The 2019 C7 Corvette ZR1 is weeks old from its proper debut, but Hennessey Performance Engineering has already announced plans to pull more power from the car. And you thought 755 horsepower was enough.
HPE listed the HPE850, HPE1000 and HPE1200 upgrade packages for Chevrolet’s range-topping Corvette and they come with some major upgrades. Starting with the lowest-rung model, the HPE850 adds upgrades such as a modified lower pulley, high flow cylinder heads, upgraded valve springs, intake and exhaust valves and new pushrods and lifters. Power at the crank is, as the package suggests, 850 horsepower.
Moving to the HPE1000, the biggest change is a different supercharger to boost power to 1,000 hp. Similar upgrades are found elsewhere from the HPE850. Now, the HPE1200 has a really big change: a 7.0-liter V8 engine. Coupled with a larger supercharger, the package will bump the ZR1’s power figures to 1,200 hp and 1,066 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, HPE will back each package with a 2-year/24,000-mile warranty, save for the 1200 package. A one-year/12,000-mile warranty applies to it.
The Corvette team already feels like they’ve calibrated the ZR1 just right to hit a sweet spot, but we’re certain HPE will have some takers.
Comments
Two part warranty included!
This is great if you’ve got the money and a C7 Corvette to have this upgrade performed on it; but not for a production C7 Corvette ZR1 where each vehicle is a collector’s item.
You will need the larger supercharger, all the intercoolers that will need to be ducted, as well as a new front fascia to do so, and I’m guessing the dual injection to go along with it! Happy spending!
Hennessey is just stupid. They charge far too much for modifications and they can’t even get a lot of power out of them. The ZR1 HPE 1000, for example, is basically a full valve train upgrade including the cam, and it also includes the supercharger upgrades. So how is it producing less than 900whp on a tune? And how in the world is that clutch going to last? Oh, and the package will cost as much as a Camaro SS. And the HPE 1200 will cost as much as or more than a Corvette Stingray. That’s just outrageous. For 55k in various mods, you can easily have a ZR1 pushing 1200whp with a fully built transmission and diff, even on drag slicks if you want. Callaway is the same way. Just a waste of money. I seriously suggest using mods from many different companies to build the best performing car, if you want performance. Kooks headers, Comp cams, Katech ported heads and blowers… there’s so many better products out there than what Hennessey and Callaway put under their hoods, regardless of price.
Reminds of a dyno day I was at and a guy brought a Callaway C7 Z06 in. He spent $16,000 and only gained about 78 horsepower. Man was he pissed. They did 3 pulls a hour between each and that was the best he got..
Hennessey is a shady guy. A quick google search will bring up his shady business operations.
I wouldn’t let Hennesy near my lawn mower. He’s still building customer cars with deposits from new customers. Stories abound (especially outside the US) of Hennesy taking huge deposits and years later customers have to get a lawyer to get their cars built. The Viper community won’t speak his name anymore.
Personally I can’t wait to see it…