Wikipedia calls the Trimatic the TH 180. Follow the link to the Wikipedia article.
I always thought the Trimatic was an Australian design.

Can someone enlighten me?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trimatic

Yes, it originally came from GM-Strasbourg, same division of GM as the Varajet carby (early 80s) & the 5L40 5-speed auto in VZ & VE Commodores.

The TH180 name was given to it by the Yanks when they got it in various imports in the early 70s. It was then renamed the 3L30, when GM-Powertrain was established around 1990. Then it became the 3L30-C & 3L30-E as it was developed over time.

As HK1837 has said, the original version (we call it Series 1) had a cable kickdown. The Series 2 & 3, totally Australian developments, were far superior boxes.

The old cable version was still used in some European cars, like Volvo, Fiat & Rover etc. as late as the late 1980s.

Dr Terry

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Originally posted by Dr Terry
It was then renamed the 3L80, when GM-Powertrain was established around 1990. Then it became the 3L30-C & 3L30-E as it was developed over time.

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Terry, I edited a typo in the above (3L80 is the TH400).

Most of the Aussie improvements were to improve strength & durability. Things like planetary gearsets, torque converters & clutch drums etc. were improved over time until by the VK/VL era they had no drama handling the likes of HDT improved V8 engines.

About the only interchangeable part between an Aussie version & the original French version would've been the pan gasket & some internal seals.

Apart from the 70s clutch material supplier debacle, I've always had a good run out of Tri-Matic gearboxes.

Dr Terry

quote:

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Originally posted by HK1837

quote:

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Originally posted by Dr Terry
It was then renamed the 3L80, when GM-Powertrain was established around 1990. Then it became the 3L30-C & 3L30-E as it was developed over time.

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Terry, I edited a typo in the above (3L80 is the TH400).

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Thanks Byron.

Dr Terry

Turbo-Hydramatic 180 was an automatic transmission developed and produced by General Motors. It was manufactured and used in Europe and Asia in a variety of longitudinal engine vehicles.

My HG V8 trimatic still going strong after 89,000 trouble free miles. Done some towing and pushed it hard at times, never an issue, but regular servicing has been done. A mate had trouble years ago with his surging at traffic lights, not sure if that was a common problem?

Hi Guys
Just thought I would mention that I took my HQ to a transmission shop in Devon, England recently to have the trimatic serviced.
I supplied the kit from Aus but as for doing the job, the guy looked at it and said 'GM 180'. Done heaps of them before and had no trouble with mine.
Also, my first trimatic did 280,000 kms and was still working perfectly the day I decided to have a full rebuild done. My only complaint is that the gasket gets soft and weepy over time. Other than that, they have served me well.

I have always hated them TH400 and TH350 in STD form they lost a lot of power and were slow changing slushbox and would not drop back to 1st until 30kmh talk about rubbish. the holden T Bar was rubbish that only a fool would think up as you could stuff up the gear you are in and trimatic will go back to 1st at any speed, talk about stupid.
So i hated auto's until i drove a XB 2V 351 ute with a C4 T bar it was the best auto you could have and the T bar you could never get wrong. magic auto just magic the XY-A-B 4sp manual were rubbish heavy clunk clunk truck like changing gears but reliable and the only thing good about the 4 sp manual was when you drove it flat out, other than that it was a pain. oh the pain ! Dr Z Smith. could not imagine him driving one.

Edited by user Wednesday, 27 November 2013 11:15:45 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified