Late in December, Hennessey Performance Engineering announced it would offer high-output engine packages for the new C8 Corvette, tweaking the Vette’s V8 to produce upwards of 1,200 horsepower. Now, per a new report from Hagerty, the Texas tuner has provided details on how it plans to actually accomplish those lofty goals.
As a reminder, Hennessey is aiming to offer a new HPE1200 package that stuffs the C8 Corvette with forged internals and twin-turbocharged induction, while also beefing up the mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette’s new M1L dual-clutch eight-speed automatic transmission to handle the extra muscle. Additionally, Hennessey will offer a more affordable supercharged package making 700 horsepower.
To make all those numbers a reality, it would help if Hennessey had access to the C8 Corvette’s encrypted ECU, which, as we covered previously, will be mighty difficult to tune. However, Hennessey says it’s looking to HP Tuners software to help in that regard, or possibly even a program straight from GM.
“We also hear that GM may offer its own tuning program and we would be happy to use their software as well,” a Hennessey representative told Hagerty. The tuner hopes C8 Corvette ECU software will be available by the end of the year.
What’s more, Hennessey expects to get its first in-the-metal example of the C8 Corvette in the spring, at which time it’ll begin mockups for the upcoming supercharger and twin-turbo systems.
After visual analysis of the new C8 Corvette, Hennessey says the mid-mounted, naturally aspirated 6.2L LT2 V8 closely resembles the 6.2L LT1 (with the exception of the exhaust manifolds and oiling system), and thus, the tuner does not anticipate any difficulty in hitting its stated power targets.
With regard to the twin-turbo HPE1200 kit, Hennessey says it will likely use E85 fuel, plus limited fuel system upgrades if needed.
Upgrades for the Vette’s new transmission are a little trickier given its newness. However, the tuner says it’ll work with one of its vendors that specializes in transmission upgrades for models like the Audi R8 and Nissan GT-R.
“Most likely we will have to upgrade clutches and maybe other DCT internal parts,” a Hennessey representative told Hagerty. “Depends on how the customer is going to drive the car. On the street with street tires is less strenuous, but for customers who want to run down a sticky drag strip with sticky tires – that may require more upgrade work in the transmission.”
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Source: Hagerty
Comments
HP Tuners has unlocked the Silverado ECU, but it does require an ECU swap program.
Tune + intake + exhaust on a 2020 Silverado 6.2 on 91 octane is getting net 500 engine horsepower and somewhere around 520lb-ft
I thought I recall conversations with the design team that the C8 ECU will not be locked because they know owners will want to tweak the performance,
Anyone else recall this?
A twin-turbo V8 in the C8 Corvette would increase the vehicle’s top speed; but it wouldn’t increase zero to sixty times very much as this is why there is chatter about the Z06 being a hybrid as a 300-400 hp electric motor could drop the zero to sixty times to under 2.00 seconds and provide an extra boost when the gas motor is at it’s limit and needs a boost.
Are we to believe Hennessey is going to EPA certify their turbo setup to make it street legal?
I doubt that will ever happen as it’s not cheep!