Nate B

I like how 90% of the thread in this section turn into a valve drop thread. lol

Hasn't it been talked about enough?? Give it a rest

skank

Why not just bore and or stroke the LT1 to a 427 and upgrade the necessary stressed parts. The LT5 will be for the ZR1 I presume .

SCM_Crash

I don't think more static displacement is the answer here. I think artificially increasing displacement makes more sense. Especially on a DI motor.

I have no idea what the engine code will be for the next performance motor. We have a crazy amount of codes to go with. Some think LT4, some LT5 and some L88.

RC000E

Scm, what basis do you even have for that statement? How does FI make such perfect sense due to DI, vs NA? Do a 427 with AFM, flex fuel capable, more rubber, more brakes, more aero...the end. The z06 vs ZR1 on some tracks, is almost a dead heat driver race...gobs of torque means less exit speed, less predictability, etc. stay NA, big compression, e85 capable...the end.

SCM_Crash

Because when the motor isn't under boost, the displacement is lower (increasing efficiency). When power is demanded, boosting increases displacement providing the amount of power required without sacrificing displacement. Thus, the other 95% of the time you're not in boost, you're saving on fuel.

With direct injection, the boost can be higher while the compression doesn't have to be lower. Meaning, the compression can stay at 11.5:1 (or even higher) while still boosting, which will save in additional fuel economy. The LS9's low compression made it suffer from crappy economy.

Considering that GM's goal here is to increase economy, a 7.0L doesn't make sense (even with AFM) if they could do the same thing with a 6.2L and still have AFM.

Am I wrong?

RC000E

You went way out on a thin limb with that post...lol.

Its simple...do to the LS7 what you do to the LS3...DI, redesigned heads, AFM, etc, except add e85 option. Same recipe, same result... big torque, na power delivery, etc.

With STINGRAY they strived to increase fuel econ, with z06 its not going to have to hit the marks stingray did. Z06 is low production vs stingray coupe/vert. I think youre overcomplicating what needs to happen.

SCM_Crash

True. But it also depends on where they set the price range. The Z06 sold extremely well (at least far better than GM expected) until the GS came out. And the Z06 was originally priced at $75K (correct?).

If the next Z06 is priced low enough, it may not be as low volume as you'd expect. And if the fuel economy sucks enough, it can be detrimental to GM's fleet average.

I wouldn't call that going out on a limb at all.

Besides, if the LT1 is already designed and capable of making 600-700 HP with just a blower, why would they design another motor just for added static displacement?

skank

If the current C6 ZO6 has a 15/24 fuel rating, why wouldn't a 427 version of the LT1 get a few more mpg. Maybe 17/26 or there about.

jashearer

In manufacturing, profit is all about volume and last time I checked GM was still in the business of making money.

I'm glad we had a limited production 427 hand built engine in my driving years, but to think they won't go with a now proven s/c package on the base engine is probably fooling yourself.

It seems like a lot of extra cost and packaging to add parts like superchargers/intercoolers, but I'm sure those costs are recouped ten fold compared to castings/tooling/machining of an entire engine line. I never figured out how they were able to swing it before, especially once the CTS-V, ZR1, ZL1, etc proved that people were very happy with the technology and were willing to pay for it.

When the Z06 fell to sub 1,000 units per year, I can't imagine what the allocated casting/tooling/machining costs looked like.

Jay

RC000E

There is potential truth in all these statements.

For one, I believe a 427 version of the LT1 would result much the same, in that it'll yield a little better mpg.

As far as sales of the Z06, I think the biggest issue wasn't the car, nor the price, it was the fact the economy was tanked out. The reason the GS sold so well, is simply the fact you have a bunch of old guys who want big looks and will never use the performance of the Z06. They want the show and not the go...plain and simple.

From a marketing perspective, there was no harm in selling GS in the later production years, as it simply stimulated sales for a high pricetag, slightly pumped up base model. With a new C7 now though, a higher performance variation is in demand, the economy has SELF recovered to a small extent...enough that there is a small amount of buyer confidence.

I'm ready for the Z06...I'm a buyer...and I'm opened to whatever they do to it. The fact is, it's going to be an SRT *** kicker, so I'm ready to own it. Supercharge it, naturally aspirate it, make it 6.0 liters, 7.0 liters, 5.0 liters...I don't give a sh*t. Show me the numbers...the nurburgring numbers, the VIR numbers...not the marketing hp, fender badge numbers.

Rkvoss

It would seem to be an easy upgrade to put the LS7 crank and rods on the LT1? The extra displacement and revs in addition to unlocking the full ECM potential should get the C7Z where it needs to be on power. I have always been wary of the small block 427 with the thin cylinders walls - certainly well proven at 505 hp but how far can it be pushed?
I will say that 416 sounds crummy compared to 427...:-)
Apologies in advance if this has already been debunked.

SCM_Crash

You're assuming that GM would tune the 7.0L version the same way they tuned the 6.2L version. The standard Vette increased power about 25HP. Would that be OK for the Z06 to be 530-540HP?

If so, then I'm sure it'd be fine. But if people are complaining about the standard Vette having a marginal increase in HP, a marginal increase in power for the hi-po Vette would cause riots. (so to speak)

skank

I would think a HP increase is due on the base C7 in three to four years if they follow the base C6 protocol. Maybe to 500. Both ZO6 and ZR1 HP ratings were kept at their original ratings for their entire life cycle. Smart move by them to keep it the same and not **** off the original buyers of the Hi-Po versions. I think a 427 version of the LT1 makes a lot of sense from a marketing perspective. You could see that coming when they trademarked the L88 a while back. Also the LT5 for the new ZR1.

skank

The Engine Build Option move to Bowling Green is very telling also. I can see it now !!!! A 427 version of the LT1 called the L88. And the supercharged version of the LT1 called the LT5. Both were trademarked and both would be a natural to be built by owners at the new Engine Build location in the BG facility. That would be a brilliant move !!!!
http://www.corvetteblogger.com/2013/...bowling-green/

SCM_Crash

I just don't see it. It's more production cost. It's more R&D.

I think to keep down costs of the car, they're going to have just one hi-po trim and it will use the LT1 as a 6.2L...

Of course, people like "Bigg Guns" on Tech say that there are 3 motors. He was right about somethings and wrong about others. Hit and miss doesn't convince me.

skank

I also read all 50 some pages of that thread. That was a very interesting read and it all seemed plausible. He really put a lot of the motor heads in their place, then just kind of vanished. Maybe he was planted to educate the masses then bug out. The timing of it all was very suspect. I think there will be three motors as well. All based on the LT1.

SCM_Crash

Well, I hope there is. Although, I sincerely hope they don't have 30 different Corvettes again. Keep it simple: Standard, Z51, Z06, and maybe a ZR1. No need to have a billion different trims and performance packages.

skank

Sounds good to me also. Same basic model formula as the C6 only I don't know if the GS is necessary. Or maybe at least at a latter date.

sam90lx

This would be cool! I feel they need a N/A Beast and one that is FI.

OBSSSD

Have you ever even driven a car on a race track? Seriously this is the most ignorant post I have ever read on a number of levels. But it is probably pointless to argue with someone who has no idea what they are talking about