Any thoughts or experience with Gear Vendors Overdrives?

[motorheadmike]

If you dont have ridiculous torque figures (below 400), the 700R4 and 2004R are much cheaper options.

If you get steered towards a 4L80e because they have the exact same ratios as a TH400 with GV-overdrive, then dont forget that the converter options for a 4L80e are just about non-existent and extremely expensive. A high performance, high stall TH400+GV and a built up 4L80e will cost about the same.

To your point: http://www.bmracing.com/products/11...ssion-1997-and-up-gm-with-4l80e-transmission/

That B&M is the most cost effective way in to a breathed on 4L80E. Just buy a converter, controller, accessories, and modified driveshaft/new yoke - and you are done!

Or just stick with a trans that was factory installed in these cars - like 200-4R.

 

[bob64]

To your point: http://www.bmracing.com/products/11...ssion-1997-and-up-gm-with-4l80e-transmission/

That B&M is the most cost effective way in to a breathed on 4L80E. Just buy a converter, controller, accessories, and modified driveshaft/new yoke - and you are done!

Or just stick with a trans that was factory installed in these cars - like 200-4R.

They must be selling as there out of stock. I was lucky l got my 4L80E with yoke for free, then it was the B&M shift kit, Transgo manual over ride and controller run of a toggle(yes l cheapest out), didn't rig up speedo just when with a GPS(Its legal for a safety)and about 8hrs to clean and rebuild.

Oh and the Torque Converter which cost the most !!!

 

[motorheadmike]

They must be selling as there out of stock. I was lucky l got my 4L80E with yoke for free, then it was the B&M shift kit, Transgo manual over ride and controller run of a toggle(yes l cheapest out), didn't rig up speedo just when with a GPS(Its legal for a safety)and about 8hrs to clean and rebuild.

Oh and the Torque Converter which cost the most !!!

LOL... there is always another way.

And here you go, in stock: https://www.summitracing.com/int/parts/bmm-118002

 

[bob64]

Oh and l got the driveshaft shorten for the 4L80E and they threw in new universal for total of $125.
Do it yourself cost $450 kits, $1000 Torque Converter, driveshaft $125. Oh and less hair that l couldn't afford to loose.

 

[abadwillys]

Last year, i put a 4L80 in my car, it was a Th400.. i weighed all the differences between the Gear Vendors and the 4L80, I went for the 4L80 because i liked the idea of a Lock up Converter, Ive been really happy with it, doubled my fuel mileage(seems like) and made the car fun to drive again, before i would rarely go on the hiway with my car, it has a 3.73 gear.. now, no problem.

 

[TexasT]

The TH400(when it was in the car)and my gears going down highway at 65mph revved 5000rpm so me rebuilding a 4L80E for $450 was a good idea. And l went from 6 mpg to 10.1mpg.

So with the .75 od you are spinning 3750rpm at that 65mph? I hope the bottom end of that engine is all forged. Drivin over the crank ain't much fun.

 

[bob64]

So with the .75 od you are spinning 3750rpm at that 65mph? I hope the bottom end of that engine is all forged. Drivin over the crank ain't much fun.

To answer your question it's about 3400rpm now. So now l'm curious, you drive over many crank's ? You said it wasen't fun ! Its a stroker so, yes it's forged, H beam connecting rods , 4 bolt main with a girdle, balance blah blah blah.

 

[bob64]

So in talking to a buddy of mine that's been building transmissions for 25 years plus and is the head mechanic at a Transmission chain shop which also helps run a Quarter mile team, anyways l was curious on limitations and warranty of 200R4, 700R4, 4L60E and 4L80E. So this is what l got when they are looking to cover a warranty. This is the guide lines that they go by and rebuild Transmissions too.

200R4- 250HP/225TQ as set by GM
700R4- 300Hp/275TQ as set by GM
4L60E- same as above - interesting !!
4L80E- 325Hp/300TQ as set by GM
All are base models.
There are also stages above of base model builds at his shop. Some are darn near 100% new.

200R4-450HP, 550HP, 650HP and 750Hp
I'll say wow !!
700R4-500HP and 1000Hp.
Wow again !
4L60E- 500HP. Booo
4L80E- 550HP, 750HP and 1100Hp.

For just the transmission without extras(Torque Converter or controllers) the most expensive been the 4L80E at $2700cad and the lowest the basic 2004R at $1300cad.

Which means the Gear Vender at $4400cad sucks !!

 

[MrSony]

GV overdrives, at least to my understanding, are used in applications where an automatic O/D trans isn't available and/or won't fit. Case in point, David Freibuger's '70 Super Bee. Mopar never made a good bolt in od transmission. Us GM fans got lucky. Yeah, ford has the AoD, but, eh. It's ok.

 

[thepcsurgeon]

I have a GV unit. Attached to a B&M Racing TH400, reverse, manual Valve Body. Motor Makes 564HP to rear wheels and 785 Ft. Lbs. Torque. Ford 9" rear end with 3.50 gears. (Squeezing more from it this year) I purchased the unit used and had it rebuilt by GV for $900. I drove this car from NY to Delaware for a car show (Many other places as well, long distance. I have broken several transmission's with this motor, all overbuilt for large HP, still broke them. I really only use the GV for the OD function as some of the other features (splitting gears) is not my style of driving. The GV unit is not for everyone but as you crave more HP, power adders and turbos, my driveline is in no need of future upgrades.
Have I broken something on the TH400? Yes, rolled a sprague and had it replaced. Have I broken anything on the GV? Yes, the original one I purchased used, I broke something internally. Shipped it to GV and they sent out a ReMan unit for the $900 I described above. I have beat the snot out of it and performs flawlessly. For me and my application, (Love the sleeper look and always will) Best way to go and all upgrades coming will be handled by my present driveline.