The 6L80 Hydra-Matic transmission is a 6 speed automatic transmission manufactured by General Motors. It was created to help GM meet ever more demanding CAFE regulations on their vehicles. By utilizing more gearing, the 6L80 keeps the car in it’s power band longer, improving the MPG of the vehicle between 4-7% (over the previous generation fours speed transmissions) depending on the configuration of the vehicle that it’s in.
This 6-speed automatic is mated to a large variety of applications including Chevy GMC and Pontiac. The 6L80's universal design allows it to fit in larger GM and Chevy SUV's like the Hummer H2 and Tahoe, it's also compatible with smaller vehicles such as the Caprice and Pontiac G8. For example, the Porsche Cayenne has an 8-speed Tiptronic S version that learns the driver behavior and acts in accordance, according to the manufacturer. Many modern cars have advanced versions of the automatic transmission but none of them has this feature. Both the transmissions are similar in the sense that they are easy to operate. 'New fuel-saving 6-speed transaxle to propel Ford Edge to head of crossover utility class'. Ford Motor Company press release. Archived from the original on October 5, 2012 CS1 maint: discouraged parameter 'New Hydra-Matic 6T70 Six-Speed Automatic Delivers Performance and Fuel Economy'. The 6L80 denotes that the transmission is a 6-Speed, Longitudinally mounted, and for 8000 lbs. Vehicle weights. It's RPO code is 'MYC' and it is domestically manufactured in GM's Ypsilanti, Michigan plant. Newer to the transmission world is its use of direct clutch-to-clutch shifting and the total lack of bands.
It began replacing the 4L60E transmission in many vehicles starting in the 2006 model year. The 6L80E went mostly into large vehicles with V8 motors. For the most part, this transmission has been phased out by the 8L90E already, but is still in prodution.
Unlike the 4L60E and 4L80E, the 6L80 is not always referred to as with the E on the end because it’s been over 25 years since the last non electronic GM transmission has been in production.
The 6L80 was used in trucks, particularly in the GMT 900 platform. The exceptions to this would be the 2006-2014 Corvette, 2006 G8, 2010-2015 Camaro, and the Chevrolet SS. In fact, the only 2017 model year vehicle that still comes with this transmission is the Chevrolet SS.
6L80E Specs
The 6L80 is a robust transmission and can handle a ton of power. In fact the input torque rating is 440 lb. and it can handle a total gross vehicle weight of 8,600 lb, which makes it a great transmission for LS swaps with no modification needed whatsoever.
It’s a longitudinal transmission (that’s what the L in 6L80E stands for). This means that it’s designed for rear wheel drive vehicles only. It has a line pressure tap for diagnostic purposes.
Here are the basic specs for the 6L80E:
| Manufacturer: General Motors |
| Production: 2005+ |
| Type: 6 Speed Automatic, 10-12.6 quart capacity (dependent upon application) |
| Max RPM: 6500 |
| Input Shaft: Application dependent |
| Torque Converter Lock: Yes |
| Overdrive: Yes, 2 gears |
| Case Length: 23.5″ |
| Outer Case Material: Cast Aluminum |
| Controlled by Computer: Yes |
| Dry Weight: 195 lb. Wet Weight: 207-227 lb. wet |
6L80E Gear Ratios
The 6L80E uses four under drive gears and two overdrive gears. It does not have a direct 1:1 ratio like the 4L80E and 4L60E, which is worth noting. The 6L80E’s gear rations are as follows:
Gear | Ratio |
| 1 | 4.027 |
| 2 | 2.364 |
| 3 | 1.532 |
| 4 | 1.152 |
| 5 | 0.852 |
| 6 | 0.0667 |
| Reverse | 3.064 |
6L80E Identification
There are two super easy ways to tell whether or not the transmission is a 6L80E. Which one you use is going to depend on whether or not the transmission is in or out of the vehicle. If the transmission is in the vehicle you can use the RPO tag in the glove compartment. If you know the RPO code for the transmission you are golden. It’s like where’s Waldo. Just keep scanning it until you find the one you are looking for.
GM Transmission RPO Codes:
- 6L80– MYC
- 6L90- MYD
- 4L60E- M30
- 4L60E- M30
- 4L60E- M30
- 4L65E- M32
- 4L80E- MTI
Every modern GM vehicle has one of these sheets in its glove compartment. Use it to verify the vehicle has a M30 4L60ENow, if the transmission is out of the vehicle (or if you don’t trust a sticker), the 6L80E has an 18 bolt case. That’s more than almost any other GM automatic transmission. It looks nearly identical to the 6L90. For all practical purposes, these two transmissions are completely interchangeable.
6 Speed Automatic Meaning
The 6L90 has a beefier set of gears and many internal upgrades. Like most GM automatic transmissions, the easiest way to tell them apart is by using the pan gasket. Conveniently, the main transmission that the 6L80E is going to be confused for all have a different number of pan gasket bolts. See the pictures below to help you tell if you have the right transmission.
They all look really similar, so make sure that you bother to count the pan gasket bolts, especially if you have an untrained eye.
6 Speed Automatic Vs Cvt
Conclusion
6 Speed Automatic
That’s pretty much all that’s to it. If you have any questions that I may be able to help you with, drop a comment or contact me.