C8 Corvette Manual Transmission: Tremec Solves C8’s Biggest Flaw with 1,000 HP 6-Speed Swap

Surprise: New C8 Corvette Manual Transmission Might Also Fit the Mustang GTD

A C8 Corvette Manual Transmission has been the single biggest request from enthusiasts since the car’s 2019 launch, and Tremec has finally answered the call. General Motors said a manual swap was too expensive and niche, but Tremec—the company that builds the C8’s standard 8-speed DCT (TR-9080)—just proved a manual was possible all along. At SEMA 2025, the transmission specialist unveiled a new six-speed manual transaxle that bolts directly to the C8 Corvette using the factory mounting points. This development also creates a fascinating link to another American supercar: the Ford Mustang GTD, which uses the same DCT, meaning this new gearbox could theoretically fit both.

Technical Details of the C8 Corvette Manual Transmission

Tremec’s new manual transaxle is built to handle extreme power. It boasts an 800 lb-ft torque rating and can support up to 1,000 horsepower, making it durable enough for everything from a base Stingray to the 670-horsepower Z06. The unit features a mechanical limited-slip differential and can accept engine speeds up to 8,600 rpm. The design perfectly matches the existing DCT’s packaging, allowing a bolt-in swap without major fabrication. This is the C8 Corvette Manual Transmission solution enthusiasts have dreamed of.

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. Tremec expects to begin tooling and durability testing next year, pointing toward a 2027 production release.

Performance vs. Engagement

Installing a C8 Corvette Manual Transmission in track-focused machines like the Z06 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.

The Cost of Manual-Swapping a C8 Corvette

While Tremec hasn’t released pricing, a complete C8 Corvette Manual Transmission swap will likely run somewhere between $15,000 and $20,000 installed. While that’s serious money, it’s comparable to a supercharger kit. A supercharger will undoubtedly make your car faster, but the manual swap will make it more enjoyable, and for some, that’s more valuable. For drivers seeking pure enjoyment rather than quarter-mile times, this might be the single best modification available.

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