If the 4L80 wil give you the same effect as the t-400 with overdrive then I would say try that. I am not familiar with the 4l80 ratios. But if I had to choose, I would go 3 speed all the time. I ran a t-400 in my car. 3200 lbs and 800 ft lbs of torque.

 

you didn't have an issue with wheel spin at the hit?

 

FWIW, A friend of mine has an 800 HP (at the crank) 496 that runs 9's @ 135+ MPH with a TH350
I would go with the TH400

 

I agree with 4spd. You said you have 3 other street cars so....
That said, I love my 80E! Currently has a 4500 triple disc converter. Best of both worlds.
I will be having another one blt for boost tho and will be far less than 4500.

 

N0 other box like the Turbo 400. GM had good reason to fight all the copy wright issues that came with that transmission. It was ready for installation in 1957 but GM ran into legal issues..

 

Overdrive. 4L80e.

 

Sir i would do the turbo 400. Should run better the the powerglide and more common with converter shift linkage then what a 4l80 could be.

RH

 

Should be crossing the 1/4 around 6700rpm with that gear and tire running 9.90s
Depending how much street I’d say you have a few options. Glide would be nice for the track. Would be close for weight. Would not play nice on the street.
Th400 would be better on the street and help bridge the gap between 1/2 shift to keep you on the pipe longer at the track.......
Thinking out loud maybe a custom geared th400 1/2 for the track like a pg, but optimized for your combo. Then an overdriven 3rd gear for street? Don’t know if anyone’s done this.

 

Forgot to mention, I will be mostly running 1/8 mile at irwindale dragstrip..

Looks like the t400 is mostly in favor here.

 

Unless you are going to be hitting the highway and taking road trips, the extra expense of the 80E wouldn't be worth it.

 

Turbo 400 with light-weight guts maybe,had a 2:78 gear set in mine years ago really was nice on the street. i'm sure now there's more options out there. 400's are TUFF units

 

Not trying to hijack this thread.... But I thought the 4L80E has trouble fitting in a stock tunnel chevelle?

 

Fit in mine without any modification or hammering on the tunnel.

 

TH400 with 15x30 tires.

The TH400 gets expensive with a lot of power and small tires due to needing aftermarket gear sets.

 

A guy on here was runnin 800 torque 1000 hp 7500 rpm runnin 8.80's with a stock th400.
When you say small tire im assuming you mean not tubbed ??
The car im referring to was not tubbed and I believe he was runnin a 30" tire

 

Use the T400 and set the rear axle ratio to use 1st and 2nd like a Glide for the 1/8 mile.

Low gear in a T400 w/3.90's is like a Glide in low w/5.30's using stock ratio planetaries.

 

What a life ! A car like that and and 15 tenths away from a drag strip . Nice

 

For your car, mostly track and that close, hands down T400.

Less cost and complexity vs 4L80e and does not sound like you need OD anyway. Glide might be better for bracket racer and consistency but if you want ET the old 400 will be your friend.

 

Good info..

 

PG is lighter, generally cheaper, more consistent, easier to manage power, installs easily. The converter would need to be right.

TH400 would be right there with the PG for your application.

The 80E for your intended use IMO isn't worth the tradeoffs.

 

Well, I think the consensus is the turbo 400. So I went ahead and ordered one up and its going to be wrapped up in a nice Reid case.

I was really torn between t400 and powerglide. But when I switch to the 10.5x 31 slicks, the t400 will have the better 1st gear ratio.

 

I vote Glide..