Now offical: Corvette ZR1 makes 638 hp and 604 lb

Johnnyboy · #1 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 02:21 AM

General Motors announces the certified power ratings and detailed specs for the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's supercharged 6.2L LS9 V8:

Quote:

PONTIAC, Mich. – When it was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year, the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's power was estimated at 100 horsepower for each of its 6.2 liters of displacement. GM Powertrain has completed SAE certification of the ZR1's supercharged LS9 V-8 and the results exceed the estimate: 638 horsepower (476 kW) and 604 lb.-ft. of torque (819 Nm).

The LS9's output is nearly 103 horses per liter, or just about 1.7 horses for each of the engine's 376 cubic inches. It is unquestionably the most powerful automotive production engine ever manufactured by General Motors and enables the Corvette ZR1 to achieve a top speed of more than 200 mph (322 km/h).

"One of the most amazing things about the Corvette ZR1 is the level of refinement that our designers and engineers have attained. Even with all that power, this car has road manners that will allow our customers to enjoy it on the streets as a daily driver, and on the track," said Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper.

The Corvette ZR1 goes on sale this summer. Its 638-hp supercharged engine is complemented in the chassis by heavy-duty components not offered in any other model, including a six-speed manual transmission with race-hardened gears and dual-disc clutch technology that delivers exceptional clamping power and lower inertia, as well as strengthened axle components.

Fuel economy testing has not been completed, but engineers are confident the ZR1 will be the most fuel-efficient 600-plus-horsepower car on the market.

The LS9 engine is hand-built by specially trained technicians at GM's Performance Build Center in Wixom, Mich. It is a unique, small-volume engine production facility that also builds the Chevrolet Corvette Z06's LS7 engine and other high-performance GM production engines.

"Developing the LS9 involved more than simply striving for a great horsepower number. Endurance and reliability testing have shown the engine to be robust and low-maintenance, just like other engines in the small-block family," said Sam Winegarden, executive director, engine engineering for GM Powertrain. "That it is distinguished as the most powerful engine ever from General Motors is a source of immense pride among everyone involved with the LS9."

Supercharged aspiration
The key enabler of the LS9's performance is the industry's first production application of a new, positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger that has a unique four-lobe rotor design. Its design promotes quieter and more efficient performance, while the large, 2.3-liter displacement ensures adequate air volume at high rpm. Maximum boost pressure is 10.5 psi (0.72 bar). It is teamed with an integrated charge cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature for maximum performance.

"The combination of large displacement and the new, four-rotor design broadens the effective range of the supercharger, allowing the engine to make more power at lower rpm and sustain it throughout the power band," said Winegarden. "The low-end torque is tremendous and the high-rpm charge from the supercharger is simply amazing."

A raised hood provides adequate clearance for the LS9, while a polycarbonate window in the hood provides a view of the engine beneath it.

LS9 details
The LS9 features many unique design and manufacturing details that support its high-performance nature. They include:
Aluminum cylinder block with iron cylinder liners that are finish-bored and honed with a deck plate installed
Forged steel crankshaft with a nine-bolt flange
Titanium connecting rods and forged aluminum pistons
Stronger, rotocast cylinder heads with 2.16-inch (55 mm) titanium intake valves and 1.59-inch (40.4 mm) hollow-stem, sodium-filled exhaust valves
Camshaft with 0.555-inch (14.1 mm) lift for excellent idle and low-speed driving qualities
A dry-sump oiling system with 10.5-quart (9.9 liters) capacity
Integrated oil cooler and piston-cooling oil squirters
Intercooler cover visible through the hood window that features ZR1-unique blue accents and "LS9 SUPERCHARGED" embossed on the left and right sides

Specifications

LS9 6.2L SUPERCHARGED V-8
Displacement (cu in / cc):
376 / 6162
Bore & stroke (in / mm):
4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92
Block material:
cast aluminum
Cylinder head material:
A356-T6 rotocast aluminum
Valvetrain:
overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel delivery:
SFI (sequential fuel injection)
Compression ratio:
9.1:1
Horsepower / kW:
638 / 476 @ 6500 rpm
Torque (lb-ft / Nm):
604 / 819 @ 3800 rpm
Fuel shut-off (rpm):
6600
Recommended fuel:
premium required
Exhaust manifolds:
stainless steel
Main bearing caps:
forged steel
Crankshaft:
forged steel
Camshaft:
hollow steel; 0.555-in (14.1 mm) lift
Connecting rods:
forged titanium
Valves:
intake: titanium
exhaust: hollow steel
Valve lifters:
hydraulic roller
Supercharger:
R2300, four-lobe "Roots" type (2.3L)
Additional features:
piston oil-spray cooling; direct-mount ignition coils; 11-rib accessory drive

mesarius · #2 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 02:26 AM

638hp with 604lb/ft of torque out of the box, There's nothing else in its class pulling those numbers, those are hypercar sort of figures. Just imagine what a few tuning tweaks could do. They should sell those with diapers, anyone who rides or drives one is bound to crap their pants.

Johnnyboy · #3 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 02:33 AM

I'm wondering what the Lingenfeltered versions are gonna be like... or will the speed freaks be satisfied with the stock power and no longer feel the need for Lingenfelter's and many of the other tuner's services.

mesarius · #4 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 02:44 AM

I'm sure tuner shops will still find ways to make it even more powerful, though whatever improvements will result in insane figures. I can see that engine doing 1000hp with maybe nothing more than porting, cams, supercharger pulley, new fuel map and a couple of bolt ons.

Webstad · #5 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 02:50 AM

I'm quite sure speed-freaks out there will want to modify the hell out them. I'm still getting my head around the IMMENSE torque! 638 horsepower is impressive and all, but the torque...

Can you imagine the acceleration the thing is capable of? That's face-distorting power! if 450lb-ft can break seat mounts, just think of the destructive power of 604lb-ft! I can also imagine the first experiences people will have when they first get their hands on a ZR1. The first driven off the showroom. How many do you think will be wrapped around telephone poles before it sinks in just how much power the car has?

Johnnyboy · #6 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 03:46 AM

Hookin up the tires is gonna be a chore. Still no word on any type of launch control.

apolloGT · #7 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 11:59 AM

Holy hell. This is what I've been waiting for...

now I need $100,000.

sniperofbuffalo · #8 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 12:03 PM

I am so speechless, I can't think of anything to say except "I want one" and "...so...beautiful..." Thumbs up to you GM for making this milestone

The ZR1 can out run anything other American or Japanese manufactureres through at it, except Mosler and Panoz, and quite possibly, Shelby

apolloGT · #9 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sniperofbuffalo

I am so speechless, I can't think of anything to say except "I want one" and "...so...beautiful..." Thumbs up to you GM for making this milestone

The ZR1 can out run anything other American or Japanese manufactureres through at it, except Mosler and Panoz, and quite possibly, Shelby

It'll best all the cars you just listed. With that kind of power, I'd say it's capable of beating a Ferrari 599 GTB and the Lambo LP640. No other country can build something as awesome and raw as the ZR1.

Project2GDSM · #10 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 02:05 PM

That is one sick car.

I just wanna see one, and marvel at it, never mind drive it!

sniperofbuffalo · #11 (**permalink**) 04-25-2008, 02:31 PM

At first I thought your statement was illogical up against a Mosler MT900S Photon. I did some research and calculations. The ZR1 will beat it

ZR1 = 5.403 hp/lbs
MT900S = 4.552 hp/lbs