GarryZR1

Below you will find the comparison between the 3 Corvette engines performance characteristics.



Notice the area between the LS9 torque curve and the LS7 torque curves. The width and height creates a significant area. Thus the significant improvement in acceleration and performance. This tells us that it is not just the 133 hp difference that the LS9 has over the LS7, but much more performance than the mear hp numbers reveal.

Now compare this to the area between the LS7 and the LS3. This area is about 40% of the area bewteen the LS9 and LS7. Meaning the difference between the LS9 and the LS7 in much greater than the difference between the LS3 and LS7.

We are fortunate to have these 3 to choose from.

If you have any questions just ask.

I would be interested to hear your observations and comments about what you observe in the graphic.

911/Q45

The great thing about the ZR1 torque is the ability to be very entertained at part throttle rather than full out.

QUIKAG

I bet launching out of corners during track sessions is a blast too. No need to be anywhere close to redline to just rocket out of the corner on that monster torque mountain.

jmc5

I thought my old Z06 was torquey, but wow! I need a ZR1 .

It is very interesting how sharply the LS9 torque peaks at 3800 rpm.

Do you have any idea what causes the peak to be so sharply defined? Is the motor reaching an airflow limit of some sort at that point?

MachAll 2005

It would certainly be interesting if someone could provide additional data such as boost pressure, air flow, fuel consumption, timing, fuel pressure, etc.... Without any of that data, I would be suspicious if air flow efficiency isn't a player in the "peaky torque" as the flow path is quite treachurous from the supercharger through the intercoolers then down to the valves.

pcguy2u

GOLD72

Thanks for sharing this graph. Very interesting. Now we know why the ZR1 pulls like a freight train.

BoostManiac

Having driven a Z06, the torque felt sick. The ZR-1 must truly feel like a big unseen hand is pushing your car from behind, even at 2000 rpm!

pcguy2u

Started a long thread on this very subject (from my experience on the track) - had a lot of questions about why coming out of the last turn on the back stretch, the ZR1 was not able to maintain the gap with the instructor's LS3. There were quite a few inferences that it might have been the driver, but, in the end, it seemed to boil down to the traction contol interfering. The lesson I learned (my opinion now - no flames) was turn off all that s..t and deal with it yourself.

The LS9 is really a rocket (torque forever) - you can break the tires loose in 3rd at 40 mph and no matter whether TC is on or not, it can go sideways on you if your not careful. No flames please, just MHO.

We all understand that you can build up just about any engine to compete on this level, but to get a factory built vette (did I say guaranteed?) that performs at this level is very intoxicating and addictive - not to mention the positive influence it has on the smiles per mile factor.

GOLD72

Well said. And a 5yr/100k on the power train at that!!

eaglei

Very interesting chart. Must be unreal to drive a ZR1 - especially on a track.

I'm going to copy this for the engine builders at Wixom - thank you sir!

pcguy2u

Hey Garry, fogot to say nice charts

what software do you use to make them?

TIA

GarryZR1

I do all my graphing and data analysis in Microsoft Excel.

johnglenntwo

Interesting to compare when turbos make their torque!:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-f...omparison.html
Midrange is why we like UM!

OJCrush08

Thanks for posting that chart! Picked up my '10 CG 3ZR ZR1 yesterday and it was incredible to feel the power differences over my '08 Z06 - a fast car in its own right. On the way home, had an M3 try sneaking up on me in the left lane. I just watched him close for a bit, dipped into the throttle a little bit and was surprised how fast it took off at only 3-4ooo RPMs. I always felt the LS7 was a little flat in that rpm range. Incredible! And I was not really pushing it at all - tour setting, all suspension safeties "on", so to speak.

Derekdo

Wow, that really puts things in perspective. Great graph!

Kelly100

Great post and information--love it

ries

an experienced driver could beat a novice in a reg ls3 no problem. if you exit a turn at just 4miles an hr faster the increase in speed on a straight is 20 miles an hr by the next turn on avg. i am a novice but after racing people with less car and losing, i have decided it is me, not the car. lastly that extra 4-5 miles an hr allows you to grab the power band usually immediately.
thanks for taking the time to post the graph very interesting. didn't think about torque comparisons as most people are about hp.

GarryZR1

If there is anything else you would like to see let me know and I will see if I can help.

Vette Lag

Can I ask where you got all the intermediate data, i.e.,the numbers between peaks on both HP and Torque for each plot? I want to plot some stuff for a friend for gear swaps.