Since many of our members have C8 Corvettes, I was asked to review the problems inherent to that generation.
Here are my findings:
The main problems have been related to the DCT transmission. I guess when GM puts out a new transmission, typically it comes with problems. In 2015 when GM switched from the 6 speeds to the 8L90, all sorts of problems with encountered by owners such as hard shifting, hesitations etc.
On the C8, GM went to a DCT transmission which was their first foray into that kind of transmission. This came with many problems, such as leaks, limping modes, warning to park the car and bring it to the dealer. In 2020 and 2021 GM had to replace many transmissions. Starting with 2022 the situation was slowly corrected. One must understand that this is a very complex piece of equipment and prone to problems. It is very effective when it works right but you must expect some downsides. If your transmission is to work well, then you must adhere to the letter to the maintenance schedule to replace oils and filters, as it is very critical.
Also, for those who want to do extensive tracking, initially you were told to add 2 extra quarts of oil. This was not a simple cure, as a lot of pieces from the back of the car had to be removed to get to the fill tube (Carpet, back firewall, air filter and air filter housing taking care not to break connectors). It was a 3–4-hour job to perform. You can expect a bill of $500-$700.
Fortunately, GM re-engineered the transmission housing starting mid 2023 so you don’t have to add an extra 2 quarts for tracking. 2024 and newer cars are updated. In 2023 model year the units starting with a production # of 137263 are also updated. The production number is the last 6 digit of the VIN.
Other problems encountered were gremlins like frozen screens, and slow response of the electronics, which is quite common with cars that have a lot of electronics on board.
Another complaint was that the rear trunk gets very hot. This could be corrected to a certain degree by adding insulation to the back firewall. You would think that the factory should have done it.
An issue reported frequently is that the original brake pads generate a lot of brake dust. There are a few brake pads that will minimise this issue. Carbotech has a line of brake pad that seem to reduce the problem significantly. You can expect to pay around $300 us per set of 2.
Noise roof has also been reported quite frequently. This is a very common issue with Corvettes that have a removable targa top. One way to reduce the noise is to make sure that all the weatherstrips are well coated with lithium grease, you must do this a couple of times a year. If you are lucky, you will eliminate the noise, if not it will be reduced.
Finally, some owners report that because the C8 is so low the undercarriages rub sometimes on speed bumps. I have heard that some owners install jacking pad on the car and leave them there all the time. Because this becomes the lowest part of the car, the pads will rub on the speed bumps instead of the undercarriage.
If you have any more issues with the C8 please send me a note I will be happy to investigate.
My next subject has to do with the proliferation of cars being stolen every day. This has become an epidemic in the last few months.
One solution is the use of a throttle controller.
In 2019 I had reviewed throttle controllers for Corvette. Since the C5, Corvettes were fitted with electronic throttles. Which means there is no mechanical link between the gas pedal and the throttle body.
A throttle controller can give a faster throttle response depending on the setting. It does not add horsepower or torque but improve the response when you press on the gas pedal and improve your driving pleasure.
- A Throttle Controller removes the built-in delay on your electronic accelerator pedal.
- By eliminating this delay, your engine will respond a lot faster.
- As a result, your car’s Throttle will feel the same as a hard cable operated Throttle Body.
- Will not void your factory warranty.
I have found a new throttle controller that has much evolved from 5 years ago. This unit will work with the C7 and C8.
This throttle controller enables the owner to disable the gas pedal, so it functions as an antitheft. With this unit, if the thieves manage to get the engine started, they will have the surprise that the gas pedal is inoperable so they cannot get anywhere.
SE0525-TC DLX Bluetooth® Throttle Controller ($229us)
The most advanced, wide-spectrum, compact, and durable throttle controller in the market. Throttle controllers, or perhaps better-called pedal controllers, are often compared and compete with modified/ported throttle bodies for the best or more transformational modification for a limited budget. The truth is they are part of the same system and do not compete with each other, they rather complement each other. The pedal response is where it all starts, interfacing with the driver, and the throttle valve (body) response characteristic airflow curve is where it all ends, interfacing with the engine air. Therefore, no throttle modification is complete without taking care of these two ends of the system. If these two modifications are already competing for the first spot on their own, just imagine them working together…now even remotely through our App.
FEATURES:
- Dual control, directly on the display or remotely from your smart device.
- Ten Modes, with a total of 64 possible settings (see chart).
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- Self-adjusting OLED display intensity for optimum visibility.
- Real-time throttle position gauge.
- Fail-safe vehicle-specific design.
- Does not require the display to operate, for those who prefer a fully concealed device.
Richard Limoges
tech@niagaracorvetteclub.com
