CT5-V 5BW v. 4BW

quikag · Nov 28, 2023

If my 5BW didn't come with a six-speed manual, I wouldn't have bought it. Period. As nice as the chassis, suspension, brakes, etc. are, if I needed an automatic luxury sports sedan, I'd have seriously considered an M5, E63, RS7/8, etc. before the 5BW.

dinkman · Nov 28, 2023

quikag said:
If my 5BW didn't come with a six-speed manual, I wouldn't have bought it. Period. As nice as the chassis, suspension, brakes, etc. are, if I needed an automatic luxury sports sedan, I'd have seriously considered an M5, E63, RS7/8, etc. before the 5BW.

same. i'm only here because i finally need manual back in my life and am trading in my S6 for a 4bw

raptor5244 · Nov 28, 2023

Finally-a-V said:
IDK, I think the 10 speed is a huge improvement over the old 8. Shifts are almost invisible. It kicks down in a spilt second for passing. In track mode, I do know my 4 never got above 8th, even at 60-70 mph. Drive it in track. I think you'd be surprised how much better response it has.

Agreed, I have owned both and the A10 was a significant improvement. I don't think it needs 10 gears, 8 would be suffice but the improved programming and shifting performance of the A10 makes it much better.

raptor5244 · Nov 28, 2023

RobC7 said:
No one wants the A8 as it's an utter POS. I'm not saying all of them are but many have had numerous issues and replacements. There's a reason there is a class action law suit.

A10 is a "great" transmission for someone who wants an automatic but it's a definite no for me.

My 2016 Camaro SS was one of those that shuddered down the road at less than 5000 miles. The transmission was decent unfortunately GM screwed up with the fluid and destroyed thousands of torque converters before they figured the right fluid to use. The A10 is the actual fix.

Roadhawk · Nov 28, 2023

RobC7 said:
A10 is a "great" transmission for someone who wants an automatic but it's a definite no for me.

I'm of the same mind...but to each their own.

Not related but it came to mind reading this....back in the day I used to say that a Prius is a perfectly fine car for someone who might otherwise drive a Camry....now I say: A Tesla 3 is a fine car for someone who might otherwise drive a Prius...

MookdocOE · Nov 28, 2023

raptor5244 said:
Agreed, I have owned both and the A10 was a significant improvement. I don't think it needs 10 gears, 8 would be suffice but the improved programming and shifting performance of the A10 makes it much better.

There are reasons as to why GM has gone back to the 8speed. Yes, the original caused many problems but their failure rate is pretty nonexistent.

Tall Steve · Nov 30, 2023

The A10 in my 4BW was awesome, and the M6 in my 5BW is awesome, but the 4 was more enjoyable to drive for ME... I cant remember who said it, but Super Cruse is bad to the bone!

Back on topic, we all should celebrate that the Blackwings come in both A10 and M6! Thanks Tony and Brandon!

Kevin0311 · Nov 30, 2023

Love my supercruise in my silverado, have yet to see a BW with it installed, seems loose the cf1 and 2 option when build one with it. Have been searching inventory also have not come across one with it yet.

PL69 · Nov 30, 2023

Tall Steve said:
The A10 in my 4BW was awesome, and the M6 in my 5BW is awesome, but the 4 was more enjoyable to drive for ME... I cant remember who said it, but Super Cruse is bad to the bone!

Back on topic, we all should celebrate that the Blackwings come in both A10 and M6! Thanks Tony and Brandon!

T.O.Blackwing · Dec 9, 2023

Jason and Derek praise them both but clearly favour one over the other and debate whether it’s the best sports sedan ever built, by anyone:

Grainofsand · Dec 9, 2023

A10 works fine for me. A little clunky sometimes

MookdocOE · Dec 9, 2023

Kevin0311 said:
Love my supercruise in my silverado, have yet to see a BW with it installed, seems loose the cf1 and 2 option when build one with it. Have been searching inventory also have not come across one with it yet.

Hey what engine you have in the truck?

Kevin0311 · Dec 9, 2023

6.2 10speed trans

PL69 · Dec 9, 2023

T.O.Blackwing said:
Jason and Derek praise them both but clearly favour one over the other and debate whether it’s the best sports sedan ever built, by anyone:

I really enjoyed listening to this !

stephen k · Dec 11, 2023

MookdocOE said:
There are reasons as to why GM has gone back to the 8speed. Yes, the original caused many problems but their failure rate is pretty nonexistent.

Having a 8speed in my sierra with the 6.2 versus a 10speed in my escalade v, I highly prefer the 8 to the 10. The 10 is really busy under 45mph, shifting from 1-5 cresting on gear 6 in that mph range then you blend off to gear 8-9-10 for overdrive 70-80 mph. ITs just simply too much shifting you can't stay in a gear and really work into the throttle to massage out any acceleration. You push 2 mm more then the car wants to down shift since the ratios are so tight. Its just so much constant shuffling through gears.

That being said I really thought the 8 speed was the perfect sweet spot of having just enough gears for overdrive and being able to use and enjoy the drivetrain like you really wanted to .

to get back on topic I'm here solely because the 5bw is offered in a manual trans. Its SO good.

MookdocOE · Dec 11, 2023

stephen k said:
Having a 8speed in my sierra with the 6.2 versus a 10speed in my escalade v, I highly prefer the 8 to the 10. The 10 is really busy under 45mph, shifting from 1-5 cresting on gear 6 in that mph range then you blend off to gear 8-9-10 for overdrive 70-80 mph. ITs just simply too much shifting you can't stay in a gear and really work into the throttle to massage out any acceleration. You push 2 mm more then the car wants to down shift since the ratios are so tight. Its just so much constant shuffling through gears.

That being said I really thought the 8 speed was the perfect sweet spot of having just enough gears for overdrive and being able to use and enjoy the drivetrain like you really wanted to .

to get back on topic I'm here solely because the 5bw is offered in a manual trans. Its SO good.

Very nice observation! If you were to tell an engineer and a smart engineer that you were going to build a 10spd to replace the current 8spd in production he/she probably wouldn't take very long to process in their head "WHY"

Your explanation is why! After it's all added up the money/savings just isn't there.

The 6pds in the HD's when they first came out did the same thing at Hwy speeds....up/down...up/down...then if it was flat and low elevation with slight headwind....up/down...up/down...so annoying! My 8speed has none of that CRAP!
Granted it's got it's quirks but the shifting is never up/down or all around at any speed.

raptor5244 · Dec 12, 2023

stephen k said:
Having a 8speed in my sierra with the 6.2 versus a 10speed in my escalade v, I highly prefer the 8 to the 10. The 10 is really busy under 45mph, shifting from 1-5 cresting on gear 6 in that mph range then you blend off to gear 8-9-10 for overdrive 70-80 mph. ITs just simply too much shifting you can't stay in a gear and really work into the throttle to massage out any acceleration. You push 2 mm more then the car wants to down shift since the ratios are so tight. Its just so much constant shuffling through gears.

That being said I really thought the 8 speed was the perfect sweet spot of having just enough gears for overdrive and being able to use and enjoy the drivetrain like you really wanted to .

to get back on topic I'm here solely because the 5bw is offered in a manual trans. Its SO good.

I prefer 8 gears as well but with the improvements in shift programming and speed that the A10 delivers.