M6 to auto swap - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

sinisterZL1 · 06-28-2023, 03:00 PM

Looking to swap the M6 for auto , sick of being slow on the 1/4mile track.
Is there a complete kit on the market? I don't wat to go to 3spd TH400 as i want to be able to cruise it as well as drag race it more.
Car is making 789WHP and 770Tq

T-Type · 06-28-2023, 03:50 PM

I don't think I've heard of anyone wanting to change to an automatic. Usually it's the other way around. Though if that's what you want, I'm not here to judge. Why not find a used auto that normally comes with the car. They shouldn't be hard to find. It will simplify things though it still will be a big job.

I'll be honest, I think you'll be better off selling the car and finding an auto. Way less work and likely cheaper in the end.

Bigdumogre · 06-28-2023, 04:59 PM

Other way around? Who goes from an auto to a manual?

Guessing a 6l80e or th350 wouldn’t be too big of a hassle. Best bet is talk to a local tuner/shop and see what they suggest. Probably need a new driveshaft too plus flywheel.

Little Walter · 06-28-2023, 11:50 PM

If you are going with a OEM 6L90 you are going to need a BCM, TCM (Transmission Control Module), Shifter control panel, Paddle Shifter Assembly, different tranny cooler, different heat exchanger and harness, drive shaft, different rear end gearing. As someone above mentioned you would be better to purchase a already automatic ZL1 and deal with a lot less frustration. It would be easier to put your engine in a already auto ZL than to put a auto tranny in a manual car.

FasNuf · 06-29-2023, 06:48 AM

There is a ton of work for an OE auto. The ECM will need to be tuned for an auto as well.

ZMEnow · 06-29-2023, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FasNuf

There is a ton of work for an OE auto. The ECM will need to be tuned for an auto as well.

Yep, and don't forget the rear end it will now expect to see a 3.23 in the tune vs a 3.73.

1JEWLDSSRS · 06-29-2023, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZMEnow

Yep, and don't forget the rear end it will now expect to see a 3.23 in the tune vs a 3.73.

I may be wrong here because I'm not a ZL1 owner, but aren't ALL ZL1's equipped with a 3.73 rear gear? The gearing difference would be in the transmissions that the ECU would see, not the rear. The 6L80's in the SS has a 3.23 rear gear.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Little Walter · 06-29-2023, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

I may be wrong here because I'm not a ZL1 owner, but aren't ALL ZL1's equipped with a 3.73 rear gear? The gearing difference would be in the transmissions that the ECU would see, not the rear. The 6L80's in the SS has a 3.23 rear gear.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I think the auto vs the manual is geared different on the rear end also.

T-Type · 06-29-2023, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdumogre

Other way around? Who goes from an auto to a manual?

In my experience that's the only kind of swap I've ever heard asked about. Of course I'm talking all kinds of cars, not just the 5th gen Camaro. A manual gives you more control over the car which improves the driving experience. A lot of driving enthusiasts like that.

That being said, not everyone is the same so I can get wanting to go the other way. Nothing wrong with that. I just have never heard anyone ask about doing that.

gtstorey · 06-29-2023, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T-Type

In my experience that's the only kind of swap I've ever heard asked about. Of course I'm talking all kinds of cars, not just the 5th gen Camaro. A manual gives you more control over the car which improves the driving experience. A lot of driving enthusiasts like that.

That being said, not everyone is the same so I can get wanting to go the other way. Nothing wrong with that. I just have never heard anyone ask about doing that.

This is for drag racing. Auto is faster.

4SFED6.0 · 06-29-2023, 11:40 AM

I did this swap a few years ago from m6 to 6l90e, not that difficult but time consuming. Will need a new dash harness and engine harness to do it correctly, need ecm, bcm and cluster reprogrammed. Obviously pedals and shifter assembly as well. Everything is plug and play once the programming is done. To be done correctly you will also want to change steering column to get the paddle shifter function. The end product works flawless, the only way to tell mine is a swap is to check the vin. Remote start even works.

gtstorey · 06-29-2023, 12:42 PM

You could also consider using a Kilduff shifter assembly if you don't want to mess with the steering wheel swap. It will move all of the shifter to the console area. But I don't know if that will be how you would want to shift while racing.

Trickskier · 06-29-2023, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

I may be wrong here because I'm not a ZL1 owner, but aren't ALL ZL1's equipped with a 3.73 rear gear? The gearing difference would be in the transmissions that the ECU would see, not the rear. The 6L80's in the SS has a 3.23 rear gear.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I have an auto and the only gear ratio available for the auto is a 3.23.

Bigtime53 · 06-29-2023, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trickskier

I have an auto and the only gear ratio available for the auto is a 3.23.

You are correct. That is the only gear ratio available for an automatic trans on a ZL1

06-28-2023, 03:00 PM	#1
sinisterZL1 Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Sylvan lake A.B. Canada Posts: 134 View My Garage	M6 to auto swap Looking to swap the M6 for auto , sick of being slow on the 1/4mile track. Is there a complete kit on the market? I don't wat to go to 3spd TH400 as i want to be able to cruise it as well as drag race it more. Car is making 789WHP and 770Tq

06-28-2023, 04:59 PM	#3
Bigdumogre Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: New York Posts: 1,434	Other way around? Who goes from an auto to a manual? Guessing a 6l80e or th350 wouldn’t be too big of a hassle. Best bet is talk to a local tuner/shop and see what they suggest. Probably need a new driveshaft too plus flywheel. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3, Texas speed CNC heads, FTI billet triple disc converter, K&N cai, Katech ported TB, GPI Ported/rod modded manifold, Texas speed 1 7/8 headers, HFC, Flowmaster 2 chambers with x pipe, Mishimoto CC, MSD wires, Roto fab washer relocation, tru cool 40k trans cooler, apex scoop, Pedders extreme coil overs and much more!!

06-29-2023, 11:40 AM	#11
4SFED6.0 Drives: 1991 Camaro Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Detroit MI Posts: 261	I did this swap a few years ago from m6 to 6l90e, not that difficult but time consuming. Will need a new dash harness and engine harness to do it correctly, need ecm, bcm and cluster reprogrammed. Obviously pedals and shifter assembly as well. Everything is plug and play once the programming is done. To be done correctly you will also want to change steering column to get the paddle shifter function. The end product works flawless, the only way to tell mine is a swap is to check the vin. Remote start even works. __________________ 2011 SS Twin Turbo Forged LS9/6L90E Runs 9's

06-28-2023, 03:50 PM	#2
T-Type Drives: Pontiac G8 Join Date: Dec 2022 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 12	I don't think I've heard of anyone wanting to change to an automatic. Usually it's the other way around. Though if that's what you want, I'm not here to judge. Why not find a used auto that normally comes with the car. They shouldn't be hard to find. It will simplify things though it still will be a big job. I'll be honest, I think you'll be better off selling the car and finding an auto. Way less work and likely cheaper in the end.

06-28-2023, 11:50 PM	#4
Little Walter Drives: ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: New Orleans Posts: 261	If you are going with a OEM 6L90 you are going to need a BCM, TCM (Transmission Control Module), Shifter control panel, Paddle Shifter Assembly, different tranny cooler, different heat exchanger and harness, drive shaft, different rear end gearing. As someone above mentioned you would be better to purchase a already automatic ZL1 and deal with a lot less frustration. It would be easier to put your engine in a already auto ZL than to put a auto tranny in a manual car.

06-29-2023, 06:48 AM	#5
FasNuf Drives: 2014 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Oregon Posts: 1,617 View My Garage	There is a ton of work for an OE auto. The ECM will need to be tuned for an auto as well.

06-29-2023, 12:42 PM	#12
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,155	You could also consider using a Kilduff shifter assembly if you don't want to mess with the steering wheel swap. It will move all of the shifter to the console area. But I don't know if that will be how you would want to shift while racing.