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]