The C8 Corvette manual-swap fits
Tremec has cracked the issue that General Motors said was too expensive and too niche to solve. The transmission specialist unveiled a new six-speed manual at SEMA 2025 that bolts directly to the C8 Corvette using the same mounting points as its factory 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. Even better, Tremec confirmed to Road & Track that they’ve already hooked one up to a Corvette to verify fitment, confirming what enthusiasts have been begging for since 2019.
This development also creates an unexpected connection between two flagship American performance cars. Both the C8 Corvette and Ford Mustang GTD use Tremec’s TR-9080 DCT, which means this new manual could theoretically bolt up to either vehicle, making for more options for enthusiasts who like to row through gears themselves.
Chevrolet
Technical Details Worth Knowing
Tremec’s new manual transaxle carries an 800 lb-ft torque rating and can handle up to 1,000 horsepower, making it suitable for everything from the base Stingray through the 670-horsepower Z06. The unit features a mechanical limited-slip differential and can accept engine speeds up to 8,600 rpm. Shifts are controlled via cable, and gear ratios have been chosen to work with a wide variety of engine configurations. The key innovation lies in matching the existing DCT’s packaging requirements, allowing customers to bolt it right up without major modifications.
Tremec acknowledges that software integration remains the biggest hurdle to this manual swap. While the transmission physically fits, making it work properly in the C8’s software-controlled architecture requires custom engine management solutions. Tremec is investigating software compatibility for the Corvette platform, which could pave the way for the Mustang GTD to receive the same treatment. A solution for one platform could theoretically work for the other.
Performance vs. Engagement
Installing a manual transmission in track-focused machines like more hardcore C8 Corvette variants or GTD might seem counterintuitive. A six-speed manual will never match the shift times of an 8-speed DCT, and the mechanical limited-slip differential lacks the sophistication of the Corvette’s electronically controlled unit. On paper, lap times should suffer. But most buyers of these cars spend far more time on public roads than racetracks, where the visceral connection of rowing your own gears matters more than tenths of a second.
Chevrolet
Tremec expects to begin tooling and durability testing next year, pointing toward a 2027 production release. While pricing remains unannounced, expect it to be substantial. Manual swapping a C8 Corvette will likely remain expensive even with this purpose-built solution, but Tremec has eliminated the biggest obstacle by creating hardware that actually fits. For enthusiasts who have waited six long years for a viable manual swap for their C8 Corvette, it’s worth celebrating.
