The eight-speed ZF 8HP transmission is all the rage right now, so much so we just did a full breakdown on what makes the ‘box so special in our January 2025 issue.
If you haven’t got a copy handy, here’s the basic rub: the 8HP blends the convenience of an automatic, with the ability to shift like a manual when needed and handle big power loads. They’ve been used in plenty of hi-po German cars from factory, as well as hot Mopars and many others
BluePrint Engines have decided to jump on board with the idea, currently working through the prototype process to offer drop-in packages for their own LS-based engines and the ZP 8HP.
As reported by Hagerty, part of the testing process has included using an ex-Police 2013 Chevrolet Caprice PPV, known to us Aussies as the WM Series Holden Caprice. The US-spec Caprice is running one of BluePrint’s LS3-based V8s, and the 8HP70 version of eight-speed leviathan.
It took BluePrint some convincing to get ZF onboard with the project, but the two companies are now working together on the driveline packages.
“ZF sent engineers from Italy and spent a month with BluePrint engineers training them on the software and the sensors required to run its all-electronic transmission,” says Hagerty’s report.
“ZF will provide the transmission, but BluePrint has to work out the bellhousing, the cooling, and, most importantly, the programming that makes them work as you’d expect from a new car built this decade.
“The goal is to have powertrains from accessory drive to output shaft that are ready to bolt into just about any platform with as little fuss as possible.”
Once the prototyping process is completed, BluePrint intend to offer the 8HP packages with their LS3-based engines, shortly followed by small block Fords.
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