6L80E recommended fluid change interval

[Blackbirdws6]

As many of you know, I own a 2008 Pontiac G8 GT which is equipped with the 6L80E auto trans. GM recommends changing the fluid every 50k for extreme conditions and 100k for normal operation.

Right now my G8 has 53k on it so I'm considering having a simple drain/refill with a filter change. I have a tune on the car so the shifts are firmer than stock and I have taken the car down the 1/4 mile roughly 15 times. My commute to work is mainly highway so the car doesn't sit in traffic too much.

Let me know your thoughts as there are varying opinions on this.

[WildBillyT]

I would do a change now for sure.

I do not trust GM's extended life predictions very much. Maybe it's different now but the life they said you were supposed to get out of Delco plugs and Dex-Cool was way out to lunch. Then there's the "no service interval for Eaton superchargers" which is laughable, especially when GTP guys change the fluid every 10-15k.

There's more situations like that, I'm sure. I don't think it will be a ton of money but should keep things clean.

[LTb1ow]

Everything I have read, is Dex6 is meh, borderline garbage. I believe unless its an 06 trans you can can interchange the dex3 and 6 stuff.

That is in relation to trucks and 80e transmissions though,

Go halves on a pail of transynd with me :lol:

[Jersey Mike]

It's not like you're running a large stall and putting a lot of power through it. But at the same time, you have taken it down the track a couple times and the shifts hit harder, as you said. I wouldn't say your trans lives a lief of "extreme conditions" but I'd still change it now under the premise of "Better safe than sorry."

[Blackbirdws6]

Dealer wants $230 for the fluid change, filter, and pan gasket. Is this reasonable? I imagine there is quite a bit of fluid to change which will have a significant cost but this is my first auto trans rodeo.

[WildBillyT]

Do you know what's involved in the change? Are they doing a flush or pan drop (more specifically)?

[Jersey Mike]

Assuming it would probably cost you something like $100-125 for just the fluids, gasket & filter, that doesn't sound like a bad estimate at all.

[LTb1ow]

12.5 qts of DEXVI, enjoi that sticker shock.

Its a sealed trans, so I assume that price is for a full flush, which is prob a good choice being as a filter change won't change much fluid, ~5qts.

[WildBillyT]

According to Circle D, GM rates the 6L80E's capacity at 375 rear-wheel hp and it often burns up clutches once exceeding the 400 hp mark. It certainly doesn't help that this transmission tends to run very hot, which Circle D rectifies on its shop car with two in-line trans coolers.


Do it up

[Blackbirdws6]

Do you know what's involved in the change? Are they doing a flush or pan drop (more specifically)?

I didn't want the flush however I'm confused how they remove all the fluid without doing that? The pan is coming off to get to the filter but I will confirm all of the fluid is being changed and not just whats hanging out in the pan.

12.5 qts of DEXVI, enjoi that sticker shock.

Its a sealed trans, so I assume that price is for a full flush, which is prob a good choice being as a filter change won't change much fluid, ~5qts.

Right.

Do it up

Indeed

[sweetbmxrider]

Pan Removal and Filter Replacement 5.7L (6.0 Quarts)
Overhaul 9.9L (10.5 Quarts)
Complete Trans System 10.6L (11.2 Quarts)

I would get that in writing and then let them do it, without test driving your car around back again :bertstare:

Seriously its one of those annoying ones. I would not volunteer to do it, evar.

[BigAls87Z28]

Talk to you today about it. The "flush" name is just another name for what they do.

Dex IV is bad eh? That would be news to me.

The problem people have with "flushes" is what I told you on the VM.
People have 150k miles on their car, they notice a slip and go to a shop. Shop, wanting the money, straps the machine to the car and replaces the fluid. The dirty fluid was so thick full of **** and dirt that it acted like a thicker fluid, allowing the pressure to maintain basic shifting.
Replace all that dirty fluid with brand new clean stuff, and whamo. Your little slip has now turned into not going into 2nd gear.

Replacing trans fluid, as well as most fluids, is a maintenance and not a fix-it.

[Blackbirdws6]

I would get that in writing and then let them do it, without test driving your car around back again :bertstare:

Seriously its one of those annoying ones. I would not volunteer to do it, evar.

Yea I didn't want to bother you with this one for sure lol. I've seen how your trans fluid rodeos go ;). Thanks for the info.

Talk to you today about it. The "flush" name is just another name for what they do.

Dex IV is bad eh? That would be news to me.

The problem people have with "flushes" is what I told you on the VM.
People have 150k miles on their car, they notice a slip and go to a shop. Shop, wanting the money, straps the machine to the car and replaces the fluid. The dirty fluid was so thick full of **** and dirt that it acted like a thicker fluid, allowing the pressure to maintain basic shifting.
Replace all that dirty fluid with brand new clean stuff, and whamo. Your little slip has now turned into not going into 2nd gear.

Replacing trans fluid, as well as most fluids, is a maintenance and not a fix-it.

Thanks for the call today. Going to go over everything with my service guy (not who I spoke to today) before they touch the car.

[Featherburner]

While they are draining and flushing have them throw in a dipstick!

[Blackbirdws6]

Got the car back. Had the fluid completely changed, new filter and pan gasket. Trans shifts noticeably crisper. Nothing major but definitely a difference. Fluid looked used but still red. No flakes or metal seen. I had them save me about half a quart. All said and done it was $230.

[sweetbmxrider]

Crisper as in they ****ed up?

[Featherburner]

Brian do you know what is the torque management % is in your tune?

[Blackbirdws6]

Crisper as in they ****ed up?

As I told you, I had the Dashhawk in log mode to make sure they didn't go beat it up after it was done. So crisper as in, feels good bro.

[sweetbmxrider]

Crisper could also mean not enough fluid aka harsh shift. Just like you like it bro.

[Blackbirdws6]

Brian do you know what is the torque management % is in your tune?

I don't remember off hand but I can check my tune tonight. My original tune had it removed (per the now defunct TTP) but I added this back in after doing quite a bit of reading.

Crisper could also mean not enough fluid aka harsh shift. Just like you like it bro.

I'm probably not describing it properly. I wouldn't say the shifts are firmer or more harsh. Sloppy/long shifts are not good for the clutches....so I'm told. :)

[Jersey Mike]

Sooo... http://www.njfboa.org/forums/showthread.php?t=56305 ?

[Blackbirdws6]

Sooo... http://www.njfboa.org/forums/showthread.php?t=56305 ?

The guy was let go from what I understand and I told them I would be hiding in the bushes spying on them if they fooled around. The service rep I normally use was there and the issue from the past was the only time I took it in with him not there. He would look after the car.

[Jersey Mike]

Happily ever after stories are so played out

[sweetbmxrider]

Shifts feel good bro. Would merge onto 287 @ WOT again.

[Blackbirdws6]

Shifts feel good bro. Would merge onto 287 @ WOT again.

Had to get parts and milkshakes. No time for anything less that WOT.

[sweetbmxrider]

There's no time to search for gears, get up to PAH!