing work, results, with guidance. 😄 hope that You next level of testing will be within continued success. 😄 All the Best 😊, Sincerely ☺

Yeah I think a bolt together converter would be cool for that reason. Saves money and time if I could do that as well. I'll have to see if that's an option on the next go round maybe.

Get an ATSG manual and study it. You can reference videos to help as well .

If you have time to learn and time to do things over again if you mess up I recommend doing it. It's a fantastic transmission when it's dialed in and working. Seems like when you get one correct it just works and you don't have to worry about it much if you keep fluid in it, your gear selector calibrated, and keep major heat out of it and its golden.

You’re just smarter then i am is all Phil. You recognize when something is going to suck and I just trick myself into thinking “it can’t be that bad” 😆

@Burndown lol. No, I'm just not that brave and adventurous 😆 😂

If you started with a good used unit and just did a rebuild your chances are pretty good I would say. If you put a bunch of aftermarket stuff in and are new to building like I am you chances of success in one shot are a bit lower. Hopefully your trans works perfectly! Make sure the fluid is full and it’s in gear properly and that it makes pressure.drive it around nicely till your sure of all these things.

You bet

So far so good… like a couple miles! Thank you

Well its a good size learning curve for me so I hope you do better then I have on this build. I'll share what I learn tho so hopefully it will help the next guy that wants to build them if possible.

Pie in the sky goal is an 8.50 bracket car. Goal for RMRW this season is to go 9’s and load a running car with the same transmission I started the race with.

Also HP is “cheap” theses days with turbo LS but everything behind the motor is not cheap. I have found 500 whp is a sweet spot of economical/fast/fun. After that get your wallet out even if your a DIY guy you gonna pay🤣

I’ll just post a video of me with cry face and no talking 😭

I agree that people can watch videos and buy the manual but that won’t substitute experience. I’m all for learning and having other learn by doing but just know you may struggle a bit so stick with it. Case in point is the transmission in the video I did ended up with another issue. It’s probably something dumb but that’s life in the school of hard knocks. I will go through it again and share what was wrong so others can learn. It’s not easy I can say that much haha.

Torque Converter Clutch

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Have you built transmissions fun fun?

@@Burndown Yes. I build TH400s and 4l80's

@@funfun8095I knew it!

@@Burndown 😉