8 Speed vs 10 Speed

Bains · 08-24-2021, 04:05 PM

This post is directed to either people who have owned both 10 speed and 8 speed SS's or have either of them and have lined up and raced against the other. I recently sold my RS so now i'm about to be in the market (either at the end of the year or the start of next year) to get a SS. I'm on the fence about getting a new SS with the 10 speed or getting a 2018 SS with the redline package (like my RS had) or the hot wheels package. I do prefer the looks of the 2018 and prior 6th gens however, it feels like I might be missing out on the better drivetrain if I don't get one with the 10 speed. Below are my questions.

Is there a big difference in the feel of the transmission?
Is the 10-speed actually faster? If so, is it significant?
Which one is better in the low end and which one is better at the top end?

Staves · 08-24-2021, 04:10 PM

I have the A10 but test drove some A8s. They perform about the same. Some may argue the 10spd is a little smoother.
The biggest issue with getting the A8 is you may have to deal with the A8 shudder.

ifound1dollar · 08-24-2021, 04:31 PM

Since the performance is similar, the only downside I can really think of with the A10 would be having to shift more gears when in manual mode. I love manual mode and use it all the time, but I feel like another two gears might make it feel a little less enjoyable.

But yeah, the shuddering issue is a pain in the ass and would be nice to circumvent.

arpad_m · 08-24-2021, 04:31 PM

I have the A8 and found no problems with it. The A10 has a small advantage in drag racing with its extra gear between the A8's 4th and 5th, that is, the rpm drop is smaller than on the A8's 4->5 shift, plus the A10 shifts a bit quicker in manual mode with a better paddle response time.

When it's properly taken care of "shudderwise", the A8 is perfect, especially if tuned. I for one wouldn't want to upgrade solely to get an A10 (and I also strongly prefer the 2016-2018 look).

Bumbleboy92 · 08-24-2021, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arpad_m

...When it's properly taken care of "shudderwise", the A8 is perfect, especially if tuned. I for one wouldn't want to upgrade solely to get an A10 (and I also strongly prefer the 2016-2018 look).

+1

I have the A8 v6 and test drove an A10 v6, there is a difference but not enough to warrant trading in for. If you're going brand new and don't care for the looks of pre/post refresh then A10 is nice

sandm · 08-24-2021, 07:53 PM

did a lot of research and have driven both. didn't notice a difference between the 8 and 10 but also never drove side by side. a week apart yielded no difference to me. the 6.2 goes thru the gears so quick to 70(legal speed limit in most places) that unless you race I doubt 8 or 10 is really a dealbreaker.

for us it came down to the a8 being only available used and not knowing if there are going to be any long term issues from the shudder and not knowing history of the car from dealers we opted to only look a10's but there are a TON of a8 cars running around that had we found the exact car in an a8 we probably would have bought.

wnta1ss · 08-25-2021, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bains

Is the 10-speed actually faster? If so, is it significant?
Which one is better in the low end and which one is better at the top end?

Theoretically, the A10 version of the SS should be slightly quicker than the A8 version on the dragstrip, because of the closer gear spreads. I've checked it and the A10 has a lower first gear, so it has more torque multiplication at the hit, but it's 1>2 shift drops more rpm than the A8, however then the 2>3, 3>4, and 4>5 shifts are all less rpm drop than the A8 has. Despite the overall mechanical advantage, in the real world, they seem to get fairly similar results.

As far as top end, with the A10, an SS would reach top speed in 7th gear (1:1 ratio) whereas the A8 SS does it in 6th gear (1:1 ratio). Same gear ratio and same hp, so likely the same top speed for both (mechanically). However I don't know if the 2019+ nose is equal/better/worse aerodynamically than a 2016-2018 model though.

len125 · 08-25-2021, 07:22 AM

litearlly night and day,... get the 10 speed! it is really awesome....that 8 speed does its job (but you might get that transmission shudder) but the 10 is better. alot!

Spaceme1117 · 08-25-2021, 07:23 AM

Never drove a Camaro with the A10. I have a 2017 with the A8. No shudder at all. This transmission is the best automatic I have ever driven. The stock shifting is so quick to be amazing.

Camaro fanboy · 08-25-2021, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spaceme1117

Never drove a Camaro with the A10. I have a 2017 with the A8. No shudder at all. This transmission is the best automatic I have ever driven. The stock shifting is so quick to be amazing.

same here. love the gearbox. the noise on the upshifts is incredible.
cannot fault it

KMPrenger · 08-25-2021, 01:35 PM

Don't forget that the 10spd unit in the ZL1 is not the same as what is in the current SS. That said, A8 shudder aside, there is not much difference.

I have the A8 and after the latest flush it has been great. My advice would be to make DANG sure the latest flush has been done if you were to buy a used one. If not, either work it into the purchase deal, or pay to have it done after even if it drives fine.

HCI2000SS · 08-25-2021, 01:57 PM

Since the latest fluid and flush procedure my 8L45 has been doing great, but it is a very lazy trans. Anything between around 20-60 mph it will not drop down to the correct gear when floored. It basically drops down a gear to high if that makes sense. For example say I'm going 40 mph, and floor it, the trans will drop to 3rd instead of 2nd, even though 2nd gear tops out about 65 mph. Anyone notice this?

NeXvZEiN · 08-25-2021, 03:55 PM

I went from a 2018 2SS A8 to a 2020 2SS A10. Honestly the A10 feels quite a bit faster and smoother. Forget manual mode, the transmission just doesn't have the response time to really take advantage of the new transmission. There's a definite lag between when you hit the paddle and when the car shifts that you don't get in auto mode.

Between that and a few additional, meaningful updates, I really prefer my 2020 to the 2018. Digital dash seems to have a better resolution, as does the HUD and nav screen. I'm very happy with my trade even if it was mostly lateral.

Bains · 08-25-2021, 04:07 PM

Yeah, I think im siding with the 10 speed just slightly. Not sure exactly what i'll end up in though since I still have atleast 4 months before I start actively looking for one. Might just get a used ZL1 if the price is right. Still open to any input from all you 10 speed and 8 speed owners!

08-24-2021, 04:05 PM	#1
Bains Drives: '18 Camaro 2SS 1LE M6T Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 86	8 Speed vs 10 Speed This post is directed to either people who have owned both 10 speed and 8 speed SS's or have either of them and have lined up and raced against the other. I recently sold my RS so now i'm about to be in the market (either at the end of the year or the start of next year) to get a SS. I'm on the fence about getting a new SS with the 10 speed or getting a 2018 SS with the redline package (like my RS had) or the hot wheels package. I do prefer the looks of the 2018 and prior 6th gens however, it feels like I might be missing out on the better drivetrain if I don't get one with the 10 speed. Below are my questions. Is there a big difference in the feel of the transmission? Is the 10-speed actually faster? If so, is it significant? Which one is better in the low end and which one is better at the top end?

08-24-2021, 04:10 PM	#2
Staves Drives: women crazy Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: CA Posts: 698	I have the A10 but test drove some A8s. They perform about the same. Some may argue the 10spd is a little smoother. The biggest issue with getting the A8 is you may have to deal with the A8 shudder. __________________ ‘19 1SS A10, Borla S-type Non-NPP-SOLD

08-24-2021, 04:31 PM	#4
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,574 View My Garage	I have the A8 and found no problems with it. The A10 has a small advantage in drag racing with its extra gear between the A8's 4th and 5th, that is, the rpm drop is smaller than on the A8's 4->5 shift, plus the A10 shifts a bit quicker in manual mode with a better paddle response time. When it's properly taken care of "shudderwise", the A8 is perfect, especially if tuned. I for one wouldn't want to upgrade solely to get an A10 (and I also strongly prefer the 2016-2018 look). __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

08-25-2021, 07:22 AM	#8
len125 Drives: chevrolet camaro Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: maryland Posts: 148	had them post litearlly night and day,... get the 10 speed! it is really awesome....that 8 speed does its job (but you might get that transmission shudder) but the 10 is better. alot!

08-25-2021, 01:35 PM	#11
KMPrenger Drives: 16 Camaro SS, 15 Colorado Join Date: May 2009 Location: Jefferson City, Missouri Posts: 13,943	Don't forget that the 10spd unit in the ZL1 is not the same as what is in the current SS. That said, A8 shudder aside, there is not much difference. I have the A8 and after the latest flush it has been great. My advice would be to make DANG sure the latest flush has been done if you were to buy a used one. If not, either work it into the purchase deal, or pay to have it done after even if it drives fine. __________________ 2016 Camaro 1SS - 8-speed - NPP - Black bowties 2010 Camaro 1LT V6 (Sold. I will miss her!)

08-24-2021, 04:31 PM	#3
ifound1dollar Drives: 2017 Camaro 2LT RS Hyper Blue A8 Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 31	Since the performance is similar, the only downside I can really think of with the A10 would be having to shift more gears when in manual mode. I love manual mode and use it all the time, but I feel like another two gears might make it feel a little less enjoyable. But yeah, the shuddering issue is a pain in the ass and would be nice to circumvent.

08-24-2021, 07:53 PM	#6
sandm Drives: no more camaro :( Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: sin city Posts: 218	did a lot of research and have driven both. didn't notice a difference between the 8 and 10 but also never drove side by side. a week apart yielded no difference to me. the 6.2 goes thru the gears so quick to 70(legal speed limit in most places) that unless you race I doubt 8 or 10 is really a dealbreaker. for us it came down to the a8 being only available used and not knowing if there are going to be any long term issues from the shudder and not knowing history of the car from dealers we opted to only look a10's but there are a TON of a8 cars running around that had we found the exact car in an a8 we probably would have bought.

08-25-2021, 07:23 AM	#9
Spaceme1117 Drives: 2017 Camaro SS, 2011 Corvette GS Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Erlanger, Kentucky 41018 Posts: 814	Never drove a Camaro with the A10. I have a 2017 with the A8. No shudder at all. This transmission is the best automatic I have ever driven. The stock shifting is so quick to be amazing.

08-25-2021, 01:57 PM	#12
HCI2000SS Drives: 2018 Camaro V6/RS Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: MI Posts: 1,596	Since the latest fluid and flush procedure my 8L45 has been doing great, but it is a very lazy trans. Anything between around 20-60 mph it will not drop down to the correct gear when floored. It basically drops down a gear to high if that makes sense. For example say I'm going 40 mph, and floor it, the trans will drop to 3rd instead of 2nd, even though 2nd gear tops out about 65 mph. Anyone notice this?

08-25-2021, 03:55 PM	#13
NeXvZEiN Drives: 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Peoria, AZ Posts: 83	I went from a 2018 2SS A8 to a 2020 2SS A10. Honestly the A10 feels quite a bit faster and smoother. Forget manual mode, the transmission just doesn't have the response time to really take advantage of the new transmission. There's a definite lag between when you hit the paddle and when the car shifts that you don't get in auto mode. Between that and a few additional, meaningful updates, I really prefer my 2020 to the 2018. Digital dash seems to have a better resolution, as does the HUD and nav screen. I'm very happy with my trade even if it was mostly lateral.

08-25-2021, 04:07 PM	#14
Bains Drives: '18 Camaro 2SS 1LE M6T Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Central Valley, CA Posts: 86	Yeah, I think im siding with the 10 speed just slightly. Not sure exactly what i'll end up in though since I still have atleast 4 months before I start actively looking for one. Might just get a used ZL1 if the price is right. Still open to any input from all you 10 speed and 8 speed owners!

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