New 8 Speed

[andy.schmid]

So I'm torn between taking a deal on a 2014 All Terrain, or putting in an order for a 2015 with the 6.2\8 speed. Do you guys think the new 8 speed will actually offer a decent mpg improvement? Think it would be worth the wait and extra $$$?

 

I haven't driven the new 5.3L yet (currently 6.6 Duramax), but I would imagine it's no slug. Other than 4G LTE in the truck, I don't see any difference between the 14 and 15 All Terrains.

 

Any idea when GM will publish the mpg numbers for the new 8 speed?

[2018GMC]

My guess is 1mpg better city and highway. The biggest difference will be the get up and go vs the current 6 speed. More gears = lower first gear and less spacing between gears. This will equate to better acceleration, 0-60 times, etc. Also better towing since there are more gears to keep the engine in its optimum power band.

 

If you can wait until this time next year you could get a good deal on a 2015 8 speed. If there are any available. But if you can't wait then buy a 2014. Remember the 8 speeds are limited to the already limited 6.2 so if you really want one you may just have to order and pay a premium with little to no incentives.

 

I am waiting for the duramax half ton. Maybe 2016 / 2017. Keep saving.... If that doesn't happen then my money would go on a 6.2 4x4 8 speed CC 6.5' bed.

[Mike-1000]

Ram advertises the 5.7L 6 speed at 14/20 mpg and the 8 speed at 15/22. I wouldn't expect the difference to be any greater on the Chevys.

 

Mike

[SY2455]

Go for the 6.2 and 8 speed. If you get the towing package, you will now get the 3.42 gears like my truck. While mine is a 2014, I'm getting 20 mpg in the city and 25.5 mpg on the hwy. If I tow the car trailer it will drop down to 13.5 mpg in tow mode while the trailer is loaded. With just the trailer it is getting 15.5 mpg. The trailer is a 8.5' x 24' enclosed car trailer. I would think that the 2015 would get better then this.

[bladz1454]

Go for the 6.2 and 8 speed. If you get the towing package, you will now get the 3.42 gears like my truck. While mine is a 2014, I'm getting 20 mpg in the city and 25.5 mpg on the hwy. If I tow the car trailer it will drop down to 13.5 mpg in tow mode while the trailer is loaded. With just the trailer it is getting 15.5 mpg. The trailer is a 8.5' x 24' enclosed car trailer. I would think that the 2015 would get better then this.

 

20MPG city with a 2014 6.2... holy Santa Clause sh*t!

 

God I hate my MPG haha

[Big Whiskey]

If you get the 8-speed, I would definitely get the max towing package to get the 3:42 gears. Otherwise, you'll get the 3:23's. I haven't driven one, but I can't imagine the 8-speed/3:23 ratio is going to be much fun to drive. 8th gear on the 8-speed is taller than 6th gear on the 6-speed, and the 6-speed 3:08 trucks hunt for gears pretty bad. I really think the 8-speed/3:23 will be very similar to the old 6-speed/3:08, as far as how it drives on the highway. It will probably accelerate much better, but I really think it will have trouble holding 8th gear on anything but level ground with the cruise set, and will be shifting between 7th and 8th all the time. Personally, I don't even care for the way my current truck shifts between 5th and 6th a lot. And, all of those characteristics will be exaggerated if you add things like a leveling kit and larger tires.

[fondupot]

8 speed with 3.23 will be comparable to 6 speed with 3.42.

 

8 speed with 3.42 will be comparable to 6 speed with 3.73.

 

the 8 speeds first gear is 4.56...it will be fun to drive with either of the rear ends they provide.

[Jon A]

There's not much difference between 3.42 and 3.23, I doubt most would be able to tell the difference. If one is great, the other won't be bad; if one sucks the other would too.

 

With the deep first gear of the 8 speed, with 3.23's it'll take off like the 6 speed does with 3.65's (so close to the 3.73 setup you won't be able to tell a difference). That said, for 2015 I'd personally opt for the Max tow--even more for the increased payload than for the gears (I'd probably still put 4.10's in eventually either way).

[BaltimoreCaesar]

Acording to GMC's website, they have the same mpg as the 6-speeds. You're not likely to get as god of a discount on a '15 with 6.2L 8-speed as you can with a '14 6.2L 6-speed, so I decided to take the rebates and pull the trigger on a '14. There is always going to be something newer with all kinds of bells and whistles coming down the line. '16 1500's are supposedly going to be made availible with a duramax

[Big Whiskey]

8 speed with 3.23 will be comparable to 6 speed with 3.42.

 

8 speed with 3.42 will be comparable to 6 speed with 3.73.

 

In the lower gears, yes...but what about the final drive ratio in 8th gear?? Cruising on the highway, with 3:23's, in 8th gear, those trucks will be turning super low RPM's (and even lower if taller tires are added). I really think it will be shifting between 7th and 8th a lot.

[fondupot]

In the lower gears, yes...but what about the final drive ratio in 8th gear?? Cruising on the highway, with 3:23's, in 8th gear, those trucks will be turning super low RPM's (and even lower if taller tires are added). I really think it will be shifting between 7th and 8th a lot.

 

the 8 speed is said to have some pretty fast downshifts. So when you need the power it will drop down to 5th or 6th gear when needed relatively fast. I cant say for sure since I haven't driven one tho.

[KARNUT]

There is really no reason to run the trucks any lower than 17 -18 k at hwy speeds. Lets keep the gear spacing on the down low where it will do the most good. Getting the trans to hold on to high gear a little longer on the hwy empty would be nice too. My best fuel mileage was when I drove a stick when you could get one back in the day. I would love to be able to get a 6 speed stick in this truck.

['01LS1]

In the lower gears, yes...but what about the final drive ratio in 8th gear?? Cruising on the highway, with 3:23's, in 8th gear, those trucks will be turning super low RPM's (and even lower if taller tires are added). I really think it will be shifting between 7th and 8th a lot.

 

Just speculation as it will depend on how they tune it, but shifting at half points of the old 4 speed for normal driving could make it to where you would not notice it. If that makes any sense.

But the key will be how GM tunes it through the ecm.

[PMattras]

Chevy doesn't (at this time) offer a 6.2 engine option for a regular pickup. I doubt we will see 8 speed transmission on a regular truck (especially on the WT or LS trim packages) for a very long time or not at all. Usually the WT or LS do not see the updates right away.

[andy.schmid]

Thanks for the input everyone. I don't tow much, just my boat once or maybe twice a year. I'm mostly looking for MPG and driveability here. I just plan on doing a 2' level and maybe something near a 33in tire.

 

I have 2500 HD Denali with 35's and 4 inch lift now and it's terrible (averaging 13mpg). I'm tired of dealing with the diesel when I don't need it.

 

 

Haven't decided yet, but I have a feeling if I pull the trigger now on a 14', I'll be a little jealous when the 6.2/8-speed's start hitting the lots in the next few months