Automatic Northstar owners... (Page 1/3)
Trinten NOV 07, 09:29 PM
I've been trying to skim threads of folks that have done the Northstar swap, but it seems many have gone over to manuals.

Has anyone kept the 4T80E ? If so, what shifter cables (or parts cobbled together) did you use?

Any pictures or thread links would be appreciated!

Thanks!
IXSLR8 NOV 07, 11:20 PM
I've done one manual and two automatic trans N* Fieros. Two 85's and one 88.

I used the stock shifter mechanism on the transmission and the stock automatic Cadillac cable. You just have to turn the electronic mechanism 180 degrees (backwards) to be able to shift. You can make a simple bracket to hold the cable. Pretty strait forward.

The nice thing about the automatics is that there is no torque steer under WOT.
You might consider a performance torque converter as my son and I have used all the stock ones. You can't spin the tires with a stock converter and the 300HP VIN 9 engine.

[This message has been edited by IXSLR8 (edited 11-07-2019).]

olejoedad NOV 08, 08:35 AM
Many people go manual to avoid the weight of the 4T80, and to eliminate issue of second gear take-offs.
Trinten NOV 08, 05:55 PM

quote
Originally posted by IXSLR8:

I've done one manual and two automatic trans N* Fieros. Two 85's and one 88.

I used the stock shifter mechanism on the transmission and the stock automatic Cadillac cable. You just have to turn the electronic mechanism 180 degrees (backwards) to be able to shift. You can make a simple bracket to hold the cable. Pretty strait forward.

The nice thing about the automatics is that there is no torque steer under WOT.
You might consider a performance torque converter as my son and I have used all the stock ones. You can't spin the tires with a stock converter and the 300HP VIN 9 engine.




Awesome! That is exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you. And yes, I have a performance torque converter already from Precision Industries. It's a smaller diameter, so less rotating mass to get moving, billet cover unit. You can find my build thread in the construction zone, zoom to about 2 or 3 pages from the end to see the latest re-revision.

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:
Many people go manual to avoid the weight of the 4T80, and to eliminate issue of second gear take-offs.



Right... found that while trying to find the answer to my actual question.
Trinten NOV 08, 06:27 PM
The 4T80E I got from Triple Edge did not come with any brackets or cables.

I looked up a 2000 Deville on GM Parts, so they would show me associated parts to the shift cable.

Cable:
https://www.gmpartsgiant.co...ter=()&Location=pd:,

IXSLR8 - are these all the other parts I need?

Transmission Range Selector
https://www.gmpartsgiant.co...bff2066ffd4c49d4327e

Range Selector Lever Cable
https://www.gmpartsgiant.co...60700bb3cf95ef436228

You mentioned something about an electronic mechanism? I can't seem to find that part. Thank you for your help!
sourmash NOV 08, 09:19 PM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

Many people go manual to avoid the weight of the 4T80, and to eliminate issue of second gear take-offs.



Does the standard Y VIN not shift to 1st gear manually with the shifer? Because the 9 VIN has a floor shifter which can manually be set to 1st gear.
Will NOV 10, 06:46 PM

quote
Originally posted by olejoedad:

Many people go manual to avoid the weight of the 4T80, and to eliminate issue of second gear take-offs.



2nd gear start means your PCM is running in "low traction mode" due to lack of input from the antilock/traction control module. This is *NOT* running as intended. You *may* be able to circumvent this by looping the "delivered torque output" signal on the PCM back to the "desired torque input". Some people have had success with that.

[This message has been edited by Will (edited 11-11-2019).]

Trinten NOV 10, 06:58 PM
Hey Will,

Thanks. That's really good info to have for when we program the PCM.

IXSLR8 - I'm looking at different parts suppliers, so far the only "electronic" component I can find for the transmission (that isn't internal) is the neutral safety switch. Is this the part you said had to be spun 180 degrees?

Any other feedback on the parts list to get linkage setup for the 4T80E is appreciated!
sourmash NOV 12, 08:32 AM
Not sure about that DeVille and DHS but the DTS has a TRACTION CONTROL OFF option, if that might make a difference in how the PCM and TCM operate the selection of 1st gear?
olejoedad NOV 12, 08:57 AM

quote
Originally posted by sourmash:

Not sure about that DeVille and DHS but the DTS has a TRACTION CONTROL OFF option, if that might make a difference in how the PCM and TCM operate the selection of 1st gear?



The issue with second gear starts is related to lack of signal from wheel speed sensors to the PCM.