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So since I'm gonna have to get a new engine I decided on maybe getting a new beefier tranny too. I heard 95 4l60e's can only be replaced by 95 ones because of the unique electronics used that year so I'm guessing that would make my swap to a 4l80e harder. Has anyone done this before I want some tips from people who have actually done it.
A 95 is the oddball, but not impossible nor any more expensive to rebuild. I just built mine(4L60E), I used a bunch of the good stuff...but I recently acquired a 4L80E in case this doesn't hold up...not that I have a super powerhouse motor, I just have a habit of finding the week points in things. I too have been interested in this swap and also have a 95, but I haven't decided to tackle the electronic end of it yet. I know you need to add a VSS wire or something to the harness and change a few pins around? I even though about just getting a complete harness from a 4L80E truck and use that. There are people that do it so I imagine if anyone on here has, they will chime in.
On the mechanical end, both drive shafts will need to be swapped modified...of course if it's not 4x4 them only the rear one. Also, if it is 4x4, you need to swap the transfer case out. The 4L80E has a larger output shaft. If 2wd you'll need a new front yoke on the drive shaft. The cross member will need moved back, and the cooler lines are different so they will need modified. But in a nutshell, it's nothing major...the electronic stuff I think will be the hardest.
Also, if you search Google, I think there is even some wiring schematics for it.
BLG
I did google out but most of the stuff I find is for the vortec motors with 4l80e's. I was gonna do this same swap before on my camaro but then again since it's obdII the tuning and electrical work is so much easier. I got a mask for the 4l80e to use and retune, for the transfer case and driveshaft I might just get them all together from the junkyard. I did find a harness adapter that plugs the factory 4l60e plug to the 4l80e but at $150 I'd rather just fill up my nitrous tank and buy the missing parts with that money.
I did this about 4 years ago in a 95 2 door 4x4 Yukon. I still have it but haven't driven it much.
I replaced the 4L60 with a 4l80 & the stock T-case with a bw4401 (1 ton case).
Different flex plate, had to change the pin outs some & add a few wires to the harness.
It wasn't to difficult.
I converted my 97 Express. I used a 2002 Express van 4L85E from an 8.1 van and the 2002 0411 Express van tune. The GMT 400 swaps are easier. I had to custom modify a crossmember for the Express. The GMT 400 crossmember can simply be moved back and the frame redrilled.Quote:
Originally Posted by j20m715
Swap a few wires around in the main transmission connector, easy.
Add input shaft speed sensor wiring to PCM.
The length of the 4L60e harness may be a concern, might have to get creative to get the need extra length with out adding to it.
Need a three wire range switch on transfer case, ground to PCM for 4 low shift logic.
6 bolt hole flywheel, although I've seen a lot of TBI/Vortec engines with them already.
Transmission line(s) rear one specifically.
I also have most of the stuff gathered up for my truck, however my truck is a 89 manual transmission, so I have a slightly different approach on the rest of the stuff. I get to use my transfer case, but I have to add all the wiring and add a DRAC module.