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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Engine/Drivetrain => Topic started by: zieg85 on November 06, 2010, 06:46:46 pm

Title: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: zieg85 on November 06, 2010, 06:46:46 pm
I brought home another one today.  It is a 1991 Suburban Silverado C20 with a rebuilt automatic overdrive.  The previous owner rattled off a bunch of things that were done to it most of it went in one ear and out the other.  It got me to thinking that it would be a simpler swap in my 1985 C30 with the TH400.  I am not a fan of automatics but I am thinking it makes more sense to keep it an automatic and keep the wife a little happier.  Couple of questions I have before I crawl underneath it are:  Is there any length difference in the transmissions?  Being a 91 does it have a VSS instead of the speedometer cable?  If it is VSS how hard would it be to change over the speedo electrical connections in my 85, the 91 cluster has the 999,999 odometer and trip odometer which would be nice to have.  Probably need to have my carb redone so it would accept the TV cable.  What about the lockup feature?  What other things need to be done to make the swap work?  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: VileZambonie on November 06, 2010, 07:41:31 pm
I'm kinda confused as to what exactly you're swapping into what?  ???

What trans is in it now? 4L80E or 4L60?
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: zieg85 on November 06, 2010, 07:49:26 pm
I'm kinda confused as to what exactly you're swapping into what?  ???

What trans is in it now? 4L80E or 4L60?

Don't know what is in the BURB, thinking he said 4L80E, but whatever it is swapping it into my 85 C-30 which now is a TH400.
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: VileZambonie on November 06, 2010, 07:53:55 pm
If it's the 4L80E you'll need the electronics, wiring harness, computer, sensors etc or it won't work. If it's a 4L60 it'll be less work.
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: zieg85 on November 06, 2010, 07:57:11 pm
If it's the 4L80E you'll need the electronics, wiring harness, computer, sensors etc or it won't work. If it's a 4L60 it'll be less work.
How do I ID the trans that is in there?
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: zieg85 on November 06, 2010, 08:32:49 pm
I googled the trans and I think if it get my butt underneath it should be very apparent which one is in there.  I pulled the service parts id off the glovebox...oops it said do not remove.... anyway it lists RPO code for the trans being the MT1  MXO, but neither actually ID the trans itself according to what I could find.  I will report back tomorrow with my findings.  Thank you Vile.
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: VileZambonie on November 06, 2010, 09:14:46 pm
I think you'll find it's a 4L80E
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: zieg85 on November 07, 2010, 03:55:49 pm
I think you'll find it's a 4L80E

You are right, what is it gonna take to put it in the place of a TH400 in my 1985 C20??  It is coming out of a 1991 Suburban with access to everything wiring wise.  Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: VileZambonie on November 07, 2010, 05:28:13 pm
Is your engine already TBI?
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: zieg85 on November 07, 2010, 10:33:08 pm
Is your engine already TBI?

No the 1985 C30 is the way it left the factory with a 4 bbl.
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: Captkaos on November 08, 2010, 07:23:50 pm
You need the ECM and adding the TBI from the current motor will add drivability.
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: zieg85 on November 08, 2010, 07:41:46 pm
You need the ECM and adding the TBI from the current motor will add drivability.

TBI is not possible, I have to return the engine, other than that everything else is mine.
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: Captkaos on November 08, 2010, 07:46:11 pm
have to return the ECM too, the 4L80E needs the ECM to shift.
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: VileZambonie on November 08, 2010, 08:08:53 pm
This is the cheapest stand alone I've seen http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Keisler-SimpleShift-4L60E-4L80E-AODE-518-Controller-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem230afb24ffQQitemZ150508086527QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: zieg85 on November 08, 2010, 08:16:31 pm
have to return the ECM too, the 4L80E needs the ECM to shift.

He is getting the engine back with the only wiring going to the TBI.  Went to start it to put it on the trailer and someone had robbed it so we took it off his other truck that this engine is going into.
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: zieg85 on November 10, 2010, 07:05:46 am
Obviously I need the ECM for the trans and all the wiring and plug ins.  I would also like to meld the VSS speedometer and whole cruise control/intermittent wipers since I am into it.  Are there any experts or how-to books available to guide me through this process.  I would prefer to keep it a carburetor motor so the stock ECM and wiring will need to be modified as to what is needed to only control the transmission and whatever it takes to work the speedometer.  As you can tell I am stepping out of my realm of comfort and know very little as to the workings of the newer stuff.  My other option is to go with the stand alone ECM... Thanks for letting me ramble on.
Title: Re: Considering a Transmission swap, need some advice
Post by: topp on November 10, 2010, 07:19:26 am
Your best bet is stand alone ECM and harness.....

The electronic trannys need lots of stuff to function properly.

Don't know if VSS can be "replaced" on those trannys though, as a speed signal is required to control shifting AFAIK.