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I love my Lightning Rods too, but the wimpy OE shifter cable design left a LOT to be desired (the aftermarket replacement shifter cables are even worse, barely even work - WAY too much end play in them). I tore it all apart and painstakingly modified it for use with a B & M 81831 cable, as I am currently running my 4L85E trans in full manual mode requiring exacting shifter operations to prevent any possible trans damage (by not being in 100% dead nuts proper shifter detent for each gear). Once I get the 535 build installed, the Holley Dominator EFI will be controlling the trans so that I don't have to actuate every gear manually, though it IS fun now that I have worked all of the kinks out of the Lightning Rods shifter - like a sequential shift manual trans without a clutch pedal (full shifter rebuild and rework for use with the MUCH better beefy zero slop B & M shifter cable).
The 2004R gearing is the best. OE cable new and old are fine. The adjustment cable needs to be right on. To work correctly. In my case, leavening the shifter in OD. Car runs full automatic. But moving the shifters all down. Locks you into 1st gear, will not upshift no matter how high the RPM you go. Until you move the the right shifter up a 1/2''. Now in 2nd gear, will not upshift no matter how high the RPM you go. Same to go into 3rd gear.
Downshifting you still have full control.
Your 4L85E trans is electronically controlled. 2004R just keeps it simple. Less things to adjust and go wrong,
The gearing you listed is for the 4L60E or 700R4. The correct gearing for a 4L80/85E is:
1 - 2.48
2 - 1.48
3 - 1.00
OD - 0.75
Much closer to the 200. The 4L80E is a superior trans in every single possible way except weight over a 200-4R. The electronic control of the 4L80E is not a bad thing. It's a simple small box that allows you to tell the trans to shift, when and however you want. You can change shift points, firmness, converter lockup, etc. all with a click of a mouse. Sounds pretty cool to me.
Last edited by olds_freak; Nov 12, 2023 at 11:52 AM.
The 2004R has better gearing, one of the best of any 4 spd auto. They offer a 2.75 gear set for the 4L80/85E for a reason. The strength is obviously superior for the 4L80/85E.
The chi-com pan for $130 on ebay cannot be beat. You need to Speedmaster pickup PCE302.1013 or equivalent. Look at Speedmaster website for a combo price. It's nice.
I go out of my way to buy American. Or any other country. I will not buy anything made in China. Nothing against the Chinese people. But their government is evil.
Example: My floor jack that I had for 20 years died. Found one made by a Amer- Ukraine company. Strongway Long-Reach, Low-Profile Professional Service Floor Jack
