From 436HP to 450HP...is it worth it?
 

I have watched several videos and read different articles about the C7. I like the car a lot, but my LS3 with the NPP has 436HP and 428TQ.
I understand GM has put a lot of effort refining the car; I am not even going to mention the MPG because most of us do not care about that :ack: The argument about the breakthrough technology used in the narrower tires is dumb :lol: since I could put those tires/wheels in my C6 if they are so great :D. IMO the rev-match feature is unnecessary, since most of us know how to rev-match, and kind of a gimmick of a dual clutch.

So, the C7 has an electronic differential which is nice for traction, stiffer chassis... :rofl:okay, 450HP and 450TQ and a bunch of driving modes and electric steering (which BTW may make it less exciting to drive). However it seems like with all the gadgetry in this car now is going to weigh more that the C6; they keep talking about CF and hallow aluminum etc, but the truth of the matter is the C7 is still heavier (as far as we know).

Don't you guys think GM is being a little stingy with the ponies? I mean, they are just giving us 14 extra ponies? And some torque with more weight, what do you guys think?

No its not worth it because of the weight increase of the C7

As far as the 14 extra ponies , can't a C6 owner buy a Halltech intake and get 14 or so ponies ?

What is that weight? How much increase?

Being that we are not certain it 450/450, as this engine has not been SAE certified yet, and the fact that this is the base car with what seems to be a better interior, technology etc. I think it's worth it in more ways than one.

I didn't know the power numbers were final. Have we received the final numbers from GM?

No numbers are final but the GM hierarchy repeatedly uses the numbers 450 HP and 450 lbs of torque

C7 est @ 3350 vs. C6 3217 (LS3).

C7 est weight @ 1:12 here:


C6 from the Corvette museum spec sheet.

http://www.corvettemuseum.org/specs/2008/index.shtml

Nice write up Ed32! I agree with everything you say especially the narrow tire part, it looks very meek. Also (and I do not claim to be an expert) it should be quite easy to make more power with DI, to increase only 14 hp also seems minimal. I don't know that this is a correct comparison but Acura just introduced the new RLX with DI and using the same 3.5l motor of the RDX increased the hp by 37. Again I don't know the inner workings of it all but numbers don't lie.

I have an honest question for anyone to answer. If your engine was not SAE certified yet how would you market to the public?
a) Keep mum about power
b) Give an estimate
c) shoot for the moon and hope it certifies at that #

So, you are using Car and Driver's weight estimate????

The same Car and Driver that said the ENTIRE body would be Carbon Fiber? The same Car and Driver that said the automatic offered would be an Aisin 8 speed?

That Car and Driver? Sorry, what I KNOW is that we will get HP/Torque/Curb weight when GM announces it.

Jimmy

So are the power and weight numbers final?

Don't you think GM knows exactly how much power their engine makes ?

OP, interesting post.

I too could care less about the following:

- MPG (C6 is not bad at all)
- Narrower tires
- Rev matching
Electric Steering (The new Porsche 991 introduced new electronic steering and I much prefer the steering feel of my old 997.1 GT3). The 991, IMO, is absolutely less exciting to drive.

This said, we don't know how much performance/handling/steering will improve as a result of the better traction stiffer chassis, and new elec steering that has been advertised. Additionally, unless I missed something, we still don't know what the actual HP figure will be.

So it will actually weight a few lbs. less than the 427 convertible. Sounds good as a starting point especially considering the increased torque.

I think it's 450+, correct me if I'm wrong.

yes, so?

:iagree: I think a lot of folks are going to be proven a little wrong here pre-judging the car before the final numbers are out.

450HP is the minimum number, I am almost willing to bet money final HP numbers are going to be more in the 465-475 range. While we have "heard" estimated weight, or initial figures for that as well, it is not finalized.

If GM follows the same behavior they did from C4, to 5 to C6... the C7 will be a good step above the C6 in every performance area :crazy: They are not going to waste millions of dollars on the R&D, marketing and just new C7 all together, only to have it slightly edge out the C6 (assuming we are talking standard or base cars not Z models)

They know people are not going to buy them if you can't justify the difference in performance.. now that said, the question "is it worth it" will vary from person to person... for some people, the C7 as released today with 450HP and the extra bells/whistles and upgrades is plenty to justify... to others , maybe that HP number is 475 or whatever..

again we are jumping the gun, and final numbers are not in yet, a lot more of the same speculation going on :crazy:

Couple of things to consider at this point.

450 HP was stated as the "at least" figure meaning this is not the real number. There have been multiple instances where they have hinted that it will be higher than this number. They are holding their cards to their chest for a little longer.

Don't just look at peak HP, if you take a look at the torque curve from the LT1 reveal you will see that the torque is on par with the LS7 up to 4k RPM.

My advice is wait until you see finalized official numbers before making your mind up about it being worth the upgrade or not.

I'll take door B, Monty.

Or you could do what Ford did years ago and try door C (how did that work out?)

Jimmy

My personal opinion is that they do and wantshow everything until it's time for them to hit the showroom floor. But that is just my opinion. I could be wrong though, it won't be the first time.:thumbs: