Why doesn't / when will GM put the 6-speed that's currently in the 'Vette into the trucks? If it can handle ~430+ HP, then it should handle the demands of the trucks! (heck, the 'ol 4L60E has been doing a decent job for years and years now!)

 

They already put the 6 speed in the Escalade, Denali and HD trucks. They just won't put it in run of the mill light duty stuff for some reason.

 

hopefully it won't take much longer..

 

it would be interesting to see what the difference in cost is between the 4l60e vs. the 6 speed auto

its probably hard to justify putting a high dollar tranny into something that cant leave the lots without huge discounts because of gas prices

 

I think its because of availability...they can't make enough. But I could be way off.

 

i read an interview about bob lutz discussing the 6l80e in the vette a while back. he said there is a marginal price difference between the 6 speeds and the 4 speeds. it amazes me that gm knows customers want the 6 speeds but they still wont mass produce them like the 4l60e. i think either gm still has a massive contract to produce 4 speeds or they are designing a new transmission to be paired with the new gen V motors, maybe. ive heard the gen V technology is going to be some crazy stuff.

 

When GMT900 was introduced we were promised 6 speeds and all aluminum V-8's. Two years later they all still have four speeds and its hard to find the all-aluminum V-8, aka flex fuel motor. On the local lot it seemed like 25% had the flex fuel motor which is stupid cause they charge the same price for either motor, you have to be dumb to buy the iron block motor. As for transmissions the 4l60 works fine with no load, but when towing it sucks, the gear spreads are way too far apart, that why it stinks in acceleration as mentioned above. Having to downshift to second gear and 4000-4500 rpm to go up a hill suck. GM could save money by simply using more identical parts in their powertains. Why the I-5 and I-6 when theres the HF? Its mass production silly. They have too much overlap, and the four speed makes the truck look cheap and low tech. I think its cool that GM has basically saved the pushrod V-8 and nobody doubts its abilities but the four speed is a different animal and its weak history doesn't help.

 

I don't think it is a "won't" put the 6 speeds into the run of the mill light duty stuff as they can't do it. The production capacity for the 4 speed units is HUGE!!! It isn't easy for any company to change over such high volume parts and it takes time. Also you need to remember that suppliers and tooling must be kept up for both units while the changeover is made. That is why GM is using the 6 speeds in the higher cost/lower volume models 1st.