8L45 transmission swap - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

duncan999007 · 07-11-2018, 03:56 PM

I have a 13 LT. I bought it with 120k on the clock, and the guy had been running some 24" wheels and pushing it hard, so the transmission's getting pretty sloppy. I've done everything short of rebuilding it, but that got me thinking about outright replacing it since they're so cheap.

Then I thought more (I know, I shouldn't.)

Since all the V8 transmissions have the same bolt patterns, do all the V6s? Could I take one of the 8 speed autos from the newer cars (or the 10 speed if I feel like crying) and swap it in my fifth gen? I wouldn't be doing it for performance, but they're just so smooth

Anybody have input?

MagnumForceGB · 07-11-2018, 03:59 PM

Different TCU's, but what is wrong with your 6L50 now? Nobody has push their transmission as hard as I did and mine was shifting in 30 milliseconds prior to breaking the input shaft from wheel hop. If it is sloppy, then the transmission fluid could be overheated.

duncan999007 · 07-11-2018, 06:51 PM

I've had the fluid changed twice now. An actual flush the second time against my better judgement just because the first try didn't fix the issue. It shifts like a fourteen year old learning to drive a stick. This thing was so abused, there's lash in the rear end that's loud enough to echo when you switch from drive to reverse in a garage. Occasionally when getting on it from a stop, it feels like when my left foot doesn't quite flip past neutral and it pops back out for a second. I don't have a good way to check the transmission fluid temp when running since the car doesn't monitor it.

Any recommendations?

MagnumForceGB · 07-11-2018, 07:06 PM

If you have a scanner like Torque App with a bluetooth OBD2 plug-in, you can see the transmission fluid temperature.

It sounds like the Low Clutch Sprag is messed up, which is a part that would have to be replaced. The part is cheap but the entire transmission would have to be disassembled. If you are paying a shop, it gets expensive. I'm doing my transmission rebuild myself and it is intensive.

Another option would be to buy a used 6L50, you can get them for around $500.

duncan999007 · 07-11-2018, 07:09 PM

I'll look into the scanner. I've seen the low prices on used 6l50s, but if I'm changing it, I feel like I might as well upgrade. I haven't seen anything other than CAN communication being an issue with an 8L45, and I work on embedded systems, so making something work seems like a good challenge.

MagnumForceGB · 07-11-2018, 08:17 PM

Mechanically it should be the same, it is supposed to have the same dimensions as the 6L50.

Electrically, getting them to communicate would be work. You will need all the electrical diagrams for both parts.

07-11-2018, 03:56 PM	#1
duncan999007 Drives: 2013 2LT Dark Metallic Blue Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 52	8L45 transmission swap I have a 13 LT. I bought it with 120k on the clock, and the guy had been running some 24" wheels and pushing it hard, so the transmission's getting pretty sloppy. I've done everything short of rebuilding it, but that got me thinking about outright replacing it since they're so cheap. Then I thought more (I know, I shouldn't.) Since all the V8 transmissions have the same bolt patterns, do all the V6s? Could I take one of the 8 speed autos from the newer cars (or the 10 speed if I feel like crying) and swap it in my fifth gen? I wouldn't be doing it for performance, but they're just so smooth Anybody have input?

07-11-2018, 03:59 PM	#2
MagnumForceGB Drives: Fastest 2010 Camaro V6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle, OK Posts: 3,571 View My Garage	Different TCU's, but what is wrong with your 6L50 now? Nobody has push their transmission as hard as I did and mine was shifting in 30 milliseconds prior to breaking the input shaft from wheel hop. If it is sloppy, then the transmission fluid could be overheated. __________________ Camaro V6 = 11.268 @ 120.11

07-11-2018, 07:06 PM	#4
MagnumForceGB Drives: Fastest 2010 Camaro V6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle, OK Posts: 3,571 View My Garage	If you have a scanner like Torque App with a bluetooth OBD2 plug-in, you can see the transmission fluid temperature. It sounds like the Low Clutch Sprag is messed up, which is a part that would have to be replaced. The part is cheap but the entire transmission would have to be disassembled. If you are paying a shop, it gets expensive. I'm doing my transmission rebuild myself and it is intensive. Another option would be to buy a used 6L50, you can get them for around $500. __________________ Camaro V6 = 11.268 @ 120.11

07-11-2018, 08:17 PM	#6
MagnumForceGB Drives: Fastest 2010 Camaro V6 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Newcastle, OK Posts: 3,571 View My Garage	Mechanically it should be the same, it is supposed to have the same dimensions as the 6L50. Electrically, getting them to communicate would be work. You will need all the electrical diagrams for both parts. __________________ Camaro V6 = 11.268 @ 120.11

07-11-2018, 06:51 PM	#3
duncan999007 Drives: 2013 2LT Dark Metallic Blue Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 52	I've had the fluid changed twice now. An actual flush the second time against my better judgement just because the first try didn't fix the issue. It shifts like a fourteen year old learning to drive a stick. This thing was so abused, there's lash in the rear end that's loud enough to echo when you switch from drive to reverse in a garage. Occasionally when getting on it from a stop, it feels like when my left foot doesn't quite flip past neutral and it pops back out for a second. I don't have a good way to check the transmission fluid temp when running since the car doesn't monitor it. Any recommendations?

07-11-2018, 07:09 PM	#5
duncan999007 Drives: 2013 2LT Dark Metallic Blue Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 52	I'll look into the scanner. I've seen the low prices on used 6l50s, but if I'm changing it, I feel like I might as well upgrade. I haven't seen anything other than CAN communication being an issue with an 8L45, and I work on embedded systems, so making something work seems like a good challenge.