Pallet Carrying LT7 Name Foreshadows C8 Corvette ZR1 Engine
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GM is developing a fresh twin-turbo V8 to power the upcoming C8 Corvette ZR1, and now, a new image just hit the web foreshadowing the imminent arrival of the ZR1’s boosted LT7 engine.
For those readers who may be unaware, the forthcoming C8 Corvette ZR1 will offer ultra-high performance both on the road and on the track. The heart of the ZR1 will be the new twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 gasoline engine, a boosted variant of the naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 LT6 cradled by the 2023 Corvette Z06.
The new C8 Corvette ZR1 is expected to launch late in 2023 for the 2024 model year. As such, the ongoing development of the new twin-turbo 5.5L V8 LT7 doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Nevertheless, a new image posted on Corvette Forum confirms suspicions that the new LT7 is indeed currently in the works.
The image shows a new 5.5L V8 LT6 sitting on a wooden pallet at the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky. Critically, the pallet is marked “LT6 Gamma, LT7 Beta,” confirming the ongoing development of the new twin-turbo 5.5L V8 LT7.
Official specs from GM are obviously unavailable, but at this point, there’s plenty of intel we can point to when it comes to expectations surrounding the new LT7. Peak output, for example, is expected to hit around 850 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque, with the LT7 arranged in a dual overhead cam configuration with 32 valves. It’s also worth mentioning that despite its LT designation, the LT7 will in fact have nothing in common with GM’s fifth-generation Small Block overhead valve (push-rod / OHV) engine family.
Critically, the LT7 will also find its way into the upcoming C8 Corvette Zora, which is expected to debut about a year after the launch of the Corvette ZR1 and will produce roughly 1,000 horsepower with hybrid electrification.
We’ll keep our ear to the ground for any further updates on the LT7 or the upcoming Corvette ZR1, so stay tuned. In the meantime, make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette news, Corvette C8 news, Corvette news, Chevy news, and 24/7 GM news coverage.
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on a separate note, my question is what will pricing be like for the e -ray? more or less expensive than the zo6? something tells me it will be more expensive but i’m hoping it will be cheaper.
Chevy, as a creature of habit, would be launching the e-ray next at a price point between the SR and the Z06 THEN the ZR1, priced above all others last of all, until the NEW range topper, the Zora. At least, if you suppose that the e-ray is the C8 substitute for Grand Sport.
I missed out on the 2019 ZR1 crate engines. And envious of those that got them.
Maybe, just maybe, some of these will be available as crate purchase.
They should focus on actually producing some Z06’s before moving onto the next thing… been waiting for a long time now…
Are we not going to see a version of the Blackwing motor anymore?
I love Corvette, I have since 1979, I’m 46!!! I want to see the Vette get lighter, I love all the power and finally going Mid Engine, but I don’t
Like the heft, please GM/Chevy do something about this, I want to see current Vettes get lighter plus I want to see the C9 go all carbon fiber with monocoque, the Vette is getting close to 4000lbs, it needs to be 2900 to 3000lbs dry weight, I don’t care about the price. If GM is GM going to make a 300,000 Cadillac they make the Vette the way I want it and charge 200, 000!!!! Less weight equals more, the extra heft is keeping this car from over 200mph💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾
One comment here needs correction- In it, the poster asserts that “extra heft prevents the ZO6 from breaking 200 mph” (loosely paraphrased)
Weight doesn’t enter into top speed to any appreciable degree. After initial acceleration, the issue becomes one of air resistance, not weight per se.
Also, never tell a manufacturer that you “don’t care what it cost”, that’s just assinine, and an obvious shallow flex.