C7 General Discussion General C7 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

A8 tranny question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-22-2019, 09:25 PM
  #1  
Kingman99
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
 
Kingman99's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2003
Location: Port Saint Lucie, Florida
Posts: 2,846
Received 48 Likes on 18 Posts

Default A8 tranny question

Hi

right now l am in the hunt for a C7 (2014/2015) but with the various problems with the A8 how if possible
can l bypass this problem? Besides the shuddering is there anything else to look for?

By the way how long (time wise) or what mileage does it rear it’s ugly head?

Oh l believe the 2014 is the A6

thanks

Old 01-22-2019, 10:34 PM
  #2  
TSLAVette
Drifting
 
TSLAVette's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2000
Location: St. Louis MO
Posts: 1,872
Received 292 Likes on 157 Posts

Default

The search function may help you out.
Old 01-22-2019, 10:39 PM
  #3  
Thunder22
Team Owner
 
Thunder22's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2004
Location: Long Island
Posts: 31,251
Received 2,313 Likes on 1,458 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by MlwYlw
The search function may help you out.
doesn't even need to search, it's a sticky at the top of the section
Old 01-23-2019, 09:24 AM
  #4  
subieworx
Pro
 
subieworx's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2016
Posts: 624
Received 130 Likes on 94 Posts
Default

Also know that a 14 has a different trans than a 15 that doesn't suffer from the same issues as the 15.
Old 01-23-2019, 09:43 AM
  #5  
JDSKY
Melting Slicks
 
JDSKY's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2018
Location: Western WI
Posts: 3,066
Received 1,222 Likes on 608 Posts
Default

If you are looking for a 14' or a 15' just get the 14' with the A6. That's what I did. On a side note I did not care for the aggressive active fuel management in the car so that GM could eek out another MPG.

If and when you purchase one look into the Range AFM Disabler. https://rangetechnology.com/afm-disabler/ This device keeps the car in V8 mode vs constantly moving in and out of V4 mode. Yes, fuel economy will not be quite as good but I happily give up an MPG or two for the increased performance in a sports car built for performance.
The following users liked this post:
Rebel Yell (01-23-2019)
Old 01-23-2019, 12:28 PM
  #6  
2FastCorvette4U
Racer
 
2FastCorvette4U's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2006
Location: Virginia
Posts: 320
Received 50 Likes on 34 Posts

Default

I would not do the A6, it's either A8 or M7 if I had to choose... I have 23k on my 16 A8 and no problems at all.
Old 01-23-2019, 12:34 PM
  #7  
Rebel Yell
Le Mans Master
 
Rebel Yell's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Down south in Dixie
Posts: 6,801
Received 2,639 Likes on 1,702 Posts

Default

The truth is not all A8's in the early days had the shuddering problem. But, if you had one it didn't matter if there was only one. My '16 started the crap at approx. 3K miles. The fluid flush helped it a lot, but I didn't keep it long enough to see if the cure stuck. I suggest if at all possible drive the A8 car before you buy. That's the best way to tell. Good luck.

Last edited by Rebel Yell; 01-23-2019 at 12:35 PM.
Old 01-23-2019, 01:34 PM
  #8  
subieworx
Pro
 
subieworx's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2016
Posts: 624
Received 130 Likes on 94 Posts
Default

Buy a certified used car if you are worried. I bought my 15 Z51 with 29000 miles. It now has 34000 and in that time I have had the torque converter, torque tube and trans all replaced under the certified warranty. The car has also been modified since day one with an intake, headers, flex fuel ported throttle body and tune. No issues there either.
Old 01-23-2019, 01:56 PM
  #9  
JDSKY
Melting Slicks
 
JDSKY's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2018
Location: Western WI
Posts: 3,066
Received 1,222 Likes on 608 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by 2FastCorvette4U
I would not do the A6,
Would be nice to know some specifics. The A6 has had no issues like the A8 has. It's fairly easy to research the repair histories for the different model years. I did before purchasing and ruled out 15's based on the data. 2015 is the worst of all model years for issues with the C7 and a lot of this is due to the first year of the A8 trans.

A lot of people wrongly assume that 2014 has to be the year with the most problems because it is the first year for the the C7. Not the case at all. In fact 2015 and 16 both have higher rates of repair with 17 getting better and similar to that of 14'. If I was going to go with an A8 right now it makes more sense to just purchase new. Same trans but you get the full length of the factory warranty on it and the deals are really good vs a used 18'.

Last edited by JDSKY; 01-23-2019 at 02:01 PM.
Old 01-23-2019, 02:03 PM
  #10  
Gunny27
Advanced
 
Gunny27's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2014
Location: Madison Alabama
Posts: 69
Received 43 Likes on 18 Posts
Default

The A8 out performs the A6. My shutter occurred within the 1st 2000mile and got worse in both my Camaro and Corvette. Both were serviced with the flush and I have not had the problem reoccur with 15000 miles on Camaro and 9000 miles on Corvette. The flush fixes most of the cars with A8, there are a few posts about it. From my experience I would get still recommend the A8.
The following users liked this post:
Rebel Yell (01-23-2019)
Old 01-23-2019, 02:42 PM
  #11  
joemessman
Le Mans Master
 
joemessman's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2015
Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Posts: 7,339
Received 3,447 Likes on 2,063 Posts
Default

Based on my research and posts on this forum, it seems like about up to 5 percent will experience issues with the A8. That's too high of a rate, but you just have to determine if you want to gamble or not.
I have almost 89,000 miles on mine and it has been the best performing automatic transmission I have owned. But for how long will it hold up? Don't know of course, but I drive it hard and fast. Never an issue.
I summary, it is the luck of the draw.
The following 2 users liked this post by joemessman:
beaversstonehaven (01-26-2019), Rebel Yell (01-23-2019)
Old 01-23-2019, 05:20 PM
  #12  
LIE2ME
Le Mans Master
 
LIE2ME's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2012
Location: Camden SC
Posts: 6,827
Received 4,584 Likes on 1,647 Posts

Default

Just buy the 14. Bulletproof transmission. Great Car...!
Old 01-26-2019, 10:50 AM
  #13  
Diceman9
Pro
 
Diceman9's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2003
Location: St. George, UT
Posts: 624
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts

Default

I too are in the market for a C7. I was looking at a M7 but considering a automatic 6. Do they have the same possible issues as the A8? Is the issue in the transmission or the torque converter?
Old 01-29-2019, 12:47 PM
  #14  
Jpena229
Advanced
 
Jpena229's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2019
Location: San Antonio, TX
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Received 27 Likes on 14 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Diceman9
I too are in the market for a C7. I was looking at a M7 but considering a automatic 6. Do they have the same possible issues as the A8? Is the issue in the transmission or the torque converter?
Based on what I've heard the 2014 6 speed doesn't have all the issues that the 8 speed (started with 2015 MY) has, That being said most people would agree that the car with the 8 speed is a better performer, if for no other reason because in gets to peak power RPM quicker on account of the shorter gears. So it's your choice, if you're just going to cruise and be cool get the 6 and possibly save yourself some headaches. If you're going to run it hard and kick some butt the 8 would be a better choice, but try and check if the car you're buying has had any of the A8 repair work done before you buy it .
Old 01-29-2019, 01:16 PM
  #15  
KenHorse
Team Owner
 
KenHorse's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2007
Location: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
Posts: 136,148
Received 2,402 Likes on 1,366 Posts
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18

Default

Originally Posted by 2FastCorvette4U
I would not do the A6, it's either A8 or M7 if I had to choose... I have 23k on my 16 A8 and no problems at all.
Jinx
Old 01-29-2019, 03:41 PM
  #16  
Patman
Race Director
 
Patman's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2001
Location: Guelph, Ontario
Posts: 15,076
Received 1,922 Likes on 1,194 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by joemessman
Based on my research and posts on this forum, it seems like about up to 5 percent will experience issues with the A8. That's too high of a rate, but you just have to determine if you want to gamble or not.
I have almost 89,000 miles on mine and it has been the best performing automatic transmission I have owned. But for how long will it hold up?
My belief is that if yours hasn't shown the shuddering problem by now, it's not going to.
Old 01-29-2019, 05:04 PM
  #17  
joemessman
Le Mans Master
 
joemessman's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2015
Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Posts: 7,339
Received 3,447 Likes on 2,063 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Patman
My belief is that if yours hasn't shown the shuddering problem by now, it's not going to.
I sure hope not!

Get notified of new replies

To A8 tranny question




Quick Reply: A8 tranny question



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:15 AM.