Tuning for 6L80 Transmission and 5.3 Engine maximum longevity

[Thomas Hill]

I have a stock 2016 LT Suburban 5.3 6L80 transmission, 80k miles.

Just finished a transmission fluid/filter swap, old fluid was pretty nasty despite being flushed by previous owner around 40k miles.

Im looking to install a simple tune that improves the longevity of the transmission and engine. Any advice?

I have a DiabloSport Predator tuner in a Dodge Charger that I have been very happy with (Turns off MDS/AFM, 91 Octane tune).  I dont have any experience with tuners outside of this simple box tune.  I'm open to something more custom, but happy to go with another simple solution like this.
 

I dont have any inspections or emissions testing to worry about.

[shakenfake]

Diablo tuner with a Lew custom tune probably fits the bill

[16LT4]

For starters, install the updated 70*C thermostat or flip the pill. 

[swathdiver]

Lew or Justin at BlackBear!  Justin did mine and she runs great!

[pokismoki]

try resetting the trans tcu, it feels like a new tune after.  just take it to the dealer if you dont have the hardware to do it

[rlcole321]

Thermal Bypass Valve Installation – TechLink a.pdf

[Black02Silverado]

Unfortunately it is a gamble on these.  Our 2016 Suburban 6L80 went at 82k.  I swapped the fluid over to AMSOIL in the beginning when we purchased it new and then changed the fluid and filter out at 50K and it was clean and pink. I even installed the lower temp GM thermostat. I sent a sample off to get analyzed and the fluid was perfect and in specification. The issue is the TC and AFM.  They are the downfall to this transmission.  If you can disable AFM that will help.  Hopefully you will be one of the  lucky ones and never have an issue.  I thought I was being proactive but it didn't stop the faulty TC from going out. 

 

The shop that rebuilt ours said they get two in a day at times for a rebuild and the mileage varies from 40k up to 150k. 

[pokismoki]

stock tune is reliable, just do a trans rest every oil change, and keep the temps below 160 should get 150,000

 

even deleting the thermostat isnt enough, they really need trans coolers will a aux fan . oneday you'll be in the desert or somewhere hot and peak over 220F pulling something, that right there will probably take 20k miles off it, the plastic seals and parts inside are the weak link

Edited August 16, 2022 by pokismoki

[pokismoki]

On 8/10/2022 at 7:38 AM, Black02Silverado said:

Unfortunately it is a gamble on these.  Our 2016 Suburban 6L80 went at 82k.  I swapped the fluid over to AMSOIL in the beginning when we purchased it new and then changed the fluid and filter out at 50K and it was clean and pink. I even installed the lower temp GM thermostat. I sent a sample off to get analyzed and the fluid was perfect and in specification. The issue is the TC and AFM.  They are the downfall to this transmission.  If you can disable AFM that will help.  Hopefully you will be one of the  lucky ones and never have an issue.  I thought I was being proactive but it didn't stop the faulty TC from going out. 

 

The shop that rebuilt ours said they get two in a day at times for a rebuild and the mileage varies from 40k up to 150k. 

thats the issue  with amsoil, its great stuff. but its not the weakest component. switching to High end trans fluid will do nothing for longevity.  the clutches dont fail on these, but O-rings, plastic, rubber seals and check valves. and the incorrectly designed PR valve,  is the issue we're seeing,   

[PapaJoe]

On 8/5/2022 at 1:06 AM, swathdiver said:

Lew or Justin at BlackBear!  Justin did mine and she runs great!

How much is a blackbear tune

[Grumpy Bear]

On 8/16/2022 at 11:32 AM, pokismoki said:

stock tune is reliable, just do a trans rest every oil change, and keep the temps below 160 should get 150,000

 

even deleting the thermostat isnt enough, they really need trans coolers will a aux fan . oneday you'll be in the desert or somewhere hot and peak over 220F pulling something, that right there will probably take 20k miles off it, the plastic seals and parts inside are the weak link

 

What is a TRANS REST? 

[CamGTP]

He means transmission reset. You can reset the adaptive learning on the transmission with a scan tool. And most higher end scan tools can do both a transmission reset and a transmission fast learn procedure.

 

 

[Grumpy Bear]

49 minutes ago, CamGTP said:

He means transmission reset. You can reset the adaptive learning on the transmission with a scan tool. And most higher end scan tools can do both a transmission reset and a transmission fast learn procedure.

 

 

 

What influence does this have on durability/reliability? I'm an eager student. 

[CamGTP]

It can't harm anything to do it. The TCM is forever learning and adapting to whoever is driving it.

 

I bet if I drove your truck even with a V6, I'd think the transmission would probably feel like a slush box compared to how I drive my truck and the way my transmission shifts. I recently did some work to my uncles 2018 Silverado and I thought the transmission just felt lazy because all he does is just hop in it and drive. So over months and month of light driving the transmission has learned to be softer because of that driving style.

 

If you reset the adapting learning it's basically doing a hard reset and the transmission starts over. The first 15-20 times through all the gears it will be kinda clunky and it quickly relearns what to do and then slowly over time will settle in to how you drive again. Resetting it will make it feel like a new transmission sometimes, it should shift cleaner and firmer for a while and if you continue to drive it with a little more vigor, it will stay that way.

[swathdiver]

23 hours ago, PapaJoe said:

How much is a blackbear tune

 

$400-500 I reckon, haven't looked in years.  Whatever Justin charges is worth it to me.  He's done two of my trucks so far and one more to go.