2010 Corvette Grand Sport: First Drive (Jalopnik)
#1
2010 Corvette Grand Sport: First Drive (Jalopnik)
#2
Team Owner
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
Posts: 23,926
Received 2,043 Likes
on
1,357 Posts
St. Jude Donor '13
The article says the GS LS3 engines get a stronger crankshaft and bearings than in the regular car, first I heard of that. Can anyone confirm or refute?
#3
Race Director
#4
Team Owner
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Northern, VA
Posts: 46,100
Received 2,477 Likes
on
1,940 Posts
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
It's an interesting article written by someone who 'enthuses' but just one for instance: building an engine by hand does not mean it's "balanced and blueprinted." I'd take the whole story with a bit of skepticism.
#12
Le Mans Master
I wonder how many years will the GS be produced?
#16
I read that article and was surprised to see the "hand built forged crank" claim.
It seems that would be very expensive to do that but is there an upcharge for the manual?
If that is the case "GS and aftermarket twin turbos on the factory forged crank" here I come. LOL.
It seems that would be very expensive to do that but is there an upcharge for the manual?
If that is the case "GS and aftermarket twin turbos on the factory forged crank" here I come. LOL.
#18
Instructor
Member Since: Jun 2005
Location: Houston Texas
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
First Drive - Grand Sport
First Drive of the GS, some interesting facts too!
http://jalopnik.com/5341204/2010-cor...rt-first-drive
http://jalopnik.com/5341204/2010-cor...rt-first-drive
#20
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: North Western Connecticut
Posts: 7,594
Received 90 Likes
on
54 Posts
I thought this was very interesting about the engine! I hadn't read that anywhere before. Seems like GM is trying to build something a little better than the base vette with their new GS!! Give GM credit because for 5k or so this car is an exceptional value IMO. If you really want to add some mods like an S/C this would the engine to have....
That's all well and good, but we suspect the part that'll get Corvette owners talking is the engine. It's an LS3, yes, but with some very tasty upgrades. All Grand Sports get a forged steel crankshaft instead of the standard cast iron piece which can withstand higher loads for longer times as wells as tri-metal main bearings that'll take a whole lot more abuse than standard ones. On the manual transmission cars, you get a dry-sump oil system standard, with a higher flow and higher pressure oil pump and a 10.5-quart capacity, that dry sump occupies the same space as the battery normally gets, so it's moved to the rear as a result. Because of the dry sump complexity, the engine is being built by hand right alongside the LS7 and LS9. That means you get a properly balanced engine and a reinforced bottom end for the price of admission on the "cheap" Grand Sport model. Add to that the differential cooler at the rear and you have exactly what you need for a solid track day. Sounds pretty good to us.