A working manual Corvette is here: Peitz says someone finally figured Tremec’s six speed transmission fitment
A manual C8 takes shape
Alex Peitz of Texas-based Peitz Performance displayed a stick-shift C8 Corvette at this year’s SEMA show. The build uses the Tremec TR-9060 six-speed manual transaxle, which Tremec had presented as compatible with the C8 at the previous year’s show.
The manual option has been missing from the latest Corvette generation, which arrived in 2020. Peitz’s car is the first publicly shown C8 to use the transmission, demonstrating that the installation can work.
Earlier doubts about compatibility
Tremec’s earlier SEMA reveal drew criticism from Corvette chief engineer Tony Roma. Roma said, “It’s not real,” disputing claims that a manual unit was available for the C8.
A year later, Peitz’s completed build provides a working example. He had already made a 3-D scan of his Corvette for track-day modifications, which helped with fitting the new components.
Parts and electronics
The conversion combines a Porsche aftermarket gear selector with a clutch pedal from a CT4-V Blackwing. Peitz’s team made a bracket to attach the pedal to the brake-pedal assembly, then added a pedal stop and hydraulic clutch assist.
A McLeod flywheel uses the ring and teeth from a C8 flywheel, along with an added clutch. Two MoTeC controllers manage the electronics: an M182 for the engine and an M150 for ignition cuts during shifts.
A kit is the next goal
Peitz Performance plans to develop the project into a customer conversion that can be ordered under a single part number. The system is intended to work with either the manual transmission or the factory dual-clutch transmission, while retaining the factory wiring harness, instrument panel, ABS and power steering.
The first car remains rough around the edges. Hot Rod drove it and described the manual as “transformative,” while Peitz aims to make the one-off build into a customer-ready conversion.
Key points
- Peitz Performance has built a working manual C8 Corvette using Tremec’s TR-9060 six-speed transaxle.
- The conversion uses parts from Porsche aftermarket suppliers, a CT4-V Blackwing and McLeod.
- MoTeC controllers manage the engine and ignition cuts during shifts.
- Peitz Performance hopes to offer the setup as a conversion kit under one part number.