http://www.vetteweb.com/features/vem...ype/index.html

In the article it talks about the next engine for the c7, states it will produce 530Hp with direct injection? Did I read that right?

 

That might be the engine, with that configuration and CI, but I doubt they will have the HP a race prepared engine has. GM needs to have a engine that will last the 3/36 - 5/100K ,therefore, if that is the block and configuration I would assume the HP will be less for reliability.

 

Did we both read the same article? The article I just read was about a race car and mentioned the C7 not even once. It is a hopped up, destroked LS9 without the blower. GM has used destroked LS7s and 500-horse LS2s in their race programs; did any of those ever see production in a street car? No.

 

Its de-stroked engine (305 ci) features an LS9 cylinder block, direct fuel injection, and the revised cylinder heads that will power the next production Corvette.

In addition, GM has variable valve timimg, variable displacement, a "new combustion system" , and stop and go running to play with.

Now if you add to that the new rumor that the C7 will use the existing 6.2lt displacement, you've got some idea of the trade offs an engineer can make, if the idiot who heads GM will leave them to their task.

By the by, the new high tech V6 in the recently announced Cad uses exhaust manifolds that are integral with the heads - whatever that means.

 

Got it not sure on the hp yet, however, it will support the ls9 engine with direct injection.

 

This destroked LS9 is a race engine, regardless. I'd like to see the compression on that beast. Not sure how I missed the next-gen heads, but regardless, this will not likely be the next production Corvette engine. They use all sorts of engine variants in racing for various reasons, often having to do with regulations. Could the base C7 have a 530hp direct-injection V8? It would be nice; hard to follow with a reasonable Z and ZR, but if they want an over-the-top ZR to go after the newest Lambo, sure I can see it. Still curious how this whole thing is going to play out, and still probably just going to get a late-model C6Z regardless of the C7's advances.

 

The V6 in the Caddy doesn't have an exhaust manifold, one port coming out of cyl. head. So headers won't be an option.

 

I've got a brand new 2012 CTS with the 3.6 V6. I haven't been under it or in the engine bay taking off the plastic to "see" things yet as I didn't want to break anything. The engine sounds like crap when idling...more like a 4 cylinder engine. But it does sound decent when getting on the gas. Mine is the 318 HP engine which isn't too bad for a 6 cyl engine speaking overall but I would not want this setup in a Corvette. My '99 C-5 sounds great the way it is from the factory and my '07 C-6 needs exhaust sound help...probably will put in a Corsa system.

 

It's been a long time since Corvette put a new motor in the base Corvette that was more than an adequate response to competition.

When we got the 300hp LT1, the Supra Turbo, 300ZX Turbo, and RX-7 Turbo all hit the same mark. (Four years later the different-headed LT4 gave 330hp.)

When we got the 345hp LS1, Mustang Cobra was at 305hp, Vipers had been over 400hp for years and GTS hit 450hp, 911 had reached 300 and Turbo 400. (Four years later the hot-rodded LS6 gave 385hp and then 405hp.)

When we got the 400hp LS2, Mustang Cobra had caused quite a stir at 390hp (with easy pully swaps for bigger numbers) and much bowtie manhood was at stake; 911's water-cooled six was still back at 320hp, but the GT3 was up to 380hp, and we fancied ourselves Turbo-chasers anyway. (Three years later the tweaked LS3 gave 436hp.)

I expect C7 to continue the tradition of competitive-but-conservative horsepower, with something held in reserve in case the market ups the pressure. A debut at 440hp seems right. A 530hp base car would be awesome, but it doesn't make sense unless it's moving $15K upmarket.

.Jinx

 

It leaves room for the LT5's, LT4's, LS6's, LS7's and LS9's to covet.

 

Not sure what you mean here. But as an LS7 owner, I can assure you I am NOT covetting the new base motor. I am guessing new base motor will be 450 h/p, out of 5.5 liters. A bit more h/p than LS3, but a bit less torque (really more important than h/p most of the time on the street) due to significant drop in displacement.

My gues is that C7 Z06 will appear in '15 with S/C version of 5.5 liter motor at about 550 h/p. Around '17, if Corvette is still around, maybe ZR1 utilizing a twin turbo 5.5 liter to make around 675 h/p. The ZR1 will be built in extremely limited quantities and retail for approximately $150k

 

So as an owner of a rip-snorting naturally-aspirated 427 small block, do you think you might find a blown 327 to be covetable? Or is the only good Z06 a big-inch Z06?

Is it inconceivable that GM would build a more direct replacement for the LS7?

.Jinx

 

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle said that once the ridiculous is ruled out, all things are possible. In of itself, I am not adverse to FI having owned and modified an '02 Z06 with an LPE S/C package that was further enhanced by ECS.

However, I am not interested in any Z06 successor that falls short of what I have now in all areas of performance, including balanced handling. That is important to those of us who actually go to the track as opposed to just cruising on the street or participating in winery tours.

Hopefully, GM has learned something from their recent financial fiascos and is even now, keeping a close eye on not just upcoming CAFE regs, but all other requirements coming down the pike from our regulatory happy government. Perhaps they are also monitoring the state of the world economy given their oft stated desire to have Corvette marketed as a "world sportscar." Given the stark economic realities of Europe and how closely our banks and corporations are intertwined with theirs, while we continue to struggle to exit from our own economic morass, it would make sense that GM would attempt to maximize one basic engine displacement. Using one basic engine displacement from which to develop their Z model variants would reduce their costs which would be especially attractive for a model which sells such few units. That is my basis for "guessing" they might go with variations of the 5.5 liter motor. As for what they really do, who knows...

And if that future Z06 is clothed in anything resembling that atrocity of a rendition that is currently making the rounds, than I, like many will be looking elsewhere for our next our next toy. There will be a lot to choose from - Life is Good!

 

Why do people believe that the the 5.5 would have less torque and the LS3 because it has less cubic inches? The current LS3 does not have less torque that the old 427 Big Block.... it has more net torque. The 5.5 will have direct injection which produces more power from the same fuel and same cubic inches with the same cam. It is more fuel efficient. So same horsepower, same RPMs, equal same torque.

 

Just having the same torque/hp as the retired model is not going to be enough. Telling people "spend 50k on the new model so you can have the same performance numbers" is just not going to work. Perhaps the fuel consumption is going to be better, but frankly that isn't the reason I bought a Corvette.

 

Lets hope and pray GM doesn't pull something like they did way back whenever it was when they came out with the 190hp engine and sales dropped like a rock.

 

The base model will be over $56K, and it'll be the performance equal of the step-up GrandSport, but with base-sized tires and brakes, better fuel economy, an all-new look, and a worlds-better interior. This board is full of people who think that qualifies as "more" and are champing at the bit to get it. Corvette is more than just the number of horses under the hood.

.Jinx

 

 

I dont think GM is going to change powertrains significantly in the C7. They are doing well with the CTS V, now the Camaro ZL1 both using detuned ZR1 motors more or less. Direct Injection on the current line up would be logical progression. The LS 7 might go away as it is a stand alone motor and only used in the Z06. I had always hoped that the CTS V and the ZL1 would be LS7 powered. Especially for the ZL1, it would have honored tradition.

GM should copy Ford with their line up of engine upgrades off their 5L motor. A 414hp mustang can be upgraded at the dealership to 550hp with warranty, or to 650hp without. The GT500 pushing 650hp also raises the bar. Dont forget the 470hp dodge hemi.

The base Corvette should hit the market with at least 500hp. The Z06 will need 600hp and the ZR1 700hp. I think I will wait until the base model comes with 1000hp in two years, lol.

 

I'm predicting 485hp for the base engine because that is how much the current c6r has. The rumors stated that the base model will be close to the current c6. I could see that happening.