2017 Tahoe Trans rebuild advice?

[NickTransmissions]

Very few that I would trust. Why take the risk when you can buy a new one from GM for $3400? with a warranty. Seems like an easy decision to me. But if you need a performance 6L80 these guys are the best. Always in Texas...LOL And they tell you what you get. For stock engine, this build is bullet proof.....$3800 rated to 550rwhp, 12 months warranty 12K miles as long as you don't exceed 800 rwhp. LOL, Like anyone on this site has ever come close to 800. And if you are making that kind of power, you already know about these guys.

6L80 Level 2 Performance Transmission Rebuild - 5 Star Shop in TX

CDT Level 2 6L80 bench rebuild includes labor & all parts itemized. Ready to ship transmission back in 3-5 business days! 5-Star Houston transmission shop.

www.circledtrans.com

You must have had some bad experiences in the past with an independent shop; if so, I understand - I have too, which is why I taught myself how to rebuild transmissions. There's plenty of shady shops but also much more who are competent, knowledgable and honest. If you have had no such first hand experiences, I'd love to know the basis for your opinions about our trade.

I am an independent shop, one of the many that aren't "trustworthy" according to you....And no transmission is 'bulletproof', lol - I love how folks parrot that stupid term force-fed to them by marketing departments as it if were gospel. I'm sure Circle D builds a great 6L, they appear to build them like I do (I always replace the TEHCMs with either OEM or Sonnax; not sure if that's a practice with them or not). But there are other shops all across the planet who are knowledgable and trustworthy, including me.

Also, have you taken a census of every member's engine power output? I can tell you from first hand interactions with folks on here that it's flat out wrong and laughable (LOL).
Got news for you: there's several making that much power and more; I know this because they've come to me for assistance/advice about beefing up their transmissions to handle it.

There's no outsized or unusual risk if you do your homework as an informed consumer, ask the right questions and confirm to your satisfaction that the shop is well-versed in a given platform or transmission family, assuming the price is what you're willing to pay.

To say that nearly all independent shops are not trustworthy is ignorant at best. I realize it's only one person's opinion but it paints our entire industry in a really bad light and makes a generalization that isn't remotely close to reality.

However, anyone reading your comments, who doesn't know any better may actually believe them.
Hence the push-back on my part.

 

[fasteddy]

You must have had some bad experiences in the past with an independent shop; if so, I understand - I have too, which is why I taught myself how to rebuild transmissions. There's plenty of shady shops but also much more who are competent, knowledgable and honest. If you have had no such first hand experiences, I'd love to know the basis for your opinions about our trade.

I am an independent shop, one of the many that aren't "trustworthy" according to you....And no transmission is 'bulletproof', lol - I love how folks parrot that stupid term force-fed to them by marketing departments as it if were gospel. I'm sure Circle D builds a great 6L, they appear to build them like I do (I always replace the TEHCMs with either OEM or Sonnax; not sure if that's a practice with them or not). But there are other shops all across the planet who are knowledgable and trustworthy, including me.

Also, have you taken a census of every member's engine power output? I can tell you from first hand interactions with folks on here that it's flat out wrong and laughable (LOL).
Got news for you: there's several making that much power and more; I know this because they've come to me for assistance/advice about beefing up their transmissions to handle it.

There's no outsized or unusual risk if you do your homework as an informed consumer, ask the right questions and confirm to your satisfaction that the shop is well-versed in a given platform or transmission family, assuming the price is what you're willing to pay.

To say that nearly all independent shops are not trustworthy is ignorant at best. I realize it's only one person's opinion but it paints our entire industry in a really bad light and makes a generalization that isn't remotely close to reality.

However, anyone reading your comments, who doesn't know any better may actually believe them.
Hence the push-back on my part.

OK.....welcome the push back.
I didn't say all shops, I said very few. And that's because rebuilding a 6,8 or 10 speed transmission IS a very specialized skill.
And I KNOW that NOBODY on this site is pushing > 800hp with an L86 engine because the direct injection fuel system of the LT1/L86 constrains the engine to 750hp max. The only way to go higher is to swap the intake, add secondary injectors and pump(s) and another computer. I race c7+ vettes, so I know what it takes to make power on the LT1 platform. That fuel mod is about $8k-$10K. But maybe LT engines aren't your area of expertise.

Gee bro, the OP got a quote for $7500. Don't you think that is total robbery?

So if you are a shop (aka ?), please share with us a fixed price for:
1. R&R a 2WD and 4WD transmission from a 15-20 Tahoe/Yukon/Esc (R&R means remove and replace)
2. Stock rebuild of a 6L80e (for comparison to a NEW GM trans at $3400). ? is why rebuild when I can buy new?
3. Performance rebuild of a 6L80e like circle D, rated to 550WHP. (to compare against Circle D's price of $3800).

And by all means, post the name and location of your shop so we can patronize same.
And post a picture of your lift(s). If you do trannys then you have a lift right?

My escalade which I use as a tow vehicle has 90K miles and I may need a transmission soon. I have no issues driving to Vegas for good work. Already do it
I have work done at Insane Horsepower in Henderson. Do you know those guys?

 

[NickTransmissions]

OK.....welcome the push back.
I didn't say all shops, I said very few. And that's because rebuilding a 6,8 or 10 speed transmission IS a very specialized skill.
And I KNOW that NOBODY on this site is pushing > 800hp with an L86 engine because the direct injection fuel system of the LT1/L86 constrains the engine to 750hp max. The only way to go higher is to swap the intake, add secondary injectors and pump(s) and another computer. I race c7+ vettes, so I know what it takes to make power on the LT1 platform. That fuel mod is about $8k-$10K. But maybe LT engines aren't your area of expertise.

You said very few, which implies a tiny percentage of shops to any reasonable person, including me. And you never mentioned anything about how to get to 800 RWHP, you just made a blanket statement about folks' vehicles on her which I can refute, AS STATED. Not sure what you don't understand but, not my concern at this point.

Also, couldn't possibly care less about what you race or how often or how much horsepower you're making - has ZERO to do with anything related to my argument or this thread.

So if you are a shop (aka ?), please share with us a fixed price for:
1. R&R a 2WD and 4WD transmission from a 15-20 Tahoe/Yukon/Esc (R&R means remove and replace)
2. Stock rebuild of a 6L80e (for comparison to a NEW GM trans at $3400). ? is why rebuild when I can buy new?
3. Performance rebuild of a 6L80e like circle D, rated to 550WHP. (to compare against Circle D's price of $3800).

I know what R&R means, JFC
My work is 100% bench builds, I don't do R&R - I don't need lifts.

I also don't quote prices on forums, nor am I obligated to do so.
Prices get quoted over the phone with the prospective customer.

No comment on the $7,500.00 OP paid since I don't know that market, can't speak to what is the norm or an outlier in the OP's area nor do I know what sort of rebuild he was going to be receiving for that amount of money. Context matters, don't ya think?

Besides, who is forcing anyone to spend anything on a transmission or anything else for that matter??? Smart consumers shop around and decide what to do and who to use on a best-value basis. This isn't Soviet Russia or NorKorea where companies are subject to price ceilings.

Do you believe Circle D is manufacturing every single part in every one of those transmissions? Really? If so, I have lots of bridges and tunnels to sell you at a huge discount.

Circle D is REBUILDING their transmissions, just like every other shop out there, large and small...Many parts are new and made by other companies (soft and some hard parts, depending on build level) but they're not remanufacturing parts like GM...General Motors is the only actual transmission manufacturer on the planet for General Motors 6L transmissions. Everyone else (unless they are casting brand new cases, valve bodies, gears, shafts, etc 100% brand new soft, hard and electronic/electric parts without exception) are simply installing parts made by others and building the transmission using those parts. Some of the big players, perhaps like Cir-D, make their own upgraded billet, heat treated, forged or otherwise upgraded internals for the transmissions they sell. Apart from individual parts, they are rebuilding on a case, valve body, etc that General Motors had already produced.

Circle D is no different than Jake's Performance, CK Performance, Suncoast, Gearstar and numerous other transmission shops or companies out there in this respect. Those firms have the capital and resources to have developed their own performance components to use in place of factory and/or commonly available aftermarket equivalents to set themselves apart in the market. Most of the rest of us purchase parts from them as well as GM, Transtar and countless others and have our own machinists (or ourselves, in some cases) remachine/turn/recondition parts where applicable to ensure a given transmission build is fit for purpose and lasts.

Are you referring to this Insane Power?

If so, they appear to have gone out of business...The above video mentions allegations of fraud, abuse, customers left without deposits (don't know if any of that is true, haven't looked into it)...If that's who you're referring to, not a good look for you, at first glance.

If that's not the company you mean, reply with a link to their website, Facebook or Google listing as I've never heard of them. Besides, I don't build engines other than for my own vehicles so am not going to hear of every machine shop in the city.

To summarize, you have:
> Failed to actually address or refute anything to do with my points (semantics, aside)
> Offered a bunch of non sequiturs in your response (Corvette racing, lifts, machine shop references)
> Made demands that I hope you aren't holding your breath on being met (you'll drop dead long before I even think about meeting them)
> ETA: Demonstrated how little you know about the basics of macroeconomics, supply and demand
> Repped a (maybe) defunct machine shop in Henderson, NV engaged in fraud/shady behavior (maybe - if it's the same shop)
> Allowed the main point I was making to fly right over your head or under your nose

LOL, great stuff

 

[gtrslngrchris]

That looks cool. Any documented references on that conversion. Everybody makes YouTube videos on successful swaps, right?. Any links for show and tell. And their kit is $3K? So I need a 10speed trans and the kit?

The facebook page for Powertrain Swap Solutions has some posted and you can find some references on Custom ECM as well. I don't speak for them, I just happen to be friends with my old IT Director from multiple jobs ago and he now does this for a living. I was dropping off his engine hoist last week and got to see the "new" GTO they are going to be converting and documenting very soon.

 

[fasteddy]

You said very few, which implies a tiny percentage of shops to any reasonable person, including me. And you never mentioned anything about how to get to 800 RWHP, you just made a blanket statement about folks' vehicles on her which I can refute, AS STATED. Not sure what you don't understand but, not my concern at this point.

Also, couldn't possibly care less about what you race or how often or how much horsepower you're making - has ZERO to do with anything related to my argument or this thread.

I know what R&R means, JFC
My work is 100% bench builds, I don't do R&R - I don't need lifts.

I also don't quote prices on forums, nor am I obligated to do so.
Prices get quoted over the phone with the prospective customer.

No comment on the $7,500.00 OP paid since I don't know that market, can't speak to what is the norm or an outlier in the OP's area nor do I know what sort of rebuild he was going to be receiving for that amount of money. Context matters, don't ya think?

Besides, who is forcing anyone to spend anything on a transmission or anything else for that matter??? Smart consumers shop around and decide what to do and who to use on a best-value basis. This isn't Soviet Russia or NorKorea where companies are subject to price ceilings.

Do you believe Circle D is manufacturing every single part in every one of those transmissions? Really? If so, I have lots of bridges and tunnels to sell you at a huge discount.

Circle D is REBUILDING their transmissions, just like every other shop out there, large and small...Many parts are new and made by other companies (soft and some hard parts, depending on build level) but they're not remanufacturing parts like GM...General Motors is the only actual transmission manufacturer on the planet for General Motors 6L transmissions. Everyone else (unless they are casting brand new cases, valve bodies, gears, shafts, etc 100% brand new soft, hard and electronic/electric parts without exception) are simply installing parts made by others and building the transmission using those parts. Some of the big players, perhaps like Cir-D, make their own upgraded billet, heat treated, forged or otherwise upgraded internals for the transmissions they sell. Apart from individual parts, they are rebuilding on a case, valve body, etc that General Motors had already produced.

Circle D is no different than Jake's Performance, CK Performance, Suncoast, Gearstar and numerous other transmission shops or companies out there in this respect. Those firms have the capital and resources to have developed their own performance components to use in place of factory and/or commonly available aftermarket equivalents to set themselves apart in the market. Most of the rest of us purchase parts from them as well as GM, Transtar and countless others and have our own machinists (or ourselves, in some cases) remachine/turn/recondition parts where applicable to ensure a given transmission build is fit for purpose and lasts.

Are you referring to this Insane Power?

If so, they appear to have gone out of business...The above video mentions allegations of fraud, abuse, customers left without deposits (don't know if any of that is true, haven't looked into it)...If that's who you're referring to, not a good look for you, at first glance.

If that's not the company you mean, reply with a link to their website, Facebook or Google listing as I've never heard of them. Besides, I don't build engines other than for my own vehicles so am not going to hear of every machine shop in the city.

To summarize, you have:
> Failed to actually address or refute anything to do with my points (semantics, aside)
> Offered a bunch of non sequiturs in your response (Corvette racing, lifts, machine shop references)
> Made demands that I hope you aren't holding your breath on being met (you'll drop dead long before I even think about meeting them)
> ETA: Demonstrated how little you know about the basics of macroeconomics, supply and demand
> Repped a (maybe) defunct machine shop in Henderson, NV engaged in fraud/shady behavior (maybe - if it's the same shop)
> Allowed the main point I was making to fly right over your head or under your nose

LOL, great stuff

OK.....
Then without quoting prices, how many 6L80s have you rebuilt?
And how many hours does it take to rebuilt one?
And what is your warranty?
Do you dyno those trannys before you deliver?
Always a huge risk buying from a small indy who doesn't R&R because it doesn't really have to work, right?
Like if it doesn't work, then I have pull it again. Then you try again then I install again and rinse, repeat.
And you do this work out of a commercial shop or out of your garage?
All easy questions for someone in the transmission business.

You seem really argumentative as opposed to customer oriented. A questionable quality for a service oriented business.

I don't know about the business you supplied the link for, but they built this for me in one of my race cars. Ever seen a reverse mounted Fast HR? And power to the wheels through a Quaife sequential LSD.

 

[17 Yukon Denali]

My **** is bigger!!!

 

[Pilot]

FYI I just ordered a 10 speed swap kit for my 2015 Tahoe LTZ from Powertrain Swap Solutions. Tracking that on a thread here https://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/thr...ght-on-a-10-speed-transmission-upgrade.149343

 

[Eighthtry]

It's been an interesting read on these threads. I had a 2011 Yukon Denali XL I ordered new. I just sold it two months ago with 203,000 miles on it.

6.2 I never deactivated the V4-V8. Amsoil signature oil at 10,000 miles and filters at 5,000 miles. Used zero oil at time of sale.

6 speed worked perfectly with one service at 100,000 miles. Just like it was new.

I never replaced a part under the hood except for plugs and a couple of broken driver side exhaust manifold bolts at 100,000 miles . I did put a new gasket on the all wheel drive unit. I did major fluids, belts, hoses service at 100,000 miles. I did upgrade the front sway bar and added a rear sway bar. Those MagnaRides on the 2011 were amazing shocks. Mine also had the MagnaRide air rear leveling option. I did have to replace the compressor at around 150,000 miles, but that was an easy 3 or 4 bolts and a plug. Still rode beautifully.

This was primarily a DFW Metroplex car, so it was up to operating temperature most of its life, much in 100 degree weather. It did take several long road trips (3,000 to 5,000 miles). It was driven by a little old lady the entire time (now 72 and driving a loaded up 2023 Denali XL).

On last road trip to San Diego with about 195,000 miles I had it up to 95 mph passing about 6 cars, redlining 3rd to 6th. I think it is regulated at 105, but the memory fails. Whatever it was I hit it a couple of times.

I had MagnaRides on my 2010 CTS V. I did replace both rears twice for leaking. Those shocks were adjustable from inside the car, but another vehicle that went about 208,000 miles with no underhood or other problems except those rear shocks.

I had similar experiences on my '85 and '00 Suburbans, the only difference being on the '85 I had to replace the engine at 275,000 because the water pump went out and she never caught it. It destroyed that engine.

I'm trying to figure out why everyone deactivates V4-V8 on these engines. I can't imagine it did anything to help gas mileage or reduce the life of the engine.

Why some seem to have transmission problems. I had 700-R4's in the Suburbans and had no problems with them either.

Are these problems brought about by the way the cars are used/driven?

I can't imagine why my experiences are much different than others in high mileage situations.

By the way, I put premium fuel in the 2011 for the first time on the San Diego trip. I was shocked at the additional power. I had no idea. That 6.2 is a great engine. It took full advantage beginning about 2,500 RPM of a cam that GM must have had ground specifically to fit the 6.2

I can recommend the 2023 Denali for the performance and additional ride comfort (AirRide) and sound insulation, but obviously not for the high mileage yet.