New 8spd Trans w/ 5.3 Worth Waiting for on a 2016?

jwalcher · October 30, 2014

Currently contemplating ordering a '15 Sierra Crew AT 5.3(3.42), but with such positive reviews of the new 8 spd tranny, is it enough to warrant waiting on a '16 to get it behind a 5.3? I haven't test driven enough 5.3's with 6 spd to judge how good (or not so good) the current combo is.

Thoughts?

Silverado-Hareek · October 30, 2014

8 speed is only going to be available on the 6.2L V8. The 5.3 the V6 will still be getting the 6 speed currently in the 2014's.

Higgs Boson · October 30, 2014

He asked about 2016, not 2015.

Also, no one has an 8 speed yet so no one knows if they are worth a wait.

Silverado-Hareek · October 30, 2014

He asked about 2016, not 2015.

Also, no one has an 8 speed yet so no one knows if they are worth a wait.

Right and there's no planned release for the 8 speed in the 5.3 in 2016, right?

In 2 or 3 years the 10-speed will be out for all of these trucks.

14SLTZ71 · October 30, 2014

There are only a couple reviews of the 6.2L / 8 speed on the 2015 trucks, none that I know of by actual customers, not much to base your decision on yet. Give it another month or 2.

KARNUT · October 30, 2014

Yes

jwalcher · October 30, 2014

This from the gm-trucks.com headline page on the 6.2/8spd:

"While only available with the 420-horsepower 6.2L EcoTec V8 during model-year 2015, expect this 8-speed to be available in the rest of the full-size truck and SUV line in the near future."

Even though every review I've read from multiple sources on this new 8 spd is very positive against the current 6, I'm thinking it's definitely not enough of a game changer to waiting another year for a '16 w/ 5.3 and 8 spd vs ordering a '15 now with a 6 spd.

fondupot · October 30, 2014

the 8 speed will be the standard transmission on all motors eventually. Just like how the Ram's slowly transitioned the 8 speeds into their half ton trucks.

Silverado-Hareek · October 30, 2014

Keep in mind the 6 speed has been out since 2008 so it's 6 years old now. I consider it time tested in these trucks.

Somewhere around 2017/2018, GM and Ford are jointly releasing a 10 speed for both manufacturer's trucks.

So the 8 speed, from where I'm sitting now, is a band-aid to keep customers happy through the appearance of "design updates" until the 10 speed can come out. Personally, I don't want to spend $50k on a truck with a band-aid type update, but that's me. That's all I was trying to say. I understand some will have different opinions.

2014LTZ-Z71 · October 30, 2014

From our experience, the transmission that is in our 2014 with a 5.3 is complete garbage.

We would suggest waiting for something different.

KARNUT · October 30, 2014

Do you have a mouse in your pocket? My transmission is fine.

Silverado-Hareek · October 30, 2014

Yeah I have to say my 6 speed has been amazing. I came from a 4-speed in my 2007 so that may have something do with why I love this 6-speed so much. I always felt my 2007 needed at least one more gear.

LifeisthePits · October 30, 2014

The 6 speed is much smoother and stronger than I thought it would be. My truck is still undergeared due to the aftermarket not having good options yet for these trucks on higher gears. I am sure the 8 speed will have it's positives but I would want to wait a couple years to see what the potential drawbacks are.

Gas mileage gains will be minimal but I guess the real question is what do you plan to do with the truck? If it's a mall crawler I personally would go get your truck and enjoy a very solid tranny / engine combo.

glcbn · October 31, 2014

From our experience, the transmission that is in our 2014 with a 5.3 is complete garbage.

We would suggest waiting for something different.

Well then you are in a very, very small minority. Absolutely NOTHING wrong with the current 6 speed. Elaborate a little on the meaning of "complete garbage".

As for the shifting points, from what I've read, if you tow, they aren't at the optimum rpm's. But that can almost for certain be remedied with a tune.

GTD · October 31, 2014

From our experience, the transmission that is in our 2014 with a 5.3 is complete garbage.

We would suggest waiting for something different.

Do you have a mouse in your pocket? My transmission is fine.

Mine is also fine. These transmissions adapt to how you drive and what you do with your truck. They continually learn your good and bad driving habits. Mouse in pocket, lol.