4L80E Vs TH400: Which One is Ideal for You?

 Are 4L80E and TH400 the same? Well, no. While they have certain similarities, some specific points set 4L80E apart from TH400. These differences are what make each of these transmissions ideal for individual purposes.

Now the question may arise which one is ideal for you? If that’s what you are asking, then this article is just what you need. Here we will elaborately discuss the basic differences between 4L80E and TH400. After reading this article, you will have the proper knowledge to pick a winner from 4L80E vs TH400.

Now let’s get into it.  

4L80E Vs TH400: All the Differences You Need to Know About

Before getting into the details, take a quick glance at all the basic differences between 4L80E and TH400.

Attributes4L80ETH400
Overdrive gear ratio0.75:13.55:1
Stock torque converter1800 RPM2700 RPM
Horsepower700HP1000HP
Weight107 KG61 KG
Average Price$2,300$2,000

Knowing the differences between the 4L80E and TH400 will help you make a decision on which one to choose. This is why it is recommended you give this section a thorough read.

Overdrive Gear Ratio- Which One Can Reach High

In Anatomy of the Motor Car, Setright says,

“The overdrive gear ratio is the ratio of the number of drive gear’s turns. A drive gear turns twice to turn the gear once. When the ratio of the drive gear’s turn is greater than 1, it is called an undriven ratio. If this ratio is less than 1, it is known as the overdrive gear ratio.”

The 3.55:1 overdrive ratio of 4L80E offers better efficiency in reducing cruising RPM. This ratio is ideal for getting the best speed. If you want to get your car moving fast, get the TH400.

And according to Gear Star,

4L80E transmissions have nearly 25% overdrive and are 4 inches longer than the TH400.

On the other hand, a higher overdrive gear ratio facilitates faster acceleration. The 4L80E has such a ratio, which is 0.75:1. It’s also more efficient for driving at highway speed.

Stock Converter Speed- The Crucial Fact

Stock converter speed is the stall speed of a hooked-up torque. In other words, it indicates the speed of the engine.

The higher the stock converter speed, the faster the engine accelerates. In this sense, TH400 has a better stock converter thanks to its 2700 RPM speed. However, despite having 1800 RPM, the 4L80E is not actually bad. Both of these transmissions are good in terms of stock converter speed.

However, if you are looking for better acceleration, TH400 is your winner. If the speed doesn’t matter to you, then getting 4L80E would be better.

Differences in Horse Power Gain

As you probably know, horsepower means the amount of energy the engine can generate. Thus, having greater horsepower means more speed and efficiency. However, more horsepower also demands more fuel.

The 4L80E has more than 700 HP. This is a decent amount of horsepower to run a car or even a small truck properly. On the other hand, TH400 has an astounding 1000 HP. It’s enough to move around a big truck.

It also means that the 4L80E consumes much less fuel than the TH400. So, if you want fuel economy, go for the 4L80E. But if you need more HP, TH400 is your best option. Although, if you choose this one, you have to handle the extra fuel costs.

Does Weight Difference Matter?

The weight of the transmission directly affects the speed. A heavy transmission won’t function as well as a light one would. In this context, TH400 is a winner because it weighs only 61KG. On the other hand, the 4L80E has a weight of 107 KG.

It means TH400 can handle more vibration, generate more energy, and take less space. The lightweight helps your car move at a greater pace as well.

The heavy 107KG is not that weighty compared to most of the options. It, too, can perform sufficiently well in all kinds of vehicles. Although, the motion may not be as swift as TH400 can provide. However, the heavyweight means there are some robust mechanisms in the transmission. This makes the 4L80E slightly more efficient than the TH400 when it comes to performing for a prolonged duration.

Long story short, if you take a look at some real-life user experience, then let us show you how one of the Performance Trucks members recommends-

“A TH400 is best if it is a track/street toy that you don’t plan to drive too much. It’s cheap, strong and performance friendly.

A 4L80e is best if you plan to drive lots of miles, tow, or daily drive.”

Not clear enough? Let’s get some more gist by knowing some highs and lows.

4L80E Or TH400: What Are The Benefits?

Now let’s talk about some benefits 4L80E and TH400 offer. Knowing about what you are getting can help you finalize your decision.

With 4L80E, you are getting,

  • Better power flow: The high overdrive gear ratio helps the transmission deliver power with much better fluency.
  • More clutch capacity: 4L80E can dissipate heat better and keeps the engine running for a long time.

On the other hand, TH400 offers,

  • Improved durability: The TH400 is made from cast aluminum alloy. It makes the TH400 super strong and durable.
  • Light and compact: TH400 is only 24 inches long. And it doesn’t even weigh a hundred pounds. The lightweight and compact size give it better compatibility with more vehicles.

4L80E & TH400: Some Downsides To Be Noted!

It’s equally important to know what you will miss with the transmission you choose.

The downsides of getting 4L80E are,

  • Heavy: The 100+ KG weight is no joke. It significantly affects the efficiency of your car in a bad way.
  • Takes up a lot of space: The 4L80E has a length of 32 inches. It is a lot considering the tiny space your vehicle’s engine compartment has.
  • Expensive: Transmissions are usually pricey components. The 4L80E is a tad costlier than the TH400. While TH400 costs around 2k USD, the price of 4L80E is 2.3K+ USD.

On the flip side, getting TH400 will give you,

  • Slower acceleration: Usually, it gets difficult to get a good acceleration from TH400. The performance here is smooth, but the initial speedup is a bit slow.
  • Early shift: TH400 has a bad reputation for having an early shift. The problem of getting into second gear too soon gets intense in days to come.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the highest speed you can get from 4L80E?

The 4L80E can generate up to 160 mph speed. However, this mostly depends on the combination of gears you are using.

How long will a 4L80E and TH400 last?

Your 4L80E transmission will run about 150,000 miles. In other words, the life expectancy of the 4L80E is around 12 years. On the other hand, TH400 will last you about 20000 miles.

Can you run a 4L80E without a computer?

Yes, the 4L80E can be converted into a manually controlled transmission.

Which Transmission Can Win the Debate?

Settling on one from between 4L80E Vs TH400 is quite challenging. There are a few things to think about here. Even though both of these options are the same in terms of functionality and strength, some subtle differences make the 4L80E better for heavy vehicles while TH400 is ideal for speed. However, if fuel efficiency is your concern, the 4L80E can take the deal.

If you have given this whole article a proper read, you now learned what sets 4L80E from TH400, and possibly you’ve even made your choice as well. Kudos!

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