2004R vs T56 for all around?

[VetteCam]

For a long time I've wanted a T56 but after going to the drag strip and looking at the cost comparison..now questioning this.

How much do you lose on a road course/auto cross with a very well built 2004r or 700r4?

Do you guys know of any 200/700 equipped muscle cars/trucks that compete well in pro-touring type events?

Thanks so much for any answers,

Donnie

[Chad-1stGen]

The TCI Camaro runs a 700R4 and performs strongly at the pro touring events.

If you don't go manual then make sure any auto you get will let you truly hold it in the desired gear for autocross and if you think you are going to do road courses with speeds well in excess of 100 mph you might want to ensure you can full throttle the trans in 4th. Neither of these things will a stock or mildly upgraded 700r4 do.

[VetteCam]

Completely agree. The TH350 I have now is full manual valve body 3000ish stall and I couldn't imagine any other way after driving full manual valve body.

The gear ratios of the 2004r are awesome and I've never like the really low 1st gear in the 700's..

[hifi875]

i have a 2004r in my 69 and a t56 waiting to be installed. That being said and having 2 cars with manual trannys, i can't wait to get it out and the t56 in.

[VetteCam]

See what you mean...however for auto x, drag, street, helping parts last longer, mileage...around town driving when it's the car show cruise etc.

Just thinking that a full manual 2004r with a good stall and lock up will suffice for me fine.

The T56 fully built brand new the way I would want to do it is about $6000 and I'll have to change the clutch at some point..bleed the slave..cut the tunnel.

The 200 will be under $3000 out the door. A T56 car will out perform on a road course or absolute top speed run but in any other situation...it's going to be close, even on a road course with a good driver i'll bet I could clock some decent times.

[70TWO NOVA]

I'm actually contemplating a 2004r for my nova. I currently have a th350 and want an overdrive gear but I also race the car on occasion. I have heard manual valve bodies get old but I guess that depends on how much you drive stop and go

[Vega$69]

I bought a C10 with a Jakes manual VB a while back

Driving it more then about 15 minutes was a real PIA.

[VetteCam]

Brian,

The manual valve body doesn't bother me a bit after driving with one for 5 years. Depending on which shifter you choose to go with of course. I use a B&M Pro Ratchet so it's very simple and reverse/park is a one hand operation that takes no extra time

[rustomatic]

This is an interesting topic, since I've decided to go auto in the next version of my Falcon. The last two transmissions were 5-speed sticks, and really, I just don't want to shift anymore (for now)--part of this is related to simple driveability and the occasional need to sit in traffic and move ten feet per minute. This sucked with a cammy engine and a 5-speed (stick). I'm going with a 6l80 that came with my new (slightly used) LS 5.3, which adds a sixth gear and the ability to not clutch and shift. I'll look forward to seeing where this thread goes.

[VetteCam]

Thanks I'm curious to see how it goes with your 6L60..

And another member PM'd me earlier today to consider the 4L80E...saying that it's obviously stronger but the same cost give or take?

For some reason I was under the impression that the 4l80e was substantially more expensive than the 2004r?


I'll have to look at the gear ratios as well now that I'm thinking about it because I really dig the fact that the 2004r has a .67 4th gear ratio..without the granny low first gear. It's ideal ratios for me..the 6 speed is cool and all but I'm not going for lap times that often. When I am, it could be a 1/4 mile time that I'm looking for where the auto becomes advantageous. More looking for all around performance. Auto X, road lap (very rarely), 1/4 mile, top speed, cruising, price, mileage, driveability, idle quality. As close as I can get to the best ALL around.

[TheJDMan]

The T56 fully built brand new the way I would want to do it is about $6000

What in the world do you want to do to a T56 that costs $6000? You can buy a new in the box T56 Magnum for just a tick over $3000.

[69hugger]

I wish my T-56 car had an auto.
My last Camaro had a Turbo 400 & it drove great. It was bulletproof, never missed a shift, easy to sit in traffic, and was just better all around.
I would love to convert the current car to a 6L80E.
I don't hate driving the 6 speed, but there's no real love either.
This is a streeter, no race duty. I'd love to take it to the strip, but am afraid of breakage with the 6 speed if I had any traction. I wouldn't worry with an auto.
That all said, I wouldn't dare to convert it because SOMEDAY I will want to sell it, and the 6 speed will make the car worth more. How much more? Good question....

Just my $.02.

Bill

[VetteCam]

What in the world do you want to do to a T56 that costs $6000? You can buy a new in the box T56 Magnum for just a tick over $3000.


Well I'll need a clutch, bell housing, clutch/brake pedal, clutch fork, throwout bearing, shifter, crossmember...would you like me to keep going?

$6000 is honestly conservative to swap from Auto to manual when going to a T56 mag, hydro throwout and doing it correct.

[VetteCam]

Does anyone know an idea of 4L80E pricing built to handle 650ish max HP vs a 2004r the same?

I will never take this car over 650 NA horsepower. Maybe a 100 - 150 shot of nitrous for fun on top of that but IN MY OPINION over 600ish HP you give up more than you gain for an all around type car. That is my opinion..yours may differ :)

[gnx7]

Stock 4L80E with a TransGo HD-2 shift kit upgrade has been used for many years on cars making under 1000hp. That trans will probably suck up a few HP due to parasitic drag.... but you won't need to worry about giving it a nice thrashing.
They make Tbrakes for them also. Jake's is a respected builder.... as is Rossler, Mike's transmissions, etc.

Just do some google searching.
http://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic-transmission/1549697-4l80e-hd2-shift-kit-how-much-power.html

The stock 4L80E torque convertor is a monster and weighs a ton. There are a number of aftermarket ones out.... for your power level you are barely tickling the power levels this trans can handle. The internals of a 200-4R look like twigs compared to the 4L80E big brother.

To do a T56 swap as said does cost $5K without blinking an eye in parts once you factor in the trans (T56 Magnum), good clutch/fly, slave, bellhousing, etc.

[VetteCam]

It seems as though the 4L80E will cost upwards of $4000 by the time I'm said and done for a higher stall, electronic speedo setup etc..

Am I missing something or are they quite a bit more $$ ?

[VetteCam]

The power loss and weight are also somewhat of a concern. It's mostly about all around driving for me. Car will never go over 700ish horsepower.