Should I Overfill My 6L80? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

2010BlackCamaroSS · 08-14-2021, 12:59 PM

Hey guys,

I have read that some folks are overfilling their 6L80s by a quart. My car is mostly stock. Are there actually benefits to doing this, or can it be harmful?

LCPLPunk · 08-15-2021, 08:50 AM

You should get a tranny dipstick from JRE...don't guess on what your level is...

102SS · 08-15-2021, 12:01 PM

Overfilling it can cause aeration of the fluid which is not good as the foaming fluid will not lubricate properly.

Thats why GM got rid of the dipsticks so people couldn't overfill it easy.

That said I have a JRE dipstick but its filled to the proper level with Dex 6.

2010BlackCamaroSS · 08-15-2021, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LCPLPunk

You should get a tranny dipstick from JRE...don't guess on what your level is...

That's on the agenda. However, I am not guessing at what my level is. I got under the car and checked it. It is at the proper level.

My question is regarding an intentional overfill. I have read several folks with 6L80s were intentionally overfilling their trans by ~1 quart. I have read about folks doing this with their Camaros and G8s.

I thought I might give this a try, if it is safe to do. Otherwise, I'll leave it alone.

gtstorey · 08-16-2021, 07:47 AM

I run mine overfull based upon the recommended procedure from Circle D Transmission;
https://www.circledtrans.com/files/R...-June-2013.pdf page 4.
It mostly fixed a transmission flare issue I was having.

2010BlackCamaroSS · 08-16-2021, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtstorey

I run mine overfull based upon the recommended procedure from Circle D Transmission;
https://www.circledtrans.com/files/R...-June-2013.pdf page 4.
It mostly fixed a transmission flare issue I was having.

Thanks, gtstorey. Is this recommendation only if you have a Circle D converter, or does it apply to cars with the stock converter as well? My car is stock.

gtstorey · 08-17-2021, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2010BlackCamaroSS

Thanks, gtstorey. Is this recommendation only if you have a Circle D converter, or does it apply to cars with the stock converter as well? My car is stock.

Those are the instructions for a rebuilt transmission install.

JMI · 08-23-2021, 05:28 PM

If you are an aggressive driver and play at the dragstrip a little bit.
Yes,we ussually over fill them 1/2 to 1 quart over full.Even a bone stock tranny. Even my Silverado,the fluid is over full for that reason.
The reason is, under launch, some can pull air instead of fluid because where the oil pick up is located. If it pull air, it will delay the shift.Seen it delay the 1-2 shift and even sometimes the 2-3 shift. Seen some that the ECM will see the issues and try to shut the throttle to save the tranny.

2010BlackCamaroSS · 08-29-2021, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMI

If you are an aggressive driver and play at the dragstrip a little bit.
Yes,we ussually over fill them 1/2 to 1 quart over full.Even a bone stock tranny. Even my Silverado,the fluid is over full for that reason.
The reason is, under launch, some can pull air instead of fluid because where the oil pick up is located. If it pull air, it will delay the shift.Seen it delay the 1-2 shift and even sometimes the 2-3 shift. Seen some that the ECM will see the issues and try to shut the throttle to save the tranny.

I do drive aggressively. I just want to make sure it won't harm the transmission to overfill it.

Bigdumogre · 08-30-2021, 03:56 AM

You should be fine overfilling by 1/2 a qt. I have the jannetty dipstick and was the best purchase ever. They also said that our trans can suck on air at the factory full level and to fix it adding in a 1/2- 1 qt will fix it.

Cyber10 · 09-06-2021, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 102SS

Overfilling it can cause aeration of the fluid which is not good as the foaming fluid will not lubricate properly.

Thats why GM got rid of the dipsticks so people couldn't overfill it easy.

That said I have a JRE dipstick but its filled to the proper level with Dex 6.

So you're under filling on the dipstick? Because JRE has that setup so full = overfilled for stock.

AlanRubin · 09-06-2021, 01:26 PM

When I did the fluid and filter change on mine, I put in what I took out. When I
tried to add even a half quart, it backed out the fill hole well before that. If it is more
fluid you want, then buy a deeper pan. The filter is held in with bolts, so it isn't
falling out into the pan.

As stated, overfilling will aerate the fluid, like soda, and it won't flow or lubricate
properly.

Quote:

Allow the transmission to come up to operating temperature (86°-122°F).
A steady stream of fluid will begin flowing out of the level control plug hole,
once this steady stream stops, immediately secure the level control plug and
then add an additional three-quarters of a quart of fluid. Install the fill plug -
this step is now complete.

There is a reason for that with their transmission. You should not have to overfill with
a stock one.

kenfb1 · 04-28-2023, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cyber10

So you're under filling on the dipstick? Because JRE has that setup so full = overfilled for stock.

Hi,
Same question: Is the JRE Full mark on stick, slightly an overfill or not?
If completely stock and never raced, should level on JRE stick be slightly under their FULL mark??
Thanks for any advice,
Ken

08-14-2021, 12:59 PM	#1
2010BlackCamaroSS Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS - L99 Join Date: Jun 2021 Location: MS Posts: 128 View My Garage	Should I Overfill My 6L80? Hey guys, I have read that some folks are overfilling their 6L80s by a quart. My car is mostly stock. Are there actually benefits to doing this, or can it be harmful?

08-15-2021, 08:50 AM	#2
LCPLPunk USA-1 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS L99 Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Near DC Posts: 1,893 View My Garage	You should get a tranny dipstick from JRE...don't guess on what your level is... __________________ "A Camaro in the garage is safe, but that's not what Camaros are built for..." R2C CAI / Apex Scoop / VMAX Ported TB / Speed Engineering LTHs / X-pipe / GPI port/rod-mod intake manifold / Circle D 3200 278mm Converter / 3.91 gears / DynoSteve tuned / 1LE Shocks/Struts/Toe Links / ZL1 Rear Sway Bar / Z/28 Trailing arms / Prothane Radius Arm & Subframe Bushings / BMR UCA Bracket, Steering rack bushing / B&M Tranny Cooler / RX Catch Can / Jannetty Tranny Dipstick / 2012+ Heater Hose / 2013+ Rearview Mirror / Fuel rail flip / Drake shifter / Oil Cooler Delete

08-15-2021, 12:01 PM	#3
102SS waiting at the tree Drives: SIM 2010 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Niagara Falls Posts: 3,244	Overfilling it can cause aeration of the fluid which is not good as the foaming fluid will not lubricate properly. Thats why GM got rid of the dipsticks so people couldn't overfill it easy. That said I have a JRE dipstick but its filled to the proper level with Dex 6. __________________ 2010 2SS/RS A6 ZL1 Rims 60ft 2.03 13.08 at 107.82 (4/28) 2009 Pontiac G8 3.6L the DD

08-23-2021, 05:28 PM	#8
JMI Drives: Red Jewel Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: East Coast Posts: 394	If you are an aggressive driver and play at the dragstrip a little bit. Yes,we ussually over fill them 1/2 to 1 quart over full.Even a bone stock tranny. Even my Silverado,the fluid is over full for that reason. The reason is, under launch, some can pull air instead of fluid because where the oil pick up is located. If it pull air, it will delay the shift.Seen it delay the 1-2 shift and even sometimes the 2-3 shift. Seen some that the ECM will see the issues and try to shut the throttle to save the tranny. __________________ BTR LSX388,AGP Twin Turbo.6L90,GM 9.9" Diff.Fore Innovations Level 4 fuel system.Great fuel economy !!!! 1xxx RWHP

08-30-2021, 03:56 AM	#10
Bigdumogre Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: New York Posts: 1,434	You should be fine overfilling by 1/2 a qt. I have the jannetty dipstick and was the best purchase ever. They also said that our trans can suck on air at the factory full level and to fix it adding in a 1/2- 1 qt will fix it. __________________ 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS - CSP Custom Cam 232/240 .615/.615 113 +3, Texas speed CNC heads, FTI billet triple disc converter, K&N cai, Katech ported TB, GPI Ported/rod modded manifold, Texas speed 1 7/8 headers, HFC, Flowmaster 2 chambers with x pipe, Mishimoto CC, MSD wires, Roto fab washer relocation, tru cool 40k trans cooler, apex scoop, Pedders extreme coil overs and much more!!

08-16-2021, 07:47 AM	#5
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,177	I run mine overfull based upon the recommended procedure from Circle D Transmission; https://www.circledtrans.com/files/R...-June-2013.pdf page 4. It mostly fixed a transmission flare issue I was having.