GM 6L50 Deep
Part Number 11150

Volume: about 1 1/2 to 2 quarts over stock

Dimensions: Click here for dimensions. The PML pan is about 5 inches deep.

Number of Bolts: 17 bolts (there are 19 holes, 2 holes locate the gasket and 17 holes for bolts to hold the pan to the transmission case)

PML designed this pan for Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon trucks with the 6L50 transmission. This is a deep pan with extra fluid capacity.

Benefits:

• Extra capacity
• Finned to increase surface area for heat dissipation
• Drain and magnetic drain plug
• Thick walls and gasket flange
• Heavy duty construction

6L50 transmissions do not have a dipstick. See SPECIFICATIONS for more information.

Stock Pan

There are a couple OEM stock pans for the 6L50 transmission. PML designed this pan to be a replacement for this GM stock pan (click on image to view larger):

Stock Capacity 6L50 Transmission Pan

PML also makes a stock capacity 6L50 transmission pan.

The GM 6L50 transmission is found on 2015 and newer Canyon and Colorado and models of Cadillac, Camaro Caprice, and Corvette. This pan was designed for trucks and SUVs with plenty of ground clearance such as:

• 2015 to 2022 Chevrolet Colorado 2.8 Diesel
• 2015 to 2022 GMC Canyon 2.8 Diesel
• 2015 and 2016 Chevrolet Colorado gas engine
• 2015 and 2016 GMC Canyon gas engine

International trucks and SUVs, such as 2012 and newer Trailblazer, Holden Colorado and Colorado 7, may also be able to use this pan.

Trucks needing more ground clearance or cars such as Cadillac, Camaro, Caprice, and Corvette, please see our project part number 11149.

Always check your vehicle to verify transmission and clearance. Configurations vary.

Suspension Leveling Kits can change the angle of the transmission and pan, which can change how the level check hole functions and affect the amount of fluid.

For 2017 and newer gas engine Canyon and Colorado, GM switched to an 8 speed transmission. See PML deep 8L90 transmission pan.

Our thanks to all those who have emailed us pictures of their installations:

• 2018 Canyon 2.8 Diesel
• 2017 Canyon 2.8 Diesel
• 2017 Colorado 2.8 Diesel
• 2017 Colorado 2.8 Diesel
• 2016 Canyon 2.8 Diesel 4x4
• 2016 Colorado 2.8 Diesel
• 2016 Colorado 2.8 Diesel 4x4
• 2016 Colorado 3.6 Gas
• 2015 Canyon 3.6 Gas
• 2010 Camaro 3.6

2018 Canyon 2.8 Diesel

 2018 Canyon SLE 2.8L Duramax Diesel, PML pan installed, click on image to view larger.

2017 Canyon 2.8 Diesel

PML pan is in the black powder coat finish.

 2017 Canyon Denali 2.8L, PML pan installed, click on image to view larger.

2017 Colorado 2.8 Diesel

Dennis installed this PML transmission pan on his 2017 Colorado. He reported that "Installation was so easy, removed and replaced not even 1 hr" and that "my trany is running about 10 to 15 degrees cooler now".

2017 Chevy Colorado, 2.8 diesel, 6L50 transmission   PML 6L50 transmission pan driver side view   looking towards front of truck
Click on image to view larger.

2017 Colorado 2.8 Diesel

Brian reported fluid temperatures 15 degrees cooler with the PML pan installed.

2017 Chevy Colorado 2.8L   stock pan   PML 6L50 pan installed on a 2017 Colorado 2.8L   ground clearance
Click on image to view larger in a new tab or window.

2016 Canyon 2.8 Diesel 4x4

Jeff's Canyon has a Zone 5.5 suspension lift and has ample ground clearance. He reported that installation took about an hour. He noticed a 10 to 15 degree difference in transmission temperature after installing this PML pan.

2016 Canyon 2.8 Diesel 4x4, Zone 5.5 Lift   2016 Canyon with PML decal, looking good   PML 6L50 transmission pan, driver side, drain hole and drain plug   level check hole at rear of transmission pan
Click on image to view larger in a new tab or window.

2016 Colorado 2.8 Diesel

Nick installed this transmission pan on his 2016 Colorado 2.8L Duramax Diesel 2WD truck. His truck has a 2 inch leveling kit. He reported that after installing the pan he drove to Idaho and his fluid temperatures were 20 degrees lower than on his last trip.

He checked clearances and reported that the PML pan does not hang down below front cross member.

2016 Chevrolet Colorado, 2.8 diesel, 6L50 transmission   2016 Chevrolet Colorado diesel stock 6L50 transmission pan, driver side view   2016 Chevrolet Colorado diesel stock 6L50 transmission pan

2016 Colorado Diesel, PML 6L50 transmission pan installed, ground clearance   passenger side view of PML pan   Driver side view of PML pan on 2016 Colorado
Click on an image to view larger in a new tab or window.

2016 Colorado 2.8 Diesel 4x4

James installed this PML 6L50 pan on his Colorado 2.8 Duramax Diesel 4WD truck. He reported that the installation was smooth and easy.

2016 Colorado 2.8 4WD   stock transmission pan   PML transmission pan installed
Click on image to view larger in a new tab or window.

2016 Colorado 3.6 Gas

Gas engine trucks have the exhaust cross over pipe under the transmission pan and the level check plug does not allow the stock pan to slide off. So Robert had to loosen and lower the pipe for more space so he could remove the stock pan and get the PML pan installed. After that, the installation went smoothly.

After installing the PML pan, Robert saw a fluid temperature reduction of 10 to 15 degrees when returning to highway speeds after stop and go traffic.

2016 Chevy Colorado 3.6 gas engine truck   Stock transmission pan, exhaust cross over pipe under rear of pan   Exhaust loosened and dropped for removing stock pan on 2016 Colorado 3.6 2016 Colorado 3.6 with PML transmission pan installed
Click on image to view larger in a new tab or window.

2015 Canyon 3.6 Gas

Gas engine trucks, such as this 2015 Canyon 3.6 V6, have the exhaust routed under the transmission pan. To service the transmission, the exhausted cross over pipe can be disconnect at the flanges then reinstalled. The PML pan does not contact the exhausted.

2015 Canyon 3.6   Installing PML pan   driver side of PML pan, shows drain hole   Exhaust put back in place, PML pan installation done
Click on image to view larger in a new tab or window.

2010 Camaro 3.6

Monty installed this transmission pan on his 2010 Camaro Limited Edition LLT 3.6 V6. Monty's Camaro has been modified with oversized tires and an aftermarket dual exhaust and muffler, so his Camaro is raised about 1 inch. This deep pan is not recommended for a stock Camaro.

The extra clearance on this Camaro provides enough space for this deep sump PML pan. Monty drained 7 quarts and added 9 1/2 quarts of fluid. He realized a 15-20 degree operating temperature drop after installation.

2010 Camaro Limited Edition LLT 3.6 V6, raised 1 inch with aftermarket exhaust, muffler, and oversized tires   LLT 3.6 V6 motor   Stock GM 6L50 transmission pan, drain added by owner

PML 6L50 transmission pan installed on lifted Camaro   Exhaust pipes hang down lower than PML deep 6L50 pan   PML deep 6L50 pan on modified 2010 Camaro, driver side view
Click on image to view larger.

Fill and Level Check

On the 6L50 transmissions we have seen, the fill is a plugged hole in the main casing, on the passenger/right side. Vehicles do not have a dipstick or fill in the engine compartment. The fluid level check hole is on the pan. Checking the fluid level is ambiguous, no matter if you have the stock pan or a PML pan. PML recommends measuring the stock pan fluid level and amount of drained before installing this PML pan.

Check your owners or service manual for the procedure for your vehicle.

The PML level check hole is at the same location relative to the transmission as on the stock pan.

Inside of stock GM 6L50 transmission pan, level check hole, click to view larger image   Stock GM 6L50 transmission pan, level check distance to flange surface, click to view larger image   PML GM 6L50 transmission pan, level check distance to flange surface, click to view larger image
Click on an image to view larger.

Note: On early revisions of the PML pan, transmission fluid returning to the pan may splash out the level check hole. See Revisions Information below.

Drain

Stock pan does not have a drain plug, so changing the transmission fluid and filter is a messy procedure. PML pan has a drain hole on the driver side. A magnetic drain plug is included with the pan.

  Click on image to view larger in a separate tab or window.

Gasket

PML 6L50 transmission pan works with stock gaskets.

Filter Supports, Inside of PML Pan

 Inside of the pan. Click on image to view larger.

This PML transmission pan works with the stock filter.

PML designed this pan with filter supports. These hold the filter at the same location as the stock pan so no filter extension is needed.

The fluid level and pick-up remain the same with a PML pan as with the stock pan.

Included With Pan

 Click on image to view larger.

This PML transmission pan ships with new mounting bolts and washers, fill plug, magnetic drain plug and sealing washer.

Image shows as cast finish part. Click to view larger image in a new tab or window.

Optional Machining For Temperature Sending Unit

Optionally, this pan can be machined for a temperature sending unit.

If you would like PML to drill and tap hole, there is a machining charge and a plug for the hole is included. The standard size is 1/8 NPT. Call or email if you need a different size.

There is a boss (half circle shaped, thick area on the casting) on the passenger (right) side of the pan.

Ground Clearance, Stock Capacity Pan

Cars, such as Camaros and Cadillacs, and trucks with skid plates probably need a pan closer to the stock depth. See PML stock capacity 6L50 pan, which is about 3/4 inch deeper than the stock pan.

Always check carefully for clearance.

PML Transmission Pan Compared to Stock

This PML pan design is based on the stock transmission pan for Canyon/Colorado trucks and some cars. This stock pan is 3.1 inches in height and the bottom flat part is about 9 inches. This stock pan also has a circular feature near the level check plug. In the pictures below, it is the pan that is dirty and used.

Stock GM 6L50 Transmission Pans, PML pan based on pan on right, the dirty one. Click To View Larger Image   Stock GM 6L50 Transmission Pans and PML Transmission Pan, Click To View Larger Image   Stock GM 6L50 Transmission Pans and PML Transmission Pan, Click To View Larger Image
Click on image to view larger.

The other stock pan for the 6L50 transmission is 3.3 inches at the front of the pan and 2.5 at the rear and the bottom flat part is 10.25 inches. If you have this stock pan, we do not know if this PML pan will work.

Revisions of PML 6L50 Deep Transmission Pan

There are four revisions of this PML pan.

• Revision 1 shipped to a few prototype customers.
• Revision 2 added more space for the exhaust cross over pipe on the gas engine trucks and moved the level check hole to the center of the pan.
• Revision 3 added a baffle on the inside at the level check hole to prevent fluid splashing out on return from the transmission to the pan.
• Revision 4 added a boss on the inside at the level check hole. The boss is machined with a slot to prevent fluid splashing out on return from the transmission to the pan.

1 –    1 –
2 –    2 –
3 –    3 –
4 –    4 –

On Revision 2 of this pan and maybe Revision 1, transmission fluid returning to the pan may splash out the level check hole. This fluid coming out may look like too much fluid was added when, in actuality, the pan is not over full. Revisions 3 and 4 prevent the splash out. Contact PML to trade a Revision 1 or 2 pan for a Revison 3 or 4 pan.

On Revisions 3 and 4, the level check hole cannot be used as an alternate fill location.