GM 6L80 & 6L90 Transmission Upgrade Options for the 4-5-6 Clutch

If you aren't sure which Sonnax GM 6L80, 6L90 4-5-6 upgrades are right for your transmission build, watch this video to get a great breakdown of all the options. High Performance Product Line Manager Gregg Nader explains the different levels of clutch capacity available for stock/HD commercial and lightly modded street/strip performance vehicles all the way up to extreme racers. Then we dig into how each part improves transmission durability with a look at the unique heavy duty and high capacity 4-5-6 piston kits plus heavy duty/extreme duty 4-5-6 hub and intermediate shafts.
Learn more about Sonnax 6L80, 6L90 transmission repairs and upgrades here: www.sonnax.com/gm_6L80_6L90

[@CORVAIRWILD]

Thank goodness NO MUSIC or background trash soundtrack! Thank you!

[@richardteresacricheducatio3542]

Very good information now I can spread this information to my customers and give them the option of what they want to do very nice Greg well said

[@ubercai]

As an ex-Magna engineer who worked on these clutch assemblies, I am impressed with the design changes that you guys did with 1 piece forging. But the cost difference is miles away.

[@devinbellis9898]

You know I've been a gm technician for years now fixing these transmission and many others, but I just gotta say how impressed I am to see the improvements you guys make to these transmissions! Wish gm would start implementing your parts one day!

[@sonnax]

Thanks so much for the great feedback, Devin! The GM performance division does use several Sonnax upgrades in their 4L60E and 6L80 that are paired with their crate engines. :)

[@devinbellis9898]

@@sonnax amazing to know! I dont get to work on many performance upgraded vehicles but sure hope too!

[@GNX157]

Your video came up on my recommendation list, I’m guessing because I’ve been watching so many Precision Transmission videos. You get a lot of good mentions over on that channel.

[@sonnax]

Thank you so much for the feedback! We are so appreciative of all the great mentions from Precision. :)

[@wilfredomarquez2879]

Very good information with all those performance part good to now that you sell in it thanks for the information 👍

[@sonnax]

You're very welcome, Wilfredo! Thanks so much for the great feedback!

[@georgejones7307]

Great information. Great video, well explained. Thanks for the info. I will contact you when i do my upgrade on my VE Commodore HSV GTS. Yeah ha!!

[@stuartbuckley6113]

Great information.

[@sonnax]

Glad to hear you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@olveramelinda]

Got mine yesterday

[@timwolf6355]

Thank you for the great information

[@sonnax]

You're so welcome, Tim! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@corymacdonald383]

I hear Richard from Precision Transmission talking your products up all the time.

[@angelo_giachetti]

Yes he does.

[@CORVAIRWILD]

Yup, good parts for a good guy!

[@7071t6]

what about 1/3 and r clutches and also what about external cooling options and other extra torque convertor options, like circle d transmissions upgrades, stock units can hold upto 650 hp at the rear tyres, as long as the TCM is tuned right with the ECU full stop, you can all the hp in the world by if the auto TCM is not talking to the ECU then you can spend 200K on a new auto and the first day out she will blow up?

[@sonnax]

Hi, our tech team would be happy to help answer any questions you may have. They can be reached directly via email at [e-mail], or phone at [phone] ext. 398. Thanks for reaching out!

[@BadAssEngineering]

Do you guys at Sonnax reccommend to invert the 6L80 thermostat for the transmission to run colder all the time? Or should i leave that alone ? I have seen a lot of videos of people that do that, but i dont know if the transmission running colder all the time can have other adverse effects. I live in kind of Tropical climate

[@sonnax]

Our product support team would be happy to help you. They can be reached directly via email at [e-mail], or phone at [phone] ext. 398. Thanks for reaching out!

[@BadAssEngineering]

@@sonnax Will do, thank you very much

[@SaeedAli-ho6jr]

What is the the best upgrade torque converter for 6L80 transmission? is it TCI torque converter, B&M Racing torque converter or RECON TOW PERFORMANCE TORQUE CONVERTER FOR GM 6L80/90 ???

[@sonnax]

Our product support team would be happy to help you. They can be reached directly via email at [e-mail], or phone at [phone] ext. 398. Thanks for reaching out!

[@dalehall2993]

Circle d

[@willl84]

My wife's 2012 Yukon XL just turned 4/5/6 into neutral at only 99k! 🤦

[@sonnax]

Ugh! Our product support team would be happy to help you if you have any questions. They can be reached directly via email at [e-mail], or phone at [phone] ext. 398. Thanks for reaching out!

[@jeromeburrasca6710]

Do you guys sell already built 6l80s for heavy duty desert Overlanding vehicles?

[@sonnax]

Hi Jerome, we do not offer any fully built units. We design and manufacture parts and kits for transmissions, torque converters, and drivelines. You can see everything we offer for the 6L80 trans right here on our website: www.sonnax.com/units/301-6l80. Thanks so much for reaching out, and enjoy your day!

[@stephencarlisle6339]

Only regret I have is not using the upgraded hub shaft. Not a difficult swap though. The shade tree mechanic need to know this trans is very easy to work on.

[@ralphosborne6038]

Looks hard to me

[@warriorplutotrent3827]

​@@ralphosborne6038it's easy compared to an 4l60 which needs special tools. The six speed only needs your hands and a snap ring plier and most don't even use that lol

[@biglon74]

Can I use 104690-36 in place of the 104680-36 in my 6l80???

[@sonnax]

104690-36 fits 6L90 units only, while 104680-36 is for the 6L80. You can learn more about it here: www.sonnax.com/parts/5234-heavy-duty-4-5-6-clutch-hub-intermediate-shaft. Thanks for your question!

[@ItsPainnz]

can you swap these on fords by and fab means necessary?

[@sonnax]

Our product support team would be happy to help you. They can be reached directly via email at [e-mail], or phone at [phone] ext. 398. Thanks for reaching out!

[@CORVAIRWILD]

Can we get a glimpse into your R&D? Without you giving away any secrets

[@josecantu2808]

How can I purchase the Hub shaft 6L90 the extreme or the heavy duty I get a number

[@sonnax]

Thanks for your question! The 4-5-6 clutch hub and intermediate shaft part numbers for 6L90 are 104690-36 (heavy duty) and 104690-45 (extreme duty). Check out the build guide on this page for more info on upgrade options: www.sonnax.com/gm_6L80_6L90 To find an authorized Sonnax parts distributor, visit this page on our website: www.sonnax.com/distributors

[@thatsportsman570dude5]

Would this work in a 6l80e?

[@sonnax]

Of course - the 6L80 and 6L80E are the exact same unit. The ‘E’ used to denote ‘electronic’ when older units were updated from hydraulic control to electronic control. Because all GM transmissions are now electronic (including the 6L80/6L90), in most cases, GM dropped the ‘E.’ However, there are some places where GM still includes it. Bottom line is they are the exact same transmission, and the name can be used interchangeably. Thanks for asking, and have a great day!

[@angelo_giachetti]

I want the good stuff for my C6 6L80 that has to deal with 500wtq at 3000rpm and climbing from there. I dont care how much it costs.