We can officially say the 2019 C7 Corvette ZR1 will not ditch its pushrod V8 engine for a DOHC design, but it will pack 750 horsepower. For some time, leaked documents and other information pointed to a DOHC layout for a new Corvette engine, but for now, pushrods remain. That’s despite Mercury Racing, which has ties to the original C4 Corvette ZR-1, debuting its own DOHC V8 engine based on a GM small-block unit.
The Mercury Racing SB4 7.0 aftermarket crate engine takes GM’s standard LS engine design and applies an advanced four-valve cylinder head combustion system and dual overhead camshaft valve train. The company said the engine boasts improved performance and durability over a two-valve design. And, it makes 750 hp without any forced induction.
Mercury Racing previously said it would be open to conversations about supplying future Corvette engines, but for now, its DOHC V8 will be available as an aftermarket unit only. Who knows what the mid-engine Corvette will bring, however.
Comments
If the C8 has the SB4, my cheque will write itself.
The Merc DOHC V8 PP. seems destined for the mid-engine Vette. Not knowing about the Merc DOHC V8, I originally thought it would be a V6 powering the rear mid-engine Vette.
Time to let go of the Merc.
They will go DOHC but with aGam engine not some conversion.
Emissions will require it.
Motorcycles, snowmobiles, and lawnmowers Have emissions Controls. Why don’t boats have emissions Controls?
You missed my point.
The two valve LT is near the limit of the emissions ability. I read a story from s GM engineer who clearly stated at some point in the near future they will have to move to 4. valve just to meet the future refs.
That means not just the Corvette but , Camaro and even the truck will need to move to a multi valve design.
So if GM moved to DOHC in al, applications they will it themselves and not rely on Merc to do this.
Note the blocks were strengthened long ago to accommodate a DOHC set up when ever they would have to make. The move. This is also why the lower end is so tied together for higher RPM.
This stuff has been there but to keep cost down and in the case of the Corvette a lower cowl they tried to keep to the two valve.
They have gone farther than most have ever thought possible but they are running out of tricks.
My point is if GM does the DOHC it will not be a limited engine.
Also the lower end may be a base for the future Cadillac DOHC. Engine but with their own sizes and own heads and induction.
I don’t buy it Scott. A link to the story you reference would be nice.
The LS in its current form has a few years left. Dual injection will help and turbocharging is always a possibility, although I am not a huge fan of turbos.
Will GM introduce a DOHC V-8? Yep. But I think it will begin life as a marquee engine for the Vette and Cadillac. Trucks won’t see one for quite a few years.
Now that I think about it, GM may use a turbo DOHC version of the LV1 V-6 at some point.
What’s an aGam engine?
Historically, when GM has applied new technology to engines, they have never pushed it the max with the first reease. They have always used new tech to slightly improve power while making other changes to assure some improvements in economy and have not risked reliability. If the GM DOHC engine does use an existing LT block, it is more likely to be a lower displacement (5.3 L?) so that the normally aspirated V8 would be around 485-500 HP…just a marginal improvement over today’s base LT OHV engine while increasing MPG. That said, it makes sense to develop the heads so that they can be adapted to larger CID in the future, but IMO they will begin to embrace Turbocharging despite the packaging disadvantages versus the Supercharger, the turbo has little or no MPG impact and MPG is becoming a huge issue.