6 Speed Tranny?

TylerMoore · August 30, 2008

I have recently came across the thread about a person looking at an 09 and i realized it had the 5.3 but it had a 6spd.WTF

My question is is there going to be a way that we could buy the 6 spd and retrofit it to the truck, or would we be better of to wait a year and go buy a new one with it already.

Does anyone happen to know what the mileage ratings are for the 09s with the 6spd

fbachman · August 30, 2008

I have recently came across the thread about a person looking at an 09 and i realized it had the 5.3 but it had a 6spd.WTF

My question is is there going to be a way that we could buy the 6 spd and retrofit it to the truck, or would we be better of to wait a year and go buy a new one with it already.

Does anyone happen to know what the mileage ratings are for the 09s with the 6spd

I recommend driving a 6-speed first.

My wife's Enclave has a six speed. I, personally, don't like it. The trannie is constantly hunting for the right gear.

For an enclave, seems to be ok. In a truck, I think that would drive we nuts. Just my opinion.

Darkanion · August 30, 2008

I doubt you're looking at the 6.2 w/ the 6-speed, but I just posted some #'s from a recent trip here.

EDIT : Mis-read what Grumpy wrote. Nevermind. Although... I don't get ... If you don't like it in the Enclave, why is it ok in the Enclave, 'but not the trucks'..??

Personally, in stop & go traffic and/or non-freeway driving, I usually use the manual-mode. That keeps it from trying to get into higher and higher gears, to improve mileage. They have a TCM reprogramming for the Sierra Denalis that was supposed to address some of the "hunting" issues. I haven't tried it myself... I've found that sometimes GM's "updates" don't actually make things better in my opinion.

2000DV4.8 · August 30, 2008

^ He said enclave, not esky.

Just thought you should know

dietz4ibanez · August 30, 2008

I love the 6 speed Allison in my D-max

fbachman · August 30, 2008

EDIT : Mis-read what Grumpy wrote. Nevermind. Although... I don't get ... If you don't like it in the Enclave, why is it ok in the Enclave, 'but not the trucks'..??

The enclave is a light (relative to a truck) vehicle with much more focus on comfort than a truck. I guess what I was TRYIN to say was that, for me, I could live with the 6 speed in an enclave.

I picture myself in my Sierra with a 6 speed--- to me, the driveability characteristics of the enclave applied to a Sierra would drive me nuts. It's almost like the rpm needle is almost oscillating between 1750 and 2000 no matter what you do other than matting it. I like the 4-speed feel and characteristic for a truck.

That's all.

fbachman · August 30, 2008

I love the 6 speed Allison in my D-max

Now, a DIESEL.... that's a whole other ball game. What does it max out at, 3000 rpm with a flat (sky-high) torque curve from idle to 3000?

A six speed makes sense there, INMO.

Darkanion · August 30, 2008

I picture myself in my Sierra with a 6 speed--- to me, the driveability characteristics of the enclave applied to a Sierra would drive me nuts. It's almost like the rpm needle is almost oscillating between 1750 and 2000 no matter what you do other than matting it. I like the 4-speed feel and characteristic for a truck.

That's all.

Alright, no big deal. I was just curious...

For me, I used to live in an area that had a LOT of stop & go traffic, from red light to red light, on the freeways, etc... I got tired of the transmission seeming to be in a "hurry" to get to the highest gear it could get to (and then having to downshift, if i gave it the least bit of gas). So, I started using the manual mode a lot more. If I was in a 30 mph zone, I'd put it in M3. If I was in a 40 mph zone, M4. 50, M5... M6 was used pretty much only for freeways... and only when traffic was moving good.

I live in a less congested area now. So, the up/down/up/down isn't as bad... But, I still use M3 in residential areas. It seemed like it was "clunking" into 4th, from time to time -- and I hated that feeling. So, I pretty much stay in M3 or M4, until I'm going around the clover-leaf to get on the freeway.

Then, sometimes, it's M2/M3, with the traction control off, and some creative accelerator usage, to have a little 'fun' (if no one else is around)...

There are some situations where the 6-speed seems to a bit much. But, when I had my TSX, I rarely used 5th or 6th in "side-street" situations. So, why do it in the truck? Put it in M3 or M4 and it'll auto-shift up to the highest gear you have selected.. . When you merge on the freeway, put it in M6 or nudge the gearshift into Drive.

FREAKENHYE · August 30, 2008

the 6 speeds can be retrofitted to the older 07-08 nnbs trucks. All is needed is the tranny, harness, new driveshaft, crossmember alterations, and reprogramming of the ecm.

VMax2007 · August 31, 2008

the 6 speeds can be retrofitted to the older 07-08 nnbs trucks. All is needed is the tranny, harness, new driveshaft, crossmember alterations, and reprogramming of the ecm.

and alot of money and no more warranty afterward.

If you MUST have a 6 spd, buy a truck with it in. Otherwise, good luck making i t right without breaking the bank and good luck selling a hacked up truck if you decide to sell.

fbachman · August 31, 2008

I picture myself in my Sierra with a 6 speed--- to me, the driveability characteristics of the enclave applied to a Sierra would drive me nuts. It's almost like the rpm needle is almost oscillating between 1750 and 2000 no matter what you do other than matting it. I like the 4-speed feel and characteristic for a truck.

That's all.

Alright, no big deal. I was just curious...

For me, I used to live in an area that had a LOT of stop & go traffic, from red light to red light, on the freeways, etc... I got tired of the transmission seeming to be in a "hurry" to get to the highest gear it could get to (and then having to downshift, if i gave it the least bit of gas). So, I started using the manual mode a lot more. If I was in a 30 mph zone, I'd put it in M3. If I was in a 40 mph zone, M4. 50, M5... M6 was used pretty much only for freeways... and only when traffic was moving good.

I live in a less congested area now. So, the up/down/up/down isn't as bad... But, I still use M3 in residential areas. It seemed like it was "clunking" into 4th, from time to time -- and I hated that feeling. So, I pretty much stay in M3 or M4, until I'm going around the clover-leaf to get on the freeway.

Then, sometimes, it's M2/M3, with the traction control off, and some creative accelerator usage, to have a little 'fun' (if no one else is around)...

There are some situations where the 6-speed seems to a bit much. But, when I had my TSX, I rarely used 5th or 6th in "side-street" situations. So, why do it in the truck? Put it in M3 or M4 and it'll auto-shift up to the highest gear you have selected.. . When you merge on the freeway, put it in M6 or nudge the gearshift into Drive.

fair enough !

Again, I'm old school, I guess. Have lots of memories of "D" "2" and "1" . Worked then, and I still like it --- eventhough there's a "3" sandwiched in there now.

I guess I'm turning into an old fart !

TylerMoore · August 31, 2008

thanks guys i figured it would work just wanted to get others to post their opinions i think i will test drive an 09 on tues. I've only had my 08 since march and i would be in the NEG equity if i decided to trade now because of the depreciation of the value, aint that some BS, fell 14 in 6 months.

satori · August 31, 2008

thanks guys i figured it would work just wanted to get others to post their opinions i think i will test drive an 09 on tues. I've only had my 08 since march and i would be in the NEG equity if i decided to trade now because of the depreciation of the value, aint that some BS, fell 14 in 6 months.

IMHO, that's the exact reason to never buy new.

Darkanion · August 31, 2008

thanks guys i figured it would work just wanted to get others to post their opinions i think i will test drive an 09 on tues. I've only had my 08 since march and i would be in the NEG equity if i decided to trade now because of the depreciation of the value, aint that some BS, fell 14 in 6 months.

IMHO, that's the exact reason to never buy new.

I try to only buy new if the depreciation and down payment can only lead to me being positive within a year of buying it. (I prefer to be positive when I drive it off the lot. But, that doesn't always work out.) Then, from after a year, I'm looking at being able to trade it and at least not LOSE money on it.

I never anticipated gas prices jumping up so quick and me losing so much value on this damn thing, so quick.. So, I'm now starting to look ahead to the 'next' vehicle that'll fit my needs, that won't let to a similar situation with negative equity for a while.......

EDIT : When I get 10k or so equity in this, I'll probably start looking more seriously at "what's next?"

music · August 31, 2008

Search the forum on "6-speed". Lots of threads talking about the topic. Those threads will soon be history, as folks get to buy some 5.3L/6-sp combos and post their experience. GM's official numbers state something like a 4% increase in mpg (negligible IMHO). Regardless, keep the 4-spd in your current truck. Whatever differences there may be, I wouldn't dream of spending extra cash on it.

The only significant benefit that I've read about is the braking feature, so when in tow/haul mode the transmission will help you out and take strain off of the brakes. We'll all eventually be buying 6-spds, since that's the future. It's an incremental change though; not earth-shaking, but not all good either.