C7 Auto
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,526
Likes: 16
From: Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania
Interesting how for 20+ years, 2 speeds in an auto transmission were fine - now the race is on for 7, 8, 9, ?. Solid example of the technology constantly improves.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 10,355
Likes: 12
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
Pro
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 648
Likes: 0
From: Kalamazoo MI
The next step isn't DCT it WILL BE either a ZF 8 or 9 speed transmission, its looking at 2-3 years away, watch this space
For some old info on ZF
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...c-transmission
For some old info on ZF
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...c-transmission
Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
The DCT has been discussed a thousand times. The C7 is not getting a DCT. It will be GM's new 8 speed.
The best iteration of GM's current Hydramatic 6 speed is in the ZL1,which is a step in the right direction. It prefills the clutch for the next gear which makes the shift time barely perceptible. It's not quite as lightening fast as a DCT, but it is significantly faster than anything GM previously had.
I image that the 8 speed is certainly going to be faster with more precise shift points and accurate gearing. It should be very competent but I'm interested to see if GM is able to do anything about torque loss between shifts, something a DCT doesn't have an issue with because it transfers torque from one clutch to another without interruption. Shift times aren't the biggest issue. Torque loss between shifts is.
I'm confident the new 8 speed will be great but GM needs to do some cleaver engineering and programming to get the most out of it.
The best iteration of GM's current Hydramatic 6 speed is in the ZL1,which is a step in the right direction. It prefills the clutch for the next gear which makes the shift time barely perceptible. It's not quite as lightening fast as a DCT, but it is significantly faster than anything GM previously had.
I image that the 8 speed is certainly going to be faster with more precise shift points and accurate gearing. It should be very competent but I'm interested to see if GM is able to do anything about torque loss between shifts, something a DCT doesn't have an issue with because it transfers torque from one clutch to another without interruption. Shift times aren't the biggest issue. Torque loss between shifts is.
I'm confident the new 8 speed will be great but GM needs to do some cleaver engineering and programming to get the most out of it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
The DCT has been discussed a thousand times. The C7 is not getting a DCT. It will be GM's new 8 speed.
The best iteration of GM's current Hydramatic 6 speed is in the ZL1,which is a step in the right direction. It prefills the clutch for the next gear which makes the shift time barely perceptible. It's not quite as lightening fast as a DCT, but it is significantly faster than anything GM previously had.
I image that the 8 speed is certainly going to be faster with more precise shift points and accurate gearing. It should be very competent but I'm interested to see if GM is able to do anything about torque loss between shifts, something a DCT doesn't have an issue with because it transfers torque from one clutch to another without interruption. Shift times aren't the biggest issue. Torque loss between shifts is.
I'm confident the new 8 speed will be great but GM needs to do some cleaver engineering and programming to get the most out of it.
The best iteration of GM's current Hydramatic 6 speed is in the ZL1,which is a step in the right direction. It prefills the clutch for the next gear which makes the shift time barely perceptible. It's not quite as lightening fast as a DCT, but it is significantly faster than anything GM previously had.
I image that the 8 speed is certainly going to be faster with more precise shift points and accurate gearing. It should be very competent but I'm interested to see if GM is able to do anything about torque loss between shifts, something a DCT doesn't have an issue with because it transfers torque from one clutch to another without interruption. Shift times aren't the biggest issue. Torque loss between shifts is.
I'm confident the new 8 speed will be great but GM needs to do some cleaver engineering and programming to get the most out of it.
AIR FORCE VETERAN
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,223
Likes: 441
From: Pennsylvania
In my opinion..with all the torque the LT1 has the number of speeds in. A transmission is not as important. I am sure they went to 7 speed to satisfy the number of speeds the competition is selling. A 6 speed DCT or 6 speed automatic would be within tenths in performance of an 7 or 8 speed automatic. Another reason he Camaro drag car uses a Powerglide.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
It would have been sourced by now. GM isn't going to source a DCT when their 8 speed is right around the corner. Besides, the Corvette team had already stated a DCT won't work for packaging, weight, and programming issues. It should happen but it won't.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
"RWD DCT for Next gen Corvette will be allocated (2012)"
http://m.autoblog.com/2007/10/02/c7-corvette-could-get-a-dual-clutch-transmission/
Course the bankruptcy could have sent all the uaw contracts to the shredder too.