The 5 & 6-speed Allison 1000 transmission, paired with 2001-2019 6.6L Duramax, is renowned for its durability and performance, especially in heavy-duty applications. Whether you’re towing, hauling, or simply looking to enhance your driving experience, upgrading your Allison 1000 can make a significant difference. Here are the top five upgrades to consider for maximizing the performance and longevity of your Allison 1000 transmission.
The ten-speed Allison 1000 is substantially better than previous Allison models we have seen come in Duramax trucks. Known for its superior towing performance, excellent fuel economy, and outstanding reliability. It utilizes some of the best technology GM has ever produced. Its reputation for excellence was earned largely because of the advanced electronic control systems provided by the TCM (Transmission Control Module).
As technology gets better, we see transmissions in trucks with more and more gears. Recently the Allison 6-speed was replaced with the 10-speed version. For older trucks, this can set them behind the competitors, both in terms of performance and fuel efficiency. A 6-speed conversion kit can take LB7 and LLY trucks to a whole new level of performance and drivability.
If you are already in need of a valve body replacement due to slipping gears because of a weak or bad solenoid this kit is exactly what you'll want to swap in its place. The kit comes with an upgraded valve body combined with a 6-speed TCM. This upgraded TCM comes with updated shift schedules customized to your truck for the new gearing . Calibrated Power has been able to design one of the smoothest shifting 6-speed conversion kits there is. This kit will have your 15-year-old truck shifting like a 2018 model. It's also relatively simple to install and can easily be installed by someone who knows what they're doing in the shop or at home. Another option is to have Calibrated Power install it themselves in one of their upgraded transmissions (DT550, DT750, or DT1000), which is what you'll want if you're trying to make big power.
If you're looking for any of these qualities out of your transmission then a 6-speed conversion is for you:
- Better MPG's
- Quieter Exhaust Drone On The Highway
- Smoother Shifting Transmission
- Engine and Transmission Longevity
- Narrower Cruise Range to Meet Emissions Requirements
The Six Speed Conversion Kit from duramaxtuner.com has been unleashed and it’s a proven winner. The fifth gear days of yore have passed the world by and the 2001-2005 LB7 and LLY owners are loving how much more the extra gear brings them. Large amounts R&D and testing has given 5 speeds a better shift schedule and the highest quality 5-6 and 6-5 shifts. The upgraded valve body with have your aging truck shifting like a new model.
6 Speed Conversion Kit for the LB7 & LLY 5 Speed Allison:
Your 2001-2005 Silverado/Sierra HD diesel is powered by either the LB7 (2001-2004) or LLY (2004.5-2005) Duramax. That Duramax is tied to one of the most popular automatic transmissions, the Allison 1000.
While the Allison 1000 was a big step forward, it still needed improvement. The LB7/LLY models came with 4 gears and Overdrive, or "5 speed". In 2006 General Motors (GM) released the 6 Speed transmission for the new at the time LBZ model and other HD trucks.
Without getting too technical about how automatic transmissions work, they did not actually add a physical gear. The Allison works through a series of clutch packs being applied with hydraulic pressure to create different gear ratios. What GM actually did was design a brand new valve body and improved tuning to achieve the 6 speed Allison 1000.
DuramaxTuner.com now has a 6 Speed Conversion Kit which includes a new valve body and custom tuned TCM that allows your truck to achieve 6th gear.
Who Will The 6 Speed Conversion Kit Help?
- Owners wanting a quieter ride
- Drivers looking for a smoother shifting transmission
- Highway commuters
2001 - 2004.5 Allison 1000 Trouble Shooting
The Allison 1000 5 Speed transmission came in 2001 - 2004.5 heavy duty Chevy and GMC trucks. At the time it came out it was cutting edge. Smoother shifting and more robust than almost any other transmission that came from the factory.
However, they do have a reputation for having issues once power and abuse have been added to the truck. Most commonly they go into "Limp Mode" during the 4 to 5 upshift or 5 to 4 downshift under hard acceleration. This will cause a check engine light to come up on your dash and the truck to be limited by power and speed. When this happens the most reported code is P0700. GM defines PO700 as Transmission Control Module Requested MIL Illumination. Simply said, it's a general code for transmission issues and generally is accompanied by another code such as P0701, P0702, and so on.
Many truck owners' first reaction is to replace the Transmission Control Module (TCM) as soon as this code pops up. The reality is further diagnosis is needed to tell what the issue is and the best way to resolve it. Never jump to conclusions and always take into consideration the circumstances behind the issue prior to the code coming up.
Where can you learn more about P0700 codes in your Duramax?