blown VE auto?

[phat_6ltr]

Has any one blown up their 6L80E (six speed auto) outta the VE's yet? Or any problems starting to show after a year or so worth of 400+hpatw?

[PhatCommy]

I've been running around 360rwkw through mine since December. I only drive it on weekends and its got a trans cooler fitted and its still going strong.

[Reaper]

No but if you hammered the crap out of it a blown auto wouldn't surprise me.

Reaper

[phat_6ltr]

Yeah sweet, i should be fine then, just been told by a few shops they're sh*thouse and won't take too much to stuff them, I'm the same tho it's a weekend car and probably never see a 1/4 mile..

[bladerunner]

no they aren"t that bad, they have strong points and weak points and can be built to cope with decent hp. It all depends on how deep your pockets are. there is a lot of good gear coming out of the states available for them now. the main problem is getting them tuned properly,there is some conjecture around with some aftermarket builders insisting they run the stock tune once they are modded and some say they should be tuned. earlier boxes suffered weak oil pumps etc.. But gm has improved them a lot such as a better pump etc.. since the early days

[phat_6ltr]

Yeah u don't know who to believe, that's why I've decided to ask the people that have them with some good power behind em.. I've been looking at circle D in the states, they do a great kit but I'd rather keep it local.. Thanx for the info mate it all helps

[RiCeY]

Cooling is a biggie, upgrade the trans cooler for a start.

[phat_6ltr]

Can this be done at home easy enough?

[RiCeY]

Yeah not a big job.

[phat_6ltr]

Might sus it out over the week n sort it out..

[EraserHead]

6L80 is designed to handle almost 600Nm of torque, so plenty in reserve. Remember, this same tranny is also fitted to the Corvette (only difference is the converter) and the Silverados. Biggest problem with high horsepower (500hp+) will be the clutch packs - simply not enough friction area.

[phat_6ltr]

It seems to be holding up fine with 411hp but looking at forced induction within the next year or so.. 600nm isn't all that much considering VE's came out with 530nm stock..

[EraserHead]

Yep, with the increase in torque you'll definately need work on the clutch packs. They genrally add more plates and more friction material to all 3 packs. Correctly set up the 6L80 can handle lots of hp, but of course there will be a cost to this...

[phat_6ltr]

yeah there's one mob somewhere in Aus that do billet 4-5-6 hub shaft assembly and pack, upgraded 3-5-R and 2-6 clutch paks with nitrided steels and added clutch capacity etc but i cant for the life of me remember who.. think it was close to 8k

[EraserHead]

Yep, Circle D are pretty good in the US - Circle D - Transmission repair, Houston, Katy, Spring, Cypress, Tomball, Galveston, Clear Lake, Waller, Spring Valley, Hempstead, Magnolia, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Conroe, Montgomery, Houston transmission repair, differential repai. Would probably be my first stop.

Also check out Century Transmissions - also in Texas Super 6L80 Transmission build | Century Transmission | Century Transmission. A bargain at $3300 change over or you can just buy the parts you need.

$8K here in Oz seems rather high in comparison...

Maybe try Sure-Shift in Virginia, Qld. They have a packgae for up to 750hp for $2300 fitted (drop your car off and have a weeks holidays in Queensland!) or $1800 excluding remove and replace.

[bladerunner]

Scott at sure shift is good with these boxes, that other place ur trying to remember, would that be craigs automatics in Sydney, can't remember precisely where?

[phat_6ltr]

yeah I've spoken to both those blokes but there was another one too lol.. I'm gonna get the clutch packs and the cooler done before xmas then start saving for an MP1900 blower, should be on there by mid 2012.. fingers crossed