So, my 2011 Silverado has 155k on it. My mechanic is pretty trustworthy. He services all the cars for my work. He's been "in the neighborhood" for about 40+ years. He does a lot of transmission work and he had mentioned that the 5-SPD transmissions have torque converter issues. He said if my truck has the 5-SPD, he recommends having a better torque converter put in and he says that it can keep the transmission going until 300k+ as the torque converter can erupt causing damage to the transmission.

He said my transmission seems okay, but I may consider it as preventative maintainance

Seems like what he is saying does have some validity behind it. Plus he's a "mom and pop" shop, so I know if he does work he's going to do it right (unlike a dealership).

Anyways, I believe my truck has the 6SPD transmission and not the 5. Does anyone know if this issue has been corrected upon release of the 6SPDs? If not, should I spend the $1500 for a torque converter?

I do 75% of my work/service myself but I like to leave transmission / internal engine work to the professionals, especially considering the computer stuff that comes with modern trannys.

Any thoughts?

 

You either have a 4 speed tranny or a GM 6-Speed 6L90 MYD Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission. No 5 speeds at all. Your so-called mechanic is FOS. Only 5 speed is a stick shift NV3500. Drop him like a Rock.

Put some Dexron VI full-synthetic in it and forget about his preventative maintenance nonsense. Very few automatics can or will last longer than 300k in a pickup, unless they are not towing or have been given excellent care. You'll need to make sure you have an external air fluid cooler, not the trans to radiator setup as well.

 

I actually just picked it up from him. He didn't mention doing the torque converter again after he had looked at the truck.

Betting that he realized himself it wasn't a 5 SPD. I don't think he was trying to be dishonest I think he just had no clue what truck I was running at the time or what year it was, he was just shooting the breeze.

He usually works on Chevys from the 90s. It's common in my area for people to still drive chevys from the 90s.

Thank you for the reply.

-Mike

 

Most of the 1990s transmissions were 4L60E for a C/K 1500 or 4L80E for a C/K 2500. Both four speeds with OD

Most car manufacturers switched from three-speed non-OD transmissions to four speed OD's, back in the 1980's.