While the photo of a yellow C7 Corvette circulating the web posing as the 2015 Z06 has turned out to be nothing short of a Photoshop job, we’re pretty sure this isn’t. We’re pretty sure this could very well be the Gen V Small Block-based supercharged V8 that will be cradled within what’s expected to be the most track-capable Corvette ever conceived.
The photo of the engine comes from the Facebook page of GM High Tech Performance Magazine. Following with the “LT” family name, the engine cover of this mill is labeled as LT4, which was the name of a high-performance Small Block back in the 1990’s. While displacement and other specs are unknown at this time, we can only assume that power figures are certainly going to be impressive, but we will miss the naturally aspirated nature of previous Z06 Corvettes.
Comments
Maybe it’s because I’m paying more attention this time around, but I can’t remember so many leaks and fakes surrounding any car as much as the whole C7 development.
I guess it’s a good sign that so many people care enough about it to pursue it.
The ZR1 was pretty leaky; even more so when photos of the hood got out 😉
Can the Lt4 hit 650 hp
It breaks my heart to hear that the legendary 7 liter V8 won’t be coming back for this z06, this engine better be twice as good as the LT1 to make up for that.
Ok here is the deal. There is a LT4 and a L88 planned to be engine options here. Just what engine is going into what C7 version is still a mystery.
The engine on this page is mostly LT version of the LS9 only with the new block, heads and DI fuel system.
No that this is stated consider the LS9 as told to me my an GM driveline engineer could pass emissions and warranty test to 725 HP with no problem. GM never pushed it that far as they did not have to. Now with that said the new Z06 engine will be more powerful than the LS7 ever was. The LS was a good engine but the LT is much more advanced and much more able to do more power. The two engines are like comparing the C6 to a C7 where one is good the other is just better.
Now no one knows for sure but generally it is accepted that the Z06 and CTSV both will see up to or around 650 HP at intro.
The ZR1 replacement is said to top over 700 HP when it arrives. Time will tell but these numbers are easily do able and GM should have no issue making them happen.
But GM kind of pretty much made it clear when they sold the limited edition C6 that it was the end of the LS7 in the Corvette.
Engines will continue to get smaller in size but will continue to make more power. Also cars will get lighter and lighter. I suspect more carbon in Z06 and ZR1. In the end we will continue to see Corvettes performance just get better and better.
The carbons will bring performance that an engine alone can not bring with even better handling and shorter braking to go with the faster acceleration.
So if you are impressed with entry level Stingray you have some real serious hardware yet to come. I expect some mind boggling thing to happen for the Vette. Note these other models will not be cheap but they will still be a bargain compared to anything else that can come close.
Lets put it this way we will see things that will make the taillight haters forget all about them. LOL!
Motortrend is saying that supposedly it makes 600-650…but w/o proof though. They also mention a power dome in the hood, but i’m not seeing it clearly because of the camo…so the camo’s working. However, I can see an elevation in the camo at the top of the hood in the 2 photos showing a side shot of the first 1/3 and first 2/3’s of the car which looks higher then the current height of the top of the hood on the C7. Here’s the link…
http://wot.motortrend.com/1312_2015_chevrolet_corvette_z06_spied_with_650hp_supercharged_v8.html
I never understood why it matters to people how a engine makes power? The numbers it puts up on the track is all I care about, the type of engine lay is the least of my concern
Well if you have seat time behind some of these engines you would understand.
Naturally Aspirated engines have instant power but the power often build to a peek.
Supercharged engines have instant power but with boost the power pulls hard as you rev through the range.
Turbo’s have little lag today but there is still a little there. But with the new engines with Direct Injection and Variable Valve Timing they have torque curves that are as flat as a table. My Eco hits max torque of 315 FT LBS at under 2,000 RPM and will hold it till over 5,000 RPM. When you can spin the tires on a HHR at 50+MPH and see the traction control system kick in you really understand.
While all models make power and put down good numbers they all have a different feel. Having a lot of time in old high torque Pontiacs I can say my Eco turbo has more of that feel than any of my old SBC or BBC Chevys. Now they were all great cars too but there is just a difference in feel. Some people are picky on which one they like but many are like me and I like them all.
Also Turbo guys like them as they are in this day and age so much easier to tune for more power. I picked up 60 HP with only changing to T map sensors to 3 bar and a computer flash. I am still on pump gas at 23 PSI and even picked up 2 MPH in driving.
The LS engine is also proving to be a great engine to modify but it does get a little more expensive as you have to do more internal work to bring it out. Some people fool them selves with K and N filters as they think they picked up a lot. But with a set of heads and cam an LS can really come to life even more.
Superchargers you can play with pulleys and overdrive them but the gains are a little more moderate in many applications. There are some bolt on supercharger kits that are sweet but they are also not cheap.
I would recommending seat time in all these engines and just see how they feel and you will understand. I think you will be like me and find good things in all of them.
The track time matters but we care about the power because it’s a way to gauge what your track time will be. Car manufacturers also know that they can’t just change the look if they want to wow you and get your money. They have to improve the power and performance or otherwise we can just keep our C6.
I’ve driven them all! And to be honest just getting across the finish line first is all I really care about
Got my supercharged C7 already 🙂
http://store.pfadtracing.com/620hp-pfadt-c7-supercharger-tune/
How much does a shop cost to install and tune?