4l80e conversion in 1985 suburban. What parts do I need?

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txaggie

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Howdy all!

We are building a 4l80e for the suburban and I have a sniper harness and controller coming for it to lip into our sniper II on the 461.

I have two issues. I need to keep the mechanical Speedo. What does everyone use for this? I see Dakota Digital makes one but I’m not sure how the sniper system will convert with it.

Secondly, does anyone use a special linkage for the trans shifting?
 

Tonimus

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To keep the mechanical speedo, you need a driver. I just installed one of these on a '72. https://www.moderndriveline.com/sho...-speedo-converter-with-58-screw-on-connector/

The linkage on the 4L80 is further back than the TH350/TH400. For the '72 we just had to move everything back. Had to narrow one factory bracket and lengthen a linkage. LMC sells a semi universal linkage that should be super easy to modify or it may work out of the box. https://www.lmctruck.com/mechanical/drivetrain/csb-1973-86-transmission-shift-linkage-kit
 

vr1967

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Broken85

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I know this isnt exactly what you were asking but (hoping this helps the next guy), if you ask ChatGPT for a parts list and an order of work to switch a 700R4 to a 4L80E, it will give you a parts list, and a list of mods you need to make for the project to work. I am not naïve enough to think this would be a 100% solution for a project like this, but for the next guy who is trying to decide what a job like this will cost him and how much work it will take, this is a great tool.
 

carnutjw

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I know this isnt exactly what you were asking but (hoping this helps the next guy), if you ask ChatGPT for a parts list and an order of work to switch a 700R4 to a 4L80E, it will give you a parts list, and a list of mods you need to make for the project to work. I am not naïve enough to think this would be a 100% solution for a project like this, but for the next guy who is trying to decide what a job like this will cost him and how much work it will take, this is a great tool.
Nope-not happening. I would trust any of you yayhoos before the terminator interweb tool. I would rather struggle through blindfolded. No offense.
 

RanchWelder

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Jag's That Run makes a unit, if they still have them available.
But they do not reluctor with a transmission controller for signal.

Had to add a reluctor wheel to my 4L80-E build internally.
That said, you are 2WD?

JTR unit, if they have one, MAY not work with the Transmission controller computer though. They are made more for carb and older transmissions with less reluctor nodes, fewer flying magnets.

They require a decoder to be worth anything and you cannot buy one cheap.

You would still require some sort of mechanical speedometer cable, when you don't really need one with the onboard computer transmission controller.

Save up for the smaller sized Holley Sniper 2 dash gauge.
3"x 3" or so?

Spoke with Dakota Digital's engineering team directly, during my 4L80-E conversion.

They were not happy when I asked them to build us a simple cost effective controller based upon their proprietary algorythms, where they build upon CAN Bus data logging and OEM flying magnet reluctors. Keep in mind, there are 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 48 and 56 reluctors. They do not work well between controllers or speedometers.

Dakota's engineer came right out and said "NO, we will not offer a solution. You must buy the dash."

They charge a good buck for the digital dashes and they correct the input for the electronic controlled signals from your 4L80-E, or many other CAN based signals and various flying magnets within their chipset.

You will drive yourself mad trying to outsmart the Dakota team's work.

The Sniper full size dash price will bring tears to your eyes, right?

There is no affordable solution.

I'm using the Compushift 2 dash controller as my speedometer, until I extend my new cable 120" to my 42 tooth T-Case gear for the new 4.11:1 rear diff change. Auto-meter Phantom dash gauges on custom aluminum dash.

Found Comp 2 on eBait brand new for 1/3rd the normal price, with the new harness. It was wired for a Cadillac FWD. Few pins changed made it a 4L80-E controller. Got stoopid lucky or the new unit would have bankrupted me.

Cannot afford the Dakota digital solution either.
Really like it, but retirement disability will never cover it unless give up rent gas and food.

Found the AM gauges, some used and dirt cheap scouring eBait for several years or they would have been out of my range also.

The Sniper mini gauge is your best bet $$$.
Forget the round dash gauge until you hit the lottery.

Then buy the Dakota solution or go "full in" with Holley's sweet solution.

There's an app that allows you to send signal to your smart watch but no signal conversion for CAN anywhere in the world except Dakota or Holley.

CAN is the secret sauce.

Remanufactured my 4L80-E myself.
I'm no expert, but if you get stuck or want some invaluable advice nobody on the internet will share with you, simply email me directly.

There's a few tricks learned that wish somebody had shared with me before my fifth tear down and re-install when reprogramming.

Not posting the details here.
You shouldn't either, if you learn the "sauce"

Good luck with your build.

SS
 

NickTransmissions

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I know this isnt exactly what you were asking but (hoping this helps the next guy), if you ask ChatGPT for a parts list and an order of work to switch a 700R4 to a 4L80E
Please tell me you're joking...I'll buy that.

Howdy all!

We are building a 4l80e for the suburban and I have a sniper harness and controller coming for it to lip into our sniper II on the 461.

I have two issues. I need to keep the mechanical Speedo. What does everyone use for this? I see Dakota Digital makes one but I’m not sure how the sniper system will convert with it.

Secondly, does anyone use a special linkage for the trans shifting?
Why do you need to keep the mechanical speedometer?

You're much better off simply putting your cell phone in a holder on the dash or windshield somewhere, bringing up the app Waze and using that as your speed indicator. You can also run a Dakota Digital full set up that will work with your 4L80E's VSS. Lokar, Bow Tie Overdrives make linkages but I imagine you can run your mechanical linkage (may need to modify it) as the 4L80Es from 1991-1994 used the same sort of mechanical linkage as the 700R4s and early 4L60Es did prior to the introduction of the shift cables in 1995.
 

txaggie

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Please tell me you're joking...I'll buy that.


Why do you need to keep the mechanical speedometer?

You're much better off simply putting your cell phone in a holder on the dash or windshield somewhere, bringing up the app Waze and using that as your speed indicator. You can also run a Dakota Digital full set up that will work with your 4L80E's VSS. Lokar, Bow Tie Overdrives make linkages but I imagine you can run your mechanical linkage (may need to modify it) as the 4L80Es from 1991-1994 used the same sort of mechanical linkage as the 700R4s and early 4L60Es did prior to the introduction of the shift cables in 1995.
My mechanical cluster is in mint condition and I like the charm of the old mechanical dash light glow over modern gauges.

I found this speed box gps converter that might do the trick.

 

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NickTransmissions

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My mechanical cluster is in mint condition and I like the charm of the old mechanical dash light glow over modern gauges.

I found this speed box gps converter that might do the trick.

Looks nifty. So the mechanical side of the box uses a cable to connect it to your dash while an electrical cable goes from the other side of the box to the VSS? The box then converts the VSS voltage vehicle speed signal to a mechanical output to the speedometer in your dash's gauge cluster?
 

Tonimus

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The one I listed uses dip switches and accepts the signal coming directly out of the VSS and I suspect the output of many different control systems. We are using a US Shift controller to drive the sensor and using their VSS out to drive the box. Only a few buck more than the other unit. Personally, I'd rather have dip switches to change speeds than GPS.

 

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