Check out the October 2001 Hot Rod magazine.

Here's a quote:

"HOT ROD has obtained exclusive secret documents from GM’s dyno lab in Michigan, where 2005-model year engines are running on the stand as you read this. Of particular interest is what is being referred to as the "Gen IV LS7l". It’s reportedly a 6.4L version of the familiar LS1; bore is 4.06 inches and stroke is 3.78 inches, making for 391 cubes. Though the general architecture is similar to the LS1/LS6 available now, the LS7 is in fact a twin-cam setup and likely uses a different block (a la Z06) to get the increased displacement. The rumor is that both OHC and two-cam-in-the-valley setups are being tested, and our anonymous source did not elaborate on which engine these numbers represented.

Anyone worried that a cammer would soak power out of the engine can rest assured: The LS7, in pre-production form, pumped out a mighty 445 hp at 5,600 rpm, and 450 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm on 93 octane. Interestingly, dyno pulls on 87-octane gas produced identical torque numbers through the torque peak and fell off only slightly higher in the revs, even with 10.0:1 compression. A twin-cam setup is considered necessary due to ever-tightening emissions standards, which will step up again for the 2005 model year.

Late word is that the engine-builders are also working on a cammer 427ci version (roughly 7 liters) utilizing the LS1/LS6 architecture. Little is known about the engine itself, but the engineers’ goal is a ’03 Viper-like 500 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque – but with 75 fewer cubes. The success of the Z06, despite not having any of the decontenting measures that were originally considered, has spurred this new project into development. Tentatively called C5R (the same name as given this year’s competition-only Daytona-winning Vettes), this is the car that everyone was hoping the Z06 would be: a bona-fide stripper featuring crank windows, cloth seats, A/C delete and more (less?). Perhaps GM is figuring that enough people will pay a $15-grand premium over a Z06 that it could be worth the development efforts. This could happen in ’05 or even ’06; lots can happen between now and then, so stay tuned."

:seeya

 

stand me in line for one of these bad boys :D

Mark

 

good, we dont need no stinkin V10 for 500 HP GO CORVETTE! :cool:

 

Sign me up. :D

 

WHOOOOOA, MAMMA! :eek: :D

 

Do you think they would let me help them test an LS7 by running it in my Coupe?

:smash:

 

While I like the idea - please keep the AC in this package! Yes to the cloth seats and power delete, but I cannot drive a car in Houston without AC. $15K also seems like a mighty high premium considering you can get a 550+ hp 420+ ci engine from any number of tuners for $20K. It should be significantly less expensive for the general to produce as they won't have to replace a bunch of parts and rebore the engine.

 

ttt

 

I have also heard that the engine may have variable valve timing through changing the cams in some way....... :rolleyes:

 

Interesting.

 

GM changes the cam timing on the new inline twin cam engines by having the cam gear on a spiral spline that move back and forth to advance or retired the cam timing. the new GM V8 engines will still use push rods but 2 cams like the engine roger penske use at indy several years ago to win with a push rod engine which got a special weight break.

 

:cool:

 

Yeah you have a point, but the General has to warranty their motors for an optional 100K/6 year so The added premium goes to the R&D work to have 500+hp on tap in all weather conditions and still idle nice and stay out of the shop I would love to see a 500+hp ZO6 come out though. I probably would trade my C5 in on that. You would be talking an easy mid 11 car straight from the factory. That's impressive. Of course in 5 more years it will be the norm. LOL..... :lol:

 

Only two words for that. OH MY!! :eek: :cool:

 

God I'd love to see that!