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Incoming C8 Corvette Stingray Updates To Deliver Over 500 Horses: Exclusive

Since its introduction for the 2020 model year, the C8 Corvette Stingray has been rated at 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque right from the factory, with those output ratings increasing to 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque with the addition of the optional dual-mode performance exhaust system (RPO code NPP). GM Authority is now hearing from insiders that Chevy is planning to bump the C8 Stingray’s output to north of 500 horsepower.

For those readers who may be unaware, the C8 Corvette Stingray is motivated by the naturally aspirated 6.2L V8 LT2 gasoline engine, which was updated for the 2022 model year with revisions to the engine’s fuel delivery and Active Fuel Management systems, as well as minor alterations to the engine calibration. The 2022-model-year updates were designed to help the C8 Corvette Stingray continue to meet federal emissions standards.

The introduction of the 2022 Chevy Corvette C8 Stingray also prompted revised fuel economy ratings from the EPA, with city ratings rising 1 mpg to 16 mpg, and highway ratings dropping 3 mpg to 24 mpg. Combined ratings remained static at 19 mpg. According to a company spokesperson, the drop in highway fuel economy ratings is primarily a result of the popularity of the Z51 Performance Package.

Now, however, Chevy is planning to bump the C8 Stingray’s output to north of 500 horsepower. This latest intel would explain recent GM Authority exclusive photos that show a C8 Corvette Stingray prototype equipped with a strange pair of exhaust pipes that are longer and thinner than the quad pipes equipped by the standard vehicle. As speculated previously, the odd-looking exhaust treatment could be EPA certification pipes, indicating forthcoming powertrain revisions for the mid-engine sports car.

We’ll keep our ear to the ground for further updates and relay any new information as we receive it. Until then, remember to subscribe to GM Authority for more mid-engine Corvette newsCorvette C8 newsCorvette newsChevrolet news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. Good to hear! Now I just wish they would bump the hp/tq on the 5.3, 6.2, and 6.6 gas truck engines. Since I’m wishing I also wish they would offer an optional H.O. 6.6 Duramax to better compete with the competitions upcoming H.O. diesels.

    Reply
    1. I agree. I have been tuning my trucks using a Trifecta tune for more output.

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    2. I think we’ll see a new gen V8 instead. Heck this might actually be the next gen V8. The LT2 is a maxed out version of the 6.2 with a maximum flow intake and throttle body, high lift cam, long tubular headers and maximized air box. All those “power adders” you spend money on to get an extra pony or 2 are included on the LT2.

      My guess is this is the gen 6 (or at least gen 5.5) small block. It will probably include much of what’s included in the 2.7 turbo. (Active thermal management, off centered crank, VVL) and in similar fashion as the gen V engines, the LT1 was released first followed by the L86/L83 engines. The new V8’s for the trucks are slated for 2015 YM, so a reveal next year for the 2024 YM vette is appropriate

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      1. The Tripower features would require a DOHC V8. There’s some talk of such a Gen VI V8 but very little evidence.

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        1. It wouldn’t require a overhead cam setup, but has been implemented as such at GM. There’s tons of VVL engines out there, tri-power, multi air, V-Tec. It’s possible that they have made it implemented for OVH engines. It’s also possible they are making it variable compression, per detailed 2019 patent. At this point the only inside information thats certain is “next generation of truck V8 engines is slated for 2025YM, which will be 15% more efficient and more powerful than ever. VVL tech meets those requirements….. but we won’t know till we know

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    3. It’s coming 24’ will be the year for gen 6 sbc

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  2. I just hope that these exhausts are part of the testing system and not what this new corvette will look like because it’s the ugliest things I’ve seen on cars for years…

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    1. Those are EPA certification pipes. The final exhaust will not look like that.

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    2. I wish Chevrolet would tell us how to release some more horsepower in the 2021 encrypted ECM’s on trucks

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  3. funny,, my 1976 Rally Sport 350/ 4 speed did 135 MPH rated at 175 HP , my 1995 Formula with LT1 / 6 spd did 161 MPH rated at 330 HP and my new C8 at 495 HP will likely exceed 190 MPH without the Z51 rearend – does anyone really need another 20 to 200 HP

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    1. Then buy a Miata.

      Answer is no, not for daily driving, nor for touring. The vette is a sports car and is designed to win. Enough is never enough and will always be on the envelope.

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    2. I also have a new C8, Z51 and without some modifictions, will not likely go over 175, but, I agree, that’s fast enough.

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    3. You don’t need more than a 125 hp hatchback for transportation. What’s your point?

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  4. Yes, more horsepower is always better! And with new tuning may even have more MPG.
    I have a 2020 C8 and do take it to Mid Ohio and Nelson Ledges and would much appreciate a small boost in power. Actually, the Corvette history always includes a horsepower bump within a few years of the new model. I am ready to order a 2014!

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  5. Amazing the C6 Z06 is 505 horsepower 470 torque out of the box in 2006 and they still haven’t matched it except for with a so-called flat plane crank which is not apples and apples so the 427 has ruled for a long time interesting as they normally aspirated King I own one and I won’t trade it in for C8 no thanks and especially the new electric junk

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    1. That’s the thing though – it’s not all about power. Instead, it’s about the balance of power and ever-more-stringent fuel economy plus emissions regulations.

      The C6 Z06 would simply not be feasible today as a new product due to the efficiency and emissions regs.

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    2. The LT2 is knocking right on the LS7’s door without the benefit of 52 extra cubic inches. The LT6 is making 670 horsepower and only 10 fewer pound-feet of torque. I love the big LS but its only knocking down 171 psi when it comes to BMEP (485 lbs/ft in the 5th gen Z/28) compared to the LT2’s 187 (which is okay) and the LT6’s 206 psi which is impressive (albeit down compared to the 4.0 in the GT3 at 213 psi). Like I said, love the LS7 but it’s old hat at this point and no longer the wunderkind it used to be.

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    3. The only problem with the LS generation is they like to rev, and are a little “weak” on the lower end. Granted there is nothing week about anything in excess of 400 ft lbs, but the LT2 will outpace the LS7 on the track.

      What the LS7 really shines at is the aftermarket is full of kits to bring it into the 4 fugures of power.

      What I really really do lament, is no “LT7”, and the reason we never got it was largly due to racing classes. Many race classes don’t allow large displacement engines (friggin jealous eurotard sore losers) and the LS7 can’t compete due to regulations. That’s why the LT6 is a flat plane V8. The vette is a true track car

      And then there’s the COPO without a flat crank, or even Turbos for that matter. A beautiful 632CI BB! For when all you care about is raw power

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  6. How about a manual transmission in the C8?

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    1. Ummm, it has a manual transmission, if you need help operating yours in your C8 let us know, we can help.
      If you want a stick thingy to flop around and pedal to smash with your slow arm and leg so you can lose to everyone else… I guess so, or buy an antique.

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    2. If you pull back both paddle shifters at same time, it disengages the clutch, like pressing a manual pedal, lest loose of both paddles and do a burn out, just like old school. They taught us that at the owners school.

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    3. Try a motorcycle, uses all your limbs, requires trues skill, very macho.

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  7. If based on the same 6.2 we got in 2020 to 2023, how can we upgrade our earlier ones to get this HP ?
    I have a throttle body, air filter. Did not want to go to exhaust to boost HP.
    And honestly, do not nee the HP, but do like the bragging rights.

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  8. how can we bring whatever they do to our first-gen C8’s ?

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  9. Personally speaking, were I GM and had the “power” (pun intended) to put any horsepower figure down for specs on the C8, I would have increased it to 495 and 500 horsepower. I can’t believe that in the three years of C8 production Chevy engineers couldn’t find a measly 5 horsepower more in their ratings, when “Tuners” can add 20 to 50 horsepower and more without touching anything internally, simple things from exhaust to intake (ect) are all easy tricks to pull a few more horses out of a stock engine and still have the emissions numbers and mileage numbers remain the same. Oh well, any additional HP numbers are always a welcome gift and sometimes…can give you some positive performance results, couldn’t hoit.
    Just for kicks, in 2000 the LS1 C5 engine was rated at 345 HP, in 2001 the HP number went up 5 HP to 350 horsepower AND the torque figure went up adding up to an increase in overall performance. I personally have a 2001 C5 and I’ve played around with earlier C5’s (both stick and auto tranny) and have no problem staying ahead of these 1997-2000 C5’s. So I believe that Chevy found more than 5 horsepower and 25 ft. pounds more torque in the 2001 to 2004 C5 Corvette’s, at least by the “seat of the pants” feel and of course…race track performance results…wink, wink. FYI, the road test results from those years of C5’s with the increases noted also proved my point, “Five Horsepower” can mean some better acceleration times possibly showing an even higher increases than the factory specs actually show. That said…bring it on!

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  10. Lol… You can select and buy aftermarket devices to increase hp/tq over 500 hp w/o gm retrofitting any standards.

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  11. Oh yeah, I remember on my 99 Camaro when an aftermarket individual broke the code that changed standards…

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  12. I have a 2023 Convertible Corvette, and it has plenty of horsepower to jump on the Freeway. True, more is better but to what point? How about making the seats a bit more comfortable? And the gas pedal more soft like the Camaro? Just saying.

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  13. Interesting read, but as always there must be a small increase in performance. I’m guessing the 2024 C8 Stingray will reach 505HP (like the exC6 ZO6). The small 2x exhaust pipes are also funny because you can see once again that these 4 exhausts are only marketing design.

    And with regard to the C8 E-Ray, it can now really have around 646 HP with 2x additional e-motors like the C7 ZO6 back then, because GM will also adapt the performance to the LT6 due to the C8 ZO6 body.

    As we know, the LT6 engine should not necessarily be a mass engine and the C8 E-Ray would probably be more economical with petrol and of course no GasGuzzlerTax from GM to be paid.

    Conclusion:
    Not everyone wants a racing car for the road, but everyone likes to have a fast, economical car.

    Reply
  14. Personally, 500HP is faster then my other 400HP, but I don’t really feel a need for any more. Sure, Bugatti pumps out 1500HP, but what to do with it?

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  15. Don’t get too excited the current C8 makes over 500 hp with just a filter swap, lol, so we might be looking at something simple like a redesigned airbox or higher flowing exhaust, not too hard to get 5 hp to claim an honest 500 hp which is something GM should have done from the start.

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  16. You can’t get stuck on just HP ratings. The C8 is under 3 sec 0- 60 due to the design, dual-clutch trans, and gearing. On our weekly road rally’s I always hit 130 -160 mph with more power available, and very quickly.
    I honestly can’t see pumping in more money for turbos, etc for more performance. I am satisfied as-is.

    Reply

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