Opinions on the 4L80E Transmission vs TH400
Good afternoon, I was considering a late '80s MH when it occurred to me that I could get an OD if I opted for an early '90s unit on a P30. The searching of done so far indicates that the gradually...
Forum Discussion
Gjac wrote:
What are you getting now with your 3 speed, and how much does your MH weight? I have a 1996 GBM on a 95 chassis with the 4L80E and I have averaged 8.6 mpg over 85k miles. It is 33 ft and weights about 15,500 lbs and seldom comes out of OD since I installed headers. It will stay in 4th gear if I am above 45 mpg on a flat road. I have 107k miles on it and have changed fluid and filters 3 times. I think it is a good transmission.
Hmmm. Sounds like it.
7 MPG... if I keep it to 60 MPH. Worse when pulling the boat.
I think her GVW is around 12. Only a 23 foot Class A.
I just got off the phone with my transmission guy. He said I could figure double the cost to rebuild. But he likes the transmission. Says the 400 is always slipping by one to two hundred RPM where the 4L80E has a lock-up converter. This keeps the heat down along with the mileage benefit.
BUT... he reminded me of the MEXICOWANDERER factor. My turf IS hilly. Most of our camping is done within 3 hours of home and most of it is hilly. Only on longer runs would I get some decent straightaway time.
BUT... with 8.6 MPG, I might be less inclined to enforce that 3 hour radius restriction and allow us to venture further more often.
I think it's fair to say that the difference is relatively negligible. If I find an '89 that I love at a great price... then... great!
If find a '92 that tickles my fancy... well then that's great too. And if it has low miles by chance... then I might be selling it well before a rebuild is due anyway.
Thanks!
