jefnvk

From a realistic standpoint? Yes, it is enough for most.

From a marketing standpoint? When the Mustang and Camaro are putting out 435-455 in the low $30k's, no, it is probably not enough.

VetteDrmr

That pretty much sums it up!

TheSenator

Time will tell! Plenty of workarounds. The Bosch LP5 was cracked eventually, along with the M5, and M2/4 computers.
I can see people having to remove the ECU and have it physically modified like the Lam-bros do as well.

The factory ZR1 isn't tunable, but the LT5 certaintly is. I know you've seen the Katech vid, and this installation guide is a really interesting read.
https://www.chevrolet.com/content/da...t-19370666.pdf

RapidC84B

Katech either has a Motec-type stand alone or them reverted/re-wired the car to the earlier PCM. It's certainly doable, but not "easy" like we're all used to.

punky

Exactly, 460 is now Mustang horsepower and their Bulllit Edition is 480. 500 or more will be no surprise at all and is expected.

jefnvk

Agreed. In any case, a bump to get it to something starting with a 5 shouldn't be too difficult a task. I don't think that is debatable at all, that it needs to be at least there (again, from a marketing standpoint), I think the debate starts as to how much further the base goes.

TheSenator

Tech has definitely improved since Diablo chips and EEC Analyzer binary editor. lol

Back on topic -
I don't follow LT1 bolt-on development closely.
What would be needed for an LT1 to hit 500hp @ crank? Of that, what is OEM viable for 50-state legality?

RapidC84B

I bet the same motor with a more efficient exhaust (tubular headers and shorter runs being ME) would get it close to 500 w/o any heads/cam mods. There's very little on the table with LT1 ported/posihed heads. All gains are via the cam, but then you affect the DOD. I have to believe it would be easy for GM to do some mild massaging to hit that 500 mark.

vndkshn

The slippery slope you get when you mention marketing and things like the Bullit Mustang is someone is sure to mention the Hellcat/Demon. I don't think the Mustangs or the Hellcat/Demon are Corvette competitors, regardless of power levels.

I'd be shocked if the ME doesn't come with 500-525 base HP.

punky

A NA, 500(+) HP, ME, Corvette of favorable curb weight will be an absolutely fantastic vehicle and will attract a segment of the auto enthusiast world that isn't on board with the Corvette currently.

jefnvk

I agree, there are completely different aspect to all three cars, but not on cross shopping. The Demon/Redeye is a limited edition drag car, plain and simple, and priced well into optioned out Corvette pricing. I don't think there is much cross shopping there. The Bullitt, while not as sporty as the Corvette, is still a very competent car starting at $10k less than the base C7, with more power. You can talk all day about trackability and handling, but for 90% of buyers of either, that is of zero concern, those horsepower numbers and paper racing figures are bragging rights. To someone not concerned with buying a Mustang or Corvette specifically, but cross shopping $55k "fun" car options there could be some sales lost. To me, it is a marketability issue to have a car $10k cheaper than you in a similar segment with more power, or worse something like the 526hp GT350 around your base car price, especially when performance is what your car is largely selling on.

Foosh

Wow, 20 more HP for a Bullitt Mustang and 400 extra lbs than a base C7. It never ceases to amaze how so few even think about weight.

RapidC84B

Horsepower and 0-60 times in the back of the magazines were all the rage when I was a kid. We had endless pissing contests about Mustang GTs/Cobras vs. Camaro SSs and TransAms vs. C5s etc. etc.... weight doesn't really matter to many.

I'd actually take the ME with less than 460 horse if you made it lighter than a C5 Z06.

Dethsupp0rt

Shhh. You'll wake up the dinosaurs on here that only care about the badge and a sticker with the HP figure on the car somewhere.

Foosh

Me too, better yet give me a 2500 lbs C8 ME w/ 400 HP, and I'd be ecstatic. Of course, that ain't never gonna happen, but what a track monster that would be.

vndkshn

As for HP numbers versus weight numbers, I think you have to look at the use case for the vast majority of sports cars sold. VERY few are being driving to their limit on track where a few hundred pounds here or there is going to be noticed. Most are cruising around town in traffic, and if you believe what you read here, they are hauling two weeks of groceries, or 2 or more sets of golf clubs, or enough luggage for a 3 month vacation, or bricks from Lowes. In that case, what the buyers really care about is that big old HP number.

Chevy knows this.

Dethsupp0rt

Haha! Isn't that the truth. Cracks me up when people start worrying about how much storage space the C8 is going to have.

G fix needy

I'd prefer at least 600 hp in some version of the C8 before I buy it. It had better be tested on track to be sure there there are no overheating problems, to at least the ZR1 parameters.

jefnvk

While I don't disagree with your premises, isn't it at least a bit of a marketing problem to have Mustangs that are considerably cheaper putting out more power?

vndkshn

Hence the point about the Hellcat/Demon. Those things weigh so much they have their own gravity, but they sure as hell still sell like crazy.