The C8 Corvette has been an interesting car to watch since it hit the scene in 2020. The highly anticipated mid-engine American-made sports car was a first for GM that came with mixed emotions from some Corvette enthusiasts. However, the performance numbers from the C8 Corvette with the new LT2 engine and TR-9080 transmission were steller, and enthusiasts wanted more. But, there were a few glaring problems with adding more power to this new platform. 

The first problem was the lack of tuning with the encrypted GM ECU. However, the aftermarket got around this by piggybacking an additional ECU in conjunction with the factory unit. But, when companies like Extreme Turbo Systems (ETS) started making power, they found the weak links of the new car rather quickly. One being the TR-9080’s Wet Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT) manufactured and developed by TREMEC for the C8.

Extreme Turbo Systems was the first to break the 1,000 horsepower mark and run a 9-second pass in the 1/4-mile with a time of 9.72 at 145.17 mph while using Raybestos Powertrain GPZ frictions.

ETS was one of the earliest companies on the scene to modify the new C8 Corvette with one of its custom twin-turbo systems and get around the problem of tuning. In fact, they were the first to break the 1,000 horsepower mark and run a 9-second pass in the 1/4-mile with a time of 9.72 at 145.17 mph. Unfortunately, however, the clutches in the TR-9080 were not up to the task and had to be replaced before obtaining the record setting dyno session and track times. To fix the TR-9080 holding woes, ETS worked with Raybestos Powertrain while putting the company’s GPZ friction clutch plates to the test. 

The factory clutches in the TR-9080 are good to 495 horsepower. But anything north of that, and you take a chance on burning them up, which is only a matter of time. Raybestos’ GPZ friction material offers outstanding results in real-world testing at well over the factory 495 horsepower threshold, as you can see with Extreme Turbo Systems’ 1,000-plus C8. 

GPZ Friction Clutch Plate Advantages:

• Increased durability of the transmission
• Made with Raybestos Powertrain GPZ material
• Reduces core temperatures
• Increases torque capacity
• Improves clutch life
• Installation instructions provided
• Made In USA

If you’re looking for more performance out of your C8 Corvette, the factory frictions could be a problem in the future. However, you can bypass all of that heartache with Raybestos Powertrain GPZ friction clutch plates and steel clutch plates which are now available. For more information on this product and others, please check out Raybestospowertrain.com.