Seven of Mine: Chevrolet Assimilates Another Cog Into the Camaro
Corvette customers have enjoyed the choice of a seven-speed manual since its introduction in the macho C7. Paired with the Vette’s V8, the 144-pound transmission is made by Tremec and incorporates active rev matching.
Now, California Air Resources Board documents reveal the same TR-6070 transmission may be offered in the 2019 Camaro, in addition to its existing six-speed manual. Resistance is futile: you know you want that extra gear.
Before you think along the lines of the collective and dismiss this as a way to boost CAFE ratings and reduce fleet emissions, we encourage you to think along sportier lines. Tighter gears in the lower half of the ‘box could mean quicker acceleration off the line, something every gearhead can get behind. Hey, I’m being optimistic today.
It is also true that every manufacturer in the world is looking to increase their economies of scale, sharing parts and platforms wherever possible. Currently, the Corvette has exclusive use of the seven-speed; sharing it with its little brother would be good for the company, if not for sibling rivalry.
One thing we can agree on is that engineers did their homework in bringing this gearbox to market. The synchros are one of its unique design features, as its double- and triple-cone rings are a combination of carbon and sintered (tech term for making a solid out of a powder through heat and pressure) bronze cones designed to endure ham-fisted maneuvers while improving shift performance.
Linear bearings lower the friction of the shift rail movements, said to make the shifter feel lighter and more direct. Some Corvette owners may disagree here, having uttered epithets about the imprecise feel between fifth and seventh gears when wailing around a track. Not having firsthand experience in that particular environment with this transmission, I cannot say.
The CARB document, uncovered by AutoGuide, goes on to list M6, M7, and SA8 gearboxes as potential pairings with a 6.2-liter V8 engine. As we’ve learned with the “typo” on Jeep’s filings for the Wrangler, these documents are subject to change. We hope this one doesn’t, though.
The current Camaro SS makes 455 horsepower from its direct-injected 6.2-liter V8, with a choice of a six-speed manual or flappy paddle eight-speed. The supercharged unit in the ZL1 cranks the wick to 650 horses. And, yes, the automatic is a tad faster to sixty in both cars. The seven-speed could also be reserved for an as-yet unnamed new trim.
[Image: General Motors]
Matthew buys, sells, fixes, & races cars. As a human index of auto & auction knowledge, he is fond of making money and offering loud opinions.
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- 1995 SC I wish they'd give us a non turbo version of this motor in a more basic package. Inline Sixes in trucks = Good. Turbos that give me gobs of power that I don't need, extra complexity and swill fuel = Bad.What I need is an LV1 (4.3 LT based V6) in a Colorado.
- 1995 SC I wish them the best. Based on the cluster that is Ford Motor Company at the moment and past efforts by others at this I am not optimistic. I wish they would focus on straigtening out the Myriad of issues with their core products first.
- El Kevarino There are already cheap EV's available. They're called "used cars". You can get a lightly used Kia Niro EV, which is a perfectly functional hatchback with lots of features, 230mi of range, and real buttons for around $20k. It won't solve the charging infrastructure problem, but if you can charge at home or work it can get you from A to B with a very low cost per mile.
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- Kjhkjlhkjhkljh kljhjkhjklhkjh *Why would anyone buy this* when the 2025 RamCharger is right around the corner, *faster* with vastly *better mpg* and stupid amounts of torque using a proven engine layout and motivation drive in use since 1920.
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Jeri Ryan is still prettier.
On paper 7 speeds look like an upgrade. In the real world of driving around on the earth I long the simplicity of my old 4spd Capri 5.0. I’m already shifting all the time with 6 gears...too much work. Let the torque do the work.