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6-SPEED TRANS

T

TOMHONE

New Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2008
Messages
2
WHEN is GM going to offer the new 6-speed transmission  on the Avalanche?
 
ms38w said:
I doubt they will.? You could always do a swap if you want one.? Lord Aries has one and ones being installed in mine.
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I think he's talking about the 6L70E auto. They have limited production so it's going into the "premium" trucks only right now. That's about the only thing that would make me consider trading up from my '02.
 
Still trying to see why peeps think the 6 speeds is better then the 4 we have now
 
ygmn said:
Still trying to see why peeps think the 6 speeds is better then the 4 we have now
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Lower 1st gear ratio and double overdrive; therefore better driveability and better gas mileage with 4.10's.
 
It may be the 2009 model year, but I haven't heard the latest.

As said before, due to basic capacity, they limited it to only certain models so far, but it will effectively replace the 4L60E across the board soon.  Other GM vehicles with the same delayed phase-in (such as a few FWD models) are getting the 6-speed across the board for '09, so we'll see if it holds true for the trucks yet or not.  This will be model year #3, and has been known and talked about since the start, so it can't be much longer.

A year and a half ago, when I was able to attend a talk given by the head of GM powertrain, one of his discussions was how they would have their 6-speeds across every line within 2-3 years of then.  So, at this point, a large amount of the "remnants" should definitely be well on their way with the phase in plan.
 
MyBigToy said:
Lower 1st gear ratio and double overdrive; therefore better driveability and better gas mileage with 4.10's.
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doubt better mileage.... as at cruising speeds engine seems to be in the best MPG rpm range

first gear is low enough for me now...
 
Thanks for your response. I've read where the new 6-speeds averages about 1 more MPG. Not much but an improvement over the life of the truck.
 
I'm with you guys on the need for a 6-speed.  Toyota has seen the need in the Tundra and it works extremely well.  It would be a HUGE improvement over the present tranny.  Depending on the gear ratios selected, it would be better for towing from a dead stop, better for entering a freeway ramp from 35 to 60MPH especially while towing, better economy, less intrusive down-shifting, on and on....

Let's face it, there are more vehicles today offering more gears, so there's got to be a reason and Chevy will have to answer the call.
 
MyBigToy said:
I think he's talking about the 6L70E auto. They have limited production so it's going into the "premium" trucks only right now. That's about the only thing that would make me consider trading up from my '02.
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I thought the Avalanche was a "premium" truck! :E:


 
Yes they are, it comes with the 6.2 L and 6 speed auto.
 
I'm sure you could special order a new Av with the 6 speed.  Any dealer that tells you otherwise isn't worth the time to ask.  A local dealer told me you couldn't get a new 1500 Silverado with the 6.0L, but wouldn't you know it...there was one on his lot.  When I pointed it out to him he told me someone must have special ordered it and then didn't want it when it came in.  Why couldn't you special order a tranny? :rolleyes:

 
ms38w said:
I'm sure you could special order a new Av with the 6 speed.  Any dealer that tells you otherwise isn't worth the time to ask.  A local dealer told me you couldn't get a new 1500 Silverado with the 6.0L, but wouldn't you know it...there was one on his lot.  When I pointed it out to him he told me someone must have special ordered it and then didn't want it when it came in.  Why couldn't you special order a tranny? :rolleyes:
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No...you can't "special order" a feature that is NOT offered.  Same with colors, etc.  Unless you're buying a Bentley (and even not then, to most regard), if it isn't actually offered, you can't get it "special" because the system doesn't work that way.  What you're talking about, such as with the Silverado, is just a regular order in general...and yes, the 6.0L was a Silverado 1500 option last gen and this gen.  Nothing special, it's just right on the list, and someone checked that box when they placed the order.

The 6-speed will be coming across the line, but again, no firm date when.  Venture to say 2009 for most of the trucks, but we'll see.
 
Maybe some of the owners having swapped to 6 speed tranny can post the difference before and after? If we are talking about it its just theory. But practice is different sometimes.

Lord Aries and maybe some others:
Is it really better with the 6 speed?  Is there a difference in mileage?

Schelbi.
 
Schelbi said:
Maybe some of the owners having swapped to 6 speed tranny can post the difference before and after? If we are talking about it its just theory. But practice is different sometimes.

Lord Aries and maybe some others:
Is it really better with the 6 speed?  Is there a difference in mileage?

Schelbi.
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There's no swap...unless people have simply traded to new HD Silverado/Sierras or Denali trucks or SUV's.

As shown in those vehicles, though, there's just a wider spread of shorter gears to pick from, which always helps.  The transmission mated to 5.3L's and the rest of the line should be done shortly, but for now is still certain 6.0L models and all 6.2L models.
 
I think some clarification is needed...... if we are talking auto 6 speed or manuel?

LA put a manuel 6 speed in his AV (y) But I think others in this thread are refering to an auto 6 speed......correct me if I am wrong?
 
GreatWhite496 said:
I think some clarification is needed...... if we are talking auto 6 speed or manuel?

LA put a manuel 6 speed in his AV (y) But I think others in this thread are refering to an auto 6 speed......correct me if I am wrong?
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You are correct.  The whole discussion started out as a 6-speed auto and when Chevy would offer it on the AV.  Somehow, the Denali/Escalade 6-auto and LA's stick-shift came into the discussion.

I want a 6-speed Auto with granny gear and 2 ODs...... :love:
 
OK, I gotta throw my .02 in here.
The Yukon Denali & Caddy already have the 6 spd, but they are also using 3.42 gears. I test drove the Caddy before I bought my Av last summer, and I have to say, unless you're driving on flat pavement all the time, you're gonna be switching gears far too often. Also, if you're wanting the higher output engine (6.0/6.2L), it's usually to do some pulling. That would definitely call for a 4.1 gear ratio, not the 3.42. The lower first gear is nice, but I don't think you'd really be able to gain any advantages just because there are 2 OD's vs 1.
IMO, the Av is better geared for work, with some luxury, whereas the other 2 mentioned are geared for pure luxury, and are capable of very light duty.
Feel free to tell me where to put it if I'm wrong  :beating:

Brad
 
BJL630....I don't think you are altogether wrong as your AV needs are different than mine.  My desire to have a 6 speed is to have better power and torque on the road particularly when towing.  You don't necessarily need more cubic inches to do that if you have more and better ratio gears.  By comparison, an 18-wheeler would need 2,000 CI to tow 80,000 GVW if it were not for a bunch of forward gears and electrica rear gear.  Current 4-speed solution is minimal in my case.  First, with a lower 1st....getting rolling from a dead stop will be much better.  I've said it before and I'll say it again.  The AV is a DOG off the line with a 5.3 and 3.73.  It's my 2nd AV with that set up and towing with the present 4-speed is minmal.  Always down shifting to the radically different gears, high RPMs before shifting up, etc.  Having a better spread in the intermediate gears will help the upshift on entering freeway ramps with or without towing and the downshift in city traffic.  Right now, I inevitably have to put my foot down to get adequate acceleration to blend in with freeway traffic speeds.  I just have to push harder while towing.  I live in DFW where getting into traffic is an issue.  That may not be your case.  Finally, I think 2 ODs is better than one.  The lower for towing so you don't lug the engine and tranny in the high OD yet avoid turning 3000 RPMs at 65-70 MPH in 3rd as in the current 4-speed tranny.  With the 6 speed (high OD), you can still run all day at 70-80 towing at lower RPMs.  And....probably better MPGs.

My general assessment is the present 4-speed is just-ok for daily driving.....but not for towing.  By comparative analysis.....can you imagine an 18 wheeler with just  6-8 gears?  They would never get rolling.  And notice....current tranny design trends these days are moving to more forward gears.... Eg: Caddy, Denalli, Tundra, etc.  Must be a reason and I'm all for it.

BTW...I grew up with the "PG Hydro" (Chevy's 2-speed automatic) on the opposite end of this example.....you don't want to go there....more gears is mo' better!
 
Rocky07 said:
BTW...I grew up with the "PG Hydro" (Chevy's 2-speed automatic) on the opposite end of this example.....you don't want to go there....
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Boy, are you right about that that one! (y)

I'm happier with my 4L60E with the 4:10 rear than I thought I would be. I was originally quite disappointed when GM didn't offer the 6-spd in the '08 Avs and even considered waiting a year. My eventual compromise was insisting on the 4:10 gears. Turns out that that combination works well for me. I currently do very little towing.

If GM sets up the 6-spd in their trucks anywhere near like they do in their big crossovers like the Acadia I actually don't think I'd want it. Limited ability for manual gear selection and annoying(!) shift patterns biased heavily toward fuel economy. And the high final drive ratio eliminates all the potential low end gain. I've driven a decent sample of these things as rental vehicles and been very disappointed in their performance.

I know it's different, a transaxle, and that GM couldn't possibly be stupid enough to actually set up a truck this way, but "better the devil you know.........". After all, look at the '07 windshield wipers.





 
Rocky07 said:
BJL630....I don't think you are altogether wrong as your AV needs are different than mine.? My desire to have a 6 speed is to have better power and torque on the road particularly when towing.? You don't necessarily need more cubic inches to do that if you have more and better ratio gears.? By comparison, an 18-wheeler would need 2,000 CI to tow 80,000 GVW if it were not for a bunch of forward gears and electrica rear gear.? ?Current 4-speed solution is minimal in my case.? First, with a lower 1st....getting rolling from a dead stop will be much better.? I've said it before and I'll say it again.? The AV is a DOG off the line with a 5.3 and 3.73.? It's my 2nd AV with that set up and towing with the present 4-speed is minmal.? Always down shifting to the radically different gears, high RPMs before shifting up, etc.? Having a better spread in the intermediate gears will help the upshift on entering freeway ramps with or without towing and the downshift in city traffic.? Right now, I inevitably have to put my foot down to get adequate acceleration to blend in with freeway traffic speeds.? I just have to push harder while towing.? I live in DFW where getting into traffic is an issue.? That may not be your case.? Finally, I think 2 ODs is better than one.? The lower for towing so you don't lug the engine and tranny in the high OD yet avoid turning 3000 RPMs at 65-70 MPH in 3rd as in the current 4-speed tranny.? ?With the 6 speed (high OD), you can still run all day at 70-80 towing at lower RPMs.? And....probably better MPGs.

My general assessment is the present 4-speed is just-ok for daily driving.....but not for towing.? By comparative analysis.....can you imagine an 18 wheeler with just? 6-8 gears?? They would never get rolling.? And notice....current tranny design trends these days are moving to more forward gears.... Eg: Caddy, Denalli, Tundra, etc.? Must be a reason and I'm all for it.

BTW...I grew up with the "PG Hydro" (Chevy's 2-speed automatic) on the opposite end of this example.....you don't want to go there....more gears is mo' better!
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I agree with everything you said...my hangup is that GM isn't offering the 3.73 or 4.1 gear ratio with the 6L/6sp setup. Like I said, the Yukon Denali & EXT have 3.42 gears. Here's where I'm not exactly sure, but wouldn't it be better for towing purposes with the higher gears? I know the 3.42 is great for mpg, but don't you sacrifice torque & power with them vs the 4.10s?
 
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