Rebuilt 6l80 Fluid Question

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Plimbob

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2014
Posts
355
Reaction score
218
Location
Des Moines Iowa
The summary - I had a local shop rebuild my 6l80 and it now has about 12k on the rebuild. After warming up it tends to shift harder from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. However, it is more pronounced up and down between 1st and 2nd. It has done this pretty much from the start, they tell me it is because of the new valves, etc makes the trans shift firmer.

My question, they put in BG trans fluid. I have read on this board and others that the trans shift process is better when the low friction AC Delco fluid is used. I am contemplating having it flushed and have the AC Delco fluid put in to see if it smooths out the shifting.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks
Tim
 

NickTransmissions

Sin City
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2023
Posts
1,110
Reaction score
2,690
Location
The transmission bench
The summary - I had a local shop rebuild my 6l80 and it now has about 12k on the rebuild. After warming up it tends to shift harder from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. However, it is more pronounced up and down between 1st and 2nd. It has done this pretty much from the start, they tell me it is because of the new valves, etc makes the trans shift firmer.

My question, they put in BG trans fluid. I have read on this board and others that the trans shift process is better when the low friction AC Delco fluid is used. I am contemplating having it flushed and have the AC Delco fluid put in to see if it smooths out the shifting.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks
Tim
What specific valves did they say were installed that made it shift harder?

Also what is "BG" fluid? Dex6 should have been used.
 

tom3

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 15, 2019
Posts
1,090
Reaction score
1,707
I'd get in touch with the rebuilder and ask what they recommend. Sometimes a firm shift is desired to reduce wear. That Dexron VI is a really thin fluid and I wonder if that might be causing some of the failures on the newer trannys.
 

NickTransmissions

Sin City
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 9, 2023
Posts
1,110
Reaction score
2,690
Location
The transmission bench
Sometimes a firm shift is desired to reduce wear.
True to an extent but you dont shift-calibrate these transmissions mechanically like the old two, three and four speeds.

All the calibration work is done via tuning, usually with HP Tuners or similar software. Which is why I would like to know what "valves" were installed to increase firmness, per that shop's explanation. All the aftermarket 6L valve body/hydraulic "performance" kits are really to correct pattern issues/failures that have their roots in the hydraulics. Most often that means getting rid of harsh shifts, not introducing them...The shift points, speeds, apply and balance presssures, bleeds, etc can all be adjusted as required by electronic tuning, as Im sure you already know.

I dont think that shop did everything it was supposed to as there shouldn't be any harsh up or down shifts after a rebuild, outside of the first few drive cycles as the TEHCM settles in and adapts fully to the driver's habits, style, etc...And that may be what's happening here...

waiting on the OP to respond back...
 
Last edited:

Forum statistics

Threads
132,585
Posts
1,871,101
Members
97,350
Latest member
Bigine88

Latest posts

Top