A power transmitting device for a vehicle having a power plant and a drivetrain is provided. The power transmitting device includes an output shaft that provides torque to the drivetrain and a manual transmission selectable between a first gear set having a first gear ratio and a second gear set having a second gear ratio that transmits power to the output shaft at different rotational speeds. The power transmitting device also includes a hydraulic torque converter that multiplies torque. Torque is multiplied through the torque converter and is transmitted to the output shaft from the torque converter when the first gear set is selected and is not multiplied through the torque converter when the second gear set is selected.