Transmission upgrades
So question, do any of the vendors have plans for upgraded clutch packs for the DCT in the Corvette and GT500? I would imagine at the moment vendors may have this in the product pipeline with a general idea of cost, but no direct solution (as they haven’t had the chance to get their hands on the transmission).
So question, do any of the vendors have plans for upgraded clutch packs for the DCT in the Corvette and GT500? I would imagine at the moment vendors may have this in the product pipeline with a general idea of cost, but no direct solution (as they haven’t had the chance to get their hands on the transmission).
If its 650ft lbs rated that means for the expected lifetime. Probably be able to go over that by 10-20 percent and still get longevity out of it.
What will be the tell is the difference in the Z06/ZR1 DCT and the regular C8 DCT.
What will be the tell is the difference in the Z06/ZR1 DCT and the regular C8 DCT.
In the ZR, that uses the same trans gears as the Z06, they limited the power in first gear electronically so the trans would not be overloaded!
As in all Hot Rod fashion, we have exceeded the manufacturers "calculated" max loads that have a safety factor and are picked so the parts last 100,000+ miles.
I think of the OEM 4:56 gears that came in my first car, a '41 Ford business coupe! It originally has a 136 cid small flathead called the 60 V8, as it had 60 hp. That low dif gear was to go up hills NOT for acceleration! When I put in an Olds engine that I had bored 1/8 inches for 324 cid (big "in-the-day) 1st gear was not needed as it light up the tires starting in 2nd! I can still remember pulling off the rear drums to check the brakes and the keyway in the axle was twisted as was the key! Had to put it back that way!
Never had a problem for the same reason you won't with the gears- those tires will not stress them to a point of failure. (now if you had the 16.5 section width (420 metric) I have on my Tubbed Street Rod- that would be an issue!The clutch won't last the length of time GM planned! That 11 inch clutch wore more that Ford planned in my '41 coupe especially as I had to slip it to get traction!

Last edited by JerryU; Sep 12, 2019 at 10:21 AM.
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Yeah, we've done alot of gear upgrades for the Lotus. Most manufacturers use case-hardened 8620 or 9310 steel as the hardness can be north of 60 rockwell. This leads to good surface wear and longevity. Additionally, if it doesn't flex too much it resists crack propagation. However, these steels while strong don't have the tensile strength of through hardened 4340 or for really crazy 300M(F-18 tailhooks are made of this stuff).
We've done designs with a lower helix and larger teeth for strength and used either 4340 or 9310. Then shot-peen, then REM. On input shafts, we used 300M. Huge improvement in durability. I expect these options will be available for the vette before too long.....
Been out of the Industrial Gas business for some years so checked the web to see if Cryo Treating has any quantitative performance data available.
Some websites from Treaters make it sound like it will cure the common cold including for use on any car part!
It does transform some retained austenite to martensite etc and this is what one company said re gears:
"Treating rear ends will reduce wear and improve crack resistance. Your ring and pinion gears will be less susceptible to chipped teeth and fatigue failures."
Had a good friend from my old company who was still in R&D and a few years ago he said they have shown improvent in performace with liquid Nitrogen treatment. However when I left I went from managing an R&D lab to director of welding market development. My counterpart had the same job for the "gas applications business." We were the largest Indusrrial Gas company at the time and were great at selling Ovygen, which left a lot or liquid Nitrogen that had to be vented- no market!
His 30 person group was always looking for ways to sell Nitrogen so I wonder about how effective some of these teartments really are! Guess it can't hurt!
Last edited by JerryU; Sep 12, 2019 at 11:54 AM.
For reference. This particular kit for 997.2 and 911 AWD will support 1400Nm (roughly 1000tq) and will run you $12,000 + Labor.
In the ZR, that uses the same trans gears as the Z06, they limited the power in first gear electronically so the trans would not be overloaded!
As in all Hot Rod fashion, we have exceeded the manufacturers "calculated" max loads that have a safety factor and are picked so the parts last 100,000+ miles.
I think of the OEM 4:56 gears that came in my first car, a '41 Ford business coupe! It originally has a 136 cid small flathead called the 60 V8, as it had 60 hp. That low dif gear was to go up hills NOT for acceleration! When I put in an Olds engine that I had bored 1/8 inches for 324 cid (big "in-the-day) 1st gear was not needed as it light up the tires starting in 2nd! I can still remember pulling off the rear drums to check the brakes and the keyway in the axle was twisted as was the key! Had to put it back that way!
Never had a problem for the same reason you won't with the gears- those tires will not stress them to a point of failure. (now if you had the 16.5 section width (420 metric) I have on my Tubbed Street Rod- that would be an issue!The clutch won't last the length of time GM planned! That 11 inch clutch wore more that Ford planned in my '41 coupe especially as I had to slip it to get traction!

Torque multiplication is dependent on the gear ratio. May be multiple parts of the trans that can be an issue but 1st gear being the most toque multiplication will govern the max loads on all parts, case distortion etc.
One reason straight cut gears are used in racing transmission (where the excess noise they generate is a none issue) is unlike helical cut gears that load the ends of the case, straight cut gears create no loads on the gear shaft direction! In fact, helical gears have more of the tooth in contact for the same size gear.
1st gear in a LT1 Z51 will provide 460 ft-lbs X 2.97 = 1366 ft-lbs of torque output.
1st gear in the LT4 Z06 will provide 650 ft-lbs X 2.29 = 1488 ft-lbs, similar output
Of interest, Tremic says the max torque for the Z06 gearing is limited to 635 ft-lbs which is 1454 ft-lbs - closer.
Both are less friction losses
Last edited by JerryU; Sep 19, 2019 at 07:35 PM.
Here’s how the entire slate of Chevrolet Performance transmissions compare:
https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/transmissions





















