One of the most durable automatic gearboxes on the market is one that General Motors is known for producing. This holds for the 4L80E and its replacement, the 6L80E, and these transmissions are excellent choices.
Nevertheless, one will be superior to the other in certain instances. Even while they fundamentally resemble one another more than they vary from one another, the distinctions that do exist are essential to take into account if you want to get the most out of your car.
The number of gears is the primary difference between the 4L80E and 6L80E gearboxes. A 6L80E has six forward gears, compared to a 4L80E’s four. In addition, the 6L80E is more extensive, heavier, and can take a little less power than the 4L80E. However, the 6L80E has shorter gear ratios due to the two additional gears, which improves fuel efficiency and ride quality.
Differences Between 4L80E and 6L80E
Number of Gears
The number of gears is hence the primary distinction between the two systems. Four packs were formerly considered sufficient for the 4L80E, which was introduced in 1991. Given that the 4L80E was predominantly employed in heavy-duty applications, the four gears made even more sense. Some of the cars that got the 4L80E include the Hummer H1, Chevy trucks, vans, or even Rolls Royce, Bentley, and Jaguar.
A four-speed, however, was going to take longer to cut as automatic transmissions gained popularity in the early 2000s with the arrival of automated manuals and double-clutch automatics. Thus, the 4L80E received two more gears in 2005 to become the six-speed 6L80E.
The 6L80E became a much stronger competitor to the Europeans with six front gears. That the 6L80E quickly appeared in sports vehicles like the Corvette and Camaro.
Gear Ratios
Remaining on gears, the 6L80E can get away with having two more gears, which results in substantially shorter gear ratios.
Suppose you have a truck that provides you with significantly greater acceleration and higher hauling capability. The two last ratios are overdrives, allowing you to continue cruising on the highway at a low engine speed and improving fuel efficiency.
The engine will probably live longer with a 6L80E since it is under less strain with lower gear ratios. The 6L80E is a much better choice for everyday driving as a result.
Weight
Unfortunately, the 6L80E is somewhat heavier due to the two additional gears. The 6L80E weighs 195 lbs, compared to 178 kg for the 4L80E. And while a 17 lb difference may not seem like much, it might matter in drag racing.
A six-speed gearbox needs to be updated since you will not utilise the two overdrive speeds much in drag racing. However, nobody will notice the additional 17 lbs when driving daily. Therefore the 6L80E is a better option in that situation.
Size
The 6L80E will inevitably be larger than the 4L80E since it has two more gears. The 6L80E, however, is shorter overall, measuring just over 29 inches as opposed to 32 for the 4L80E. However, because of its much larger diameter, the 6L80E can only be installed in earlier vehicles if it requires body changes. The 6L80E sits lower since it is also taller. If you want one for an off-road vehicle, that is something else to consider.
Strength
Some of the cars that got the 4L80E include the Hummer H1, Chevy trucks, vans, or even Rolls Royce, Bentley, and Jaguar. Additionally, the four-speed can withstand a bit of energy than the six-speed, even though the numbers 80 in both the 6L80E and 4L80E signify the same strength rating. The 4L80E can handle up to 750 wheel horsepower with simple modifications before needing hard component upgrades.
On the other side, the 6L80E can securely handle up to 650 wheel horsepower. The 6L80E, on the other hand, has a more contemporary gearbox and is considerably more vulnerable to wrong TCM tuning and engine-to-transmission calibration. Furthermore, regardless of engine horsepower, the 6L80E is doomed to failure without appropriate tuning and calibration.
Compatibility
It is not only the 6L80E transmission’s size, which is a significant issue, that prevents it from simply fitting into all vehicles. The pricey and sophisticated electronics are the primary problem. The 4L80E is a better improvement than most older automobiles since it does not have sophisticated electronics.
For older Corvettes and most other GM cars made before 2000, you can purchase a 6L80E conversion kit. You can buy the conversion kit at zerogravityperformance.com for a little over $4,000 and receive everything you need. That includes the cables, torque converter, electrical harness with the control module, and gearbox.
Reliability and maintenance
The 4L80E and the 6L80E are reliable transmissions that are strong. From 1991 through 1993, a few early 4L80E messages had minor problems. But since the 4L80E has been in production for more than 15 years, GM has had plenty of time to fix its minor issues.
The 4L80E Transmission is also relatively simple to repair, and considering how long they have been in use, almost all technicians are familiar with them from top to bottom. As a result, not only are parts and labour for the 4L80E cheaply priced, but you also do not have to worry as much about shoddy repairs.
The 6L80E is nothing more than a development of the 4L80E. It is hence equally durable and dependable. You may consider yourself protected even if maintenance and repairs are a little more costly, considering their dependability. Even so, the 4L80E edge the competition in terms of reliability just on account of repairability.
Price
The 6L80E will cost a little extra compared to new or refurbished transmissions. For instance, you may get a remanufactured 6L80E or a 4L80E on bestbuytransmissions.com. Remanufactured transmissions have new, higher-quality components installed during construction. Therefore, a brand-new 6L80E costs $2,795, whereas a 4L80E costs $2,395 on the same website and comes with the same five-year guarantee.
Even while a $400 price difference may not seem like much, the 4L80E is a far better choice if you want a deal. Again, given how long it has been in existence, it is far easier to discover a 4L80E in a scrap yard and get one for dirt cheap. The 6L80E, on the other hand, has a substantially lower production run. Thus the opposite cannot be accurate.
How Often Is the 4L80E Better?
What we mentioned at the beginning still holds after the day. For some applications, a 6L80E is superior to a 4L80E, and vice versa. More specifically, those creating a drag car, a budget racer, or utilising an existing vehicle as a platform should choose the 4L80E. This is because a 4L80E may be purchased for less money, is simpler to install, more portable, and can handle a little more power.
In addition, the 4L80E is a little bit lighter, and if you are building a racing vehicle, it is reassuring to know that you can replace one if it is damaged $300 at a junkyard. Furthermore, drag racing and off-roading will not benefit from the extra two speeds a 6L80E gives you.
When is 6L80E better?
Your everyday driver will be more pleasant and quicker with the 6L80E’s two additional gears. The 6L80E can get away with absurdly low gear ratios because of its two overdrive gears, which can significantly increase your car’s acceleration. Additionally, the lower gear ratios provide greater power at the wheels, which helps your engine haul big loads more efficiently.
Each owner who has installed the 6L80E reports having no regrets, although it is more complex to do so into an earlier chassis. And that makes sense, given the improved fuel efficiency and more power to the wheels. Therefore, the 6L80E is the better gearbox for a vehicle or truck you wish to use daily or drive quickly outside professional competition.
What Do Code Names 6L80E and 4L80E Mean?
The 6L80E has six forward gears, whereas the 4L80E has four. The initial digit in both code names indicates the number of forward gears. The letter L, which stands for longitudinal, shows how an engine and gearbox are situated in a chassis.
The 80 denotes the maximum vehicle weight that these gearboxes can withstand, 8,000 lbs. Furthermore, the letter E in the last letter indicates that both transmissions are electronically regulated and need a TCU (transmission control unit).
What Issues Does the 6L80E Transmission Have?
Clutch failure is the most frequent issue with the 6L80E Transmission. But when the TCU is not tampered with, or performance enhancements are not improperly calibrated, the clutch seldom breaks down.
Does a 6L80E Need to Be Programmed?
A 6L80E transmission has to be reprogrammed before being installed in a new vehicle. If not, the Transmission will not work correctly or may stop working shortly after. Additionally, programming and calibrating the Transmission need specialised expertise and are unsuitable for do-it-yourselfers.
What Automobiles Had the 6L80E?
The 6L80E gearbox was standard equipment on all high-end GM cars from 2006 until the eight-speed Transmission was introduced. The Escalade, 5.3 Silverado, Cadillac STS-V, XLR-V, Yukon, Camaro, GMC Sierra, Holden Commodore, etc., are the most noteworthy vehicles equipped with the 6L80E.
Is the 6L80E Transmission Reliable?
Few owners of the 6L80E transmission record any significant problems since it is so dependable. The 4L80E, which had existed for 15 years before the 6L’s release, is the primary inspiration for the 6L80E. GM had more time to develop the design and find solutions to its issues. Only when individuals improperly install or tune the transmissions are there any noticeable problems.
Can a 4L80E Pull Much Weight?
The gross vehicle weight rating of the 4L80E is 16,500 lbs, and its towing capability is 22,000 lbs. Towing is fine for the 4L80E since it is a heavy-duty gearbox intended primarily for pickup trucks, commercial vans, and big SUVs.
Can a 4L80E Shift Without a Computer?
The 4L80E may be converted to a manual shifting gearbox, unlike the 6L80E, which removes the TCU. However, the method is more complex than just taking the computer out. If your vehicle lacks an ECU, you must add aftermarket components or a standalone TCM.
Has a 4L80E Got Overdrive?
Yes, the fourth or final gear on the 4L80E features an overdrive. The fourth gear, an overdrive gear, has a ratio of 0.75:1, while the third gear has a ratio of 1:1. The 6L80E features two overdrive gears, the fifth and sixth, in contrast. These two gears have ratios of 0.85:1 and 0.67:1, respectively.
Conclusion
In the end, the 6L80E and the 4L80E are bulletproof gearboxes designed to resist towing and high power outputs. Furthermore, there are no common issues or fundamental design flaws in either Transmission. But a four-year and a six-gear gearbox are significantly different from one another.
Therefore, if everyday driving is your vehicle’s primary use, the six-speed will benefit you the best. Specifically, shorter 1-4 gear ratios for greater towing and acceleration and 5–6 overdrive speeds for better fuel efficiency. Everyone who has done it says he has no regrets, despite the 6L80E being a little more costly and more challenging to calibrate and install into older chassis.
In contrast, the 4L80E is a superior gearbox for drag racing since it can handle a little bit more power, is lighter, and can be replaced for a very low price if damaged. Additionally, it is considerably simpler to put into earlier chassis, the TCM can be removed quickly, and it has enough gear ratios for a quarter mile.