2020 Shelby GT500, Mid-Engine Corvette Could Share Tremec Gearbox

Ford and Chevrolet may be crosstown rivals, but that hasn’t stopped the two from working together or inadvertently using the same parts. It should come as no surprise that transmissions have been at the heart of the two’s collaboration and parts sharing. Now, Road & Track is reporting the two will likely use the same gearbox for their top-tier performance cars. The two have shared transmissions before thanks to Tremec, an American transmission and drivetrain manufacturer. Recently, an employee newsletter for a Tremec supplier reveals such sharing is again likely. 

Rumors have long swirled the mid-engine Corvette would opt for a dual-clutch gearbox instead of a manual transmission. Similar rumors also swirled for the 2020 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 after a spy video captured the car performing suspiciously quick upshifts through the gears. Now, both may use the same gearbox. 

According to Road & Track, development for a dual-clutch transmission for General Motors began with Tremec supplier Fassler in 2016. The project was named “GM-DCT.” In 2017, Tremec asked for assistance developing a new projected called “Ford-DCT.” Apparently, Tremec asked for a few changes, possibly making the Ford gearbox a variant of the GM-designed one for the mid-engine Corvette with both using similar parts. One of the several newsletters that spelled out this supplier information said the two gearboxes would be used for the Mustang GT500 and mid-engine Corvette. 

The transmission the two could use is allegedly called the Tremec TR-9007. The supplier also has a TR-7007, which is likely designed to handle less torque than the performance-oriented TR-9007. Right now, this is just connecting dots; however, it makes sense. While several suppliers make dual-clutch gearboxes, Ford and GM have reliably used Tremec to supply gearboxes for several of their sports cars. This is how both Ford and GM have used the same transmissions in the past.