2016 Automatic 8 speed?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 286
Likes: 148
2016 Automatic 8 speed?
Looked at a nice 2016 C7, Z51 that has the automatic 8-speed. I have read that these transmissions may have some issues?
I really don't know much detail about potential issues. Is this really the case? Is there one specific transmission to be avoided?
I really don't know much detail about potential issues. Is this really the case? Is there one specific transmission to be avoided?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Here is a thread to read. It will give plenty of information so you can make up your mind. All in all it appears no more than 5 percent have issues. I'm anecdotal, but have 65,000 on my A8 and it has been perfect. Best automatic I have ever driven.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-tracking.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-tracking.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 8,133
Likes: 144
From: Ex-SF Bay Area; now happily Denver area
I have a 2016 Z51 A8 with 5200 miles and no problems whatsoever. I was a manual tranny guy but with medical condition had to get an auto and now I really like it. It's a different experience but has a lot of options with the paddle shifters.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 286
Likes: 148
Here is a thread to read.
It will give plenty of information so you can make up your mind. All in all it appears no more than 5 percent have issues. I'm anecdotal, but have 65,000 on my A8 and it has been perfect. Best automatic I have ever driven.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-tracking.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-tracking.html
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 24,129
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From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
What was the build date?
I have a 2016 Z51 automatic built in January 2016 with no issues. There were improvements made in November of 2015 that addressed the A8 making them more reliable.
I have a 2016 Z51 automatic built in January 2016 with no issues. There were improvements made in November of 2015 that addressed the A8 making them more reliable.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 102
Likes: 22
As with all forums, you will see 100 posts talking complaining about something to every 1 post praising the same thing. It's the nature of the beast - Take the info here with a grain of salt, and see if you can go on a good test drive before committing to a purchase. Most of the A8's (95%+) are just fine.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
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Yes, there have been a number of posts here on the forum about A8 issues. But as mentioned above, a lot more positive experiences go unreported - just the way it is.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,672
Likes: 2,726
From: Atlanta GA
My car was built Feb 2015 and delivered April 2015 , no problems at all. Most believe that it is the AFM 4 cylinder mode causing issues when the torque converter goes into lockup. I got a range device for two reasons , one , to stop the problems associated with the AFM and torque converter and two , I did not buy a corvette for gas mileage or to drive it in 4 cylinder mode lol lol
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2012
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My A8 (2016 Z06, March 2016 build) has behaved very well. I do a manual 1 to 2 to 1 shift while the car is still stationary at the first start of the day to avoid the initial slow clutch pack actuator fill that will otherwise often cause a rough first 1 to 2 upshift. But other than that it performs smoothly and without drama.
I do have a Range module to prevent AFM operation when the transmission is in full automatic mode in order to avoid the lockup clutch modulation and other undesirable side effects of AFM. Even without the Range module, seeing problems with the A8 in a Z06 is very rare and this is likely because the Z06 hardly ever goes into V4 mode even without the Range module.
I do have a Range module to prevent AFM operation when the transmission is in full automatic mode in order to avoid the lockup clutch modulation and other undesirable side effects of AFM. Even without the Range module, seeing problems with the A8 in a Z06 is very rare and this is likely because the Z06 hardly ever goes into V4 mode even without the Range module.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 2,195
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From: Bonita Springs Florida
https://www.google.com/search?q=GM+A...nt=firefox-b-1
https://www.google.com/search?client....0.D2DEkg_8_PM
Much depends on how you drive the car and what behavior you are willing to accept as normal. Mine (2015) is fine if driven like I'm in a parade (slow easy accelerations and easy stops). If I start to play, the tranny will buck and/or lurch when coming to a stop. Not all the time, but bad enough that I thought I got bumped by the car behind me.
Problems w/ the GM 8 speed are not just unique to the Corvette. Yes, GM has made changes and or fixes (triple flush or replace the torque converters). Some of these remedies work, and sometimes not.
This is not a random (one-of) issue like an oil leak or a door that doesn't open which show up occasionally on a car forum. There are enough reports that could/should give a buyer pause.
To be clear, the transmission doesn't explode or quit working, but can display behaviors that are not normal for any other automatic transmission. If you like the C7 (who doesn't) and are wiling to accept the possibility of owning a $60K + car that may or may not display some of the reported issues, then certainly buy one.
https://www.google.com/search?client....0.D2DEkg_8_PM
Much depends on how you drive the car and what behavior you are willing to accept as normal. Mine (2015) is fine if driven like I'm in a parade (slow easy accelerations and easy stops). If I start to play, the tranny will buck and/or lurch when coming to a stop. Not all the time, but bad enough that I thought I got bumped by the car behind me.
Problems w/ the GM 8 speed are not just unique to the Corvette. Yes, GM has made changes and or fixes (triple flush or replace the torque converters). Some of these remedies work, and sometimes not.
This is not a random (one-of) issue like an oil leak or a door that doesn't open which show up occasionally on a car forum. There are enough reports that could/should give a buyer pause.
To be clear, the transmission doesn't explode or quit working, but can display behaviors that are not normal for any other automatic transmission. If you like the C7 (who doesn't) and are wiling to accept the possibility of owning a $60K + car that may or may not display some of the reported issues, then certainly buy one.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 226
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From: Hill country, TX
This is just what I did when I bought a 2016 A8 Z51. Pay a little extra to buy a CPO car directly from the dealer for some peace of mind.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: The Beautiful Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09, '14-'15-'16-'17-'18
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2014
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Other than that situation, it's a fine AT.
Lots of Z06s have them (I do), and if it can handle that kind of power well there is no reason to think it wouldn't in a Z51.
Buy one without fear.
