07 Escalade 6L80 into 12 Escalade - swapping 2012 valve body/TCM into the 2007 6L80

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91RS

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Oh, yeah the green plug is the internal mode switch (IMS), those are the same. You need to swap the sensor assembly in the second picture, the two black sensors with the wire running between them and then connected to the TEHCM.
 

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We should invite @NickTransmissions into this discussion thread. If my memory serves me well (less and less each day), Nick had stated that the 07 and 08 transmissions are different than the later GMT900 models and are not fully compatible.
 

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View attachment 427789View attachment 427790

Off white thing with green plug housing in the first photo, opposite side of valve body in the 2nd.
The two small black square-shaped objects connected to the small black wiring harness, bolted to the housing via 10mm bolts, are you input and output speed sensors...If the picture above is from a 2012 6L80 and you want to swap that assembly into a 2007 6L80, you won't be able to do so as is (at least not without a boat load of adaptation/programming/modification).

At the very least, you'll need to purchase a harness/speed sensor assembly for a 2006-2011 as they changed in 2012 to coincide with the change to the unigear ring gear design.
ETA: The length of the output shafts also changed in 2012, owing to the ring gear basket/unigear engineering change.

The 2006-2009 valve bodies are mechanically calibrated a little differently than the 2010+ so the valve body castings are different which means you'll need to do some serious reprogramming/changing of the OS version currently installed onto the 2007 vehicle...Programming, etc can be done with either HP Tuners or AC Delcos TDS programming subscription but I've never messed with either so can't give any guidance beyond that.

I consider the 2006-2009 transmissions 'different; than the 2010-2013 and likewise for the 2014+ when it comes to 6L80s/90s.

Next Steps: Remove the 2007 unit from your truck, have the original transmission gone through and ensure the TEHCM, IMS and speed sensor assembly are all replaced along with the requisite parts and procedural updates performed to ensure the unit lasts a long time...Then reinstall the freshly rebuilt 2012 into your truck (along with your upgraded torque converter) then perform a fast adapt relearn after filling it but prior to taking it for a test drive.
 
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Joseph Garcia

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The two small black square-shaped objects connected to the small black wiring harness, bolted to the housing via 10mm bolts, are you input and output speed sensors...If the picture above is from a 2012 6L80 and you want to swap that assembly into a 2007 6L80, you won't be able to do so as is (at least not without a boat load of adaptation/programming/modification).

At the very least, you'll need to purchase a harness/speed sensor assembly for a 2012+ as they changed in 2012 to coincide with the change to the unigear ring gear design.

The 2006-2009 valve bodies are mechanically calibrated a little differently than the 2010+ so the valve body castings are different which means you'll need to do some serious reprogramming/changing of the OS version currently installed onto the 2007 vehicle...Programming, etc can be done with either HP Tuners or AC Delcos TDS programming subscription but I've never messed with either so can't give any guidance beyond that.

I consider the 2006-2009 transmissions 'different; than the 2010-2013 and likewise for the 2014+ when it comes to 6L80s/90s.

Next Steps: Remove the 2007 unit from your truck, have the original transmission gone through and ensure the TEHCM, IMS and speed sensor assembly are all replaced along with the requisite parts and procedural updates performed to ensure the unit lasts a long time...Then reinstall the freshly rebuilt 2012 into your truck (along with your upgraded torque converter) then perform a fast adapt relearn after filling it but prior to taking it for a test drive.
Thank you, Nick. Very much appreciated.
 
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jrobie79

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At the very least, you'll need to purchase a harness/speed sensor assembly for a 2006-2011 as they changed in 2012 to coincide with the change to the unigear ring gear design.
ETA: The length of the output shafts also changed in 2012, owing to the ring gear basket/unigear engineering change.

The 2006-2009 valve bodies are mechanically calibrated a little differently than the 2010+ so the valve body castings are different which means you'll need to do some serious reprogramming/changing of the OS version currently installed onto the 2007 vehicle...Programming, etc can be done with either HP Tuners or AC Delcos TDS programming subscription but I've never messed with either so can't give any guidance beyond that.

The 2007 vehicle no longer exists. I took the transmission (including the valve body/TEHCM and the converter). That valve body/TEHCM is sitting on my bench, with the speed sensor/harness, etc, completely intact aside from the 6 bolts attaching it to the case.

I consider the 2006-2009 transmissions 'different; than the 2010-2013 and likewise for the 2014+ when it comes to 6L80s/90s.

Next Steps: Remove the 2007 unit from your truck, have the original transmission gone through and ensure the TEHCM, IMS and speed sensor assembly are all replaced along with the requisite parts and procedural updates performed to ensure the unit lasts a long time...Then reinstall the freshly rebuilt 2012 into your truck (along with your upgraded torque converter) then perform a fast adapt relearn after filling it but prior to taking it for a test drive.

I don't really have time to wait for a rebuilder to go through my original. It's my daily driver, I need it for work. If I can find a used one just to get my truck running again, even for like a month, then I can wait for the original to be rebuilt. Based on your post, a 6L80 from a 2010-2013 GM vehicle should work with my 2012 valve body/tehcm?

When I do get the 2012 back from wherever I decide to have it rebuilt, do you suggest I replace the TEHCM, IMS, and speed sensor with brand new pieces? What is the reasoning, I'm not questioning your obvious expertise, I'm genuinely curious. As far as upgraded torque converters, what should I be looking for? I ultimately want to swap the cam, but only when my other car is running, I can't keep uber'ing/renting/borrowing vehicles to get to work.
 

NickTransmissions

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The 2007 vehicle no longer exists. I took the transmission (including the valve body/TEHCM and the converter). That valve body/TEHCM is sitting on my bench, with the speed sensor/harness, etc, completely intact aside from the 6 bolts attaching it to the case.
I thought you were trying to swap a 2012 6L80's TEHCM/VB assy into your 2007 6L80, as per the second half of your thread title:

swapping 2012 valve body/TCM into the 2007 6L80​

If you have the TEHCM/VB/IMS and SS harness assembly from the 2007 vehicle, then bolt it to the 2007 unit that has been installed then simply reprogram the TEHCM to work with the 2012 vehicle's ECM/electronic command and control framework. Then run the fast adapt relearn to reset all adapts to factory settings before driving it.

Here's some info on reprogramming.

I don't really have time to wait for a rebuilder to go through my original. It's my daily driver, I need it for work.
Then I'd purchase a reman unit from General Motors (3 yr/100k mile warranty)....

Based on your post, a 6L80 from a 2010-2013 GM vehicle should work with my 2012 valve body/tehcm?
Not without reprogramming/adaptation unless the TEHCM part numbers match between your original transmission and the replacement unit. If the numbers do match (which would indicate the replacement came from a vehicle configured just like yours in all respects relevant to the transmission), and if everything actually works on that replacement, you would just need to run a fast adapt prior to driving it.

When I do get the 2012 back from wherever I decide to have it rebuilt, do you suggest I replace the TEHCM, IMS, and speed sensor with brand new pieces? What is the reasoning, I'm not questioning your obvious expertise, I'm genuinely curious.
When you get out of the shower, do you put on all clean clothes or do you also put some of the dirty clothes back on, that you just took off prior to showering?

Think about it and you'll understand the reasoning. Electronics are consumables just like gaskets, seals, friction plates, bushings, etc and must be replaced. Hard parts are things like gears, shafts, drums, hubs, the pump, valve body castings, etc that don't get replaced unless they are no good and cannot be reconditioned. think of those hard parts collectively as your body and the consumables as your clothing.

And you won't be installing anything into the transmission when you get it back...The shop that rebuilds your transmission will install a new TEHCM, Internal Mode Switch and Speed Sensor/Harness Assembly so all you have to do is install it, fill with fluid and run your fast adapt relearn prior to the test drive.
 
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jrobie79

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The title is accurate. But the actual vehicle the 2007 transmission comes from has in all likelihood been crushed already. I do have the 2007 valve body, TEHCM, IMS, & speed sensor.
 

NickTransmissions

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The title is accurate. But the actual vehicle the 2007 transmission comes from has in all likelihood been crushed already. I do have the 2007 valve body, TEHCM, IMS, & speed sensor.
That's good; bolt those back onto the 2007 6L80, run the reprogramming and adapts and if the 2007 transmission works, then you should be fine for a while. I'm not sure I'd reuse the converter...If you can swing it, I'd grab a new one...Doesn't have to be anything fancy, but the pre-existing converter could be in any sort of shape and fail at any time...
 
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That's good; bolt those back onto the 2007 6L80, run the reprogramming and adapts and if the 2007 transmission works, then you should be fine for a while. I'm not sure I'd reuse the converter...If you can swing it, I'd grab a new one...Doesn't have to be anything fancy, but the pre-existing converter could be in any sort of shape and fail at any time...

Ok I'm not familiar with tis2web. I have a tech 2 so the adapts should be alright. I'll have to figure it out.
 
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jrobie79

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That's good; bolt those back onto the 2007 6L80, run the reprogramming and adapts and if the 2007 transmission works, then you should be fine for a while. I'm not sure I'd reuse the converter...If you can swing it, I'd grab a new one...Doesn't have to be anything fancy, but the pre-existing converter could be in any sort of shape and fail at any time...

Any recommendations for a budget friendly j2534 interface tool? I see some for like under $100 up to $2k+...
 

NickTransmissions

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Any recommendations for a budget friendly j2534 interface tool? I see some for like under $100 up to $2k+...
Here's the OTC tool...While it's expensive, not sure I'd trust any el cheapo chinese knock off or budget cable/interface that may or may not brick my PCM/TEHCM...Not saying that would happen to you but at the same time, I've heard horror stories of the kind over the years, mostly to do with the extreme end on the cheap or knock-off scale.

That's what I would buy if it were me; unfortunately I don't know of any others off-hand.
 
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jrobie79

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Here's the OTC tool...While it's expensive, not sure I'd trust any el cheapo chinese knock off or budget cable/interface that may or may not brick my PCM/TEHCM...Not saying that would happen to you but at the same time, I've heard horror stories of the kind over the years, mostly to do with the extreme end on the cheap or knock-off scale.

That's what I would buy if it were me; unfortunately I don't know of any others off-hand.

Will the truck drive at all, in limp mode or something, without completely porking it? Cheaper to just go to the dealer, which is only like 1.5 miles away.
 

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Will the truck drive at all, in limp mode or something, without completely porking it? Cheaper to just go to the dealer, which is only like 1.5 miles away.
I would have it towed to the dealer; more than likely, it will be a fraction of the cost to have them reprogram vs buying that OTC tool which you will use like once or twice in your lifetime (not worth it)...

You can also investigate to determine if your TECH-2 can be used to do the reprogram. I think the last year their more advanced functionality is supported is 2013. I've never done any reprogramming myself, only fast adapts using my Snap On scan tool.
 
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jrobie79

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I would have it towed to the dealer; more than likely, it will be a fraction of the cost to have them reprogram vs buying that OTC tool which you will use like once or twice in your lifetime (not worth it)...

You can also investigate to determine if your TECH-2 can be used to do the reprogram. I think the last year their more advanced functionality is supported is 2013. I've never done any reprogramming myself, only fast adapts using my Snap On scan tool.
I just read up on it, as of 2021 you can't use the tech2 to program anymore. GM discontinued it from their online options.

I posted on a couple Facebook groups to see if anyone could help me locally, and a few people mentioned the 2007 with 2007 TEHCM won't work in a 2012. I haven't found anything else saying this, but I'd like to confirm before I blow $180 at the dealership tomorrow
 

NickTransmissions

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I just read up on it, as of 2021 you can't use the tech2 to program anymore. GM discontinued it from their online options.

I posted on a couple Facebook groups to see if anyone could help me locally, and a few people mentioned the 2007 with 2007 TEHCM won't work in a 2012. I haven't found anything else saying this, but I'd like to confirm before I blow $180 at the dealership tomorrow
I would call the dealership service dept. They will be able to definitively tell you whether or not it's doable or not. Especially since you plan on taking it there, you want their position before you go.

My official position has always been that they are not interchageable, at least not without programming and possibly other adaptations (for ex, the output shafts are different lengths between 2007 and 2012) so that has to be taken into acct as well).

Let us know what the dealer tells you...
 

NickTransmissions

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Depends on whether the powertrain in the vehicle is Gen4 or Gen5,
'vette went Gen5 before all the other vehicles ... you get the idea.
Gotcha, wasnt sure of exactly when support ended but sounds like the latest LT1/4 engines arent compatible...what is that, like three entirely different engines GM has produced with the same friggin RPO code, lol.
 

91RS

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I just read up on it, as of 2021 you can't use the tech2 to program anymore. GM discontinued it from their online options.

I posted on a couple Facebook groups to see if anyone could help me locally, and a few people mentioned the 2007 with 2007 TEHCM won't work in a 2012. I haven't found anything else saying this, but I'd like to confirm before I blow $180 at the dealership tomorrow

You will absolutely not be able to use a 2007 TEHCM in a 2012. The TEHCM has to be correct for the year and the valve body has to match the TEHCM. You need to use the entire 2012 valve body and TEHCM in your 2007 transmission but swap the speed sensors from the 2007 valve body. Since it’s already programmed to your truck, it’ll work without programming but you do need to reset the shift adapts pretty quickly.
 
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