2014 GMC Sierra 1500 has developed the notorious transmission shudder. Looking into replacing the torque converter. Hoping to eliminate the problem. Have already deleted the thermostat. I think I read somewhere about changing to a CTS-V torque converter. It's that a better option than going back with OEM for a Sierra? Does it require any additional changes or is it a direct swap? Any advice or recommendations is appreciated!!

Have you already had the transmission fluid replaced (recently)? Believe it or not that worked for mine.

I would try this first. Now, hold your breath. If I remember the flush and fluid is in the neighborhood of $500.

Put a tube of Shudder Fixx in it .

No, the fluid hasn't been changed recently. Did try the Shudder Fix already

I'd replace the fluids and put in a friction modifier.

I have a high mileage truck that had a shudder. Replaced the torque converter and shudder started up again 40k miles later.

I'm almost positive I paid more than that. But hey, it's less than a single month's truck payment, and it's got over 100k miles on it. And it worked! for probably 20k+ miles now. So I was pretty pleased with that.

If you havent dropped the pan and replaced the filter I would do that too. A transmission shop I talked to said the Ford friction modifier was really good if you want to give that a try when you get new fluids.

I've replaced two GM transmissions, both 6L80's. Both had tons of metal in the pan. About $6k swap here in Huntsville. Neither tranny made it to 150k miles.

Good luck OP!

My 5.3 transmission went out at about 160k. A/C compressor was the first thing, then that, and now the cam and lifters. I’ll have a Tahoe for sale soon if anybody’s interested!

If it's shuddering, then the torque converter is most likely going out. At least that was the case on my 2018 Sierra. Luckily, it was still under warranty so they replaced the torque converter and the valve body along with the new recommended fluid. So far, it's holding up.

Thanks guys!! It's my friend's truck. I've advised him to change the fluid and filter. Hopefully that will fix it.

We changed the fluid and filter. Fluid was very dark. Ran it a few days and changed fluid again. It definitely helped, but the shudder still exists under light acceleration in 3rd gear. I know these transmissions are notorious for failing. So he wants to address the issue before it completely fails. What actually causes the shudder, is it a bad torque converter? Can we replace his converter to fix his problems?

I have a 2014 1500 that developed the shudder at about 130k. Had a friend of mine go thru it a couple months ago before it completely failed. When I went to pick it up, I asked him what’s the cause of all these GM transmission problems and he pointed to a little thing laying on his desk. It was a little plunger looking thing, like out of a valve body, about the size of a golf tee. He said that was the root of all the problems. He said GM should’ve had a recall on that one item and it would have prevented 90% of all the problems.

My 2016 Sierra had a new transmission at 105k. I was hoping my truck would be one of the lucky ones that didn’t go out at 100k miles. No such luck.

Were the preceding generations not as bad?
Me and a coworker both have 2011, no issues to date with 200k+. These threads always spook me!

Shutter fix worked for 2 of mine for over 2-3 years so far..