5.5L possibly next Corvette engine
Thread Starter
Race Director
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From: SC
5.5L possibly next Corvette engine
From the reports, the new engine being run by the Corvette racing team is directly tied to the next generation smallblock. More info below.
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/02/c...ring/#comments
http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/02/c...ring/#comments
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Houston, TX
I'd call that a definite "maybe". The problem with going to less cubic inches for the same power output is that it usually results in being a higher rpm engine with less low and midrange torque.
Do a comparison of the highly regarded Ferrari engines and you'll see that even their engines with similar power as the Corvettes have to run their guts out, have far less peak torque AND get MUCH worse gas mileage. I fail to see the point!
Do a comparison of the highly regarded Ferrari engines and you'll see that even their engines with similar power as the Corvettes have to run their guts out, have far less peak torque AND get MUCH worse gas mileage. I fail to see the point!
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Tarpon Springs FL
FL Events Coordinator
I hope they don't make this engine standard for the C7. However, it seems with the political climate (no golbal warming pun intended) we are DOOMED. I for one will NOT buy, as I intended a C7 with this engine. GM take notice....I WILL NOT BUY A C7 WITH THIS ENGINE. And, if more people take this stand we might convince them NOT to do it. Those of you that remember my other posts about getting a new C7 Vert know how I feel about my Black Vert. But, alas, we live in a age of SHEEP so it looks like I better start to like BLACK.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Zimmerman MN
I'd call that a definite "maybe". The problem with going to less cubic inches for the same power output is that it usually results in being a higher rpm engine with less low and midrange torque.
Do a comparison of the highly regarded Ferrari engines and you'll see that even their engines with similar power as the Corvettes have to run their guts out, have far less peak torque AND get MUCH worse gas mileage. I fail to see the point!
Do a comparison of the highly regarded Ferrari engines and you'll see that even their engines with similar power as the Corvettes have to run their guts out, have far less peak torque AND get MUCH worse gas mileage. I fail to see the point!
Well stated! Did you see the Ultimate Factory show on Ferrari and Lambo? Worth catching if you haven't!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,285
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From: Iowa
I'd call that a definite "maybe". The problem with going to less cubic inches for the same power output is that it usually results in being a higher rpm engine with less low and midrange torque.
Do a comparison of the highly regarded Ferrari engines and you'll see that even their engines with similar power as the Corvettes have to run their guts out, have far less peak torque AND get MUCH worse gas mileage. I fail to see the point!
Do a comparison of the highly regarded Ferrari engines and you'll see that even their engines with similar power as the Corvettes have to run their guts out, have far less peak torque AND get MUCH worse gas mileage. I fail to see the point!
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: God Bless America
"In fact, the 5.5-liter race engine will be built at GM's Performance Build Center alongside ZR1 and Z06 V8s."
This statement makes the point. There have been rumors floating around for a while about what is going to power the C7 if and when it is finally put into production. Even though the Corvette is a sports car, the law of the land will force a change to improve fuel mileage above and beyond where it currently resides. So, the most intelligent thing for GM to do is develop a new engine that does improve mileage, still deliver the performance owners are after, and avoid the gas guzzler tax that I am sure will have new more stringent criteria in the very near future.
If GM intends to build this engine alongside the motors for the Z06 and ZR1, that should be a very strong indication of what the new street motor will be. Why would they incorporate this engine into a production line when they could have the "race only" motors built by a vendor?
This statement makes the point. There have been rumors floating around for a while about what is going to power the C7 if and when it is finally put into production. Even though the Corvette is a sports car, the law of the land will force a change to improve fuel mileage above and beyond where it currently resides. So, the most intelligent thing for GM to do is develop a new engine that does improve mileage, still deliver the performance owners are after, and avoid the gas guzzler tax that I am sure will have new more stringent criteria in the very near future.
If GM intends to build this engine alongside the motors for the Z06 and ZR1, that should be a very strong indication of what the new street motor will be. Why would they incorporate this engine into a production line when they could have the "race only" motors built by a vendor?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,285
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From: Iowa
I hope they don't make this engine standard for the C7. However, it seems with the political climate (no golbal warming pun intended) we are DOOMED. I for one will NOT buy, as I intended a C7 with this engine. GM take notice....I WILL NOT BUY A C7 WITH THIS ENGINE. And, if more people take this stand we might convince them NOT to do it. Those of you that remember my other posts about getting a new C7 Vert know how I feel about my Black Vert. But, alas, we live in a age of SHEEP so it looks like I better start to like BLACK.
Why do we automatically assume that this WILL be a bad thing? There could be major improvements in the design that might make it a far BETTER engine than some we have now.
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From: Frederick, MD
I'd just like to point out to all the doom and gloomers that the Lightning Lap just published by C&D listed an in-line four cylinder in second place just behind the ZR1.
Why do we automatically assume that this WILL be a bad thing? There could be major improvements in the design that might make it a far BETTER engine than some we have now.
Why do we automatically assume that this WILL be a bad thing? There could be major improvements in the design that might make it a far BETTER engine than some we have now.
I dont' people are saying it would be a bad thing for the Vette to get a high winding V8 motor but most of us (I think) love massive low end torque and simplicity. You can't really say the LS3 is inefficient since you won't find another car out there with similiar HP getting better gas mileage.
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From: Houston, TX
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Riva MD
I'll be surprised if the new engine represents a decrease in performance.
Just because there is a decrease in displacement, doesn't automatically mean a less horsepower or torque. The LS6 was 5.7L and pulled 405HP/400 Torque, and .2 liter is not really significant. This new engine will likely have newer technology, such as direct injection, which should easily allow it to equal or surpass 430HP.
Also, I believe I remember someone from the corvette design team stating there will be weight reduction measures in the C7, which is as good as added horsepower.
Just because there is a decrease in displacement, doesn't automatically mean a less horsepower or torque. The LS6 was 5.7L and pulled 405HP/400 Torque, and .2 liter is not really significant. This new engine will likely have newer technology, such as direct injection, which should easily allow it to equal or surpass 430HP.
Also, I believe I remember someone from the corvette design team stating there will be weight reduction measures in the C7, which is as good as added horsepower.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Iowa
Unlike the 6.0/7.0, which is a ground-up race engine that only shares basic architectural dimensions with the production small block, the 2010 C6.R's V8 is a new 5.5-liter unit that will indeed be derived from the production engine found in roadgoing Corvettes. In fact, the 5.5-liter race engine will be built at GM's Performance Build Center alongside ZR1 and Z06 V8s.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Bothell WA
I'll be surprised if the new engine represents a decrease in performance.
Just because there is a decrease in displacement, doesn't automatically mean a less horsepower or torque. The LS6 was 5.7L and pulled 405HP/400 Torque, and .2 liter is not really significant. This new engine will likely have newer technology, such as direct injection, which should easily allow it to equal or surpass 430HP.
Also, I believe I remember someone from the corvette design team stating there will be weight reduction measures in the C7, which is as good as added horsepower.
Just because there is a decrease in displacement, doesn't automatically mean a less horsepower or torque. The LS6 was 5.7L and pulled 405HP/400 Torque, and .2 liter is not really significant. This new engine will likely have newer technology, such as direct injection, which should easily allow it to equal or surpass 430HP.
Also, I believe I remember someone from the corvette design team stating there will be weight reduction measures in the C7, which is as good as added horsepower.
Direct injection is almost guaranteed and has been shown in other engines to give a good power bump. With some weight reduction, there's no reason to believe the new C7 won't perform as good as the current base car. As long as that is achieved, I don't mind a small decrease in displacement. I'm really excited that the Corvette Racing GT2 program is preceding the street engine. I think this will allow GM Engineering to build a better engine for the C7.
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Direct injection is almost guaranteed and has been shown in other engines to give a good power bump. With some weight reduction, there's no reason to believe the new C7 won't perform as good as the current base car. As long as that is achieved, I don't mind a small decrease in displacement. I'm really excited that the Corvette Racing GT2 program is preceding the street engine. I think this will allow GM Engineering to build a better engine for the C7.
- Mark
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Swansea IL
I'd call that a definite "maybe". The problem with going to less cubic inches for the same power output is that it usually results in being a higher rpm engine with less low and midrange torque.
Do a comparison of the highly regarded Ferrari engines and you'll see that even their engines with similar power as the Corvettes have to run their guts out, have far less peak torque AND get MUCH worse gas mileage. I fail to see the point!
Do a comparison of the highly regarded Ferrari engines and you'll see that even their engines with similar power as the Corvettes have to run their guts out, have far less peak torque AND get MUCH worse gas mileage. I fail to see the point!
Tom
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True enough - but the car weighs 1500#.... Perhaps a C7 production engine will be BASED on the 5.5L Race Motor but with a longer stroke for more ci or both a longer stroke and bigger bore and Direct Injection - lots of possibilities that don't really include keeping the motor limited to 5.5L
Last edited by johnodrake; Jan 3, 2010 at 02:54 PM.
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