Will a 2010 Denali 6L80E trans work in 2008 Denali?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Lathbury12

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jun 10, 2021
Posts
4
Reaction score
1
Having trouble getting a consensus on this.

My 2008 Denali 6.2 AWD 6L80E has a blown transmission (that consensus I’m sure of). I found a 2010 Denali 6.2 AWD 6L80E transmission available with very reasonable miles, but in 2010+ they have a different part number.

Are the two years interchangeable as a direct replacement for each other?
 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
5,485
Reaction score
12,967
Location
Richmond, VA
They're interchangeable. The only differences I'm aware of are in the versions of some of the internal bits. But, if I were in your shoes, I would probably opt to have mine overhauled. For one thing, it's not terribly expensive. For another, you'll get a warranty. But the main reason is that a good overhauler will address all of the weak points in that transmission, including the TC lock-up clutch (when it fails it takes the transmission with it), cracks in the weld of the reverse 1-2-3-4 / 3-5-R drum are common, cracked pistons, and valvebody issues, are all addressed with newer versions of the parts. Boneyard transmissions are hit/miss, and usually not all that cheap in the long run.
 
OP
OP
L

Lathbury12

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jun 10, 2021
Posts
4
Reaction score
1
Thank you! I’ve thought about both options. What year do they stop being compatible with an 08? Was it 2015?
 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
5,485
Reaction score
12,967
Location
Richmond, VA
2013 is the last year, I believe. After that, the electronics changed. But I’m not 100% certain that 2014 or even later won’t work with some minor mods. Maybe someone else here knows that answer for sure.

Any idea as to why yours failed?
 

Snowbound

Jim
Joined
Nov 23, 2016
Posts
1,018
Reaction score
2,340
Location
Chicagoland (Lockport)
2010 is not interchangeable with your 08. For some reason that is slipping me right now 10 did something different. My buddy’s 2010 Tahoe needed a trans and it had to be out of another 10 not a 09 or an 11.
The TCM is in the trans and needs to be programmed. What I did it n my wife’s 08 when I swapped trans was download the tune from TCM with my HPTUNERS software and then wrote it to the new TCM when I got the trans installed. Then you have to go thru a learn process.
 
OP
OP
L

Lathbury12

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jun 10, 2021
Posts
4
Reaction score
1
2010 is not interchangeable with your 08. For some reason that is slipping me right now 10 did something different. My buddy’s 2010 Tahoe needed a trans and it had to be out of another 10 not a 09 or an 11.
The TCM is in the trans and needs to be programmed. What I did it n my wife’s 08 when I swapped trans was download the tune from TCM with my HPTUNERS software and then wrote it to the new TCM when I got the trans installed. Then you have to go thru a learn process.

the rebuild option is sounding better all the time.
 

Snowbound

Jim
Joined
Nov 23, 2016
Posts
1,018
Reaction score
2,340
Location
Chicagoland (Lockport)
the rebuild option is sounding better all the time.

Best warranty I could find, fast shipping, waves core charge, good prices and I had them do upgrades too. Worth lookin into. My buddy I mentioned, was quoted $2500 to swap his out with a junkyard until. I’d put in a reman before paying that for a questionable unit.

 
OP
OP
L

Lathbury12

TYF Newbie
Joined
Jun 10, 2021
Posts
4
Reaction score
1
Best warranty I could find, fast shipping, waves core charge, good prices and I had them do upgrades too. Worth lookin into. My buddy I mentioned, was quoted $2500 to swap his out with a junkyard until. I’d put in a reman before paying that for a questionable unit.


that seems like a great price. What upgrades did you get?
 

Snowbound

Jim
Joined
Nov 23, 2016
Posts
1,018
Reaction score
2,340
Location
Chicagoland (Lockport)
that seems like a great price. What upgrades did you get?
Page 36 here.

I got better clutches, pressure boost kit, updated parts that are known failure points and a converter. I’d have to dig up the invoice to make a detailed list. But the guy there said they already address the failure parts with every trans they sell. They even dyno test them. Just be sure to clean your lines and replace the trans cooler. My build thread outlines what I did.
 

Geotrash

Dave
Supporting Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2018
Posts
5,485
Reaction score
12,967
Location
Richmond, VA
2010 is not interchangeable with your 08. For some reason that is slipping me right now 10 did something different. My buddy’s 2010 Tahoe needed a trans and it had to be out of another 10 not a 09 or an 11.
The TCM is in the trans and needs to be programmed. What I did it n my wife’s 08 when I swapped trans was download the tune from TCM with my HPTUNERS software and then wrote it to the new TCM when I got the trans installed. Then you have to go thru a learn process.
Right, any transmission swap would require a re-flash. I should have mentioned that.

To the OP, can you elaborate on what failed in your transmission? I'm asking because if it was the torque converter lockup clutch, you would also be wise to replace your transmission cooler and all lines. Very hard to get all of the shavings out of it and it could take out your new transmission as well.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
128,784
Posts
1,805,343
Members
91,762
Latest member
DenaliRoyal
Top