Adding gears?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Right here
Adding gears? I have a 2009 Chevrolet Colorado with the 5.3L 4 speed auto that I'm on a tweak seek to get better overall performance / efficiency without breaking the bank... and the thought came up concerning adding a 6 speed auto tranny, but after reading this thread, it seems to be very expensive - https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...auto-swap.html
So, what do you guys think about bolt on gears like the folks here offer?
http://www.gearvendors.com/hrgm4s.html
I didn't read all of it, but it sounds like this setup would bolt on to the back of your existing tranny... if this is a workable solution, would a lot of re-tuning of the ECM or BCM been needed?
Just wanted to see what the consensus is on this type of setup, or if I should be looking at other options?
.
So, what do you guys think about bolt on gears like the folks here offer?
http://www.gearvendors.com/hrgm4s.html
I didn't read all of it, but it sounds like this setup would bolt on to the back of your existing tranny... if this is a workable solution, would a lot of re-tuning of the ECM or BCM been needed?
Just wanted to see what the consensus is on this type of setup, or if I should be looking at other options?
.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
I don't think adding a Gearvendors overdrive to your existing setup would give you anything of value, much less satisfy you. Considering the unit and all the mods needed, you are likely looking at $4000+. Your stock ECM/TCM would not support it in any way. I thought people only bought those as overdrive for e.g. their TH400 so that you could have overdrive. And then activated by a push-button on the dash. As least in the old day, perhaps there are aftermarket TCM that support it now (and cost another $1000).
Installing a 6 speed manual trans would be less expensive and you ECM likely can be tuned to support it. Assuming you want a manual trans.
At these prices, you find an engine swap to be the best solution. E.g. a 6.2l crate engine. If you just want better performance, bolt-ons can often give you a 25% boost in power; some bolt-ons will likely make you fail an emission test if you have them, but others should pass. Of course being in Michigan I know nutin about emission tests.
Installing a 6 speed manual trans would be less expensive and you ECM likely can be tuned to support it. Assuming you want a manual trans.
At these prices, you find an engine swap to be the best solution. E.g. a 6.2l crate engine. If you just want better performance, bolt-ons can often give you a 25% boost in power; some bolt-ons will likely make you fail an emission test if you have them, but others should pass. Of course being in Michigan I know nutin about emission tests.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Right here
I wouldn't want to swap engines just to get a couple of extra gears in the automatic tranny (wouldn't want a manual at all)
Someone was telling me on another board that the 4L80 may fit physically in my truck and my ECM may support it with a re-program.
That would be great news if that worked out cause I'd like to have a couple of higher gears for better highway drivability and fuel efficiency like the full size pickups.
Someone was telling me on another board that the 4L80 may fit physically in my truck and my ECM may support it with a re-program.
That would be great news if that worked out cause I'd like to have a couple of higher gears for better highway drivability and fuel efficiency like the full size pickups.
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 7,323
Likes: 529
From: Ann Arbor, MI
Yes, a 4L80E will fit, but it will give you worse gas mileage for several reasons.
1. Overdrive in a 4L80E is .75 versus .70 for a 4L60E. In other words with a 4L80E your engine will rev higher on the hwy and likely use more gas.
2. The 4L80E wastes about 5HP more than a 4L60E.
3. A 4L80E weighs about 50 lbs more than a 4L60E.
A 4L80E has tighter gear ratios which are desirable in a lighter weight car and the tighter ratios often make it faster on a drag strip despite the extra weight and 5HP loss.
GM had a strong incentive to make your truck as fuel efficient as possible. You are unlikely to improve on it without either spending mega bucks and/or flunking an emissions test.
BTW - Your truck might have a 4L70E or 4L75E trans; it doesn't matter 4L60E, 4L65E and 4L70E are all basically the same trans with the same case and gear ratios.
1. Overdrive in a 4L80E is .75 versus .70 for a 4L60E. In other words with a 4L80E your engine will rev higher on the hwy and likely use more gas.
2. The 4L80E wastes about 5HP more than a 4L60E.
3. A 4L80E weighs about 50 lbs more than a 4L60E.
A 4L80E has tighter gear ratios which are desirable in a lighter weight car and the tighter ratios often make it faster on a drag strip despite the extra weight and 5HP loss.
GM had a strong incentive to make your truck as fuel efficient as possible. You are unlikely to improve on it without either spending mega bucks and/or flunking an emissions test.
BTW - Your truck might have a 4L70E or 4L75E trans; it doesn't matter 4L60E, 4L65E and 4L70E are all basically the same trans with the same case and gear ratios.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Right here
I was just looking at a print out the original owner gave me when I bought this truck at 6400 miles (I'm the second owner) and it says the transmission is an "M30 Automatic Transmission" but I don't know if that was the original equipment list printout before the original owner made some special order requests or not.
Yeah, I guess I should really consider the fact the GM knew what they were doing when they decided on the components of this truck.
I just hear about the newer ones coming with 6 speed automatics and thought since they are doing that now there may be some advantages.
Never hurts to open up a thread and see what the views of others are on a subject...
I'll just stick with my original plan of getting it tuned to tweak it that way a little and then drive it till I leave the planet!
Yeah, I guess I should really consider the fact the GM knew what they were doing when they decided on the components of this truck.
I just hear about the newer ones coming with 6 speed automatics and thought since they are doing that now there may be some advantages.
Never hurts to open up a thread and see what the views of others are on a subject...
I'll just stick with my original plan of getting it tuned to tweak it that way a little and then drive it till I leave the planet!
