Meant for use in consumer vehicles, including some luxury automobiles, the TH400 transmission has undoubtedly seen its way around the market. While it was originally developed by General Motors for use in their Cadillac and Buick line of cars, it can be seen in a variety of personal, luxury, heavy-duty, and race-worthy vehicles. The product is an automatic-shifting, three-speed transmission that was more or less phased out by General Motors in the late 1970s.
These transmissions were first developed in the 1960s. Dubbed the "Super Turbine 400", it originally made its debut on the consumer market in Cadillacs and Buicks. It can be recognized by the Texas-shaped oil pan that is attached to the unit. Popularity of the piece quickly increased as it proved its worthiness on the road, and production was expanded by GM in 1965 for use in Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile vehicles.
Made of solid cast aluminum alloy and bearing a smooth finish, it measures 24-3/8" in length. The entire unit weighs a total of 138 pounds, which makes it the beefiest of the transmissions every designed put into consumer use by GM. In spite of its weight, it still utilizes a compact design. A hex bolt is used on the rear face of the piece for mounting purposes.
In order to beat out its competitors in terms of overall efficiency, TH400s that were made before 1968 all feature a switch-pitch variable-pitch stator. Utilized within the torque converter, this design reduces engine friction and ultimately boosts the efficiency of your automobile. Because of its rarity, pre-1968 makes are highly prized on the market today.
Consumers won't have to make a guess at whether or not their's has a switch pitch variable pitch stator. By removing the torque converter and looking for skinny front pump spline, one should be able to count the number of external electrical connections on the unit. Two connections means that it utilizes the highly desirable variable pitch stator design with a switch pitch. If only one electrical connection is present, then it does not.
General Motors began installing the part in their line of heavy-duty trucks in the 1970s. Seen in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive systems, the piece soon caught on amongst the experts and enthusiasts of the industry. It wasn't long before other automobile manufacturers wanted to include the transmissions in their builds as well, and it was soon being installed in Jeeps, Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, and Jaguars.
When General Motors changed its naming conventions in 1990, the few remaining TH400s in production were renamed to the 3L80. This stands for three-speeds, longitudinally positioned, 8,000 pounds GVW. The 4L80-E, an overdrive build of the newly renamed piece, hit the market shortly thereafter. The 4L80-E is still in use by General Motors in military and other heavy-duty, high-stress environments, so the value is still prevalent.
With a history as rich as the TH400s, it is easy to see why some car aficionados rank it amongst the most durable and reliable transmissions of its time. Although the TH400 transmission has been all but replaced by transmissions that are lighter and more efficient, this truly was a part that was ahead of its class. If you are looking to restore a vehicle to its original condition, you may find yourself in the market for the help of this piece sometime in the near future.
These transmissions were first developed in the 1960s. Dubbed the "Super Turbine 400", it originally made its debut on the consumer market in Cadillacs and Buicks. It can be recognized by the Texas-shaped oil pan that is attached to the unit. Popularity of the piece quickly increased as it proved its worthiness on the road, and production was expanded by GM in 1965 for use in Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile vehicles.
Made of solid cast aluminum alloy and bearing a smooth finish, it measures 24-3/8" in length. The entire unit weighs a total of 138 pounds, which makes it the beefiest of the transmissions every designed put into consumer use by GM. In spite of its weight, it still utilizes a compact design. A hex bolt is used on the rear face of the piece for mounting purposes.
In order to beat out its competitors in terms of overall efficiency, TH400s that were made before 1968 all feature a switch-pitch variable-pitch stator. Utilized within the torque converter, this design reduces engine friction and ultimately boosts the efficiency of your automobile. Because of its rarity, pre-1968 makes are highly prized on the market today.
Consumers won't have to make a guess at whether or not their's has a switch pitch variable pitch stator. By removing the torque converter and looking for skinny front pump spline, one should be able to count the number of external electrical connections on the unit. Two connections means that it utilizes the highly desirable variable pitch stator design with a switch pitch. If only one electrical connection is present, then it does not.
General Motors began installing the part in their line of heavy-duty trucks in the 1970s. Seen in both two-wheel and four-wheel drive systems, the piece soon caught on amongst the experts and enthusiasts of the industry. It wasn't long before other automobile manufacturers wanted to include the transmissions in their builds as well, and it was soon being installed in Jeeps, Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, and Jaguars.
When General Motors changed its naming conventions in 1990, the few remaining TH400s in production were renamed to the 3L80. This stands for three-speeds, longitudinally positioned, 8,000 pounds GVW. The 4L80-E, an overdrive build of the newly renamed piece, hit the market shortly thereafter. The 4L80-E is still in use by General Motors in military and other heavy-duty, high-stress environments, so the value is still prevalent.
With a history as rich as the TH400s, it is easy to see why some car aficionados rank it amongst the most durable and reliable transmissions of its time. Although the TH400 transmission has been all but replaced by transmissions that are lighter and more efficient, this truly was a part that was ahead of its class. If you are looking to restore a vehicle to its original condition, you may find yourself in the market for the help of this piece sometime in the near future.
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