Is a Manual C8 Corvette Actually Happening? TREMEC's Aftermarket Chief Tells All... EP031
About this episode
TREMEC aftermarket chief Mike explains why the SEMA “C8 manual transaxle” buzz is real but not quite what people assume. The billet unit is a prototype manual transaxle meant for multiple applications, with early 2027 physical units targeted. He breaks down TREMEC’s aftermarket lineup (TKX leading, Magnum and T5 still strong), why manuals are down in new cars yet still thriving in swaps, and how they balance OEM durability needs with enthusiast feel. Marketing strategy centers on interactive show displays and stick-shift drag events, plus upcoming DCT and Magnum XL tech.
The Tremec Manual Transaxle stopped SEMA cold. Phones are ringing off the hook. And yet... the Corvette world isn't sure what to believe.In this episode of Automotive Advantage, we sit down with Mike Kidd, Aftermarket Business Unit Manager at Tremec, to get the straight story on the manual transaxle that became the most talked-about Corvette product and why the internet's assumptions about it being a factory C8 option were dead wrong.Mike sets the record straight, breaks down what this transmission actually is, who it's built for, and when you can get your hands on one. We also dig into why manual transmissions are dying in production vehicles but why the aftermarket demand has never been stronger.What We Cover:* The C8 Manual Transaxle: How fake is it?* Why Tremec built it (and what it's NOT)* When can you actually buy one? (The 2027 timeline)* What else can it fit? GT500, GTD, and beyond* Manual transmissions are down to 2% of production vehicles — here's why that's a lie* Why a C7 Grand Sport manual is worth $10–15K more than an automatic right now* Tremec's full product lineup: TKX, Magnum, T5, and the new aftermarket DCT* How Tremec uses vehicle registration data to spot market opportunities* 37 shows a year: how Tremec wins the floor at SEMA, Power Tour, and Mustang Week* How to get a Tremec sponsorship (and what actually gets you renewed)🔗 Find Tremec:Website: tremec.comTech Line: 800-401-9866Automotive Advantage is the podcast for automotive aftermarket owners, operators, and builders who take the business side of this industry seriously. New episodes drop weekly.🔔 Subscribe so you don't miss what's coming next.👍 If this was useful, leave us a like, it helps other serious automotive professionals find the show.#C8Corvette #ManualTransmission #Tremec #CorvetteGrandSport
Chevrolet C8
"do that right now? Yeah, C8 transaxle. Everyone saw it at SEMA, everyone wan..."
Ford Dark Horse
"..., whatever that thing's called, the Super SC, the Dark Horse SC, right?"
Shelby GT500
"... away, but it would also fit then, I guess, like GT500 or the new, whatever that thing's called, the Sup..."
Chevrolet Camaro
"...sold TR-6060s into a lot of Mustangs and a lot of Camaros, on the aftermarket side, we developed what we c..."
Alpina B10
"...he same. It's just, do I meet a 10-year, 150,000 B10 life or do I go out and say that I can, you know,..."
Toyota Supra
"...e putting LS, they're LS swapping these BMWs and Supras and they're, and they're throwing in our magnum ..."
BMW Series Bmw
"...orning and Ty was very excited. He found a three series BMW that had LS in it, Holley system, six-speed manu..."
Corvette Grand Sport
"... On Sunday? Yeah, the trans-amount. And they did Grand Sport out. Oh, that's a stick car. That's right. Yeah. ..."
Ford F-150 Lightning
"...ere at SEMA, you've seen we displayed a 1999 Ford Lightning with the Predator engine, with our RTR9070 DCT, ..."
Challenger Hellcat
"...to be ready for these. Yeah. And there could be a Hellcat anywhere coming from any zone you don't know. Yo..."
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