C8 Tech/Performance Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

The easiest DCT track fill method

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 18, 2021 | 02:13 PM
  #1  
dohabandit's Avatar
dohabandit
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1,579
Default The easiest DCT track fill method

I have seen all the threads and videos that I can find that discuss all the ideas for adding the extra 2 quarts of DCTF.
1) GM procedure, removing airbox, 3 hours of tear down to get at the fill plug on the top of the DCT.
2) Leaning the vehicle over at least 13 degrees and fill using the fluid fill/check point.
3) Attaching one of many types of valves to the fill/check point and using a pressured container to force the DCTF into the DCT. (Some people say this will pressurize the DCT and damage filters and seals, but I think they forget that the DCT has an AIR BREATHER element to equalize the pressure inside the housing)
4) SpringMountain has stated that they use the "easiest" method which is to simply fill the DCT using the aforementioned air breather element. I believe it is the cylinder that is attached to the front of the air filter box area on the passenger side of the intake / throttle body.

Has anyone here done this? Do you have any pictures of the process?
Is it as simple as cutting the zip tie, popping the breather off, attaching funnel, adding 2 qts, re-attach breather, install new zip tie?

I don't think this would create any pressure in the DCT, as it would just burp air back through the funnel and would probably just be a slow process.
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2021 | 02:37 PM
  #2  
Kracka's Avatar
Kracka
Race Director
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 10,709
Likes: 7,100
From: Fulshear, TX
Default

Option #2, about as easy as it gets and adds fluid where fluid is meant to be added. I'd rather not goop up an air breather with transmission fluid.
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2021 | 02:43 PM
  #3  
64drvr's Avatar
64drvr
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 9,928
Likes: 2,024
From: 200 AGL
St. Jude Donor '15
Default

Using the breather tube is undoubtedly the easiest but there is no verification of what your actual fluid level is (how much fluid you started with).
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2021 | 04:40 PM
  #4  
dohabandit's Avatar
dohabandit
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1,579
Default

Well, I believe the filter element for the air breather would be removed and just filling the oil via the tube. Gravity should do the rest to keep the DCTF out of the element.
As far as the fluid level, I would only be adding 2qts and HOPEFULLY my level would not be already too low.

The dodson fill kit has a 1-way check valve on it I believe, so that makes me wonder if it is all that useful. I think the installation of a valve with a cap when not in use (to keep dirt out), and a nipple with a hose makes an easy method to open up the check point and drain out the excess fluid into a "clean" container and fill it back in again via the breather element pathway when needing to top it off with +2Qts for track use. With the valve installed to replace the check point, you can open up that valve and then slowly add DCTF to the breather tube until you see fluid starting to come out. Then close the valve and add another 2 qts.





Reply
Old Dec 18, 2021 | 10:47 PM
  #5  
racerx8's Avatar
racerx8
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 781
Likes: 82
From: MA
Default

The Dodson kit does have a 1 way check valve, cap and is easy to use with a pressure fill. I drained, changed filter and refilled by pressure with 13L of DCTF so I knew my total fill capacity. GM could have made it a little easier for the DCT maintenance but we have options and the Dodson is a good option.
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2021 | 11:26 PM
  #6  
dohabandit's Avatar
dohabandit
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 2,562
Likes: 1,579
Default

So how do you drain the DCTF at the "fill port" to check the level if the dodson has a 1-way check valve on it? Does the checkvalve come off when you want to drain you just remove it? It looks like it is held on the pan cover with a mount.
I really don't want to drain all the fluid at the very bottom, just so I can put it all back in again. (although, part of me is wondering if you can filter this pentosin fluid outside of the car to remove contaminants better than the stock filters do!)
Reply
Old Dec 18, 2021 | 11:45 PM
  #7  
racerx8's Avatar
racerx8
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 781
Likes: 82
From: MA
Default

The Dodson kit installs at the transmission fill/check point at that time you can check stock fluid level before installing the kit. The usual method is that when full the standard fluid level (11L) should just trickle out, you then install the Dodson kit and pressure fill with the additional 2L of DCTF. I made a simple adapter, a rubber hose, to mate my pressure bottle to the Dodson kit.
I don't know of any way to check the new DCT fluid level with the 13 L (11L + 2L). If you are want to drain the extra 2L simply unscrew the check valve at the bottom, drain the 2L and that should leave your trans at the standard fill level.

Last edited by racerx8; Dec 18, 2021 at 11:53 PM. Reason: more explanation
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2021 | 01:16 PM
  #8  
Bburr's Avatar
Bburr
Pro
10 Year Member
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 500
Likes: 259
Default

I sure hope they don't loose any money on this kit. However, it sure seems simple enough with this kit. ($235)
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To The easiest DCT track fill method

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-4

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-5

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:10 PM.

story-0
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE