Scared of A8.......

gsbeavis · 06-30-2018, 07:18 AM

Looking to pick up a new SS Camaro soon and only recently tried one with the A8. I liked it but I am concerned about reliability. I like a M6 and don't mind it at all but if I thought I could trust the automatic I would consider one. With all the TC issues should I stay away from the automatic cars?

Bigdog9586 · 06-30-2018, 07:22 AM

Works great with my 2+ year old Z06 with 650hp and also my 17 SS with measly 460hp engine.

Magnum922 · 06-30-2018, 08:35 AM

I've only had mine a year next month but it's been flawless.

craigss50 · 06-30-2018, 09:31 AM

I have the A8 and had the shutter issue at 4200 miles but all seems fine now after the dealer changed the fluid. If you really don't have a preference save yourself the extra cost of the automatic and get the manual. The A8 is a very nice transmission but I can see why you would be concerned.

cmitchell17 · 06-30-2018, 09:42 AM

I just hit about 45k and the shutter started on my SS, I got the dealer to do the flush three times and everything seems fine now. There is a specific build date when GM switched to Dextron HP fluid, which has a "improved" friction modifier which fixes the issue. It may have something to do with the life of the fluid and time and heat that eventually breaks down the old style dextron fluid causing the shutter to start during the lifecycle. Yes I do have a concern that driving 45k with the old style fluid has reduced or damaged the TCC clutch, but this "damage" is probably so small, negligible and not quantifiable its not worth thinking about.

Besides that everything else is fine I don't think you should worry at all. If you are OCD about things though, the poor NVH (noise vibration and harshness) qualities of the A8 8L80 will drive you crazy. This includes unnecessary hard and clunky 0 throttle downshifts, unnecessarily hard light throttle 3-4 shifts, and general shift quality inconsistencies. These all seem to be control related and not inherent to the mechanical design just due to their randomness in occurrence. I think a large part of the clunks and noise is due to the excessive driveline backlash as well. If you're just a normal person probably wont notice any of this at all compared to another vehicle.

01pewterz28 · 06-30-2018, 10:03 AM

Picked up my SS April 2017 so far no issues but then again I don't have many miles 2600 miles on the car but so far so good. I will put about 900 miles on it in two weeks heading to the fest so we will see.

Magnum922 · 06-30-2018, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmitchell17

There is a specific build date when GM switched to Dextron HP fluid, which has a "improved" friction modifier which fixes the issue.

Does anyone know the build date?

Nated421 · 06-30-2018, 11:59 AM

I've had my A8 Fifty since October 2016(built September 16). I had the shutter issue and had them do the flush asap which fixed it. I believe that was around 11K. I'm now at 17k haven't had issue again, and I don't baby my car when I drive her either. If I had to do it all over honestly I would probably get a M6 simply because its soooo fun rowing through the gears. But I love my car and the a8 isnt to bad.

wingchunsifu · 07-01-2018, 04:35 AM

I swapped out my 1SS M6 for a 2SS A8 and couldn't be happier. I did encounter the vibration and shudder which was remedied after the dealer flush. The A8 is temperamental from time to time. However when its warmed up the speed and feel of the shifts are mind-blowing. Its a faster car with an A8. As fun as manuals are to drive I would never go back to a M6. Way too much work to drive all the time.

mdhopt36 · 07-02-2018, 07:39 AM

I have the 1SS A8, and so far, flawless performance.... but for only a bit over 3 months. Even in touring mode, it seems to forget all about conservative manners when the proper mashing of the right foot occurs. (shuts up my loudmouth brother!?)

Koldunic · 07-02-2018, 07:47 AM

Is there any consensus on the troubles some have with the A8?

Is it linked with the AFM?

JT58 · 07-02-2018, 07:57 AM

No worries on the A8- Mine initially had the shudder issue and after a flush it has been fine since.

DangerZL1 · 07-02-2018, 09:33 AM

If you're scared of the A8, then I'd definitely wait and order a 2019 with the A10. A much better transmission with hardly any complaints. This assumes you can get past the horrid looking bumper on the 2019 SS.

Grumpy1 · 07-02-2018, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DangerZL1

If you're scared of the A8, then I'd definitely wait and order a 2019 with the A10. A much better transmission with hardly any complaints. This assumes you can get past the horrid looking bumper on the 2019 SS.

Agreed....

06-30-2018, 07:18 AM	#1
gsbeavis Drives: 2020 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: WV Posts: 12	Scared of A8....... Looking to pick up a new SS Camaro soon and only recently tried one with the A8. I liked it but I am concerned about reliability. I like a M6 and don't mind it at all but if I thought I could trust the automatic I would consider one. With all the TC issues should I stay away from the automatic cars?

06-30-2018, 09:31 AM	#4
craigss50 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS Fifty Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Port St Lucie, Florida Posts: 966	I have the A8 and had the shutter issue at 4200 miles but all seems fine now after the dealer changed the fluid. If you really don't have a preference save yourself the extra cost of the automatic and get the manual. The A8 is a very nice transmission but I can see why you would be concerned. Last edited by craigss50; 06-30-2018 at 01:29 PM.

06-30-2018, 10:03 AM	#6
01pewterz28 #TeamBeckyD Drives: 2017 HBM 2SS Convertible A8 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Apopka, FL Posts: 10,496 View My Garage	Picked up my SS April 2017 so far no issues but then again I don't have many miles 2600 miles on the car but so far so good. I will put about 900 miles on it in two weeks heading to the fest so we will see. __________________ #TeamBeckyD FIFTY HBM 2SS VERT

07-02-2018, 07:57 AM	#12
JT58 Drives: Former 2016 Camaro 1LT Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Naples, FL Posts: 760	No worries on the A8- Mine initially had the shudder issue and after a flush it has been fine since. __________________ 2006 C6 Corvette Manual, 2019 Silverado, 1997 Jeep Wrangler

06-30-2018, 07:22 AM	#2
Bigdog9586 Drives: 2016 Z06 coupe Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Mi Posts: 280	Works great with my 2+ year old Z06 with 650hp and also my 17 SS with measly 460hp engine.

06-30-2018, 08:35 AM	#3
Magnum922 Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS, A8 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: North carolina Posts: 336	I've only had mine a year next month but it's been flawless.

06-30-2018, 09:42 AM	#5
cmitchell17 Drives: 17 2SS, 8L90, Cam, Heads, E85 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: US Posts: 1,201	I just hit about 45k and the shutter started on my SS, I got the dealer to do the flush three times and everything seems fine now. There is a specific build date when GM switched to Dextron HP fluid, which has a "improved" friction modifier which fixes the issue. It may have something to do with the life of the fluid and time and heat that eventually breaks down the old style dextron fluid causing the shutter to start during the lifecycle. Yes I do have a concern that driving 45k with the old style fluid has reduced or damaged the TCC clutch, but this "damage" is probably so small, negligible and not quantifiable its not worth thinking about. Besides that everything else is fine I don't think you should worry at all. If you are OCD about things though, the poor NVH (noise vibration and harshness) qualities of the A8 8L80 will drive you crazy. This includes unnecessary hard and clunky 0 throttle downshifts, unnecessarily hard light throttle 3-4 shifts, and general shift quality inconsistencies. These all seem to be control related and not inherent to the mechanical design just due to their randomness in occurrence. I think a large part of the clunks and noise is due to the excessive driveline backlash as well. If you're just a normal person probably wont notice any of this at all compared to another vehicle.

06-30-2018, 11:59 AM	#8
Nated421 Drives: 2017 50th Anniversary SS Camaro Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Charlotte Posts: 96 View My Garage	I've had my A8 Fifty since October 2016(built September 16). I had the shutter issue and had them do the flush asap which fixed it. I believe that was around 11K. I'm now at 17k haven't had issue again, and I don't baby my car when I drive her either. If I had to do it all over honestly I would probably get a M6 simply because its soooo fun rowing through the gears. But I love my car and the a8 isnt to bad.

07-01-2018, 04:35 AM	#9
wingchunsifu Drives: 2017 2SS A8, 2018 Macan GTS Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: New York Posts: 133	I swapped out my 1SS M6 for a 2SS A8 and couldn't be happier. I did encounter the vibration and shudder which was remedied after the dealer flush. The A8 is temperamental from time to time. However when its warmed up the speed and feel of the shifts are mind-blowing. Its a faster car with an A8. As fun as manuals are to drive I would never go back to a M6. Way too much work to drive all the time.

07-02-2018, 07:39 AM	#10
mdhopt36 Drives: '17- 1ag37 V6 traded, for 1SS 2018! Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: MA Posts: 469	I have the 1SS A8, and so far, flawless performance.... but for only a bit over 3 months. Even in touring mode, it seems to forget all about conservative manners when the proper mashing of the right foot occurs. (shuts up my loudmouth brother!?)

07-02-2018, 07:47 AM	#11
Koldunic Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Canada Posts: 189	Is there any consensus on the troubles some have with the A8? Is it linked with the AFM?

07-02-2018, 09:33 AM	#13
DangerZL1 Drives: 2023 Black ZL1 Auto Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: FEMA Region 4 Posts: 2,935	If you're scared of the A8, then I'd definitely wait and order a 2019 with the A10. A much better transmission with hardly any complaints. This assumes you can get past the horrid looking bumper on the 2019 SS.

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