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4L80E behind big block Mopar

sneezi

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im in the process of wanting to fit a 4L80E transmission572 hemi in a 69 Dodge Charger.
Has anybody here done this conversion?
I have a tranny here and purchased a quick time BELLHOUSING to adapt it but I'm not impressed with how it needs to be attached.
I've been discussing options with Jakes performance who does a Reid BELLHOUSING conversion/adapter system.
Does anyone here have any advice and knowledge on this please!
 
The Reid set up with adapter is nice, but you can also use the Wilcap Billet Plate adapter which allows a bit more clearance in the tunnel and firewall area than the Reid or Quicktime since it retains the bellhousing. If you order the Wilcap adapter be sure and specify 8 bolt crankshaft. The Quicktime will present challenges in mounting a converter and flexplate clearance.
 
good to know
I have no experience with the GM trans behind Mopar except PG
I have the 4L60 in my 94 pickup and a big one in a motorhome
great trans both can be build strong but the big trans will be more long term durable
I'd use Citgo Quatrosyn
 
Why not just use a gear vendor?
 
Thank you Greg!!
More than likely I will purchase the Reid conversion as I have cut the bell off the 4l80e.
I'm disappointed with the quick time option,I know I could get it to work but not without its challenges

69 GTX, I have had 727s behind all my Mopars but it's time to go to go with a computer controlled box to handle 1000hp!!
 
NOT to hijack the thread- good choice
but are not some doing the 6 speed
that's also a great trans
and do use Quatrosyn you may have to get it internet but worth it
ask me how I know
 
I I still want to use a B&M shifter and I only want 1 extra gear
What's the story regarding Quatrosyn?
 
Best low temp flow
best high temp performance
best time between changes
is full synthetic even the additive package
check it out
actually I like Mopar +4 better than Dex VI
+4 is a cost effective synthetic blend with a premium additive packgae
Dex VI is a less cost to GM for OE fill but nothing special (I like Allison transynd better than Dex VI) Quatrosyn is like transynd on steriods
Quatro out performs Allison licensed blends which are much better than Dex III What was the OE oil for your 4L80E?
Gm changed over the years

https://www.docs.citgo.com/msds_pi/965643.pdf
 
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I've done the 4L80 behind the stroked 383 to 496 that I have in my 69 Coronet. TCI built the 4L80 to handle better than 700 ft lbs, slabbed off the bell housing and bolted a Ried AL to it with correct bolt pattern and the starter on the Chrysler side. This is not an adaptation that is easy as far as the modifications to the car....I say that because of the mods to center hump as well as reconstructing the tranny mount for this longer transmission. I had to cut the entire hump out as well as the cross piece that ties frame rails together to get the clearance needed for this much larger tranny. I was a fabrication welder for 20 years so it was fairly easy for me but not a project to be taken on by a novice. I will stick a couple pictures up to get an idea of the mods I had to make for clearance and additional support.
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I will have to locate those pictures if anyone is interested,just let me know.
 
I've done the 4L80 behind the stroked 383 to 496 that I have in my 69 Coronet. TCI built the 4L80 to handle better than 700 ft lbs, slabbed off the bell housing and bolted a Ried AL to it with correct bolt pattern and the starter on the Chrysler side. This is not an adaptation that is easy as far as the modifications to the car....I say that because of the mods to center hump as well as reconstructing the tranny mount for this longer transmission. I had to cut the entire hump out as well as the cross piece that ties frame rails together to get the clearance needed for this much larger tranny. I was a fabrication welder for 20 years so it was fairly easy for me but not a project to be taken on by a novice. I will stick a couple pictures up to get an idea of the mods I had to make for clearance and additional support.View attachment 913394 I will have to locate those pictures if anyone is interested,just let me know.
 
Mocajava
Thank you for your input
I definitely want to see pictures and any info you have.
I build my own cars, so fabrication is no problem.
I’m sure you did not regret doing the conversion.
 
I will post a collection of pics when I get to my work computer on Monday. I am in process of getting all the wiring finalized at this point, may be firing her up this weekend. Put a Ron Francis custom harness in to tie in Sniper EFI, digital gauge package and the ECU for the TCI/ 4L80 and have a fellow member to thank for getting it all to work together....an electronics wizard and waaay over my head! Started project in 2015....in the midst of building a 55 Belair and a major move, finally getting close to seeing her move on her own power!
 
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The picture from engine bay shows where I cut out the cross member and had to fabricate my own "loop" to strengthen it over the top of where the 4L80will sit. I made the loop out of 9 5/8" P110 casing, 110,000 # tensile strength material. The hump is about 6 " wider and 5" higher and you can see how far I had to run it back inside for clearance. I did POR15 in gray and black to cover top and bottom of hump and floor board , then seam sealer. I will get pictures of the tranny mount and post that later.
 
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I had to fabricate another brace going across from each side made of 1/2" plate, welded to the frame rails and then tied them together about 11" behind the original crossmember. This gave me a strong base to bolt the tranny mount onto which I could easily unbolt. I set this up with the tranny sitting slightly tail down so I would have excess room to use spacers to move it higher when adjusting for my correct angles...engine/tranny/pinion. When it is all bolted up this framework actually adds strength to the crossmember assembly. The last aspect which I didn't consider when building this was a drive shaft loop. I still plan on putting one in as a safety measure, but I can get that later. I hope this helps with your own fabrication!
 
Thank you Greg!!
More than likely I will purchase the Reid conversion as I have cut the bell off the 4l80e.
I'm disappointed with the quick time option,I know I could get it to work but not without its challenges

69 GTX, I have had 727s behind all my Mopars but it's time to go to go with a computer controlled box to handle 1000hp!!
I’ve put quite a bit more than that through the 727. Getting ready to see if it can survive 1500+....
 
Wow Mocajava, that tunnel is a lot bigger than I thought it needed to be.
Great work!! I'm really keen to start fitting mine when I get the BELLHOUSING conversion.

I'm sure your itchy to fire up your project after all the hard work.
 
I did end up with 1 1/2" to 2" clearance all the way around but knew I would want room for mounting shifter, routing shifter cable and not wanting to drop tranny down to get back in. Be careful around gas pedal area, don't get too close there. The small hump I made (drivers side)for plugging in electronics package on 4L80E is a necessary aspect by the way. It will end up giving me fits when it comes to carpet install but that BIG hump is going to screw up a standard carpet anyway! Hope those pictures helped...
And one more thing to be wary of..... TCI did my "package" and it required a spacer kit to make starter sit in right position pertaining to flywheel. When this 7/8" spacer was put in, it pushed the starter out 7/8"...into a tube on headers, where I couldn't even mount the header! I had to cut out a 12" long section of header and "reroute"/ fabricate around the starter and still give clearance to the new Borgeson steering box and torsion bar. Multiple fit ups were needed to get the clearance I was after but it looks good and works fine. My friend Jim the Elec GURU came over and we spent some time addressing final wiring and tie ins with fuel lines and tranny lines. After repair of leaking fuel line connections ( DON'T ASK) we flushed the fuel lines by disconnecting lines from Sniper throttle body and putting a filter in place and running fuel pump,HIGHLY recommended! Junk in lines from all the cutting, stuff in NEW tank and making necessary connections made it worth that extra step...his great idea! She fired off after second minor adjustment to timing...the BEAST breathes again!
ONE more thing to consider is the 4L80E ECU and TPS sensor. I had to build a framework to mount 4L80E ECU, TPS sensor and ECU for Sniper for the tranny. A LOT of wiring goes with this stuff and they give you a ton of length for each one. Jim was able to custom fit it all but it still had to be mounted in a safe place and all tied in thru firewall to Sniper and routed to tranny plug ins. Mounted this carriage/ frame high on hump almost to firewall and will end up building a custom "waterfall" console to hide it as well as have a place to put the small panel controlling switches for the different modes of the tranny...economy, street and full race. If you want a few pics of that I will post also. Your set up may not have all this but it might help to be aware …..
 
question - what exactly don't you like about the Quicktime bellhousing ? You mentioned the mounting method but dont all the adapters use the factory mounting bolts / holes?
 
a little more on quatrosyn
It is thin so it flows good cold like DeX VI and unlike Dex III and Tes 295 allison fluid
It is made from basestocks that do not thin down (much) with heat and no modifers so it does not "shear down", maintaining viscosity for like forever
 
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