GM 6L80E/6L90E Transmissions Issues and Upgrades
The General Motors 6L80-E and 6L90-E Transmission is one of the most widely used 6 speed transmissions in automotive history. This transmission is used in everything from pickup trucks, to SUV’s, to audacious muscle cars, to family sedans.
As with nearly all 6 speed transmissions, the 6L80-E and 6L90-E transmissions are almost exclusively solenoid controlled. This means that there is an electronic switch or solenoid responsible for nearly all functions of the transmission. Units with this structure are highly controllable, but due suffer from additional failure points due to the increase in electronics and moving parts.
6L80-6L90 Transmission Failure Possible Points:
- The Torque Converter
- The Intermediate Shaft
- The Valve Body
- The OEM Oil Pan
- The High Pressure Oil Pump
- The Transmission Electro-Hydraulic Control Module (TEHCM)
- The 4-5-6 (Overdrive) Clutch Pack
- The 1-2-3-4 Apply Piston
Transmission Services
REMOVE DISMANTLE INSPECT
TRANSMISSION OVERHAUL
TRANSMISSION MAINTENANCE
TRANSMISSION SERVICE
What is the difference between the 6L80-E and 6L90-E transmission?
The 6L90-E is the successor to the 6L80-E transmission, designed to capacitate the additional torque to the previous unit. The primary differences between the transmissions are in reference to internal hard parts.
The 6L80-E case is shorter. The reason behind this was to accommodate additional physical gear assemblies inside the transmission, permitting 2 additional pinion gears equating to a total of 6. This is a critical modification necessary for both high RPM, and high torque figures as well. This came tantamount to a larger intermediate shaft to ensure reliability during loaded 3-4 upshifts where this shaft experiences great stress.
6L80-E and 6L90-E Common Error Codes
- P1845 – Transmission Gear ratio Output Circuit Failure
- P1871 – Undefined Gear Ratio
- P1870 – Transmission Component Slipping
- P0819 – Up and Down Shift Switch to Transmission Range Correlation Failure
Other Services
CV AXLES
DIFFERENTIALS
TRANSMISSION COOLER INSTALLATIONS
RADIATORS
BRAKES
6L80E/6L90E Performance Transmissions Upgrade
If you are looking to get the most of your vehicle with 6L80E /6L90E transmissions and considering a major trans upgrade, Gearstar has the best products available on the market. Our high-performance transmissions —including GM 6L80 (level 1 and 2) and GL90 — are built to the horsepower, torque, and rear gear ratio specs of the engine that it will be matched to. Also featuring a torque converter, the transmissions come with a complete master overhaul kit with new gaskets, seals, rings, and pistons. Wide inlet filter, bearing and bushing kit are also included. If we talk about the clutch, you get expanded capacity1-2-3-4, 4-5-6, 2=6 and3-5 low/reverse clutch packs with latest generation friction and steel.
Other important upgrades consist of:
- Updated AC Delco pump cover (stator support), body (bell housing), and vanes with hardened rings
- Hardened Rear Planetary Ass’y
- Upgraded line boost valve and slide spring
- Performance-tuned solenoid valve body with new ACDelco transmission control module
Get the Right Fix to Save You Money
We only fix what’s broken.
Where other shops will replace your entire transmission and charge you accordingly will find the problem with your current transmission and fix it the right way. The savings average out to 40-60%!
