Big-Lid Bricks
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Pro Mechanic
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 3,893
Likes: 1,433
From: South-Central Coast California
Big-Lid Bricks
Tadge-
We have been around Corvette a long time–you as vehicle Chief and myself as automotive media covering the products you and your Team develop. I mention this because, after doing this for so many years, I get it that the Corvette Team is focused on current and future product. Past product is not as much of a priority for the Team and that's a fact of life which I accept.
I do not get invites to GM vehicle launches, so I am not writing for my media clients about the 2020 Stingray right now. These days, my readers, both print and Internet, are owners of 2019 or older Corvettes. It is on behalf of my C7 constituency that I post to this forum today.
The issue? The LT4 "Big-Lid" engines used on ZO6 from MY17 to MY19. My understanding is that the "Big-LId" resulted from a change the EU made to pedpro after the "little-lid" LT4 went to production. After the Big-Lid LT4 went to production, your employer chose to make the charge air cooler top–the actual "Big-Lid"–available as a replacement part, but chose not to make the '17-'19 charge air cooler "bricks" available. My understanding is that the LT4 supercharger case did not change, but the updated bricks had mounting tabs in revised locations which enabled the bricks to be tilted up at the rear making for more consistent airflow out of the charger air coolers, down the ports in the supercharger case and into the heads.
Just adding the Big-Lid is cosmetic and does nothing for performance. If someone wants to do the full upgrade, to get the cooler bricks, he/she has to buy a '17 to '19 supercharger. That's the only way a '15-'16 ZO6 owner can eliminate the problem with some cylinders running hot then detonating thereby causing knock retard along with the higher ECT and reduced performance that "KR" brings.
So, how about it, Tadge? As Executive Chief Engineer, could you use your influence with the Customer Care and Aftersales folks to make those bricks available as separate parts rather than making '15-'16 C7 ZO6 owners wanting a Big-Lid LT4 to buy a whole supercharger?
We have been around Corvette a long time–you as vehicle Chief and myself as automotive media covering the products you and your Team develop. I mention this because, after doing this for so many years, I get it that the Corvette Team is focused on current and future product. Past product is not as much of a priority for the Team and that's a fact of life which I accept.
I do not get invites to GM vehicle launches, so I am not writing for my media clients about the 2020 Stingray right now. These days, my readers, both print and Internet, are owners of 2019 or older Corvettes. It is on behalf of my C7 constituency that I post to this forum today.
The issue? The LT4 "Big-Lid" engines used on ZO6 from MY17 to MY19. My understanding is that the "Big-LId" resulted from a change the EU made to pedpro after the "little-lid" LT4 went to production. After the Big-Lid LT4 went to production, your employer chose to make the charge air cooler top–the actual "Big-Lid"–available as a replacement part, but chose not to make the '17-'19 charge air cooler "bricks" available. My understanding is that the LT4 supercharger case did not change, but the updated bricks had mounting tabs in revised locations which enabled the bricks to be tilted up at the rear making for more consistent airflow out of the charger air coolers, down the ports in the supercharger case and into the heads.
Just adding the Big-Lid is cosmetic and does nothing for performance. If someone wants to do the full upgrade, to get the cooler bricks, he/she has to buy a '17 to '19 supercharger. That's the only way a '15-'16 ZO6 owner can eliminate the problem with some cylinders running hot then detonating thereby causing knock retard along with the higher ECT and reduced performance that "KR" brings.
So, how about it, Tadge? As Executive Chief Engineer, could you use your influence with the Customer Care and Aftersales folks to make those bricks available as separate parts rather than making '15-'16 C7 ZO6 owners wanting a Big-Lid LT4 to buy a whole supercharger?
Last edited by Hib Halverson; Jul 20, 2020 at 07:40 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 3,109
Likes: 697
From: CA
Well said Hib.
had I been a buyer of a 2015-2016 (these are buyers that paid top dollar since big discounts didnt happen til well into mid 2016 and most buyers plunked down close to MSRP in 14 or 15) I would be upset that GM did not offer an easy supercharger upgrade.
i mean I’d also be mad they released a car that pulls timing when on the track above 50 degree weather (above 200 water temp it’s pulling timing) So your z06 is really more of a Z04 1/2 when the pesky c6Z behind you passes you on the 5th lap because your water temp is 235* and you’re down 75hp.
had I been a buyer of a 2015-2016 (these are buyers that paid top dollar since big discounts didnt happen til well into mid 2016 and most buyers plunked down close to MSRP in 14 or 15) I would be upset that GM did not offer an easy supercharger upgrade.
i mean I’d also be mad they released a car that pulls timing when on the track above 50 degree weather (above 200 water temp it’s pulling timing) So your z06 is really more of a Z04 1/2 when the pesky c6Z behind you passes you on the 5th lap because your water temp is 235* and you’re down 75hp.
