So i'm putting a 5.3 into a 71 pinto, and I bought a full swap from a friend, which consists of an aluminum 5.3, harness, computer from an 06 trailblazer, and a 2 wheel drive 4L80E. It will also be getting a pair of T61 turbos. The pinto currently weighs 2100 pounds, and I think it will probably stay under 3000 pounds by the time i'm done.

I haven't checked to see if the 4L80E will fit yet, but i know it's going to be tight. I also have a Hughes power glide that I bought for my wagon, but that won't fit unless I cut the trans tunnel out of it. I'm thinking I could probably sell the 4L80E and get a converter for the glide, which i'm fairly certain will fit in the pinto with out the scatter shield bolted on top of the case, plus i can pick the glide up and walk around with it, while the 4L80 weighs a ton...

I would like this to be a street/strip car, and I wanted to do the hotrod power tour at some point, I'm just wondering if the trouble the 4L80E will bring is worth having over drive. I would probably be installing the 4L80 with the stock converter just to get the car going, which makes me want to just sell it and dump the glide in. What do you guys think?

 

Is your turbowagon your drag car or your street car. I would put the glide in what ever I wanted to run the fastest, The Poison Pinto from the 70's.

 

Both are going to be street/strip cars. I can always get another glide.

 

Skinnies says "After going to a glide I will never go back to another transmission".

 

If you have issues w/ the glide fitting, the 80E will be a real "issue"...
@<3K wt, I think the glide would be the way to go.

 

Lol my thoughts exactly but i thought i misread something.

 

I typed that up wrong, I meant to say I almost know the glide will fit with out the bolt on steel scatter shield on it, it's the 4L80E that i'm worried about, since it's a tank lol.

 

Glide without a doubt.

 

You will be opening up the tunnel for the 4l80e. The glide will fit and at most require some hand sledge. I like the 80 option long term but the glide will get the job done for sure. You'll need a good converter either direction you go. Car will be a blast

 

I think i'll have to go with the glide. I pulled the old engine/trans and I don't see the 80e fitting. Plus i can walk around with the glide in my arms, the 80e weighs a ton.