Do You Need a 6 Speed Auto? LS C3 Corvette Transmission Swap EXPLAINED.

[@mattm2684]

Only about half the views are liking this video. Let's support this quality automotive channel and get the likes up 👍

[@cyclesaviorn2700]

Probably not going to like it because your customer wasnt fully informed, nor did you have the information to really give them. 6l80s have a myriad of issues that cause them to fail just as easy as the 4l60hd aka the 4l65e. When driving a high horsepower engine on the street and being afraid of it any shift is going to be terrifying. Fd ratio being the same, the only thing you actually did is put him through MORE terrifying shifts with the early gears being MORE torquey and likely to spin tires. Officially solving NONE of your customers actual problems besides .5mpg improvement.

[@tatertots-n-soup]

Hes a scammer that knows nothing about cars. He is just a face man standing at the front desk out of his mind on multiple drugs falling over on his mechanics that need to stand him back upright while smiling at the customer the whole time.

[@guymaninu]

I like almost everything I watch. I appreciate the effort, and unless the video-maker is contemptible or dumb, there is no reason not to like it. People act like the “like” button is actual money out of their own pocket. Selfish bass-turds, give a like if you watch at least 1/4 of a video and don’t h8te it.

[@frostyab7579]

not quality when they're spreading wrong info

[@MichaelAllan01]

100​@@cyclesaviorn2700

[@cheezykey1139]

Bro lifted that 4l60 like it was 20 lbs

[@tatertots-n-soup]

I thought he was gonna pop a vien

[@shoryuag]

6th gear in the 6L80E is 0.67:1, if I remember correctly. I figure it was a typo in the video. Also, the 6 speed won't change the cruise RPM much at all without a much taller rear end gear. The reason the 6 speed was a big deal is because it allowed tall rear ends for fuel economy to be paired with good performance because of the gear spread. 0.69 vs 0.67 is basically the same, so not much should've changed unless you guys also swapped the ring and pinion, which wasn't mentioned. Also also, I've been occasionally coming back to this channel to watch your ITB setup on the E92 dyno video since it came out. It's really nice to see you guys branching out.

[@rlscustoms]

Yup only real difference would be better gear spread ergo better acceleration, cruising speed is pretty much unchanged!

[@NXT_LVL]

0.67, same in my 545rfe in my Dakota. Noticed even with my moms 2019 Ram with the Hemi and the 8spd, same mph same RPM as me, ~2000rpm at 70mph. Think her final drive is a 3.21? mines a 3.55. Biggest difference would be tire size. She's on 20s with a 31" tire, I'm on 17s with a 27" tire

[@shoryuag]

@@NXT_LVL If the RPM is about the same for the two vehicles, and you know your final drive is 3.55, the RAM’s would have to be 4.10 with that tire size you specified.

[@confuse3671]

I know with the T56 and 3.42 is just below 2000rpm at 80mph. You must be sure that your engine can work below 2000rpm. Depending on your cam choice that might not be possible. That being said, the corvette can be challanging to gear. If you do the 12 bolt internals swap the lowest gear ratio you can get is 3.73 and I think you need a thin one at that (one that fits a 4 series posi). I have dealt with C3s - the real challenge is physically fitting the transmission in. The cross member is not adjustable and the floor is fiberglass (up to 1975). TH400 is stock on most of these applications, but the 4L80 was supposedly a tight fit.

[@tatertots-n-soup]

You have to have a motor with extreme amount of low rpm torque from idle-3500rpm for a transmission like this. Not loads of high rpm 6000-7000 tire busting horsepower

[@SSO1025RET]

Please keep the videos coming. You never know when one of your viewers comes across your video that might help them with their project.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

That's the plan!

[@lewisfoltz6306]

I did a full reverse manual valve body with a 4200 stall and triple disc lockup converter. I’m very pleased!

[@FluidMotorUnion]

to your 6L80? sounds fun!

[@lewisfoltz6306]

4l80

[@mk1classic]

The ZF 8-speeds from the BMW and Dodges goes into a lot of conversions now. Aftermarket TCUs make the conversation easier. The 8-speed comes with fast and crisp gearshifts instead of a slow automatics or even an old manual gearbox.

[@BashingBrainez]

I was about to comment the same thing. I myself have a bmw with a zf8 speed and love the transmission and how easy they are to tune.

[@daffiecars]

The zf8 is an outstanding transmission

[@BeefSupremeAviation]

Seems Legit Garage has parts and videos for the 8HP90 to LS engine swap.

[@johnbelveal4775]

The zf is a very nice unit

[@forcedtomakeanaccount7628]

What's interesting is GM's 8l90 is basically a clone of the zf8, they just swapped the location of two of the gears, but the rest is the same exact design as the zf8.

[@erich6879]

OJ, is awesome, great channel. You and Alex are my go-to channels!

[@iliasmoussaoui5076]

Great video O.J. thanks for the breakdown.

[@TheTruthBeToId]

Great production quality. Feels like im watching a big established channel.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Gee thanks

[@badralnimr8063]

Thanks for entertaining us for 15 minutes 😂. No really I like your videos and the way you break down things. It's more info in a style. Salute.

[@autonomous6109]

Explaining the axle ratio with the RPM and final drive ratio would really help bring the concept together for people. Show that an old axle ratio like 3.42: 1 can be replaced by 2.62:1 because of the low first gear and the better spread with 6 speeds. Subscribed!

[@installwebercarburetorsona6159]

A3.08 rear gear is common and widely available for that generation C-3 and would drop highway rpm nicely.

[@texx1017]

nice breakdown of RPM and power differences

[@ItsZICCY]

Not enough people cover things in the C3 corvettes. Thank you.

[@IGY6MJ]

Happy Holidays to everyone at FMU

[@rohittaurus911]

Thank You for information, OJ. Awesome Video as Always.

[@vasili70]

Thanks for the breakdown, OJ. I have a C3, mostly stock 350 with the Turbo 400 trans. I have been thinking about doing as trans swap, mostly to reduce RPM on the highway. The way the car is currently configured, I was looking between the 700R4 or the 4L60E (since I have a 4L60E available. Debated on making the jump to the 6L80, but I think it wouldn't make sense for this car. Again, thanks for breaking things down and helping me take the 6L80 off the table!

[@tatertots-n-soup]

4L60 is quite abit skinner. With the higher rpm and horsepower/lower torque of a 350 and simplicity of a controller and narrow cockpit it is probably the smarter choice over the 6L80. But the R700 can easily by customised to handle the higher rpm smallblock over the Ls3 and up motors and not need modification to the trans tunnel. Youll need to seriously up the lowend torque as much as you can of the sbc and drop the diff ratio and fabricate trans mount and tunnel. Plus your going to need an electronic third party aftermarket electronic controller and if your thinking about Ls swapping it one day you might as well buy the holley controller now.

[@MrPsiclone666]

always loved the c3, with a ls and 6l80e it would be a dream drive. great video nicely done

[@tommaloy90]

Very informative, nice to see a comparison

[@markhoppe4391]

OJ I am appreciating the effort and knowledge that you are putting into these videos!

[@hutchdw77]

FMU deserves the total support of the auto enthusiast community.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Thanks for the love!

[@hutchdw77]

@@FluidMotorUnion thanks for sharing your knowledge, putting out awesome content, and making sure cool cars sound dope as!

[@Kuehnpiano]

Ls3 6l80e swap in a frs needs to be done❤

[@thomasmurphy5906]

Thanks for taking the time to teach us about all the cool things you do at Fluid Motor Union

[@brendanh4958]

Thank you for the content OJ- I really enjoy watching these FMU videos.

[@joeethereal2968]

Outstanding! Stock torque converters of the 6l80 are the weakest link, however.

[@joeethereal2968]

Another note: the 6l80 from GM & the 6R80 from Ford are half-siblings in a sense that they're derived from the vaulted ZF 6HP26 featured in other foreign luxury automobiles.

[@whitebass16]

New to the channel and I'm enjoying the videos

[@andysteward8617]

I appreciate the acknowledgment of the difficulty, even the factory is having, in making these electronically sophisticated transmissions reliable

[@johnbugman1]

AJ is a top notch mechanic and fluid motor union as a shop is second to none!

[@jonsingle1614]

New subscriber here.....loving your channel and content!!!

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Thanks for subbing!

[@Nihil1st1347]

You show very interesting content to me, all though i own no Corvette. Thx a lot.

[@bobdollinger]

Keep it up! Always like your content.

[@HaloToday]

Really appreciate all the technical videos you do with these special cars, also love the fact that you keep the sensationalism to a minimum.

[@hylandfoto]

Nice to see a C3 out on the road!

[@rubyred93chev]

_Another great informative, and entertaining video from FMU. And what better way to explain a 6-speed auto in an LS-swapped '69 Corvette Stingray. My exact sentiment was why the car had the LS swap but kept the old transmission set-up(then you noted the diagram of the LS engine and drivetrain package). Here's the greatest point about classic somewhat resto-modded cars, without a good mechanic shop, going down that rabbit hole can be cost prohibitive. Kudos to Mr. Mills and to the future of a nice early C3 Chevy Corvette._

[@briannachase5101]

Kudos to you and your team for this informative video! Now I have a more clear path on what I can do for my own C3. 🙂

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Glad it was helpful!

[@drewski23_7]

The way he just MANHANDLED that transmission up onto the workbench!!!

[@trebark1]

Great video. Love the thoroughness and detail. Great presentation. Also, the ‘ask’ for likes, comments and subscribes is the best I’ve ever heard. It was sincere and heartfelt. Finally, I agree with another comment that the ratio of views to likes is off. It’s not hard folks- hit that like button!

[@FluidMotorUnion]

glad you liked our ask but I guess it didn't work as I see you are not subscribed...

[@chadriddle3517]

Yes , everyone support this channel please! I remember first time I seen OJ on Alex’s channel with the 400,000 miles M5 ! I could tell then OJ was very sharp. Thanks fmu

[@jonhawken9364]

Love the ls3 swapped vette. My wife's favorite body lines.

[@dafalzonAUS]

Hello thanks for the info for my ls2 6l80E trans 07 HSV

[@kevin9c1]

Haha, 0.07:1 6th. Now THAT is a proper overdrive. If you wound out 5th gear to 6,500 rpm somehow (probably already impossible but work with me), the shift to that 6th would drop RPMs to 535 (if the torque converter stays locked). Otherwise it would just stall against the converter and make copious amounts of heat.

[@seanrose3951]

Ive seen small blocks spun past 8k ... its 2024 not 1970

[@tatertots-n-soup]

It would probably spin the tires backwards like hitting curb straight on at 60mph. Flood the motor and hydrolock the pistons from turning after bending valves and/or pushrods or just break the rockers. Doh!

[@tatertots-n-soup]

@sean smallblocks used to spin anywhere ups and to 10,000- 12,000 with hypertech pistons and worked rods along with a factory forged crank in the 70s. Guess you forgot at 80 years old. But they dont manufacture anything forged anymore now do they?

[@anthonyruthenberg879]

I love the channel! I look forward to every new video.

[@yayarx7]

Great job. Your monologue reminds me of old school powerblock tv shows

[@curiousumscientia3648]

Hope to bring my 90 iroc-z to your shop for custom exhaust to clear heidts irs we have installed. Grew up in Naperville in the early 80s and haven’t been back since late 90s so would be nice to get this work done with your shop.

[@onnovannoort7690]

Great video OJ, this channel is going to grow! Great content!

[@estern001]

Thanks for entertaining me for 15 minutes!

[@FranciscoPerez-hw1vh]

Thank you for producing these videos, the information you provide is greatly appreciated.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Thanks for watching!

[@MexicanVulture87]

Love the channel and all of your knowledge! Thanks for keeping the content fresh and educational.

[@norseman4763]

Nice to see a shop take on challenging work rather than just refusing to help.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

You got that right!

[@Keasbeysknight]

Great timing. I haven't watched the video yet but wanted to comment. I have a 97 cobra I'm rebuilding right now, all forged and arp, should be good for 1000hp and I'll be aiming for 600-700. I have a t45 5 speed that won't be long for this world if I don't baby it. Always liked the t56 6 speed but never felt it would get me much. Hopefully this video will make it all clear!

[@gregarmstrong552]

Thanks for the video! I wish I lived closer so that you could service my vehicle. 👍

[@kleid9160]

Thank you for the in depth breakdown of these transmissions.

[@MichaelSPalmer]

Fun video. Had this debate when putting together my LS3 Roadmaster Wagon swap project (it’s all on the Internet Brands Auto Group YT channel). I really wanted to do the 6L80 Connect and Cruise, and for a while, it was actually cheaper than the 4L65e, but as a first time DIYer, my Chevy Performance dealer recommended the 4L65e bc it was easier to fit in the OEM Roadmaster trans tunnel. With 3.42 gears it hits 2300 RPM at 75mph on the highway, but I can still manage 28mpg if I back down to 60-65mph in 4500 lb wagon. The downshifts are a bit weird at times… you want to accelerate but suddenly you’re back in 1st at 5500 RPM… and I don’t like how it rushes to get to 4th gear (I still need a trans tune). And the supermatics make a weird buzzing sound Chevy says is normal. But it has some fun features where you can blip the throttle (almost like a rev match) and it’ll drop down a gear consistently. Overall it’s working well, but would recommend the 6L80 of folks can manage it. Cheers!

[@georgemacgregor5437]

Became a subscriber after I saw you on Legit Street Cars. Enjoy the info and the videos. Thanks for your time.

[@scottymarsh6034]

Very informative, I'm a believer in drive train performance. Best improvement for your vehicle is drive train, doesn't do anything to add power if you're trans isn't translated

[@petesgarage2224]

Great video O.J. I have a 1970 Chevelle that I have been thinking about doing some type of trans swap to. Thanks for making the video. I'm not far from your shop maybe I'll bring it over one day. Keep up the good work.

[@tatertots-n-soup]

Lmao

[@muhammadyusran789]

Thanks O J & FMU team for this well presented explanation about transmission swap.

[@korn111685]

I have a 6l90 is a suburban, it’s an impressive transmission. They have issues with the stock JMBX converters so if you have an 80/90 swap it cost you &5k + for a transmission job.

[@markcollins457]

The C3 was such a sexy ride these upgrades are definitely in the correct path. I would guess the frame and suspension could benefit from a little massage. After seeing you on other channels you have the rep to make this a "GREAT" channel. Good luck and I'll be watching.

[@davedavis775]

At Corvettes at Carlisle there are a couple companies who do chassis swaps for Corvettes . C1, C2, C3's . Allows you to use whatever engine and more modern suspension . It's not cheap even just the frame ready to accept your style of engine and modern Corvette suspension . I saw at least two owners who showed up with enclosed trailers and purchased complete rolling chassis including the drive line . The chassis came on what looked like orange wheeled donuts to roll. You supply your own wheel and tire combos . I think the bare chassis were over 20 grand close to 30 k . Talking to one chassis builder he said with complete driveline and his chassis with newer Corvette suspension he had about $120,000.000 in a 73 Corvette . Not including the body itself . So these swaps using the best and more modern suspension/ chassis and engine swaps get very pricy .

[@123karismith]

Great info, you shifted all over my 4l65E rebuild....time to go 6 speed!

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Cost and a smaller size are the only legitimate pros for the 4L65 over the 6L80.

[@MrSteveb8]

Great vid. Something I always wanted to know

[@danielmulqueen2375]

I'm asking these exact questions looking at modernizing my OBS Suburban.

[@kriskerkman375]

I knew I wasn’t the only one to notice the 0.07:1 sixth gear ratio listed for the 6L80, but since you asked for comments, I figured I’d do my part. 😁

[@FluidMotorUnion]

You were supposed to leave 5 comments if we got it wrong 😂.

[@widndn]

Tremec 5 speed manual took care of it in my c3.

[@speedysbarbershop]

I have a 2012 C6 Grand Sport 4LT with the A6 and it's a nice driver. ARH headers catless x pipe with Haltech 108 intake and tuned sounds good runs good great daily driver.

[@tonydemovic355]

keep it going don't give up

[@jordynfox6350]

Yes

[@motorgearhead]

I had a supercharged c5 with the 4 speed auto (4L60 built by RPM transmissions). I also ran a 3.42 gear set. Motor was basically a stock ls1 with heavy valve springs and a borla catback. No headers. That combo made 472 /444 at the wheel through that setup. The blower was a Vortec V3si. My only complaint was the gap in the ratios between 2 and 3 gear and between 3 and 4th. The car was a great from a dig to 80 mph. Then the torque had to pull the long gearing. That car would have benefited immensely by having some split ratios in between 2nd and third and third and fourth.

[@8HPSolutions]

I just completed an 8hp45 swap in my BMW z3. It brought the car into the 21st century.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

That’s a thing people do? Would love to have seen what’s involved with that swap.

[@Zelaznogsiul-63]

I imagine this has to be over 6,000 to do this swap, I could be wrong but everything is so expensive and the knowledge to do something like this is not cheap. Great video and have a happy new year.

[@online247365]

This is great content about a topic that nobody else seems to be covering... Well done. 👏🏻

[@HarryPotter-dl3kb]

I'm looking into doing this very thig on 2 project vehicles fron 6 to 10 on an f350 and from 4 to 10 on a Silverado 1500 both for towing ease

[@TheRebuilt1]

great to see this knowledge transfer and discussion on drivetrain on non European vehicles. You guys cover a lot of ground. Cheers and much respect.

[@____MC____]

Ive driven both 6 an 8 speed gm trucks and its a huge difference in the butt dyno. I do like a 3 speed in my older truck with more power. It feels like its always in the right gear and doesnt hunt for gears.

[@stevegee218]

Video production getting better. Thanks OJ and team.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

We got a long way to go before we are at a level we are happy with, but your support is allowing us to expend more time on it. Thanks for noticing.

[@1960Murf]

Keep the videos coming, OJ.

[@denisfranchetto424]

Really enjoy the videos, very informative and learn quite a lot. Keep up the great work

[@terryshrk]

Bravo for being able to competently making the unexpected modifications for this swap/ The muscle car community online LOVES LS swaps and you can read raves about them online all day,. HOWEVER,..real world reviews and info about using updated transmission for these beloved engines are few and far between.

[@mikeeiben3430]

Rebuild torque converters for a living and 8 out of 10 6L80 converters have a failed lock-up clutch lining. I recommend reprogramming this transmission as soon as it is out of warranty to help prevent this problem.

[@RickGrossmanAttorney]

You have tremendous knowledge to share. Thx

[@a4b7ga]

Thanks for this video. I am planning a similar project! This is perfect timing!

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Glad it was helpful!

[@williamrobinson4849]

Enjoyed the video, but I understand that you are a business. I'm hoping that you have more of both in the future.

[@t.l.robinson2162]

I never knew that more gears were so important until I switched from a truck with a 6 speed to a truck with a 10 speed but the same engine. It is quicker and feels as if it has more horsepower.

[@tatertots-n-soup]

Amazing how feelz can be decieving

[@t.l.robinson2162]

I am very glad that I happened upon your channel through another channel. I love your content.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@43teeroy]

love the content you do with LSC! you guys do excellent work!

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Much appreciated!

[@DURRIESVISION]

Watching from 'down under' Oz 🇦🇺

[@stevenhernandez6809]

I’m planning on buying a 70-71 Corvette stingray and trying to collect as much info and ideas as possible

[@FluidMotorUnion]

hopefully this video helped. if you need any consultation with that swap, we have services that can guide you!

[@stevesters6]

U guys are going places with this channel🤘

[@fueledbyadventures]

Good content and great work as always. On a unrelated note, I want some of your e39 M5 headers one day.

[@flacostacos3144]

Good knowledge here! You guys are studs at Fluid

[@OvelQQked]

Just the thought of an 8 speed in an older model muscle car seems pretty cool to me.

[@Emilthehun]

I own a 97 trans am with a 6 speed manual , and a 2003 c5 with 4 speed auto. Before I went 383 , my trans am regularly got 30 mpg on the highway. My mostly stock corvette still gets 31mpg when cruising at 70mph.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Vettes have a weird combo of lightness and straightforward engineering that works out to good mpg.

[@greapsoho]

Thank you for the work you put into youtube. Keep up the great work

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@briancrook6564]

Thanks Oj, great shop. hope to bring you some work some day.

[@FluidMotorUnion]

Please do!

[@dmax1234]

FMU for the win, OJ getting more comfortable every video. Quality editing too. Dont give up, keep going it will be worth it. Educational and informative content.

[@ESLongoria]

Good stuff! A lot to consider, but I bet the owner loves the lower RPM at highway speeds.

[@azpaquin]

Loving the detail and education!

[@Mark6Ironman]

I love your videos!

[@richards1816]

I haven't seen OJ since his appearance in Legit StreetCars channel. Good content man!

[@root1911]

Nice dead lift intro! Great breakdown of the technical data. Keep it up!

[@erichelm4339]

I like watching you on light street cars. First video I have seen of yours