If this was posted anywhere I apologize. Thought some would like to read a bit about it.

 

DCT’s are marvelous transmissions, but don’t kid yourself into believing they are as low maintenance or as stout as a manual. Or that they can handle as much torque as a TC automatic. Those millisecond shifts up and down are not free... but this new C8 Corvette would not be complete without it IMO none the less.

 

From what I've heard - to reach that fill plug, you have to remove the rear cargo area bin, though I've heard that isn't too hard to do. ("Follow service information for this procedure")

At least the fill plug is what looks like a 3/8" square hole, as fill plugs often do, instead of a regular bolt. Would've been nice if they put a big yellow circle with "add here" around it though

 

Wow additional two liters.
Wonder why the factory doesn't fill to that level or at least 1 liter more?
GM cost cutting perhaps?
Just seems odd.
OP links are informative...thank you/

 

Does anyone know how many liters it takes to bring it “normal level”.. This seems like a lot to add and “leave”... which begs the question: If its better for “track use” but fine for “street use“, why isn’t the track level the factory fill. Unless as queried above, if the stuff is super expensive as some Porsche tranny fluid is, maybe its just cost savings on GM’s part.... I wonder if its a new formula?

 

Besides the cost of the fluid, with the 2 extra quarts there is probably a small hit to economy when just cruising along. More fluid windage and drag, just like when oil is overfilled in a traditional sump. Well worth the cost of lubricant starvation in both cases, for those who will corner hard.

 

Prices seem to be $25-$35 a liter.

 

What a f....g disaster a DCT is. Makes me sick.

 

Not too bad considering the C7 ZR1 requires fluid change in the automatic every 15 hours of track usage.

If $35 a liter is disturbing you might ought to not figure all of the other expenses for those 25 hours of track time.

 

good to hear you are sick. Hope your illness drags on for a long time.

 

Factory fill level is 11.62qts (11.0L)

-Greg

 

Apparently you haven't driven a proper DCT or you'd likely never want another manual transmission in your life.

 

Agreed, the hit to economy is my guess as to why they have a lower street fill.

 

I have and don’t like them.

 

thanks Greg... 11 L’s more than twice what I had initially estimated. Now the added 2 L’s makes total sense to me. I have subsequently found a source on the internet (unkown reliability) that says a PDK takes 8 L. 3L of one type, and 5 of another.

 

Your welcome. Just don't break the trans $$$$ 8,500 for Z51 version plus $3500 core
-Greg

 

FWIW:

1. As mentioned this service interval is 10 hours more track use than the A8. The casual track person doing simple HPDE weekends won't have any issues. Figure one weekend at a NASA event is 4 hours maximum (usually 3.5) that gets you 6-7 track weekends between service intervals.

2. The normal fill plug is on the side of the trans. Nothing has to be removed to access it. For normal fill you fill it up until the fluid runs out just like a manual.

3. The track overfill, as mentioned, is accessed by removing the trunk tub (same as getting to the air filter). You add 2 liters and you can leave it in permanently. However, it will make fluid replacement annoying... fill in side hole until it runs out, insert plug, remove trunk liner, add 2 liters. Unless you can figure out how to accurately meter fluid in the top hole... I doubt it's "fill until it runs out the top"

4. GM didn't do this as 99% of folks won't need it, it reduces the efficiency (fuel economy) of the trans, and it's 2 more liters of fluid for every car that GM has to buy.

5. Track buddies say this is very common with the DCTs. On the BMWs you overfill by 1.5 quarts.

Personally, I'll just add it so as to not give GM an out. I don't plan on running timetrials in this car and will just be instructing and doing HPDE4. However, I'm told that if the trans has issues, and I'm on track, and don't have the "track spec fluid level" I'm SOL. GM's wording here is vague.... says overfill not needed for "casual track use" or spirited driving... but that probably means a novice in HPDE1.

@RichieRichZ06 thoughts on warranty coverage for standard fill vs. track fill? The document says not required for casual track use. I plan on doing 3-4 weekends a year at VIR instructing and doing HPDE4.

Once up on a time I drove "flat out" and held a few records racing a C5 in ST2 and have done lots of TTA/TTS/TT2.

 

According to the GM trainers and staff that was at the Spring Mountain sales academy for the C8, they recommend that any track use should receive the additional 2 quarts. They recommended that dealers ask the customer if they planned to track the car and if so, just add the 2 quarts at the time of PDI. It's one of those things like high temp brake fluid. Occasional track use doesn't really require it, but it's certainly not a bad idea to have the extra level of protection.

 

Thanks Rich... I've reached out to Shane at the NCM to see if they can accommodate. Otherwise, I'll DIY or have my local dealer do it.

 

My son has a 18 P GT3. I'm first officer in this vid. https://drive.google.com/file/d/12XF...SOQdCA8Zd/view
My C6Z (track only) is so far superior in every possible way at half the price. He launches faster than me, but I pass him in 3th like he has hit the brakes. The rate of acceleration of the Porsche decreases drastically from 3rd. He is on his 3rd engine. Car is for sale if you want it. It comes with a proper PDK. Don't know if that's a proper DCT though. Hurry, it has two month factory guarantee left. You are going to need it.