2006 Chevrolet C6 Corvette Z06: LS7 Engine, Pricing, and Performance

The LS7 V-8 is the base offering in the 2006 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, a true race engine similar to the metal hear that beat inside Chevy Vette C5-R’s. Sporting many of the same components, including an 11.0 to 1 compression ratio, titanium connecting rods, cylinder heads with sodium-filled exhaust valves and titanium intake valves, and aluminum flat-topped pistons. The LS7 has a 7.011 L (or 427.8 cubic inches) displacement with forged-steel main bearing caps and crankshaft.

A new and different feature of the LS7 motor is the dry sump
lubrication system. This means there is no oil cap or fill tube on the
engine cover. Instead, one notices an oil pump on the right-hand side
of the engine compartment where normally the battery would reside. (The
battery was moved to the luggage compartment in the rear of the
vehicle.) The system includes the pump and an eight-quart oil tank
(also dip stick and oil-fill cap). The dry-sump system helps eliminate
oil starvation while cornering under racing conditions, and is normally
not available on cars under $100,000.

Most of the LS7s produced were installed in Z06s, with some sold as
crate engines. The motors are built by hand at GM’s Performance Build
Center in Wixom, Michigan, U.S.A. The base 2006 Z06 Corvette with the
505 hp engine and manual six-speed transmission sold for $65,800.