Among the small changes applied to the 2022 Corvette Stingray were some small updates for the 6.2L LT2 V8 engine that comes standard in the mid-engine sports car. The updates include revisions to the V8’s fuel delivery and Active Fuel Management systems, along with some minor alterations to the engine calibration.
Despite these updates, the 6.2L LT2 V8 will carry on with the same horsepower and torque ratings as before. We’re sure many Corvette fans are curious why the automaker decided to apply these changes to the LT2 engine if they didn’t result in higher horsepower and torque ratings, so GM Authority executive editor Alex Luft decided to ask Corvette chief engineer Tadge Juechter for some clarification.
According to Juechter, the new injection and AFM systems are designed to help the C8 Corvette Stingray continue to meet federal emissions standards. Juechter said these updates may not result in any discernable gains in the vehicle’s overall fuel economy on the Environmental Protection Agency test cycle, but they should result in slightly lower exhaust emissions.
Some Corvette fans may find this engine update a bit underwhelming, as it did not bring any performance gains, but they are still very important. With federal emissions regulations getting more strict, it’s important that cars like the Corvette can continue to meet emissions standards without losing any horsepower or torque. Just like for 2021, the 2022 Corvette Stingray is rated at 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque when equipped with the optional Performance Exhaust system.
In addition to the slightly more eco-friendly engine, the 2022 Corvette also introduces a new C8.R GTLM Championship Edition, which celebrates Corvette Racing’s championship-winning 2020 IMSA season with Corvette C8.R-inspired graphics and other exclusive equipment. Other changes introduced for 2022 include a new Low Profile Rear Spoiler and three new exterior colors.
The 2022 Corvette will enter production at the GM Bowling Green Assembly plant in Kentucky later this summer, with deliveries and sales set to commence shortly after.
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Comments
Just adding stupid crap that will cost you a large or two to fix.
Adding stupid crap so they can meet regulations and still offer you nearly 500HP to enjoy.
Or we could go back to the good old days when the crap was not on there and you had less than 200 HP.
Everything on a vette costs a large or two!
That’s the price you pay to slay all the snakes and demons🏁🏁
In what way is this explained? What changes were made to AFM? What changed with fuel delivery? Are there noticeable changes to power delivery at any point in the RPM range? Does AFM activate more frequently, and if so under what conditions? Are there changes to the exhaust note? Did Tadge not answer these specific questions or provide additional detail? I love you guys, but this is nothing more than a PR piece.
AutoBlog answered:
We chatted with Chief Engineer Josh Holder to dig into this and the other changes on a deeper level. Essentially, the injection system operates at a higher pressure now, and Holder says this helps to lower emissions and provides greater stability at idle. That said, the engine keeps its 490 horsepower rating in base trim and 495 horsepower rating with the performance exhaust system. The 0-60 mph time for the Z51 car remains at 2.9 seconds, too. Holder noted that it took some work to both lower emissions and keep the power levels where they stand currently.
The last powertrain tweak is an “enhanced” Active Fuel Management range. Holder says that the engine will now deactivate cylinders over a broader range of rpms and in lower gears now. Engineers aren’t claiming that the EPA ratings will inch upward yet (we’re told to wait and see on that front), but they’re certain that real world fuel economy will see a noticeable improvement.
Glad I got the 2021. Can hardly stand the V4 noise in my limited band. Keep it in Track mode so as to avoid. Particularly not welcomed with race exhaust. Glad they are keeping the EPA at bay and still delivering a killer car. Every minute in the car is a joy.
*500hp and emission compliant,,,come on,,,you guys can werk ur moves with dis and still be green ,,be cheerful,,,I’m gonna name next kid tadge or juedcher,,, I’m so pleased with this American tech
Can’t wait till they put stop start on there.
I do wish my 2021 went into V4 mode at stop lights, and maybe even had a switch to just turn it to V4 when I want.
I find myself trying to find the right balance to get it to go V4 mode for the economy. I can get V4 mode on long drives
at 80mph +.
Buy a 4 cylinder car and save even more.
I’m in the minority agreeing with Torch Red. The switch between V4 and V8 appears in the real world to take into account potential performance requirements as opposed to an, “economy run.” I support the suggestion to have this option that Torch Red would like into the custom driver mode that’s already in the car. If Chevy would update the option, I’d bring my 2020 into the dealer to have it done.
Personally, I hate the V4 option. Cylinder deactivation systems cause engine stress, oil consumption, and performance loss. I bought miy C8 for the the HP performance, and the 2022 C8 engine emissions modifications coming along with this, will make things even worse !
Actually, anyone worried about the gas miliage of a C8 Corvette should be looking at a different vehicle.
So, those amazing Corvette Engineers couldn’t find a measly 5 horsepower more in the Z-51 package, eh? What is so hard about doing that here, “Tuners” can do it, and simply too! Not cheaply of course, as a modified exhaust or a better engine breathing system is going to cost you a few bucks, but what happened to the bragging rights? 500 Horsepower in the base Corvette (with exhaust option) isn’t out of the question, it isn’t “Rocket Science”, and to even stipulate that there were “engine modifications” to the 2022 C8 engine that don’t or won’t increase the horsepower & torque figures…( a lousy) “ONE PERCENT” seems to be a waste of time. They could have easily not told anyone about these engine mods and we’d all still be happy to have the horsepower and torque figures we’ve got today on the fabulous C8 Corvette!
But….we Corvette owners and enthusiast are always looking to “up the game”, some obvious (printable facts) about increases in horsepower and torque figures are always welcomed….and without having to purchase a whole new car, like going to a Z06 or ZR-1.
Base Corvettes have always enjoyed small but important increases in HP & Torque figures over the years, in fact I consider it a “Tradition” that has been welcomed by everyone! Need proof? Okay, fine, from the Fuel Injected 283’s going from 283 HP to 290 HP, then to 315 HP is a good example, and the 327 Fuel Injection engines, 360 HP to 375 HP.
Again small but important increases keeping us Corvette buyers coming back for more of what we live for, MORE POWER!
Enough, is never enough….and so I challenge those amazing Corvette “Engine Engineers” to find (at least) another measly FIVE HORSEPOWER and lets get that horsepower figure up to a respectable “500” figure! If the “Tuners” can do, then so can the Corvette Engineers, follow their lead and lets not be satisfied with horsepower and torque figures that have stayed at the same figure from 2020-2022 (three model years)….even my C5 ‘Vette went from a (meh, ok) 345 HP to 350 HP, not a big jump, but the overall performance increase certainly was noticeable and enthusiastically accepted! Same went for the Mighty C5 Z06…from 385 HP to 405 HP in just one model year! The incredible LT-5 (C4 Era) DOHC engine went from 385 to 405 HP in short order (ironic isn’t it, all that DOHC technology designed into the LT-5 and it did not exceed the HP figure of the C-5 Z06 engine, hummm?) and you can find more example I’m sure if you did into Corvette “Engine” history.
Okay, ’nuff said…I said my peace. I’m still in awe of the C8 Corvettes performance figures, and if just “Five Horsepower” isn’t going to make it any quicker (almost doesn’t need to be, one damn quick car to begin with!) so be it, but it’s those bragging rights, baby….500 Horsepower is what I’d love to see in the Corvette History Books for the Mighty C8 Corvette’s!
I’m pretty sure they could make over 500hp but it’s only a rating. The fact it can do 0-60 sec and 1/4 mile faster than the racing 427ci L88 from the 1960’s is amazing. If they wanted to advertise 500 hp, they would have to spend the money to get it re-rated, which the probably didn’t allocate engineering resource ($) to get done. And would they get more buyers? I doubt it.
L88 was in a different day without the aid of the computer. It was one crazy ass engine in it’s time. With updated cylinder heads along with computerized induction it would still be an incredible piece save for the weight.
Come on, you guys, -500 HP and emission compliant,,,you can werk ur moves and still be green,,,I’m so impressed with Tadge Jeudecher,,he is America’s hope,,Tadge 4 Pres. ,,,I’m sure that ur body language can accommodate the green engine mapping and still be famous
If a horsepower bump is going to happen it will be introduced for the mid cycle refresh in 2023. Mabye 510 HP at 6500 with a rpm limit raised to 6750 and 480ft.lbs, with a displacement increase to 383cu.in/6.3L from a 104.2mm/4.102 inch bore. The new BMW M3 and M4, new Porsche GT3 have 503 HP and official exported C8’s will have less HP and torque(or so I have read:468 instead of 495 and 455ft.lbs instead of 470ft.lbs) than thier North American market counterpart so we’ll see what GM’s response is.
You Sir, are an idiot.
Got mine 2 days after my bday, one of the last runs of the 2020. Getting similar numbers at Sealy after a more free flowing exhaust. Mine is a 3LT z51 vert.
This is just a hook. There is no explanation here. What precisely did the changes do and are they all software or are there also hardware changes. Anything done in the name of the EPA cannot be good for performance in the long run.
Can these changes be retrofitted ?
negative
I haven’t had a comment in I while, I have one of the unicorns 1LT white ,red interior C8 2020 it came in just the way I ordered it . You can get your 5 HP with out the spending of 5 grand on the Z51 and just get the Z package with the exhaust it was under 2 . You have too have a good dealer that will order exactly what you want . I have taken my car to the strip with a(93) full fuel tank, a/c on no adjusting to the tires and was running 11.5 at 121mph . I am going to put rear tires prep the car and I’m sure I will be running at about 10.9 . I order with no wing that is a .2 on your time . I live in Florida the only turns I see are exits so if you want to go fast you have to be slick. I have not lost yet even against other vetts . About the V4 mine turns on at about 50 consistent I made a trip to Jacksonville from Cocoa Beach it’s about 175 miles cost me 24 bucks it’s nice . I drive it almost everyday and it hits 3 digits all the time. It’s like Disney world. You know I got it on my birthday just like the Vin #
I have a 2021 and frankly, don’t care about the V4 or fuel economy. I love the car as-is.
If you are worried about gas economy, buy a Toyota.
I took delivery of a 2022 with this new active fuel management system only to have a bad fuel injector that is causing a major misfire and I am being told that GM doesn’t have an office part number for the fuel injector yet. At least if you are going to change things, have parts available for when something like this does go wrong. Owning a brand new car that you can’t even drive will leave a bad taste in your mouth for sure. Thanks GM. 🤦♂️
I have a 2022 Corvette with 4000 miles and valve noise is driving me crazy. does anyone else have valve issue’s on their corvette.