Tribaltalon

What do I need for this conversion? The reasoning is that i want to do some drag racing with this car, and at the current power level and the Z51 gear ratios, the car is violent as hell in 1st and 2nd. I think with an auto the car would be a lot more predictable and easier to drive down into the 9s. I've done a fair amount of research and know about Circle D and Century, and the nice thing is that I live in Houston so that makes it easy. The main things i'm curious about are the auxillary items, like the computer, the steering wheel with paddle shifters, how difficult is it going to be to add those to my manual car? I know it's going to kill my resale value going from standard to auto, but I don't really care. The car's been great, and i don't plan on selling it anytime soon. It's either spend a few thousand upgrading and fixing my t56 or going with an auto.

southspeed

Why not 4l65?

silver408z

There are standalone transmission controllers for this kind of thing. The paddle shifters are really a joke. In a real race you don't use them. Let the tune and trans take care of the shifting. I have not seen anyone building 6l80s with the reputation that rpm has with a 4l60. RPM level X is rated for 1000 hp. Maybe I have not done enough research on 6l80s. I can tell you that the swap is not cheap. I priced a 4l60 swap parts and it was over 13k just for parts. I ended up finding a c6z tr6060 trans/rearend with very low mileage to swap into my c5z.

Tribaltalon

Well the main reason I was asking about the paddle shifters was because I've heard one of the main things that kill these autos is a big downshift say from 6 to 2nd. I haven't had anything automatic since the late 90s with a 408 windsor foxbody coupe with a transbrake c4. So I'm really pretty clueless when it comes to these modern transmissions and what i'll need to do to make it all coexist nicely.

Steve Haefner

Do yourself a favor and go RPM 4l65e, my .02

Quick2

I agree, went from a 6L80e to a RPM 4L65e and love it.

lt1z

I'd say built 4L65/70 for an auto but going to a ZR1 TR6060 is a big improvement over Z51 gearing at that level if you want to keep a manual.

bdickey058

is the zr1's ration shitty for drag racing?

lt1z

Not if you have enough power. Wouldn't be great for a bolt on LS3

Mrbluedevil88

The 6l80e is a great trans just need to have the right person build it. Have either Tim King or Rick Crawford build it for you. It's a better trans on the street than the 4l65e

jobberone

I've run a Carl Rossler A4 for years with FI up to about 800 RWHP without problems. Unless you're running over 1000 RWHP and beating the car enough I'd stick with a good built A4 for street occasional strip. Carl or Rodney can supply your needs easily and there are others who also can. You don't need an 80 or 90 and the list is shorter for it and likely more expensive.

Have you considered a taller rear?

stevieturbo

I searched recently and could not find anyone offering a standalone controller for any of the 6 speeds ( or 8 speed )

4 speeds, no problem, there are quite a few. But not the others.

I did see someone mention on YB that there might be a controller for a 6R80 Ford ZF auto though. No idea if anyone is swapping them though.

NY09C6

TCI EZ-TCU works with GM 6 speeds.

stevieturbo

Any links or info for anyone actually using it ?

I searched pretty good, and also contacted one of the builders I found recommended online for 6 speeds, Century and even they said they know of no standalone controllers for one ?


Any number of controllers for a 4 speed, TCI offer the same controller their 4L80 based 6 speed ( which seems to have hit or miss reviews online )

But I found nothing for the 6L80.

NY09C6

You are actually correct. It does work with the TCI six speed but not the actual GM 6l80e.

CI GS

I know PATC used to offer one as "the worlds first 6L80 stand-alone controller", but I just did a quick check on their site and I can't find it, so maybe that project didn't fly? Maybe the OP can give them a call and see what they say?
Here's a link to a YouTube video with a vehicle that's purportedly running one:

Tara Wanukovich

I have a friend who has been working on the 6l80 transbrake at his shop, Getawaycarz.com he has some videos posted up on his site. http://getawaycarz.com

SavannahVette13

usmcpony

I'm switching to a powerglide. I'll have everything for a 6l80 conversion. Century built 6l80, yank 3000 stall, shift, torque tube, rear end with 2.73 gear, npp cat back

SavannahVette13