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GM Wants To Build More Transmissions In Romulus

Chevrolet 10-speed automatic transmission 5 photos
Photo: Chevrolet
2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE
Following the $36 million investment in Lansing Delta Township, General Motors follows up with $20 million for Romulus Powertrain. Currently building V6 engines and the 10-speed automatic transmission developed mostly by with Ford, the Romulus plant needs additional machining equipment to produce more gearboxes.
General Motors decided not to disclose the specifics or timing related to the plant’s future products, at least not at this time. “The investment in Romulus will enable the plant to continue playing an important role in our core business going forward,” said Mary Barra, chief executive officer and chairman of GM.

More than $880 million have been invested in Romulus since 2009, and the plant currently employs 1,350 people. Opened in 1976, Romulus used to be a part of the GM Detroit Diesel Allison Division, producing diesel engines and components.

More than 10.8 million V8s and 6.6 million V6s were manufactured here since engine production here in the 1980s. “Romulus has a long-standing reputation of quality, productivity, and performance and we are proud of the hard work and commitment displayed by the entire Romulus team,” concluded Barra.

Be it the 10L80 or 10L90, this transmission can be had in anything from the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 to the Camaro ZL1. The 8.39 overall gear ratio spread enables optimal engine speeds when driving on the highway and shift times on par with dual-clutch transmissions.

Roughly the same size and the six- and eight-speed Hydra-Matic transmissions before it, the 10Lxx features two non-applied clutches for reduced spin losses. Ultra-low viscosity transmission fluid, an internal thermal bypass, GM-developed controller, one-piece aluminum case, and an integral bell housing are other highlights worth mentioning.

The torque converter of the 10Lxx has a diameter of 260 millimeters, featuring a lock-up clutch and ECCC technology. The electronically controlled capacity clutch regulates the amount of slip to dampen out the engine’s pulses to improve smoothness.

Speaking of transmissions, did you know Ford didn’t want the nine-speed developed mostly by GM? Instead of nine forward gears, the Blue Oval went forward with an eight-speed automatic for applications such as the 2019 Focus and Edge ST.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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