Tremec’s New Manual, Theoretically, Fits In a C8 DW Burnett
The C8-generation Chevrolet Corvette is a huge leap from its predecessors, a mid-engined marvel that competes with the very best sports car on sale today. It is also, unfortunately, the only Corvette generation not available with a manual transmission. Cost questions kept General Motors from developing a manual ‘Vette when switching to a mid-engined platform, so the brand instead opted for a Tremec-developed dual-clutch transaxle.
Now, however, Tremec is offering a manual transaxle that matches the packaging and mounting points of that same unit. In other words, the supplier that produces the stock transaxle for the C8-generation Corvette is about to offer a plug-and-play aftermarket solution that should make manual ‘Vette conversions a relatively simple process.
Not only does the new six-speed have the same mounting points as the TR-9080 DCT used in various C8s, it is all packed into what Tremec calls a “similar case profile” that should “[allow] builders to use already available factory Corvette components for easier installation.” In theory, that means manual C8 conversions could be something close to a plug-and-play project—at least, in comparison to their difficulty before now.
Tremec
Tremec says that its six-speed manual transaxle includes a manual limited-slip differential and is rated for 800 lb-ft of torque and an even 1000 horsepower. Those numbers, notably, would support both the current Corvette Z06 and another high profile car that uses the TR-9080 transaxle, the Mustang GTD. C8 Corvette ZR1 owners, however, will find that their ‘Vettes are over the limits in both horsepower and torque.
Now that the manual transaxle exists, the next question is, would Chevrolet would be willing to integrate it directly into production cars sold to customers? After all, the expense of working with a transmission manufacturer to develop such a transmission was cited as a roadblock to building manual C8s in 2019… but Tremec has now done just that. It does not mean that a production manual C8 is the obvious next step, however; selling a transmission in a road car with a warranty is, of course, different from selling a transmission to buyers who will build their own customized C8s.
Tremec
The complete silence from Chevrolet on potential manual Corvette development over the past few years suggests that GM has not been secretly in the process of building such a car in the years since those concerns were raised. Unless the brand does change its tune, future customized C8s with manual swaps will have to keep us satisfied for now.