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4L80?
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DRR S/Pro
Picture of "The Bender"
posted
I am considering making my bracket car a dual-purpose ride. I would like to be able to run electronics brackets like I am doing now, but also want to be able to do the Drag Week type events, but can't do that with the PG and 4.30 gears I'm using now. So I would like to use a full manual trans brake 4L80 and switch to a 3.70 or so rear gear so my starting line ratio would be a little better than the Glide, but would have a 2.78 cruising gear with the overdrive. The car weighs about 3200# now and runs high 9's.

Does anyone use or know of someone using a 4L80 for bracket racing sucessfully? Since it's basically just a TH 400, I would think it wouldn't be an issue.


272" Spitzer
540 Chevy
The Blower Shop XR1
FTI XPM Series Converter
FTI Level 6 Powerglide
3.69@199
.916 60'

2017 Bradenton Heads Up Madness
Open Outlaw Champ

2018 PDRA T/D #5
2019 PDRA T/D #2

2020 Retired From T/D Competition....

2020 Bradenton NMCA Hemi Shootout Winner

2021 getting back into bracket racing with a Gen3 Hemi powered 87 Cutlass.
 
Posts: 3096 | Location: Yes | Registered: July 08, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR Elite
posted Hide Post
Is an electronic controller still needed using the full manual?


Foxtrot Juliet Bravo
 
Posts: 6362 | Location: Illinois | Registered: July 08, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR S/Pro
Picture of "The Bender"
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Bucky:
Is an electronic controller still needed using the full manual?


Nope.

There are forward and reverse valve bodies available along with transbrakes with or without "pro" brakes that work only on 1st gear or 1st and 2nd and lockup racing converters.

Pretty much anything you would want.....


272" Spitzer
540 Chevy
The Blower Shop XR1
FTI XPM Series Converter
FTI Level 6 Powerglide
3.69@199
.916 60'

2017 Bradenton Heads Up Madness
Open Outlaw Champ

2018 PDRA T/D #5
2019 PDRA T/D #2

2020 Retired From T/D Competition....

2020 Bradenton NMCA Hemi Shootout Winner

2021 getting back into bracket racing with a Gen3 Hemi powered 87 Cutlass.
 
Posts: 3096 | Location: Yes | Registered: July 08, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR Sportsman
Picture of FootbrakeJim
posted Hide Post
Following because I am considering doing the same to my 68 Camaro.
A good buddy years ago put a Gear Vendors overdrive in his BBC/TH400 Nova, and drove it to the track & back all season, drove it about 600 miles to the Division Bracket Finals, and won that, then drove it home. I don't even know if Gear Vendors is still around, and I was always thinking the converter had to get pretty hot on the highway. I would think the lockup converter and OD of the 4L80 would keep things cool in the trans.


Dan "Jim" Moore
Much too young to feel this damn old!!
 
Posts: 1032 | Location: Farmersville, TX  | Registered: December 05, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR Pro
Picture of Goob
posted Hide Post
I don't think durability is an issue to 1000 HP +, but the wide ratio split between 1st and 2nd could be a challenge for bracket consistency.

I ran a full manual 700R4 for a period, back in the 90's. It was fun, and really great for leaving off the footbrake, but inconsistent.


"Despite the high cost of living, it remains popular."
Dave Cook
N375
 
Posts: 1606 | Location: Indy | Registered: November 21, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR S/Pro
Picture of "The Bender"
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by Goob:
I don't think durability is an issue to 1000 HP +, but the wide ratio split between 1st and 2nd could be a challenge for bracket consistency.

I ran a full manual 700R4 for a period, back in the 90's. It was fun, and really great for leaving off the footbrake, but inconsistent.


The 4L80 has the same gear ratios as a TH400, the 700R4 has a much lower 1st and are known to not work well on the dragstrip.


272" Spitzer
540 Chevy
The Blower Shop XR1
FTI XPM Series Converter
FTI Level 6 Powerglide
3.69@199
.916 60'

2017 Bradenton Heads Up Madness
Open Outlaw Champ

2018 PDRA T/D #5
2019 PDRA T/D #2

2020 Retired From T/D Competition....

2020 Bradenton NMCA Hemi Shootout Winner

2021 getting back into bracket racing with a Gen3 Hemi powered 87 Cutlass.
 
Posts: 3096 | Location: Yes | Registered: July 08, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post
DRR S/Pro
Picture of "The Bender"
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by FootbrakeJim:
Following because I am considering doing the same to my 68 Camaro.
A good buddy years ago put a Gear Vendors overdrive in his BBC/TH400 Nova, and drove it to the track & back all season, drove it about 600 miles to the Division Bracket Finals, and won that, then drove it home. I don't even know if Gear Vendors is still around, and I was always thinking the converter had to get pretty hot on the highway. I would think the lockup converter and OD of the 4L80 would keep things cool in the trans.


This exactly what I was thinking, the lockup will allow you to run a good converter and still have a lockup for cruising to keep the heat down.


272" Spitzer
540 Chevy
The Blower Shop XR1
FTI XPM Series Converter
FTI Level 6 Powerglide
3.69@199
.916 60'

2017 Bradenton Heads Up Madness
Open Outlaw Champ

2018 PDRA T/D #5
2019 PDRA T/D #2

2020 Retired From T/D Competition....

2020 Bradenton NMCA Hemi Shootout Winner

2021 getting back into bracket racing with a Gen3 Hemi powered 87 Cutlass.
 
Posts: 3096 | Location: Yes | Registered: July 08, 2009Reply With QuoteReport This Post



DRR Pro
Picture of Goob
posted Hide Post
quote:
Originally posted by "The Bender":
quote:
Originally posted by Goob:
I don't think durability is an issue to 1000 HP +, but the wide ratio split between 1st and 2nd could be a challenge for bracket consistency.

I ran a full manual 700R4 for a period, back in the 90's. It was fun, and really great for leaving off the footbrake, but inconsistent.


The 4L80 has the same gear ratios as a TH400, the 700R4 has a much lower 1st and are known to not work well on the dragstrip.


Aha, I was not aware of the ratios of the 4L80.

700R4 is a 3.08 low Eek
Sporty, but not much good for any high HP for sure.


My TH 400 is a 2.10 low, 1.40 2nd unit, so there's that.

2.48 to 1.48 is still a considerable jump.

I wonder if the custom ratio TH 400 stuff will work?


"Despite the high cost of living, it remains popular."
Dave Cook
N375
 
Posts: 1606 | Location: Indy | Registered: November 21, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
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