LS3 HP increase in 2011 possible?
 

There has been a lot of speculation/rumors that GM plans to increase the HP in LS3 equipped cars next year. I thought it would be interesting to see what everyone thinks about what the affect would be for the entire Corvette line if they did.

Here's what I see as the problem.... I'm quite sure that GM wants to keep some HP disparity between the LS3, LS7 and LS9 cars. If they bump the HP in the LS3 to say 500HP or so it will be the same as the Z06. Of course with the lighter frame the Z06 would still out perform the LS3 cars, but I think it would all but kill the Z06 unless they boosted the Z06 HP. Then you have the Z06 bumped up to the HP in the ZR1 and another issue is created.

I just don't see how the LS3 HP can be increased without discontinuing the Z06. I suppose they could bump the HP in the Z06 and kill the ZR1. The bottom line is that I just don't see the HP in the LS3 being raised without it affecting the Z06 and/or ZR1. Opinions?

Why not bump them all up a bit?:thumbs:

I hope and guess the LS3 in particular will see a HP increase. The Camaro Z28 with some 556HP should entice the Corvette team to respond.

Given that the government now owns GM, I doubt very much if the HP race is going to continue on GM's part.....is there a current news release as to the production status of the Z28? Last I heard, it had been cancelled.
The ZR1 was always intended to be limited production anyway. If they DO increase the HP at all on the remaining Corvettes, they are going to have to find a way to also increase the MPG to justify it in this current climate.


EDIT:
Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm...willing to be wrong on the above:
http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...roduction-path

Why is this question or similar questions asked every year? GM isn't going to bumped the hp for exactly the reasons stated earlier, in fact if they could bump hp it would be the LS7 as there is more room between the Z06 and the ZR1 than there is between the Z06 and the LS3 cars.

Direct Injection is a nice neat way to go !!!:yesnod: provides, increased HP, increased MPG and decreases emissions.:D

Why can't they bump it up to 460-475?

It might already be in effect on the Grand Sport LS3's... Just saw a dyno video of one doing 394rwhp... Thats 463hp

here we go again....:rofl::rofl:

:iagree: With your edit. Even with the Government interference GM's goal is to make money. With a huge bump in HP for the Camaro the Vette will surely if not hopefully follow.

:rofl: so true..........:thumbs:

:iagree::iagree::iagree::rofl::rofl::rof l::rofl::rofl: this stuff is just to funny.......... :rofl::rofl::rofl:

We will know about July of 2010. Speculation is just for fun. :thumbs:

Anything is possible! :rofl:

I want GM to increase the Z06 HP to 1000. :eek:

I'll bring mine in for a retro-fit...:lol::lol::lol:

I'll take bets-- Horsepower goes down before it goes up.

I'm afraid I have to agree with this one.

THE ZO 6 is not selling. Only a few on assembly line. Bump up GS HP and do away with hand built ZO 6 engine, Gov't saves money. Many 2009 ZO 6's left on dealer lots since GS was announced.

:iagree:

Sad but probably true. I remember the horsepower race throughout the 60's and then by the 70's most horsepower was going down. It took uintil the early 90's for it to go up again. I really hope we don't have another 20 year horsepower drought!

This is the exact horsepower that we currently have in the LS3. Here is a dyno sheet from an early LS3 that shows the data. :cool:
http://i477.photobucket.com/albums/r...ockLS3RWHP.jpg

Z06 is probably history after the 2010 model year. At least I hope it is.

The next Vette I buy will be either a ZR1 or a C7 Z06 anyway, but I still watch the progress of the C6.