Iron Texan

Does anyone know who supplies the C7R motors for the Corvette Racing team? It is my understanding that Katech supplied the C6R's but I cant find anything for the C7R's. Thanks

myvette_99

Katech built the motors for the C5R and C6R. When Corvette racing switched to the GT2 class in 2009 the motors went in house and GM builds all the motors post 2009.

The Katech motors were 7.0L and the GM motors they had a 6.0L first then switched to a 5.5L, the downsize of the motors was all do to class restrictions.

Zip Corvettes

I believe they are built at St.Catherines as well with regular production engines.

Iron Texan

Thanks guys. That clears it up for me.

c0ncEpT

I'm all but positive they build them in Wixom @ GM Racing.

Zip Corvettes

Pretty sure Wixom was closed down. I thought they were moving some of the engine build to Bowling Green, but I read on the GM blog that the C7R race motors were being built at St.Catherine's. Who knows I am sure it has changed a couple of times.

Katech_Zach

This should clear up the entire thread:


GT1 C5-R and C6.R engines were built by Katech. When Corvette Racing switched from GT1 to GT2 mid-2009 they took the engines in house to Wixom.

There are (were) two halves to the Wixom facility. GM Powertrain on one side that built the LS7, LS9, and dry sump LS3s. That has moved to Bowling Green and they are building the Z07 LT4s. Non-Z07 LT4s are built at St. Catherines. The other side is GM Racing which builds the C7.R LS5.5Ls, Continental Series Camaro GS LS7s, World Challenge ATS-V.R TT V6s, and a few other things. That portion of Wixom will be moving to a facility in Pontiac if not in process already.

Zip Corvettes

Jason,
Do you know why they shut down Wixom? I thought they had just built that facility not that many years ago.

Katech_Zach

Not really. It makes more sense though to build the engines in Bowling Green and move the racing group to the big Pontiac facility.

BrianCunningham

Sidenote: Pratt & Miller are doing Chevy's Indycar package

63Corvette

Jason you are a great source of good information. Per your info above, can you shed some light on the differences (if any) between the Z07 LT4 engines and the non Z07 LT4 engines? If there are no differences, then WHY build the same engine in two different places???

Katech_Zach

I don't know exactly. From a certification standpoint, there can't be any fundamental differences other than the perceived prestige of "hand assembly".

Track85

Wixom was a leased facility, and when they moved the Performance Build Center to Bowling Green, there was a lot of excess space that Racing couldn't fill. Construction has been going on at Pontiac for about a year, and it's estimated that the Racing group will move later in 2015. It's quite a large addition that's being made to the Pontiac Powertrain Center.

BrianCunningham

Used to work over at the plant.

Great place for it to be and have stuff happen fast.