Why not use a 5.3 in the C7?
07-23-2016, 04:22 PM
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
Why not use a 5.3 in the C7?
You think GM could have had a solid 30pluss mpg car and offered the C7
with a 5.3 option? Be a great option for some who put a high value on that stuff.
Me I like the Z06.
I have the 5.3 in my 2015 GMC I know it is the truck engine but with 355hp and 378 TQ. Then 23 MPG in a full size at 80mph it is a winner.
I added a K&N panel filter and I'm impressed with this engine.
Then the oil stayed right on the mark for a 3500 mile trip and doesn't have any oil issues.
with a 5.3 option? Be a great option for some who put a high value on that stuff.
Me I like the Z06.
I have the 5.3 in my 2015 GMC I know it is the truck engine but with 355hp and 378 TQ. Then 23 MPG in a full size at 80mph it is a winner.
I added a K&N panel filter and I'm impressed with this engine.
Then the oil stayed right on the mark for a 3500 mile trip and doesn't have any oil issues.
Last edited by 3 Z06ZR1; 07-23-2016 at 04:25 PM.
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07-23-2016, 05:46 PM
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You don't buy corvettes to get good gas mileage. Absurd idea.
07-23-2016, 04:36 PM
#2
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because they would have lost my business
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07-23-2016, 04:38 PM
#3
Team Owner
Does not interest me as a buyer.
07-23-2016, 04:43 PM
#4
Drifting
Yeah, no. We don't want to go back to the late 70s/early 80s. WRT L48/L82
07-23-2016, 04:45 PM
#5
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Is that a serious question?
07-23-2016, 05:33 PM
#8
Melting Slicks
One of the auto rags reporting on the C7 before its introduction said GM tested a smaller V8 but found that mileage was worse because it was not able to maintain AFM (V4) mode as well and needed higher RPMs to efficiently maintain a given speed. Since CAFE is important and the 6.2L gave better mileage, it got the nod.
Last edited by iclick; 07-24-2016 at 08:44 PM.
07-23-2016, 05:34 PM
#9
Drifting
I have a 2004 Silverado with the 5.3L V8 and it is a decent engine, has plenty of power and sounds great breathing through Flowmasters. However, I think the Corvette is just fine with the 6.2L under its clamshell hood.
The venerable "small block V8" has been produced in many different forms since the 265 cubic inch version in the 1955 BelAir. All of them - from the 1950s cars to modern Corvettes - share the same OHV architecture and basic design. They obviously have a different bore & stroke and myriad improvements have been made over the years - but Chevy has stuck with what works. Sixty years is a good record in my view.
07-23-2016, 05:38 PM
#10
Melting Slicks
From what I understand, the 2.0 turbo 4 fits in the C7 - maybe that could be the fuel sipper option, along with some narrow low rolling resistance tires!
I am pretty sure there is a huge market for a C7 that gets an EPA rated 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.
I am pretty sure there is a huge market for a C7 that gets an EPA rated 25 mpg city and 35 mpg highway.
07-23-2016, 05:46 PM
#12
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You don't buy corvettes to get good gas mileage. Absurd idea.
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07-23-2016, 07:33 PM
#17
Pro
You don't buy a Corvette for the gas mileage. However, I for one am quite impressed with the 32 MPG I got on a recent highway trip... not bad at all for a car with 460 horsepower! Couldn't be happier here! 
Last edited by Thespian; 07-23-2016 at 07:34 PM.
07-23-2016, 07:42 PM
#18
Team Owner
I have a 7L in my C6 and it is a solid 30MPG car. Also just weighs 3175 pounds.
Why would I want to drop from 505+ horsepower and 470 torque and a 7,000 redline down to 355HP and 387 torque and a 5,800 redline in a C7 that weighs some 135 pounds more than my C6? Makes absolutely zero sense to me.
For those that say they didn't buy their Corvette for the gas mileage, you can buy a Corvette with great performance and great gas mileage currently. Why would anyone buy a Corvette with great performance and then want terrible gas mileage in place of great gas mileage. Makes absolutely no sense to me.
Why would I want to drop from 505+ horsepower and 470 torque and a 7,000 redline down to 355HP and 387 torque and a 5,800 redline in a C7 that weighs some 135 pounds more than my C6? Makes absolutely zero sense to me.
For those that say they didn't buy their Corvette for the gas mileage, you can buy a Corvette with great performance and great gas mileage currently. Why would anyone buy a Corvette with great performance and then want terrible gas mileage in place of great gas mileage. Makes absolutely no sense to me.
Last edited by JoesC5; 07-23-2016 at 07:46 PM.
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07-23-2016, 07:48 PM
#20
Race Director
He did say as an option. If a smaller, somewhat less powerful option could be offered as an optional engine that would provide even better fuel economy or cost enough less to justify it, why not? Isn't that essentially what a Grand Sport is? I for one liked the fact that in the early years of Corvette one could choose from among quite a few different engines; some (the big blocks and original LT-1s) even got special hoods. I always thought that was kind of cool.