Hydra-Matic 4L80-E 4-spd Transmission

By Bill "BillaVista" Ansell
Photography: Bill Ansell
Copyright 2007 - Bill Ansell
(click any pic to enlarge)

Hydra-Matic 4L80-E 4-spd Transmission

OVERVIEW

The Hydra-Matic 4L80 and 4L85 are close-ratio four-speed automatic transmissions that serve the heavy duty truck market, full-size vans, as well as school buses and motor home chassis. The 4L85 was added as a heavier duty version of the 4L80 for the 2002 model year. The 4L85 has heavy duty components to handle increased torque and horsepower requirements. Those components include 5-pinion output and reaction gearsets. Within these gearset assemblies, the smallest gears are the pinions that revolve around the sun gears. Four-pinion gearsets are sufficient for most applications, but adding a pinion gear to the gearsets allows them to handle higher loads.

The transmissions incorporate electronic controls which consist of using either a powertrain control module (PCM), or a transmission control module (TCM) interfacing with an engine control module (ECM) to provide consistent and precise shift points and shift quality. These controls continuously monitor shift timing, internal and external conditions, and adjust shifts for consistency. Because the vehicle applications often include trailering, the shift pattern can be selected by the driver to operate more smoothly when towing (Tow / Haul mode). Likewise, shift stabilization limits the amount of hunting between gears when traveling through mountains, with or without a trailer.

MAINTENANCE

The only maintenance necessary consists of fluid changes at differing duty cycles depending upon how rigorously the transmission is used in its application. Both 4L80 and 4L85 transmissions use DEXRON®-VI automatic transmission fluid.

DEXRON®-VI transmissions fluid was developed to behave more consistently during temperature and other environmental variations, as well as to provide even lubrication of the moving surfaces of the transmission. This fluid is validated in all Hydra-Matic 4L80 / 4L85 transmissions.

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE OPTIONS

The 4L80 uses the New Process (formerly New Venture) NP263 2 speed electric shift 4wd and the NP246 2 speed active transfer cases in the GMT800 series trucks.

2007 Hydra-Matic 4L80/4L85 Transmission (MT1/MN8) 
Type: four speed rear-wheel-drive, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive transmission with torque converter clutch
Engine range:  4.8L - 6.0L gasoline
6.5L - 6.6L diesel
Maximum engine torque: 440 lb-ft (597 Nm) (MT1)
460 lb-ft (624 Nm) (MN8)
Maximum gearbox torque:  885 lb-ft (1200 Nm)
Gear ratios:   
First: 2.48
Second: 1.48
Third: 1
Fourth: 0.75
Reverse: 2.07
Maximum shift speed: 1-2 5200 rpm
2-3 5200 rpm
3-4 5200 rpm
Maximum validated gross vehicle weight: up to 18,000 lbs (8165 kg) (application & axle ratio dependent)
7-position quadrant: P, R, N, OD, D, 2, 1
Case material:  die cast aluminum
Shift pattern: (2) two-way on/off solenoids
Shift quality: force motor control
Torque converter clutch: pulse width modulated solenoid control
Converter size:  310mm / 12.2" (reference) (diameter of torque converter turbine)
Fluid type: DEXRON® VI
Transmission weight: wet: 115 kg (254 lbs) (MT1)
wet: 115.5 kg (255 lbs) (MN8)
Fluid capacity (approximate): bottom pan removal: 4L - 6L (4.2 qt - 6.3 qt)
Pressure taps available: line pressure
Towing capacity: up to 22,000 lbs (9979 kg) maximum gross combined vehicle weight (application & axle ratio dependent)
Assembly sites: Ypsilanti, Michigan
Applications: Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD/3500 ( MT1 )
GMC Sierra 2500HD/3500 ( MT1 )
Chevrolet Suburban ( MT1 )
GMC Yukon XL ( MT1 )
Chevrolet Express ( MT1, MN8 )
GMC Savana ( MT1, MN8 )
Hummer H1 (MT1)
W Series (MT1)

Total:


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