'97 C1500 4L60E to 4L80E Swap

Cokeman95 said:

Seemed appropriate for this thread.

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Another quick update. Still no idea what torque converter came in the junkyard 80E, but I've decided to just run it regardless. I've found multiple sources that spec the same converter for both 4.3 and 5.7 applications, and the difference between my two options is only about 200RPM. F*ck it, run it.

I've got two more parts to order (50ft of braided -6AN line and a pan gasket) and then I'm fully gathered minus the conversion U-joint, which I'm leaving up to my mechanic along with any necessary driveshaft mods. Getting reallllllly close. I'll post a full parts list as soon as it goes into the shop. Suffice to say I'm sure you could do this much cheaper than I am, but I bought some pretty nice stuff.

4.3 should have had the same converter as the 5.7. I believe only the 6.5 and 7.4 had the tighter converters.

Supercharged111 said:

4.3 should have had the same converter as the 5.7. I believe only the 6.5 and 7.4 had the tighter converters.

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That's basically what I'm finding as well. There's a few instances where I've seen people spec the tighter converter for the 5.7 in a 3500 (which is what the donor was) but like I said the difference is only two or three hundred RPM. I'm not worried about it.

Side note, it looks like Transtar completely dissolved the Dacco name. That's what prompted me to research this further, all the stock of Dacco B82s is dried up.

Well everything is gathered so I might as well post my parts list. As I mentioned before this is everything with the exception of the conversion U-joint and any other odds and ends that I happened to forget. Think I pretty much covered it all, though. I'll update if anything doesn't work or needs modification when it goes in, it'll be a few weeks yet before I'm ready to schedule the swap.

1.) 4L80E transmission from '97 C3500 ($500)
2.) Transmission crossmember from '97 C3500 ($50)
3.) ACDelco 15767858 transmission mount ($32)
4.) PCM tune from Black Bear Performance ($15)
5.) Nelson Performance 4L60E to 4L80E conversion harness ($103)
6.) GM Performance 12554824 flexplate ($119)
7.) ACDelco 14088764 flexplate bolts (X6, $13)
8.) ARP 230-7305 torque converter bolts (X6, $23)
9.) ACDelco 15729870 fill tube ($20)
10.) ACDelco 1259475 dipstick seal ($2)
11.) ACDelco 15996922 dipstick (Re-use from 4L60E)
12.) ACDelco 15687274 inspection cover ($27)
13.) TransGo 4L80E-HD2 shift kit ($120)
14.) ACDelco 24210956 filter kit ($32)
15.) ACDelco 15039490 crossmember nuts (X4, $56)
16.) ACDelco 15687110 crossmember bolts (X4, $16)
17.) ACDelco 11516845 transmission mount bolt (X2, $7)
18.) ACDelco 15659699 transmission mount washer M11x30x3 (Discontinued, re-use from 4L60E mount?)
19.) ACDelco 11516754 transmission mount nut ($4)
20.) ACDelco 12337828 inspection cover screws (X4, $3)
21.) Tru-Cool M7B transmission cooler ($63)
22.) Hayden 210 cooler mounting ties ($3)
23.) ACDelco 10-9395 Dexron 6 fluid 14qt (4 gallons, $119)
24.) Koul Tools KTS-6 -6AN hose assembly tool ($30) (Mainly a gadget for my future use)
25.) Russell 630270 50' -6AN hose ($266)
26.) Russell 613165 swivel 90 degree -6AN hose ends (X5, $130)
27.) Russell 610025 straight -6AN hose ends (X1, $8)
28.) Russell 641390 4L80E case to -6AN fittings ($17)
29.) Russell 670153 1/2" NPT to -6AN adapters (X2, $26)
30.) Vibrant Performance 5/8-18 inverted flare to -6AN adapters (X2, $12)
31.) Jodar Performance JOD-444210 multi-size AN wrench ($30) (Another toy for my future enjoyment)
32.) ACDelco 8677743 transmission oil pan gasket ($33)

All told I've got $1879 in parts so far.

Forgot to mention, when it goes in I'm having a couple of other small things done. Changing the oil and cover gasket in the rear diff, and removing the K&N FIPK and modified throttle body blade in favor of a factory intake and blade.

So many unnecessary parts. I bought mine, rebuilt it, converted it to 4wd, gave my neighbor a few hundo for his help, and filled it with Amsoil fluid for less than this.

Like I said a few posts back, I'm sure it can be done much cheaper.

df2x4 said:

Like I said a few posts back, I'm sure it can be done much cheaper.

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Spending more doesn't necessarily ensure a good build. I'm a fan of spending money where it needs to be and not where it doesn't.

Supercharged111 said:

Spending more doesn't necessarily ensure a good build. I'm a fan of spending money where it needs to be and not where it doesn't.

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I agree with your first point 100%. I'm basically praying at this point that the junkyard trans is fully operational when it goes in. If not then I get to drop another chunk of change on a rebuild and no amount of supplementary parts will help that.

As far as wasting money on this truck though, it's not a new thing for me. I've spent thousands upon thousands on cosmetic stuff that makes zero difference to anything functional over the years. The sentimental attachment is such that I'll never even consider selling it, so I enjoy wasting some money on it once in a while. If this were a race car or a work horse (or something else that I didn't care about as much) then I would've taken a much different approach.