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The Exact 6L80 Replacement

This is the 6L80 six speed automatic transmission built specifically for the 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L gas engine and 4x2 (rear wheel drive) drivetrain. It carries transmission tag ID 0CAA, with interchange tag 1CAA and GM part number 24245018. This is not the 4x4 unit, which uses different tag IDs and requires separate programming, so confirm your configuration before ordering this exact match RWD application.

The same 6L80 was factory installed across 2010 to 2013 Silverado 1500 5.3L trucks in regular, extended, and crew cab styles, plus the matching GMC Sierra 1500 5.3L. That proven multi platform heritage, which also includes the Sierra 6.2L, Cadillac Escalade, and select performance platforms, means this is a widely validated gearbox. Verify fitment through your VIN and tag ID 0CAA so the TCM calibration and gear ratios line up with your truck.

Specs And What's Included

This unit ships with the bell housing and the torque converter already included, so the core shifting assembly arrives ready for your build. The flex plate, radiator, external transmission cooler, and transmission fluid are not included. The casing is aluminum and the overall unit length measures 29 inches, which helps when you are planning clearance and handling during your install.

The 6L80 is a six speed, clutch to clutch automatic with no bands, replacing the four speed 4L60E that came before it. It was engineered for higher horsepower applications and manages substantial torque through a four element torque converter, single and double planetary gear sets, and a hydraulic pressurization and control system. Internally the TCM calibration targets shift pressure, converter lockup timing, and gear ratio management for automatic operation.

Required fluid is DEXRON VI ATF, and you should prep for it before installation. A pan and filter service takes roughly 6.0 quarts, a full overhaul needs about 10.5 quarts, and the complete system holds approximately 12.2 quarts. Draining the pan, replacing the filter, and refilling with DEXRON VI keeps this transmission clean and shifting the way it was calibrated to.

Install Requirements To Know

Transmission oil cooler replacement is required with this unit. This is a standard condition across the market, and skipping it can jeopardize warranty coverage. Debris from a previously failed transmission can lodge in an old cooler and recirculate into your fresh gearbox, so a new cooler protects your investment from day one.

Because the flex plate is not included, plan to reuse a known good flex plate or source a replacement before install day. You will also supply the radiator, external cooler, and DEXRON VI fluid. Having these parts staged ahead of time keeps the swap moving and avoids the common post purchase friction of discovering a missing item mid job.

This 4x2 unit is calibrated for rear wheel drive operation and uses tag ID 0CAA. The 4x4 variant is a different transmission with its own tag IDs and a TCM reflash requirement for warranty validation. Confirming your drivetrain from the VIN before ordering ensures the ECU and shift calibration match your truck exactly.

Here in Houston, trucks that tow in Texas heat put real thermal stress on their transmissions, and heat is one of the fastest ways to cook clutch packs and fluid. That regional reality is exactly why we stress the cooler replacement and fresh DEXRON VI fill so heavily. A 6L80 that runs cool holds its shift quality far longer, and when you are hauling a trailer across I-10 in August, keeping fluid temperatures in check is the difference between a long lived gearbox and a repeat failure.

The 6L80 was a genuine leap forward over the 4L60E. Where the older four speed was a medium duty unit, the six speed 6L80 was built for higher output engines and rated to manage up to 650 lb ft in GM's strongest applications. Its taller gear spread, from a 4.02 first down to a 0.67 overdrive sixth, delivers both stronger launch authority and relaxed highway cruising. That broader ratio range is why owners who replace a tired unit with a healthy 6L80 notice smoother power delivery and better fuel economy.

Recent Inventory from Houston Engines

How We Inspect Used Units

Fresh red fluid alone never proves a used transmission is healthy, so we look deeper. We verify the donor VIN and the exact transmission code, pull the pan, check the magnet, and smell the fluid. A burnt odor means clutches have slipped and charred, which disqualifies a unit from our shelves.

Healthy ATF reads bright red or pink with a slightly sweet, oily smell. Dark brown or black fluid signals age or overheating. On the pan magnet, fine metallic dust is normal and expected, but large shavings, chunks, or gold colored brass flakes point to mechanical failure. A quality used unit has a relatively clean pan.

Houston Engines specializes in engines, transmissions, and transfer cases, and that focus means we know a good 6L80 from a questionable one. Every unit we pass along is checked against these indicators so you receive a gearbox that has earned its place, not just one that was topped off with fresh fluid to look the part.

Understanding why your old transmission failed helps confirm this is the right replacement. The 6L80's single most common issue is torque converter clutch shudder. As the TCC wears, a shudder or rumble strip vibration appears during light acceleration, typically between 25 and 45 mph. Left alone, that worn clutch material contaminates the fluid and spreads wear throughout the unit, which is why catching it early and replacing the transmission before it fully fails saves the rest of your driveline from damage.

Another frequent 6L80 complaint is slipping from 2nd to 3rd gear, which makes it hard to hold any gear cleanly and drives up fuel consumption. Owners also report harsh or delayed shifts, loss of reverse, 3rd, or 5th, and overheating. Any of these, especially when combined with metal or debris in the pan, is a strong signal to diagnose and replace before the damage multiplies. If your symptoms match, this exact match 6L80 is the unit you need.

Order With Confidence

Before you order, match three things from your VIN: the 2010 Silverado 1500 application, the 5.3L gas engine, and the 4x2 rear wheel drive configuration. This transmission's tag ID is 0CAA, and compatibility depends on your truck's exact year, trim, drivetrain, and engine pairing, not just the make and model. Confirming the speed count and calibration from your VIN ensures the TCM programming lines up and the unit drops in as a true factory match.

Remember that transmission fitment is more than badges on the tailgate. The 6L80 is a six speed, so verifying your truck originally ran a six speed automatic protects against ECU mismatches. Because this is the 4x2 unit, it will not substitute for a 4x4 truck, which uses different tag IDs and a reflash requirement. When in doubt, send us your VIN and tag information and we will confirm the match for you.

Houston Engines has built its reputation on engines, transmissions, and transfer cases, and we treat every 6L80 like it is going into our own truck. We back that up with careful sourcing, hands on inspection, and straightforward guidance on what is included, what you supply, and what the install requires. That combination of experience and honesty is why Houston drivers and shops keep coming back for their drivetrain parts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 6L80 the same as a 6L80E?

In everyday usage, yes. People use 6L80 and 6L80E interchangeably. GM's official designation is 6L80, carrying RPO code MYC, and the unit is manufactured in Ypsilanti, Michigan. They refer to the same six speed automatic transmission.

Will this fit my 2010 Silverado 1500 4x2 with the 5.3L?

Yes. This is the exact match unit for the 2010 Silverado 1500 5.3L in 4x2 rear wheel drive form. Confirm the fit through your VIN and the transmission tag ID 0CAA before ordering to be certain.

Does this transmission come with a torque converter?

Yes, the torque converter is included, along with the bell housing. The flex plate is not included, and neither is the radiator, external transmission cooler, or transmission fluid, so plan to supply those parts for your installation.

How much transmission fluid does a 6L80 take?

A pan and filter service takes roughly 6.0 quarts, a full overhaul needs about 10.5 quarts, and the complete system holds approximately 12.2 quarts. Always use DEXRON VI ATF, which is the required fluid for this application.

How do I know if my 6L80 is failing?

Watch for shudder at cruise, harsh or delayed shifts, loss of reverse, 3rd, or 5th gear, overheating, or metal and debris in the pan. Any of these is a strong reason to diagnose before more damage occurs.

What is the most common problem with the 6L80?

Torque converter clutch shudder is the number one issue. As the TCC wears, a shudder or rumble strip vibration appears during light acceleration, typically between 25 and 45 mph. Left unaddressed, it contaminates the fluid and spreads wear.

Do I need to replace the transmission cooler?

Yes. Transmission oil cooler replacement is required when installing this unit. Failing to replace it can void warranty coverage and allows old debris to recirculate into your fresh transmission, putting the new gearbox at risk.

Why does my Silverado slip from 2nd to 3rd gear?

This is a common 6L80 complaint. The slip makes it difficult to hold any of the gears cleanly and increases fuel consumption. It is one of the leading reasons owners decide to replace their transmission with a healthy unit.

Does this fit a 4x4 Silverado too?

No. This is the 4x2 rear wheel drive unit with tag ID 0CAA. The 4x4 version uses different tag IDs and requires a TCM reflash as a warranty validation condition. Confirm your drivetrain from the VIN before ordering.

What fluid should I use in this 6L80?

DEXRON VI ATF is the required fluid for this transmission. When servicing, drain the pan, replace the filter, and refill with DEXRON VI. Using the correct fluid protects the calibrated shift quality and the internal clutches.