The 2025 Corvette ZR1 is a true track weapon, throwing down with over 1,000 horsepower thanks to its twin-turbocharged 5.5L V8 LT7 gasoline engine. No doubt, the LT7 is a spectacular bit of engineering, and definitely worthy of closer examination. Now, a prominent GM engineer is explaining how GM made the C8 Corvette ZR1 an “utter monster” with an insider look at the new LT7, complete with some excellent shots of the ZR1 parked and on the move.
“The goals for the LT7 were first and foremost the power and torque,” explains Assistant Chief Engineer Small Block Engines, Dustin Gardner. “It had to be more than anything we’ve ever done in a Corvette and beyond that, more than the vast majority of the rest of this market is willing to offer their customers.”
To that end, the LT7 chucks out a very healthy 1,064 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 828 pound-feet of torque at 6,000 rpm. Additionally, the engine produces over 800 pound-feet of torque across a 3,500-rpm bandwidth, providing excellent drivability and “an unrelenting sense of acceleration.”
As for the boost-makers, the LT7 relies on a set of mono-scroll turbos with a 76mm compressor and 67mm turbine wheel, plus integrated turbine housing exhaust manifolds. The turbos are effectively mounted right next to the exhaust valve, providing a compact shape and reduced turbo lag.
“It feels like you’re getting fired off in a jet plane,” Gardner states. “The pull is unrelenting and it feels like it’ll never stop.”
Check out the video right here:
Naturally, all that extra power required additional supporting upgrades to get it to the pavement. As such, the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission was beefed-up with new inner and outer output shafts, shot-peened gears, a new final drive, and other tweaks.
Flat out, the C8 ZR1 will charge down the quarter mile in less than 10 seconds, with top speed estimated at 215 mph. All C8 Corvette variants ride on the GM Y2 platform, while production takes place at the GM Bowling Green plant in Kentucky.
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Comments
A true Halo car for GM, but I’m not sure the Green New Deal would agree🙄
Let’s just absorb one awesome item here, at least as I see it; nobody else in Detroit may ever be willing to throw this much IC engine at another vehicle again. This engine should be glorious.
Who cares about the Green New Deal. I’m over the BS. China , Brazil , and other countries the build our cars and trucks today don’t have a worry about clean air and there cheap third world labor cost doesn’t lower the prices of products sent back here. You can’t save a sinking ship with a Solo Cup. The U.S. taxpayer will pay for it all.
By the way we love our 24 Z06. I’m sure the ZR1 is next level performance !
Sorry for the rant Lol
Awesome car ! Hope it isn’t illegal !!! And we thought the ZO6 was the King of the Hill !!!
SIince I’m constantly towing the C8 Corvettes…wonder how long it’ll be before I’m towing these. Another “quality” GM product? no thanks.
The ones that you may be towing are ones that were abused. Plenty of these C8s running fine without issues….
Go ahead and criticise me all you want….cannot trust your words unless you show proof.
Abused? Several were off the lot less than 7 days, in some cases less than 24 hours. Regarding proof, i have pics of several on the back of my truck but will not post them. As far as your requiring proof….I don’t care. I know the truth. Owned nothing but GM for 32 years. Between personal ownership and my job….will never own Garbage Motors again.
That’s to bad. I hate to think about taking anything into the shop to get work on. It’s just another car to most of them. We have had 11 new Corvettes and Camaro. Been lucky. No mechanical issues.
@Mike: As I said, I understand that there will be lemons, but the rest are probably abused, as I said. If you have pictures, you would be fixing them up quickly, not wasting your time complaining here. Period.
Don’t want to argue with you further.
I had my 24 Z06 for 30 days and 829 miles when it blew up at 40 mph and pushed a valve out the side of the block! Sounded like a can full of coins just before it seized with a plume of smoke! It left me stranded on a country road without cell service and took 2 hours for a flat bet tow truck that had to go back to get dolly’s for the rear wheels so we could drag it up onto the flat bed. The worst nightmare i’ve ever had to witness. And yes, knowing of all of the problems others have had, I was meticulous in my break-in to be sure I did not have issues. After break i wound up to 6K rpm once and all I got was a blown up LT7 and a lot of anger! It’s sitting at the closest little inexperienced Z06 Chevrolet dealer where they have never gotten an allocation and never have replaced an engine!! I am F_ _ _ ED!!
Wow, not something anyone wants to go though!
Break in probably very important. I also have followed the procedure on break. They tell you not to drive at one speed/ rpm. It’s hard to do so I use manual mode and use the rpm range up to 4500 when I stop and start. Take my time , I didn’t jump on it at all. Just slow acceleration and at 500.5 miles the tachometer opened up. Manual mode again I took it up to 6500 on an easy pull. Sounds awesome. Still very cautious.
I believe the cars after there break in can’t be abused ! They are meant to be hammered on if you choose . It is a race car. Follow the maintenance , and be careful.
Good luck. Hope GM takes care of you.
I can’t help but wonder if pre break in abuse in the Z06 occurs prior to customer taking delivery. Too many inexperienced hands on the car between assembly and delivery. I was having my C6 serviced at my local dealer when a new C8 Z06 arrived. Couldn’t help but hear it as salesman revved the hell out of it bringing it into showroom. If an engine problem occurs, of course ECM will show over revved during break in period. New Corvette owner of course was not present to witness the salesman’s show off.