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Slipping shifting into 3rd

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2016 7:20 pm
by v8suprcapric
Hey my 80,000 mile 9C3 seems to be wanting to slip when up shifting into 3rd when I'm getting on the gas pretty good. I believe the transmission was replaced at some point under warranty. I still have almost 2 years/30,000 miles left on the extended factory warranty. Think this could be the start of a failing transmission?

Re: Slipping shifting into 3rd

Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2016 11:16 pm
by xcidmigs
have you changed the trans oil ever? If not might be a good first step

Re: Slipping shifting into 3rd

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 5:21 pm
by Arcticolds442
I have the same thing happening. Mine has two or three RPM "flairs" at WOT in 2nd gear before the shift. I've got 90k on mine, and the local Chevy dealership looked at it and denies its a problem, but never charged me for diagnostic work, so they either didn't look at it real close or couldn't figure out what the problem was, so they left it alone.

I haven't changed my fluid since I got my Caprice a year ago, and I doubt it got changed prior to it's retirement from the fuzz force. I'll start there and report back.

Re: Slipping shifting into 3rd

Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2016 5:38 pm
by smwalker
I read the deeper pan from the CTS prevents flares.

Parts Info:

2 Gallons AC Delco Dexron VI Automatic Transmission Fluid
AC Delco Part Number: 10-9030
GM Part Number: 88861954
$23.64 a gallon thru Amazon.com - Free Shipping

Transmission Filter from the Cadillac CTS and Many Trucks (Wide mouth)
GM / AC Delco Part Number: 24236933
$28.79 thru RockAuto.com - Bit Cheaper on Amazon.com

Transmission Pan from the Camaro/Cadillac STS (Deep Pan)
GM / AC Delco Part Number: 24250062
$22.79 thru RockAuto.com - Best price I found

Transmission Pan Gasket (can reuse old one if not to many miles on it)
GM / AC Delco Part Number: 24224781
$12.00 Thru RockAuto.com - Only $6.00 shipping for 3 items.

Info: viewtopic.php?f=17&t=821&#p7418" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


Explination from Car Modder in case it gets lost, that site is going down piece by piece:
The 6L80 Automatic Transmission fitted to Holden Commodore V8 models (And export versions of this vehicle such as the Pontiac G8, Vauxhall VXR8, and Chevrolet Caprice, Chevrolet SS) features a transmission sump unique to these model vehicles.

The standard Holden fitted sump is a low profile model fitted primarily to allow for greater ground clearance than the usual sump fitted to other models with the 6L80 Transmission such as the Chevrolet Camaro.

Although this increases ground clearance, it also has the undesired effect of reducing the amount of transmission fluid capacity of the transmission.

This has the flow on effect whereby with the reduced transmission fluid level, it is more likely for the transmission to to experience transmission fluid starvation under situations such as harsh braking, acceleration, or high cornering forces.

This fluid starvation will result in transmission gear flaring on gear shifts, slow gear changes, and poor cold temperature performance.

The solution to this is to fit the larger, deeper transmission sump, and the longer (larger mouthed) transmission fluid filter from the Chevrolet Camaro model (That uses the 6L80 6 Speed Automatic Transmission).
This allows for the transmission to hold an extra 2 Litres of transmission fluid, as well as allowing the transmission fluid pick-up to sit lower in the pan. (Reducing the likelihood of transmission fluid starvation when braking, accelerating and cornering.

Re: Slipping shifting into 3rd

Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2016 5:24 pm
by Arcticolds442
Great info smwalker! Thanks a bunch. And the $$$ isn't much more than a regular trans flush in my driveway, so I am definitely going to try this out.

Re: Slipping shifting into 3rd

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2017 10:16 pm
by Arcticolds442
I just wanted to follow up on this Camaro pan swap for this flair issue. I swapped mine last weekend and it was really easy. The worst part was having to pump new atf into the pan without a fill tube, so I am pretty disappointed in GM for removing it for cost savings. Once on my test drive, the results were obvious. The trans shifted way smoother and best of all...no more flairs before the 2-3 shift under full throttle. None whatsoever.

Thanks again for this great tip!

Re: Slipping shifting into 3rd

Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2017 10:33 pm
by smwalker
NICE!!! Really glad that worked out for you.

And just notices there seems to be a new number for the ATF fluid and much cheaper on Amazon anyway - AC delco: 10-9395

Re: Slipping shifting into 3rd

Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2017 9:17 pm
by Raunchtastic
I would be curious to see any updates in a few months. I flushed my ATF and had about 3 months of no flares, then they came back sporadically. I would love to get rid of them for good, and may swap the pan just for piece of mind. Who knows, I may just TR6060 swap it so any poor shifts can be blamed on me.

Re: Slipping shifting into 3rd

Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2019 3:35 am
by tedwards0633
I have the same thing happening to mine. I am doing this ASAP.

Re: Slipping shifting into 3rd

Posted: Sun Apr 28, 2019 8:35 am
by cerbomark
What I have found when having my fluid /filter changed was that fluid level is critical to proper shifting. This can be difficult without a dipstick but directions for level setting are here on the site. Trans Temp is important when setting.
I have a prefect shifting trans but decided to change filter/fluid anyway. Shop came up short on the re fill (don t know how) but the trans started slipping. Re set fluid level and now back to perfect. I kept everything stock BTW.