The Hydramatic 8L 45 is an 8-speed automatic transmission built by General Motors debuting in the 2016 Cadillac CT6. It is designed for use in longitudinal engine applications attached to the front-located engine[1] with a standard bell housing. It is a hydraulic (hydramatic) design sharing much with the 8L 90 transmission.[2] Estimated weight savings over the heavier duty 8L 90 is 33 lb (15 kg). Gear ratios used enable a wide 7.0 ratio spread.

8L 45 · 8L 90
Overview
ManufacturerGeneral Motors
Production2014–
Body and chassis
Class8-speed longitudinal automatic transmission
RelatedZF 8HP · Aisin-Toyota 8-speed · MB 9G-Tronic
Chronology
Predecessor6L 45 · 6L 50 · 6L 80 · 6L 90
Successor10L 80 · 10L 90 · 10L 1000

The 8L 90 is an 8-speed automatic transmission built by General Motors. It is designed for use in longitudinal engine applications either attached to the front-located engine[1] with a standard bell housing or in the rear of the car adjacent to the differential (as in the Corvette). It is a hydraulic (hydramatic) design. GM also produces a similar design with the smaller 8L 45.

Gear Ratios[a][3]
Gear
Model
R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Total
Span
Span
Center
Avg.
Step
Compo-
nents
8L 45 · M5N · 2015 −3.928 4.615 3.038 2.065 1.658 1.259 1.000 0.849 0.658 7.011 1.743 1.321 4 Gearsets
2 Brakes
3 Clutches
8L 90 · M5U · 2014 −3.818 4.560 2.971 2.075 1.688 1.270 1.000 0.845 0.652 6.999 1.724 1.320
ZF 8HP 70 · 2008[b] −3.297 4.696 3.130 2.104 1.667 1.285 1.000 0.839 0.667 7.043 1.769 1.322
  1. ^ Differences in gear ratios have a measurable, direct impact on vehicle dynamics, performance, waste emissions as well as fuel mileage
  2. ^ for comparison purposes only

Specifications

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Both gearboxes are based on the layout of the ZF 8HP transmission from 2008, with the gearsets 1 and 3 swapped.[4]

Features
8L 45 M5N[5] 8L 90 M5U · N8X[6]
Input Capacity
Maximum engine power 308 bhp (230 kW)[a] 420 bhp (313 kW)[b]
Maximum gearbox torque 550 N⋅m (406 lb⋅ft)[a] 900 N⋅m (664 lb⋅ft)[b]
Maximum shift speed 7,500/min 6,000/min
Vehicle
Maximum Validated Weight
Gross Vehicle Weight · GVW
Maximum Validated Weight
Gross Curb
Vehicle Weight · GCVW
12,000 lb (5,440 kg)[a] 22,500 lb (10,210 kg)[b]
Structure
Range-selector quadrant P · R · N · D · M · L
Case description 2-piece main, bell integrated with main
Case material Die cast aluminum
Shift pattern (2) 2 on/off solenoids
Shift quality 6 Variable Force Solenoids · 1 for each clutch · 1 for TCC
Torque converter clutch Variable Force Solenoid ECCC · 2 path · turbine damper
Converter size 238 mm (9.37 in) 258 mm (10.16 in)
Fluid type DEXRON High Performance ATF
Fluid capacity 10.8 L (11.4 US qt)[a] 10.3 L (10.9 US qt)[b]
Weight 80 kg (176 lb)[a] 98.9 kg (218 lb)[b]
Available Control Features
Shift Patterns Multiple (Selectable)
Driver Shift Control Tap Up and Down
Additional Modes Tow & Haul Mode (Selectable)
Engine Torque Management On All Shifts
Shift Control Automatic Start/Stop
Automatic Grade Braking
Assembly sites GMPT[c] Toledo · Ohio · USA
GMPT[c] Silao · Mexico
  1. ^ a b c d e based on 2020 Chevrolet Colorado Z71 2WD Crew Cab · Short Bed
  2. ^ a b c d e General Motors estimate
  3. ^ a b General Motors Powertrain
Gear Ratios
With Assessment Planetary Gearset: Teeth[a][b] Count Total[c]
Center[d]
Avg.[e]
Model
Type
Version
First Delivery
S1[f]
R1[g]
S2[h]
R2[i]
S3[j]
R3[k]
S4[l]
R4[m]
Brakes
Clutches
Ratio
Span
Gear
Step[n]
Gear
Ratio
R
 
1
 
2
 
3
 
4
 
5
 
6
 
7
 
8
 
Step[n]  [o]    [p]            
Δ Step[q][r]            
Shaft
Speed
                 
Δ Shaft
Speed[s]
                 
8L 45
M5N
550 N⋅m (406 lb⋅ft)
2015[t]
41
79
41
79
41
79
26
94
2
3
7.0107
1.7431
1.3208[n]
Gear
Ratio
−3.9278[o]
 
4.6154
 
3.0385[r]
 
2.0648
 
1.6583[n][r][s]
 
1.2587[r]
 
1.0000
 
0.8494[r][s]
 
0.6583
 
Step 0.8510[o] 1.0000 1.5190 1.4715 1.2451[n] 1.3175 1.2587 1.1773 1.2902
Δ Step[q] 1.0322[r] 1.1819 0.9450[r] 1.0468[r] 1.0691 0.9125[r]
Speed -1.1751 1.0000 1.5190 2.2353 2.7831 3.6669 4.6154 5.4338 7.0107
Δ Speed 1.1751 1.0000 0.5190 0.7163 0.5479[s] 0.8837 0.9485 0.8184[s] 1.5769
8L 90
M5U
900 N⋅m (664 lb⋅ft)[7]
2014[u]
41[8]
79
46
86
37
73
25
89
2
3
6.9991
1.7236
1.3204[n]
Gear
Ratio
−3.8176[o]
 
4.5600
 
2.9709[r]
 
2.0751
 
1.6876[n][r][s]
 
1.2700[r]
 
1.0000
 
0.8455[r][s]
 
0.6515
 
Step 0.8372[o] 1.0000 1.5349 1.4317 1.2297[n] 1.3288 1.2700 1.1828 1.2977
Δ Step[q] 1.0721[r] 1.1643 0.9254[r] 1.0463[r] 1.0738 0.9114[r]
Speed -1.1945 1.0000 1.5349 2.1975 2.7021 3.5905 4.56 5.3933 6.9991
Δ Speed 1.1945 1.0000 0.5349 0.6626 0.5047[s] 0.8884 0.9695 0.8333[s] 1.6057
Ratio[v]
R & even
         
Ratio[v]
odd
       
Algebra And Actuated Shift Elements[w]
Brake A[x]
Brake B[y]
Clutch C[z]
Clutch D[aa]
Clutch E[ab]
8HP 70
[ac][ad]
700 N⋅m (516 lb⋅ft)
2008
48[9]
96
48[9]
96
69[10]
111
23[10]
85
2
3
7.0435
1.7693
1.3216[n]
Gear
Ratio
−3.2968[o]
 
4.6957
 
3.1304[r]
 
2.1039
 
1.6667[n][r][s]
 
1.2845[r]
 
1.0000
 
0.8392[r][s]
 
0.6667
 
Step 0.7021[o] 1.0000 1.5000 1.4879 1.2623[n] 1.2975 1.2845 1.1917 1.2587
Δ Step[q] 1.0081[r] 1.1787 0.9729[r] 1.0101[r] 1.0779 0.9467[r]
Speed -1.4243 1.0000 1.5000 2.2319 2.8174 3.6555 4.6957 5.5965 7.0435
Δ Speed 1.4243 1.0000 0.5000 0.7319 0.5855[s] 0.8382 1.0401 0.9000[s] 1.4478
Ratio[ae]

R & Even

         
Ratio[ae]
Odd
       
  1. ^ All 8L-transmissions are based on a dedicated 8-speed layout, first realized in the ZF 8HP 70 gearbox
  2. ^ Layout
    • Input and output are on opposite sides
    • Planetary gearset 1 is on the input (turbine) side
    • Input shafts are C2 and, if actuated, R1 and S4
    • Output shaft is C4 (planetary gear carrier of gearset 4)
  3. ^ Total Ratio Span (Total Ratio Spread · Total Gear Ratio)
    •  
    • A wider span enables the
      • downspeeding when driving outside the city limits
      • increase the climbing ability
        • when driving over mountain passes or off-road
        • or when towing a trailer
  4. ^ Ratio Span's Center
    •  
    • The center indicates the speed level of the transmission
    • Together with the final drive ratio
    • it gives the shaft speed level of the vehicle
  5. ^ Average Gear Step
    •  
    • With decreasing step width
      • the gears connect better to each other
      • shifting comfort increases
  6. ^ Sun 1: sun gear of gearset 1
  7. ^ Ring 1: ring gear of gearset 1
  8. ^ Sun 2: sun gear of gearset 2
  9. ^ Ring 2: ring gear of gearset 2
  10. ^ Sun 3: sun gear of gearset 3
  11. ^ Ring 3: ring gear of gearset 3
  12. ^ Sun 4: sun gear of gearset 4
  13. ^ Ring 4: ring gear of gearset 4
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Standard 50:50
    — 50 % Is Above And 50 % Is Below The Average Gear Step —
    • With steadily decreasing gear steps (yellow highlighted line Step)
    • and a particularly large step from 1st to 2nd gear
      • the lower half of the gear steps (between the small gears; rounded down, here the first 3) is always larger
      • and the upper half of the gear steps (between the large gears; rounded up, here the last 4) is always smaller
    • than the average gear step (cell highlighted yellow two rows above on the far right)
    • lower half: smaller gear steps are a waste of possible ratios (red bold)
    • upper half: larger gear steps are unsatisfactory (red bold)
  15. ^ a b c d e f g Standard R:1
    — Reverse And 1st Gear Have The Same Ratio —
    • The ideal reverse gear has the same transmission ratio as 1st gear
      • no impairment when maneuvering
      • especially when towing a trailer
      • a torque converter can only partially compensate for this deficiency
    • Plus 11.11 % minus 10 % compared to 1st gear is good
    • Plus 25 % minus 20 % is acceptable (red)
    • Above this is unsatisfactory (bold)
  16. ^ Standard 1:2
    — Gear Step 1st To 2nd Gear As Small As Possible —
    • With continuously decreasing gear steps (yellow marked line Step)
    • the largest gear step is the one from 1st to 2nd gear, which
      • for a good speed connection and
      • a smooth gear shift
    • must be as small as possible
      • A gear ratio of up to 1.6667:1 (5:3) is good
      • Up to 1.7500:1 (7:4) is acceptable (red)
      • Above is unsatisfactory (bold)
  17. ^ a b c d From large to small gears (from right to left)
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y Standard STEP
    — From Large To Small Gears: Steady And Progressive Increase In Gear Steps —
    • Gear steps should
      • increase: Δ Step (first green highlighted line Δ Step) is always greater than 1
      • As progressive as possible: Δ Step is always greater than the previous step
    • Not progressively increasing is acceptable (red)
    • Not increasing is unsatisfactory (bold)
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Standard SPEED
    — From Small To Large Gears: Steady Increase In Shaft Speed Difference —
    • Shaft speed differences should
      • increase: Δ Shaft Speed (second line marked in green Δ (Shaft) Speed) is always greater than the previous one
    • 1 difference smaller than the previous one is acceptable (red)
    • 2 consecutive ones are a waste of possible ratios (bold)
  20. ^ Model year 2016
  21. ^ Model year 2015
  22. ^ a b Adjusted formulas with gearset 1 and 3 swapped
  23. ^ Permanently coupled elements
    • S1 and R2
    • C1 (carrier 1) and C4 (carrier 4)
    • S2 and S3
    • C3 (carrier 3) and R4
  24. ^ Blocks S2 and S3
  25. ^ Blocks R3
  26. ^ Couples C2 and S4 with the turbine
  27. ^ Couples R1 with S4
  28. ^ Couples S1 and R2 with S4
  29. ^ without generation designation
  30. ^ First transmission on the market to use the dedicated 8-speed layout
    • gearset 1 and 3 not swapped
    • for comparison purposes only
  31. ^ a b Original formulas
    • gearset 1 and 3 not swapped
    • for comparison purposes only

Applications

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8L 45
Make Model Years Model Final Drive Ratio
Cadillac 2016–2019 ATS
2016–2019 CTS
2020–present CT4
2016–present CT6
Chevrolet 2016–2019 Camaro 3.27[a] or 2.77[b]
2017–present Colorado 3.42
GMC 2017–present Canyon
8L 90
Make Model Years Model Final Drive Ratio
Cadillac 2015–2017 Escalade[11] 3.23
2016–present ATS-V 2.85
2016–present CTS-V 2.85
2016–present CT6 3.27
Chevrolet 2015–2019 Corvette (C7) Stingray[12] 2.41[a] or 2.73[c]
2015–2019 Corvette (C7) Z06[13] 2.41
2019 Corvette (C7) ZR1 2.73
2015–present Silverado[14] 3.23[a] or 3.42[d]
2015–present Colorado 3.42
2016–2018 Camaro SS 2.77
2017–present Express[e]
GMC 2015–2017 Yukon Denali · Denali XL 3.23
2015–present Sierra[14] 3.23
2015–present Canyon 3.42
2017–present Savana[e]
  1. ^ a b c Standard
  2. ^ 3.6 L engine
  3. ^ Z51
  4. ^ Maximum Trailering Package
  5. ^ a b 2.8 L diesel engine and 4.3 L gas engine only

Lawsuits

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The 8L 90 is the subject of a class-action lawsuit filed in December 2018 that alleges the transmission suffers from persistent "shudder" issues and that GM has known about the problems since its introduction and has failed to provide a solution, instead choosing to wait until the unit is out of warranty.[15]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "USA Information Guide Model Year 2018" (PDF). Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  2. ^ "Cadillac Introduces New 8-Speed Automatic on CT6". Cadillac Media USA. Cadillac Media USA. 20 March 2015. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
  3. ^ "New 8-Speed Enables Quicker, More Efficient Corvette". www.gm.com. General Motors. 20 August 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  4. ^ "Timur Apakidze · Saturation Dive: The GM 8L 90 8-Speed Transmission". TTAC: The Truth About Cars. 23 April 2014. Retrieved 12 April 2024.
  5. ^ https://poweredsolutions.gm.com/products/8l45-8-speed-transmission/
  6. ^ https://poweredsolutions.gm.com/products/8l90-8-speed-transmission/
  7. ^ "Transmission Repair Cost Guide". Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  8. ^ "WIT · Whatever It Takes · Automatic Transmission Parts Catalog 2018+2019 Page 268". Retrieved 15 July 2019.
  9. ^ a b 8HP 70 Repair Manual · Picture 10106 p. 110 · Saarbruecken 2014 · https://avtgr.ru/upload/data/pdf/zf_instructions/8HP70.pdf
  10. ^ a b "Timur Apakidze · Saturation Dive: ZF 8-Speed Automatic". TTAC: The Truth About Cars. 11 March 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
  11. ^ "2015 Cadillac Escalade Updated with 8L90 8-Speed Automatic and More Tech [Photo Gallery]". 11 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  12. ^ "Chevrolet Confirms 2015 Corvette Stingray To Utilize 8L90 Eight-Speed Gearbox". Retrieved 9 April 2014.
  13. ^ "Supercharged 2015 Chevy Corvette Z06 takes the C7 beyond the ZR1 [w/video]". Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  14. ^ a b "GM confirms 2015 Silverado, Sierra to get 8-speed automatic". Retrieved 18 June 2014.
  15. ^ "Class Action Lawsuit Filed Over Alleged Shifting Defect in Certain General Motors Transmissions". 19 December 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
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