Well I never thought this would be my first post. I have been lurking here since 2023 - purchased my c8 stingray new in October 2024. Daily drove the c8 until yesterday afternoon, logging approximately 13,000 in the process (enjoying each mile). Engine break-in protocol followed to the letter and all services timely performed at my local dealership. Stock other than Apex wheels, PS4S non-runflats and a lithium battery.

Driving back from the grocery store yesterday, the c8 was at normal operating temperature (i.e. the tachometer showed normal full redline) and gave it a 2-3 gear WOT pull - then BOOM. Extremely loud explosion that sounded like a 12 ga. Instant smoke out the back and into the cabin, loud rotational clunking sounds, and then the engine cut. I rolled to the side of the road. Pictures immediately after:



Looking immediately behind the car, I saw an engine bearing on the ground:


Walked back the the area a few hundred yards back where the engine blew and found the following chunks of engine:

I had the car towed to my local dealership - which was a pain because the car will not go into neutral without a special tool. Left the car at the dealership via after hours procedures - which brings me to this morning’s post.

I will keep everyone updated on the process and how GM handles this issue. Nice to meet you all, but I wish it was under different circumstances.

 

That’s a total bummer. Keep us posted.

 

Damn, what a nightmare of a day you had. Hope GM comes through and gets you a replacement engine quickly and you can get back on the road again.

 

Sorry to hear this...

I've been on this forum for several years, and first time I've seen a thread on a blown SR engine.

It will be interesting to see if it's related to the cylinder deactivation mechanism.

 

^^ same

plenty of things to worry about in the c8 but the SR engine has been near bulletproof so far

good luck OP, hope GM makes it right

 

Unfortunately, this sort of stuff does happen, not very often but occasionally.
Luckily you have plenty of powertrain warranty remaining, so it should just be a matter of the inconvenience of being without the car during the repair.
And, afterward, you get to start the breakin process over with a brand new engine.

 

yes first one I heard blow up.

 

Wow...sorry to hear. Hope the replacement process goes well!

 

Good luck getting her up and running again...Sorry for your pain.

 

Terrible news, looks like a main bearing on the ground and a piston pin? Probably blew a hole right through the bottom of the pan.

Could have been a lot of things, bad fuel causing detonation, stuck AFM lifter etc. Thankfully no fire, hopefully warranty takes care of you without a problem. Keep us updated, subbed to thread.

 

What a bummer!
Did you say you bought it new?
Since it's under warranty, lets hope (for our own sake, as well) that the repair is smooth and trouble free.
Keep us posted.

 

Thanks, everyone. Agreed, in the few years I have been lurking I had not seen anything like this (and a Google search did not turn up much).

Yes, I purchased the car new.

 

Hope it was only the engine that got damaged and nothing else. Flying parts can do alot of damage all around the engine bay. Good luck with repairs will be watching for out come.

 

That looks like a push rod bearing laying in the road and a push rod pin.....probably spin a bearing then threw a rod..... This is one of those times you don't want to have any after market stuff bolted on to your engine.....

Keep us posted...

 

I just had the same thing happen but it was with a '26 ZR1 with 1900 miles on it. It put a large whole in the side of the block on mine. It has been a month and a half and I still do not have the car back. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

 

I remember your post...did they figure out what actually happened to the engine?

 

This is not unusual for the 6.2 L engine. It is in a Corvette however.

 

Sorry to see this. That is catastrophic damage.. Where's that chevy customer service guy on here. He should help you out. New engine and dry sump system at a minimum.

 

here ya go lots of issues with this engine family

 

The old motor has not gone back to GM yet. As of early last week the old and new motors were on the ground next to each other. As of the end of last week the new motor is in the car with the old motor being crated up. Mine had some damage from towing because we could not get the car to move so the car had to be pulled onto the flatbed at the Michelin Road Atlanta (and yes I have the tool to release the transmission but it did not work as the whole car was simply locked up). Then we had to figure out how to get it off the flat bed tow truck into my enclosed trailer to get it back from Atlanta to PA. GM is covering the new motor but will not cover the damage during the tow.

So no GM has not figured out the issue but my guess is I will never know why the '26 ZR1 motor had a catastrophic engine failure!