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View Full Version : New GM 6 Speed Auto . . . 6L80E!!



6'9"Witha69
05-13-2005, 02:56 PM
Has anyone seen anything on this? I am behind in my reading and just saw a blurb in the May'05 PHR/CHP/CC mag (can't remember which one). It said it was going to be intruduced in the Caddy STS-V and maybe in some trucks with a TQ capacity of about 520 lb/ft.
This would be great, I could hold onto my 700r4 until I can get my hands on one.:firefire:

Steve Chryssos
05-13-2005, 04:04 PM
Ain't she a beaut?

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/05/x06pt_at005l_001-1.jpg

http://www.automotivearticles.com/2006_Cadillac_STS-V_Transmission.shtml

Here's more:
The aggressive torque curve (of the Notrstar SC STS-V acceleration capable of placing it firmly in the under-5-second-club for 0-to-60 time. The refined shift feel is enabled by careful electronic calibration of both the engine and transmission. During shifts, power is instantaneously lowered, then ramped back up carefully to make gear changes virtually unnoticeable.
The Northstar V-8 SC is mated to the all-new Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission – the first use of GM’s new six-speed automatic. The 6L80 – the only transmission offered on the STS-V – is one of the most technologically advanced automatic transmissions in the industry, using clutch-to-clutch operation and an advanced integrated 32-bit transmission controller to deliver smooth and precise shifts.
The 6L80 also incorporates a host of advanced driving enhancement features, including advanced Performance Algorithm Shifting (PAS) and Driver Shift Control (DSC). PAS lets the electronic transmission controller override the automatic gear selection during closed throttle high lateral acceleration maneuvers, rapidly downshifting with the release of the torque converter clutch for smooth powering up when the throttle is reopened. Driver Shift Control allows the driver to sequentially shift gears manually via the gearshift lever.
The STS-V has been tuned for performance on virtually every road condition and environment including GM’s all-new Milford Road Course facility and the Nordschleiffe (North Course) at Nürburgring.

6'9"Witha69
05-13-2005, 04:28 PM
How long does it normally take the aftermarket to get this stuff?

Jagarang
05-13-2005, 05:17 PM
I would think that they wouldn’t even be close to affordable for quite a while as stand alone units. I'd like to be at the wrecking yard when they roll one in and score the tranny and electronics for peanuts. Hey a guy can fantasize right?

Steve Chryssos
05-13-2005, 06:43 PM
Actually, it is a fully modular unit suitable for a variety of worldwide applications, so GM Hydramatic will be pumping them out like.....well I can't think of a good analogy....They're gonna make a lot of em.

pushrod243
05-14-2005, 02:42 PM
Steve

I want one with your shrifter on it!

Steve Chryssos
05-14-2005, 02:48 PM
Thanks. Yeah, me too. In fact, I will build the entire 65 Riviera project around it--Northstar SC powerplant and all.

my72vette454
05-14-2005, 04:51 PM
Dang and I just scored a couple of 4L80E transmissions for my projects....now I am behind again....lol

Steve1968LS2
05-14-2005, 04:59 PM
I know things but I have been sworn to secrecy.. there is a post about what I am not allowed to say over at Digital Covette though..

68LSS1
05-14-2005, 11:46 PM
Steve's secrets. (http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=36243)

Ralph LoGrasso
05-15-2005, 09:55 AM
Steve's secrets. (http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=36243)


That's been a rumor for a while now. Glad to see it's finally been confirmed. :hail: 6 speed paddle shifted auto :drive1:

Steve1968LS2
05-15-2005, 10:20 AM
That's been a rumor for a while now. Glad to see it's finally been confirmed. :hail: 6 speed paddle shifted auto :drive1:

I can't say anything cause I promised.. :(

BUT..

These people can.. and with pictures too!

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=35776

Ralph LoGrasso
05-15-2005, 08:13 PM
I can't say anything cause I promised.. :(

BUT..

These people can.. and with pictures too!

http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=35776
WOOT. Very cool. I was thinking of doing a paddle shifted 6L80E in Fantom, instead of the 4L80. Hmmm, decisions, decisions.

zbugger
05-15-2005, 08:42 PM
Wow..... Time to start saving again.

protour_chevelle
05-15-2005, 08:50 PM
I don't know... Maybe its just me but I like a tranny that isn't busy all the time trying to find the right gear. 6 speed manual is a totally different story because when you mash it, its not searching for a gear where that manual, cripes.... rolling at 60km/h in 6th(while in driver) and you punch it or just speed up to pass someone your gonna go to 2nd or 3rd. To many changes for me.

Edit: During shifts, power is instantaneously lowered, then ramped back up carefully to make gear changes virtually unnoticeable. uhhhh, cool torque management. Weak sauce. I'd delete that in a hurry.

Ohwell, call me weird.

-Matt

CarlC
05-17-2005, 10:07 AM
The SC CST-V with a T-56 is superb. With me driving and two others aboard it flat out hauled the bacon on the 1/4 mile.

The new trans? It's a joint Ford-GM project. Don't ask me how I know.

CAMAROBOY69
05-17-2005, 10:12 AM
Now that would be awesome for my 67 Fastback project coming up within the next 5 years. Oh I mean my girlfriends 67 Fastback project. :evil:

MoeBawlz
06-14-2005, 05:59 PM
isnt this new tranny suppose to be considerably larger than the 4L80E? which would mean probably some trans tunnel clearancing... but it would be one MEAN tranny to have...

JL8Jeff
06-15-2005, 05:33 AM
The SC CST-V with a T-56 is superb. With me driving and two others aboard it flat out hauled the bacon on the 1/4 mile.

The new trans? It's a joint Ford-GM project. Don't ask me how I know.

I heard the joint Ford-GM rumor as well. But I'm getting way behind the curve here since my JL8 car still isn't done so I have no money to play around with any type of pro-touring car.

Steve Chryssos
06-15-2005, 06:57 AM
isnt this new tranny suppose to be considerably larger than the 4L80E? which would mean probably some trans tunnel clearancing... but it would be one MEAN tranny to have... One could expect it to be larger. Otherwise the additional components must be made smaller (read: weaker) to fit. But you never know. This really is a whole new generation of transmission.

RPM Dragracing
06-21-2005, 08:32 PM
Being I've spent a good part of my life working on and modifying transmissions I feel I can say this with some very good certainty. This new 6 speed is definitely based on or built in conjuction with Borg-Warner of Europe. All the elements of the B-W staples that you'll find in almost any year Mercedes/BMW and some Volvo's are all there. The dead giveaway's are the 3 bolt yoke, the torque converter backing plate, the base rail around the pan and most important is the limited view of the integral solenoid pack thats appears to be a separate and secondary valve body unto itself (closely macthing current B-W's). What does this all mean, well after owning transmission franchises for almost 17 years now before I went onto racing full time, less than 1% of my business was around any Borg-Warner units, they are a great design and they just take a beating. I would even venture to say that when it comes to this trans the days of shift kits and big servo's are done, other than racing clutches and high stall torque converters all performance enhancements would be made through programming. I cant wait to see what the aftermarket comes up with on a stand alone controller for this monster.

BAD6SPD
06-28-2005, 12:31 PM
Keep in mind that the 6L80 is a Clutch to Clutch transmission, and not a step gear free-wheeler like a 4L80E...It is FAR more difficult to calibrate, as you have to control the oncoming and offgoing clutches, and timing is critical. The 6L80 is smaller than 4L80, due to the C2C design, which results in smaller components, but does have a lot more solenoids for pressure control....I am fortunate enough to have spent alot of time with the 6L80 in a variety of applications, and it is awesome.....

Steve Chryssos
06-28-2005, 12:58 PM
Do you have one--maybe--lying around that you were thinking about kicking to the curb?

deadcarny
06-28-2005, 04:03 PM
is this the AAllison 6 speed? If it is, I believe it is a very large tranny (comparitively). My dad works at GM and was telling me about a truck they have there with the ALLISON AND HE SAID IT WAS SWEET.

BAD6SPD
06-28-2005, 05:33 PM
No, not Allison, this is pure GM Powertrain.....

Steve, I have been trying to talk the powers that be into using my car as a testbed for aftermarket development...not much success...lol...

Fuelie Fan
06-28-2005, 07:00 PM
Keep in mind that the 6L80 is a Clutch to Clutch transmission, and not a step gear free-wheeler like a 4L80E...It is FAR more difficult to calibrate, as you have to control the oncoming and offgoing clutches, and timing is critical.


I was afraid of that. I've been reading a lot about that in sae docs, a lot of the japanese autos went to them a number of years ago to reduce the size of their transaxles. Definitely more complicated from a controller standpoint

protour_chevelle
06-28-2005, 09:28 PM
One could expect it to be larger. Otherwise the additional components must be made smaller (read: weaker) to fit. But you never know. This really is a whole new generation of transmission.

Cripes, I'd hate to see how much bigger it is. The 4l80e was a tight fit and required enough tunnel mods!

Its also going in the 06 Vette, Paddle shifter, with auto option.

Heres a few pics of the Vettes paddle type shifter.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/06/C1-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/06/C2-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/06/C3-1.jpg
https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2005/06/C4-1.jpg

http://v-series.com/home/content/view/21/31/

-Matt

BAD6SPD
06-29-2005, 11:47 AM
Again, the 6L80E is SMALLER than a 4L80E.....

Diognes56
10-09-2005, 08:04 PM
I love these trannies. Any idea when they are going to start selling "crate" versions?

David

Steve Chryssos
10-11-2005, 11:59 AM
They may not ever offer generic crate versions. The commputer logic in these transmissions is vehicle specific. So if you pull a perfectly good 6L80E transmission from an LS2 Corvette and put it behind an engine with different output and in a car with diffferent dimentsions, that vehicle specific computer could get confused and cause the transmission to fail.

Until someone figures out how to make easy-to-use software that will calibrate the transmission to your application, don't hold your breath.

Currently available aftermarket transmission controllers are only capable of processing a limited number of input and output variables. The PCS (http://transmissioncontroller.com) controller is the most sophisticated with user definable control over six basic output drivers including basic PWM, shift and accumulator solenoids. But the 6L80E is way more complex. If anyone can figure it out, these guys can.

I'm not trying to bring you down. No one wants a 6L80E more than me. But I think it will be a long while.

Diognes56
10-11-2005, 01:49 PM
That is ok because I am sure it will be quite some time before I would be able to afford one ;) . When they do figure out the programing necessary to do crate versions and/or swaps (since I probably wouldn't be able to afford a crate version) I hope there will be a Shrifter for it :D .

David

Steve Chryssos
10-12-2005, 05:28 AM
....I hope there will be a Shrifter for it :D .
David

Me too. I don't see why not. The Shrifter is essentially a fancy electric switch, so it should work fine.