swap m6 for th400???

[Biggin'89]

Whats up guys? I'm trying to decide if i should swap to a th400 right now while i have the motor/trans out.

I think it would be fun, since i've never had a stalled car. and now that i have to have a heavier clutch to hold the power (420rwhp) its not as much fun, and quite honestly its more of a pain to drive. I've heard 2 different things about the swap 1) from people that say you will hate it and 2) from people that actually did it and they said they love it. The biggest thing is i don't know much about the mvb.

I've heard you can't really downshift while driving? so there isn't really a chance of dropping a gear to race on the street? also that it will act like neutral if no gas is applied (maybe only in 2nd or 3rd). the only down side is i would have to change my rear gears which i just put in, but isn't huge since my tranny builder also does my gears. also how much power will it really hold back? im not going nitrous so it doesn't need a loose converter, and was thinking like a 3200 or so stall. A 'brake would be pretty cool and I will be running a 28" tire.

Also a 350 isn't out of the question but i plan on a turbo in the next 4 years. My tranny right now is built so i think if i sell it all I can get enough to swap over for the same amount.

So let me know what you think?

[Milk Man]

i have a stalled car, not as fun as a manual...

[Grr]

I was just thinking about this. I just went from a stalled 4l80 to a M6, and its alot of fun. BUT, i really love stalled autos. A t400 would be a better choice than a 350, only spend the money once. I like the 400 with a low 3 gear, 3.23 or 3.08, will make it alot like a stock a4 car that way, just get the biggest trans cooler you can. Also with the MVB, you can shift up/down whenever you feel like it.

[Biggin'89]

Tell me more about your old 4l80. I've also been considering that so it will have the overdrive with alot of strength, but is seemed to me its about a 5k job to complete since the lt1 computer can't control the '80. If you don't mind posting what you spent and the parts you needed (besides the tranny internals). Its just hard to find out what i need since most of the info is on ls1tech and is geared for lsx apps.

[Grr]

It was on a different vehicle. But you can find a 4l80 for around 500$, and run a manual valve body so no controls are needed. A rebuild with good clutches will hold 700hp no problem, and should cost around $500. I was making a good 650hp and using a stock trans for 2 years with no problems. Converters are spendy at 5-800, but worth it.
I have been thinking about another 4l80 too with a MVB, brake and lockup switch, should cost around 2k for the trans at most. But i can swap in a t400 for around 1k with a MVB and brake, plus a set of higher gears for $75 and a $3-500 converter is alot cheaper.