With 670 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, the mid-engine 2023 Corvette Z06 is an absolute screamer of a performance car. However, before you send that naturally aspirated V8 up to its 8,600-rpm redline, the 2023 Corvette Z06 requires a brief engine break-in, as detailed in the following video.
Clocking in at 4 minutes, 43 seconds, the video is hosted by Chevy MyWay Product Specialist Billy Konsoer, who leads the viewer through the Corvette Z06 engine break-in process and why it’s important. At it’s core, the break-in process requires that the driver to vary vehicle speeds and engine rpms, and observe a 500-mile break-in period for street driving, as well as a 1,500-mile break-in process before unleashing the new Z06 on the race track. Further guidance is included in the Corvette Z06 owner’s manual.
According to Assistant Global Chief Engineer, Small Block V8 Engines, Dustin Gardner, this break-in process helps to protect vital engine components, including the running surfaces, or the bearings.
“You need to give the bearings that first critical five hundred miles,” Gardner says. “So there’s actually some material in the bearing that moves around. The top layer of the bearing is about 20 microns thick; human hair is about 70, so we’re talking fractions of a human hair.”
As the engine operates, the top layer of the bearing will adapt to the surface and provide the clearance needed.
Notably, the Corvette Z06’s eight-speed dual-clutch transmission also requires a break-in period, and as such, the onboard system reduces engine power for the first five hundred miles and first two gears.
The video also briefly looks at GM’s dyno testing procedure for the Corvette Z06 engine, as well as the type of engine oil used.
Check out the full video here:
As a reminder, the 2023 Corvette Z06 features the atmospheric 5.5L V8 LT6 gasoline engine for motivation, while under the skin, the sports car rides on the GM Y2 platform. Production takes place exclusively at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky.
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Comments
Or in Emilia Hartford’s case make it to 500 then start hooning it and then strap two turbos on.
Don’t forget the ugly graphics, wheels, etc.
Yeah, GM really aligned with the youtubers on this new car launch at the expense of many loyal Corvette owners and enthusiasts…presumably as part of their younger buyers targeting…and probably a bonus when they can check off a diversity box.
That said, several of the youtubers have actually put out quality content that (I think) helps the Corvette brand, but hers (I’ve seen 3 of her videos) are just unbearable to me. I’m surprised public street launches, general hooning and design tastelessness are the brand-images GM wants by making her part of the launch.
After seeing what she had done to her Ferrari, amazing that any automaker would want her touching their cars or brand.
And lastly, speaking of “hooning”…RIP Ken Block…the word “hoon” may have existed before him, but I learned it from his videos.
Exactly, GM falls all over these U-tubers and has forgotten loyal customers. I’ve purchased 10 new Corvettes and can’t get a C-8 ZO6.
This is partly why this model cost so much
This break in sounds a lot like my 2021 plain ol C8 6.2 break in. I was careful up to 500, then to 1500.
Then around 1700 miles ….
I’m hoping to get my first C8 sometime in the spring… I keep hearing about the break in period but I’m not sure exactly how it works or what it is required by the driver. I’m not a super fast driver, I’m not reckless, I am never looking to do donuts in the parking lot with the car, and I’m not even looking to track it or race the car in any way shape or form. So with all these aspects out of the way, what am I looking at for during the break in period? And for how long? Is it safe to step on it for a couple of seconds when the light turns green, for example? 🙂 Apologies for the basic question..
Good question, under 500 miles the tachometer is red zone at about 3500 rpm. But not a hard stop you can go higher. You can step on it and enjoy it accelerate. But back off at 3500. lots of fun can be had,
twisty corners, you have 8 gears. And 3500 rpm allows for some very high speeds with 8 gears.
You will not be going slow.
And… I had so much fun driving around, I had that 500 miles on pretty quick,
Thanks so much!
You shouldn’t have break in a race engine for five hundred mile. Maybe they need better engine builders
Your a moron
Design, engineer and manufacture a manual transmission for this sad corvette that wears Z06 badges. Maybe I’ll buy one or two after the first model year bugs are worked out. GM dropped the ball with it’s Gen 6 Camaro lineup. Now the corvette too is bleeding quickly to it’s demise.