GM builds new HD 6 speed.
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GM builds new HD 6 speed.
From GM:
GM Builds New Six-Speed Rear-Wheel-Drive Transmission Variant In Ypsilanti For Heavy-Duty Pickups
YPSILANTI, Mich. - General Motors’ (GM) Ypsilanti Transmission Operations is producing a new variant of its Hydra-Matic rear-wheel-drive six-speed transmission. The new 6L90 six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is standard in the all new 2007 GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado heavy-duty pickups.
Advantages of the new 6L90 transmission include improved fuel economy, performance and handling:
The 6L90 transmission has a wide overall ratio spread of 6.04, compared to 3.31 in the previous 4L80 used in the heavy-duty pickup trucks. This allows a “steep” 4.03 first gear, which provides an improved performance launch feel.
With this wide ratio spread, there are smaller steps between the gears, optimizing the gear ratio for towing, providing good shift quality, and maximized acceleration and fuel economy.
With two overdrive gears – fifth and sixth – engine rpm is reduced by approximately 19 percent at 60 mph – a reduction of about 400 rpm. A lower engine speed reduces engine wear and improves fuel economy. Engine noise is also lower during cruising.
The 6L90 has the capability for Driver Shift Control (Tap Up/Tap Down), Tow/Haul Mode, Auto Grade braking and uses DEXRON VI premium fluid, which has been validated to improve durability and provide more consistent shift performance in extreme conditions.
The GM Ypsilanti Transmission Operations (YTO) has produced nearly 200,000 transmissions since it opened in January 2003. The plant employs 500 people. YTO currently produces the 6L80 six-speed transmission for the Cadillac Escalade ESV and EXT; the Cadillac XLR and XLR-V; the Cadillac STS-V; the GMC Yukon Denali; and the Chevrolet Corvette. It also produces the 6L50 six-speed transmission for the Cadillac STS and the SRX.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 284,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally.
YPSILANTI, Mich. - General Motors’ (GM) Ypsilanti Transmission Operations is producing a new variant of its Hydra-Matic rear-wheel-drive six-speed transmission. The new 6L90 six-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission is standard in the all new 2007 GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado heavy-duty pickups.
Advantages of the new 6L90 transmission include improved fuel economy, performance and handling:
The 6L90 transmission has a wide overall ratio spread of 6.04, compared to 3.31 in the previous 4L80 used in the heavy-duty pickup trucks. This allows a “steep” 4.03 first gear, which provides an improved performance launch feel.
With this wide ratio spread, there are smaller steps between the gears, optimizing the gear ratio for towing, providing good shift quality, and maximized acceleration and fuel economy.
With two overdrive gears – fifth and sixth – engine rpm is reduced by approximately 19 percent at 60 mph – a reduction of about 400 rpm. A lower engine speed reduces engine wear and improves fuel economy. Engine noise is also lower during cruising.
The 6L90 has the capability for Driver Shift Control (Tap Up/Tap Down), Tow/Haul Mode, Auto Grade braking and uses DEXRON VI premium fluid, which has been validated to improve durability and provide more consistent shift performance in extreme conditions.
The GM Ypsilanti Transmission Operations (YTO) has produced nearly 200,000 transmissions since it opened in January 2003. The plant employs 500 people. YTO currently produces the 6L80 six-speed transmission for the Cadillac Escalade ESV and EXT; the Cadillac XLR and XLR-V; the Cadillac STS-V; the GMC Yukon Denali; and the Chevrolet Corvette. It also produces the 6L50 six-speed transmission for the Cadillac STS and the SRX.
General Motors Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 284,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally.
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From: Albany, NY
The 6 speeds are spreading. Makes sense to put them in the more expensive trucks first.
What is the base engine for a Silverado HD? say a 2500 regular cab, is it the 6.0L L76?
Edit: nevermind I found it. 2500's will get a LY6 6.0L w/ VVT no AFM 353HP
What is the base engine for a Silverado HD? say a 2500 regular cab, is it the 6.0L L76?
Edit: nevermind I found it. 2500's will get a LY6 6.0L w/ VVT no AFM 353HP
Last edited by Z28x; Feb 13, 2007 at 09:12 AM.
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Which Silverado do we compare Tundra to??...1500, 2500, or 3500...since you can get a Silverado trim in all three.
Looks to me that Toyota is aiming at the middle-of-the-road, maybe a heavy duty optioned 1500 or a standard 2500.
The 2500 already has a HD 6spd Alison, same as found in Medium duty Commercial trucks @ 2 ton +...
Looks to me that Toyota is aiming at the middle-of-the-road, maybe a heavy duty optioned 1500 or a standard 2500.
The 2500 already has a HD 6spd Alison, same as found in Medium duty Commercial trucks @ 2 ton +...
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Posts: 4,320
From: Memphis
Which Silverado do we compare Tundra to??...1500, 2500, or 3500...since you can get a Silverado trim in all three.
Looks to me that Toyota is aiming at the middle-of-the-road, maybe a heavy duty optioned 1500 or a standard 2500.
The 2500 already has a HD 6spd Alison, same as found in Medium duty Commercial trucks @ 2 ton +...
Looks to me that Toyota is aiming at the middle-of-the-road, maybe a heavy duty optioned 1500 or a standard 2500.
The 2500 already has a HD 6spd Alison, same as found in Medium duty Commercial trucks @ 2 ton +...
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Posts: 3,650
From: Indianapolis, IN
Tundra is a "half ton" (which is a term that doesn't really mean anything these days), though at its high end with 5.7L/six speed and trailering package, it may be flirting with some of the bigger boys in terms of grunt. But then again, so is the Silverado when optioned with the Vortec Max and its trailering package. Payloads will still be quite a bit lower than the 2500HD/3500HD trucks (those can get over 5000 lbs, iirc).
It used to be 1500 ("1/2 ton"), 2500 ("3/4 ton"), and 3500 ("1 ton") designations. Those are still around of course, but the "HD" trucks have their own unique frame. The Tundra and Titan, at this point, only have one frame.
So for the Silverado, there is the 1500 and 2500 on the "light duty" platform. Then there is the beefier 2500HD and 3500HD, which are on the heavier duty platform. (The "1500HD" sort of put a wrench in that by using the heavier frame but tuned for lighter payload). There isn't currently a Tundra of that type, nor is there a Titan. Word is that Toyota is/was working on an HD Tundra, but rumors are that it has been delayed/put on hold. Probably want to see how the new Tundra sells, and how the pickup market overall does in the coming years with fuel prices and such.
EDIT: Regarding the six speeds:
The Allison is separate, of course. It was already a six speed in the latter versions of the GMT800 HDs.
The 6L90 is the beefy version of the new rwd (non-Allison) six speeds. It is the base gearbox in the redesigned HD pickups. So the HD pickups are six speed only.
Either the 6L90 with the 6.0L gas V8, or the Allison (if you get the Duramax).
The 6L80 is another (still beefy) version of the new rwd autos. It is used in the Escalade/Denali (with the 6.2L), the Corvette, XLR, STS-V, etc. I'm sure it will be the one to proliferate into the rest of the non-HD pickups.
There is also a 6L50 rwd gearbox for cars (like the STS, CTS, etc.)
It used to be 1500 ("1/2 ton"), 2500 ("3/4 ton"), and 3500 ("1 ton") designations. Those are still around of course, but the "HD" trucks have their own unique frame. The Tundra and Titan, at this point, only have one frame.
So for the Silverado, there is the 1500 and 2500 on the "light duty" platform. Then there is the beefier 2500HD and 3500HD, which are on the heavier duty platform. (The "1500HD" sort of put a wrench in that by using the heavier frame but tuned for lighter payload). There isn't currently a Tundra of that type, nor is there a Titan. Word is that Toyota is/was working on an HD Tundra, but rumors are that it has been delayed/put on hold. Probably want to see how the new Tundra sells, and how the pickup market overall does in the coming years with fuel prices and such.
EDIT: Regarding the six speeds:
The Allison is separate, of course. It was already a six speed in the latter versions of the GMT800 HDs.
The 6L90 is the beefy version of the new rwd (non-Allison) six speeds. It is the base gearbox in the redesigned HD pickups. So the HD pickups are six speed only.
Either the 6L90 with the 6.0L gas V8, or the Allison (if you get the Duramax).The 6L80 is another (still beefy) version of the new rwd autos. It is used in the Escalade/Denali (with the 6.2L), the Corvette, XLR, STS-V, etc. I'm sure it will be the one to proliferate into the rest of the non-HD pickups.
There is also a 6L50 rwd gearbox for cars (like the STS, CTS, etc.)
Last edited by 96_Camaro_B4C; Feb 13, 2007 at 10:25 AM.
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I wish I could find where somebody had a really good breakdown analysis of exactly what is different between a 1500 and 1500HD, especially in the GMT-900s, though I realize that info may not be available yet since the 1500HD isn't out for the 900s, yet.
But still - is it just the frame and standard motor/trans that's different, and if so what is really different about the frame? OK it's "beefier" but what does that mean? It it just a larger/heavier/thicker version of the same thing, or more hydroformed sections and more cross-members, or what?
And then what does that actually translate to in the real world? Better reliability for normal light truck duties? Better ride or rougher ride? Less likely to have durability issues later on in life?
Just wondering... like if I saw a 1500 and a 1500HD and I wanted a 6.0 no matter what and the 1500HD was comparably equipped for say 2 grand more and I didn't really NEED the extra towing and payload capacity, what other reasons would I have that could justify getting the HD, or would there be none other than to feel cool?
But still - is it just the frame and standard motor/trans that's different, and if so what is really different about the frame? OK it's "beefier" but what does that mean? It it just a larger/heavier/thicker version of the same thing, or more hydroformed sections and more cross-members, or what?
And then what does that actually translate to in the real world? Better reliability for normal light truck duties? Better ride or rougher ride? Less likely to have durability issues later on in life?
Just wondering... like if I saw a 1500 and a 1500HD and I wanted a 6.0 no matter what and the 1500HD was comparably equipped for say 2 grand more and I didn't really NEED the extra towing and payload capacity, what other reasons would I have that could justify getting the HD, or would there be none other than to feel cool?
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,650
From: Indianapolis, IN
I wish I could find where somebody had a really good breakdown analysis of exactly what is different between a 1500 and 1500HD, especially in the GMT-900s, though I realize that info may not be available yet since the 1500HD isn't out for the 900s, yet.
But still - is it just the frame and standard motor/trans that's different, and if so what is really different about the frame? OK it's "beefier" but what does that mean? It it just a larger/heavier/thicker version of the same thing, or more hydroformed sections and more cross-members, or what?
And then what does that actually translate to in the real world? Better reliability for normal light truck duties? Better ride or rougher ride? Less likely to have durability issues later on in life?
Just wondering... like if I saw a 1500 and a 1500HD and I wanted a 6.0 no matter what and the 1500HD was comparably equipped for say 2 grand more and I didn't really NEED the extra towing and payload capacity, what other reasons would I have that could justify getting the HD, or would there be none other than to feel cool?
But still - is it just the frame and standard motor/trans that's different, and if so what is really different about the frame? OK it's "beefier" but what does that mean? It it just a larger/heavier/thicker version of the same thing, or more hydroformed sections and more cross-members, or what?
And then what does that actually translate to in the real world? Better reliability for normal light truck duties? Better ride or rougher ride? Less likely to have durability issues later on in life?
Just wondering... like if I saw a 1500 and a 1500HD and I wanted a 6.0 no matter what and the 1500HD was comparably equipped for say 2 grand more and I didn't really NEED the extra towing and payload capacity, what other reasons would I have that could justify getting the HD, or would there be none other than to feel cool?
As for the 1500HD vs. the "regular" 1500, the only real advantage I can think of (on the GMT800s, at least) if you don't really NEED an HD truck was the crew cab / box configuration. IIRC, the 1500HD came as a crew cab with the 6.5' box. On the "regular" 1500, that setup was not available. The crew cab 1500s came with the shorter 5'9" box (like the Ford "supercrew" F150). They rode on basically the same wheelbase as the extended cab / 6.5' box combo.
I think that is still the case with the GMT900s, too. Right now the crew cab body comes with the shorter box. I don't quite understand why you can't get the crew cab body with the 6.5" box on the half ton. Perhaps that is one more wheelbase/length configuration that they did not want to do with the half ton frame. It isn't because the frame can't handle it, though, since you CAN get an extended cab body with the 8' bed. An extended cab / 8' box has a 157.5" wb. The extended cab / 6.5' or crew cab / 5'9" both ride on a 143.5" wb. The crew cab with the 6.5' box would be a 153" wb. Maybe they just didn't have the plant setup or didn't want to add yet another configuration to the half ton line when the volume wouldn't support it.
http://www.chevrolet.com/silverado/specifications/ shows the different wheelbase / cab / box combinations.
Last edited by 96_Camaro_B4C; Feb 13, 2007 at 10:53 AM.
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