Employees at the 155,000-square-foot Cloyes plant in Paris, Ark., USA are manufacturing an essential engine component—the crankshaft sprocket—for the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8.

Often referred to as the “mid-engine Corvette”, the 2020 model delivers 495 horsepower and 470 lb.-ft. of torque, making it the most powerful production Stingray ever, according to General Motors (GM).

Cloyes’ contribution to the newly-redesigned vehicle is an LT2 Crankshaft Sprocket. The sprocket is manufactured from SAE 1144 billet steel and has a 22-tooth cut to the ISO-606 Roller Sprocket specification. The sprocket teeth are induction-hardened for durability, and the sprocket has a custom six-tooth involute spline on the front hub to drive the oil pump impeller.

The receipt of this business reconfirms the level of quality, reliability, and capability that Cloyes offers its global automotive OE and aftermarket customers. All Cloyes products are extensively tested and verified to ensure that they meet OE specifications. With a deep-seated commitment to customer success, Cloyes drives innovation and manufactures products that enhance engine performance and provide peace of mind to manufacturers, drivers, and professional technicians.

– Steve Fairbanks, Vice President of Manufacturing, Cloyes

After opening its Paris manufacturing plant in 1963, the company successfully regained ownership of the manufacturing operation from American Axle and Manufacturing (AAM) in October 2019. Just two months later, the plant achieved its standalone ISO 9001:2015 certification.

The plant regularly manufactures machined powertrain gears, sprockets, and idler assemblies for automotive original equipment manufacturers, the automotive aftermarket, marine, and high-performance applications.