6L80 to 10L90 swap? Seeking insight on a 10 speed transmission upgrade

[Pilot]

Can anyone speak to the difference in driving experience between the stock 6L80 trans in my 2015 Tahoe LTZ and a 10L90?

I recently bought a 2015 Tahoe LTZ with 251k miles on it. At the moment, the transmission is not shifting past 4th gear. Before I start spending money at the transmission shop, I'm considering doing a full 10 speed transmission swap. I spoke with Powertrain Swap Solutions today. They offer a swap kit for $3k. I'm seeing low mileage 10L90's going for around $2,500. Then I could either find a shop to do the swap, or drive out to Texas and have Powertrain Swap Solutions do the swap themselves for $7,500 (turnkey, they provide the 10 speed transmission).

I know this transmission would be more efficient, and I'm sure it would provide a much smoother ride, but just wondering if anyone could speak from experience to help me decide whether it's worth the time and money.

Thanks!

10L90 from a 4x4 with 20k miles, currently listed on eBay for $2,500 buy-it-now, free shipping included

Fresh tint on my Tahoe

 

[mikeyss]

$7500 for a turnkey 10 speed swap sounds like a great deal!!!

 

[buckwild27]

Grab the trailer you can take my truck with you to get swapped as well.

 

[CMoore711]

I went from daily driving a 2015 Yukon XL Denali with the 6.2L and 8L90e, put 130K on it before it got totaled.
I drove a '21 Yukon XL SLT with 5.3 and 10 speed for a little over 3 months (which is probably closer to what your drivetrain combo would be).
Now I daily drive my wife's 2013 Escalade ESV with 6.2L and 6L80e and have been for 18 months 35K miles.
My wife now daily drives a 2019 Escalade ESV with 6.2L and 10L80e which I've driven many times and on extended family trips.

The 10 speed is leaps and bounds better than the 6 speed and 8 speed transmissions in every way.
The 10 speed shifts so much faster and smoother than the 6 speed and 8 speed transmissions.

The 6.2L L86 in the 2015-2020 K2XX model is rated at 420HP/460TQ
The 6.2L L94 in the 2010-2014 GMT900 is rated at 403HP/417TQ.

The L86 is rated a bit higher in HP/TQ, but IMO it's really the 10 speed transmission that makes it feel like so much faster and more powerful because the gearing allows it to be in the peak power band more often.

You'll get better MPG's, you'll be spinning lower RPMS on the highway which should equal lower operating temps and you're overall driving experience will be greatly improved.

 

[Pilot]

I went from daily driving a 2015 Yukon XL Denali with the 6.2L and 8L90e, put 130K on it before it got totaled.
I drove a '21 Yukon XL SLT with 5.3 and 10 speed for a little over 3 months (which is probably closer to what your drivetrain combo would be).
Now I daily drive my wife's 2013 Escalade ESV with 6.2L and 6L80e and have been for 18 months 35K miles.
My wife now daily drives a 2019 Escalade ESV with 6.2L and 10L80e which I've driven many times and on extended family trips.

The 10 speed is leaps and bounds better than the 6 speed and 8 speed transmissions in every way.
The 10 speed shifts so much faster and smoother than the 6 speed and 8 speed transmissions.

The 6.2L L86 in the 2015-2020 K2XX model is rated at 420HP/460TQ
The 6.2L L94 in the 2010-2014 GMT900 is rated at 403HP/417TQ.

The L86 is rated a bit higher in HP/TQ, but IMO it's really the 10 speed transmission that makes it feel like so much faster and more powerful because the gearing allows it to be in the peak power band more often.

You'll get better MPG's, you'll be spinning lower RPMS on the highway which should equal lower operating temps and you're overall driving experience will be greatly improved.

Wow awesome share! Exactly the kind of golden insight I was hoping for, thanks!

Dang that's a really strong case for the 10sp.. I might just pull the trigger. I asked Powertrain Swap Solutions about getting on their schedule–now awaiting their response.

 

[Thrust]

There are alot of swaps on the Silverado forums/Facebook.

 

[Pilot]

Oh man, just heard back from Powertrain Swap Solutions and they're only booking 2 weeks out right now for turnkey swaps! I'm in Buenos Aires right now and I won't even be back to New Jersey until first week in August. Then I have a rock concert in Nashville.

I just asked them about getting on their schedule for the swap on August 12.

 

[Pilot]

FYI Powertrain Swap Solutions is in Nederland, TX so... ROAD TRIP!!

 

[B-train]

FYI Powertrain Swap Solutions is in Nederland, TX so... ROAD TRIP!!

I call shotgun!!!

 

[Pilot]

I call shotgun!!!

It's all yours!

 

[fozzi58]

Upgrade your the factory torque converter on the 10 speed. You don't even need to change the factory stall speed...just get a better one. Circle D, Yank, TCI, etc.

Been thinking about this myself. But I was also thinking a built 6L80 and a Gear Vendors splitter would set me back about $8k and I'd have a 12 speed and I don't have to replace my Circle D torque converter.

 

[Pilot]

I ordered the 10 speed swap kit from Powertrain Swap Solutions yesterday!! Now working with Powertrain Swap Solutions to find a donor 10 speed and determine which shop will do the swap. EXCITE!

 

[Pilot]

Upgrade your the factory torque converter on the 10 speed. You don't even need to change the factory stall speed...just get a better one. Circle D, Yank, TCI, etc.

Been thinking about this myself. But I was also thinking a built 6L80 and a Gear Vendors splitter would set me back about $8k and I'd have a 12 speed and I don't have to replace my Circle D torque converter.

oh wow! Has this been done before? 12 speed is pretty awesome! How do you control that? Is it as simple as a tune? Or does the Gear Vendors splitter have a control module?

 

[jaxscuby]

so besides the actual 10 speed transmission, the TCM, transmission control module?
what about any tuning for this 10 speed?

 

[fozzi58]

oh wow! Has this been done before? 12 speed is pretty awesome! How do you control that? Is it as simple as a tune? Or does the Gear Vendors splitter have a control module?

Not sure. I still have research to do but I will def post if I move forward.

 

[Pilot]

so besides the actual 10 speed transmission, the TCM, transmission control module?
what about any tuning for this 10 speed?

Yep, tune is needed as part of the swap. Powertrain Swap Solutions and their certified partners include the tune as part of the turnkey swap.

 

[petethepug]

10l90 swap into a l83 w/6l80e?

Like the title states, can you swap a 10l90e into a 18' sierra 1500 4x4 with a 6l80e? Thank's yall!

www.gm-trucks.com

 

[Pilot]

Negotiation with the East Coast shop fell through. I am now on the schedule for my 10 speed swap at Powertrain Swap Solutions headquarters in Nederland, TX on August 12! Road trip it is!

 

[jaxscuby]

So obviously the 10 speed TCM is different than the one for 6 speed.
Transmission harness also different.?
So why would you need to tune TCM if it's from +2018 Tahoe?
The engine still a 5.3.

 

[buckwild27]

Negotiation with the East Coast shop fell through. I am now on the schedule for my 10 speed swap at Powertrain Swap Solutions headquarters in Nederland, TX on August 12! Road trip it is!

I'm interested in the total cost of this when you get it done.