Bentley Turbo R auto-box service parts

[RB CV8]

I intend to have a fluid and filter change on the gearbox of my 1996 Turbo R. I thought I would see what options I have in terms of the filter and sump gasket as the cost from the specialists seemed a little high given that it is a US GM gearbox that, if I am correct, is used on a number of hefty Chevrolets, the Hummer and Cadillac Escalade.

As Xtriple129 has stated on another thread, a Bentley label does add a fair few shillings to the price tags of relatively common parts.

There are suppliers in the US that can supply what appear to be the correct bits for absolute peanuts in comparison with the UK RR/Bentley specialists. Interestingly, one of them, a GM parts specialist, even shows the same photo's on their website as a well-known UK firm. I have only found one so far that shows a "Rolls-Royce" listing, most listings being under the transmission type. There seem to be a few firms over here that list the right bits at fairly reasonable cost too.

Before I buy any parts from anyone, I thought I'd ask on here whether any fellow owners have purchased similar items and if they have any particular recommendations, either in the UK or over the pond.

Many thanks.

[V8 FOU]

Look for 4L-80E. That is the 'box type. Pretty well the same as all the GM fitments.

[Xtriple129]

Yes indeed, anything that says 'Bentley Crewe' or comes from the specialist suppliers costs the same as the gross national product of several small African nations. I am sick of it! I had my gearbox 'done' when it had its BIG service but I was used to just spending and spending at that point, I just let them use the 'genuine' stuff. A tiny bit of research shows I could have saved rather a lot, but it was easier than having the argument with the specialist about fitting non genuine parts.

There are parts available for your/our cars gearboxes that are 'genuine' GM stuff and it costs peanuts compared to the Bentley stuff.

[matt5791]

Just something to watch out with - you probably can use parts from a stock GM box, but just double check first because whilst yes it is a GM box, it isn't a stock GM 4L80-E just dropped into the Bentley. It is incredibly refined in the Bentley and this was as a result of a million miles of exhaustive testing by Rolls and resulted in modifications to the bell housing, amongst other things I would imagine.

If you ask Flying Spares for a best price, you'll probably get filter and gasket for in the region of £100 delivered.

Edited by matt5791 on Monday 23 January 06:50

[RB CV8]

Whether or not the Bentley 'box is 100% as it comes out of the crate from GM I cannot say, though I'd suspect any changes are more likely to be to the electronics than the hardware. The relatively reasonable cost of a complete replacement gearbox does not suggest much Bentley input!

I am confident that the filter is a standard Delco item and available for pennies. I have not found a gasket under the part number that I would expect having looked at the FS website, but I don't think that will be an issue either.

I'm happy to report back on what I opt to do once the beast is out of hibernation.

[matt5791]

RB CV8 said:

Whether or not the Bentley 'box is 100% as it comes out of the crate from GM I cannot say, though I'd suspect any changes are more likely to be to the electronics than the hardware.

Although the core design is the same as any other 4L80-E, it definitely has many differences - sure, the electronics is one, but, significantly, the casing is different and has a number of ribs to strengthen it around the bellhousing and this, apparently, also contributes to additional refinement RR was looking for. There really was quite a bit of engineering input into the RR version of the box.

But you probably are correct in that something like the filter can be had for a few £ only and it will perform as it should.