C7

[z06 driver]

Does anybody know when the C7 be in dealers showroom?

 

[catbert]

I suspect all early production has long been spoken for (purchased). There may be a couple in a showroom overnight waiting for pick-up, but cars for dealer stock, or display models, probably won't happen any time soon, maybe way into 2014. Firm dealer delivery dates for purchased units hasn't been announced as far as I've heard. GM isn't hurrying the process. otflotfl

 

[Tuna]

September - maybe.

 

[Hib Halverson]

The plan, as related by Mr. Juechter is to have the first cars at dealers this Fall.

The plant is in the latter stages of building the first bunch of nonsaleable units.

The next step will be to build about 180 saleable units which will go into captured test fleet duty as a final shakedown on the plant's processes.

After that regular production begins probably in July.

Like platform change overs of the past, the first year of production will sell out quickly. For the 2014 model year only a minority of Chevrolet's dealers will get C7s to sell.

Rumor is that the first media program where A- and B-list press will drive them is sometime next month. My guess is right after that, provided there's no embargo, you'll start seeing internet articles about what the car is like to drive.

 

[ltmax]

C7...

Any word on specs / data, final engine power? They're really takin' their time with that, ain't it?

 

[Hib Halverson]

What specs and data do you want. GM has released a lot of information already.

The engine makes about 450. The SAE certification is not done, yet, but one of my sources indicates that it will be at least 450. My guess is you're looking at 450-455-hp SAE-corrected. EPA mileage certification is not complete, either.

Price and curb weight have been announced.

 

[ltmax]

What specs and data do you want. GM has released a lot of information already.

The engine makes about 450. The SAE certification is not done, yet, but one of my sources indicates that it will be at least 450. My guess is you're looking at 450-455-hp SAE-corrected. EPA mileage certification is not complete, either.

Price and curb weight have been announced.

Was referring to final engine power and such. 450/450 is good, just wondering if that's final. What's redline? How heavy is this LT1? What rear-end ratio does the C7 run? Trans ratios the same as C6? Will be fascinating to see performance specs, lat accel, etc. ~$57,000 for the C7+Z51+mag shocks will be a steal and for Nordschleife lap time, I project 7min :30sec.

btw - great write-up on the LS7 engine. They have that design run right up against the limit for standard production use. Katech or Pratt&Miller took it to 500 cu.in. in the C6RS, didn't they? Wow!

 

[Hib Halverson]

Generally, when GM releases a preliminary number the final SAE-certified number will be within 1 or 2 percent. I'm thinking 450-455 with the standard exhaust and 455-460 with the dual-mode system.

LT1's rev limiter is at 6600 rpm.

It weighs 465 pounds, more than a gen 4, mainly because of the dry sump, the cylinder deac. hardware and the VVT hardware.

Axle ratio of C7 manuals is 3.42. Automatics are 2.56 or 2.73 depending on how the car is ordered.

Manual trans ratios are the same in the first six gears as C6. Seventh is a very tall, third overdrive. Automatic ratios are carry over from 2013.

I think your 7:30 is a good guess. Mero is going over there later this year and I can hardly wait to hear his results. They've already done a lot of testing at VIR and while GM has not tested a non-instrumented C7 at VIR, the instrumented car (which weighs about 150-200 lbs more) they used for tire and suspension development was about 2-sec/lap quicker than a C6 Grand Sport manual with MR.

Thanks for the compliment on the LS7 story.

As for Katech's 500s. They just put them up for reduced-price sale. If you want one of those blocks, now's the time to buy. They'll never make any more of them.

 

[ltmax]

C7, cnt'd

That's the kind of data I was looking for, thanks! They really have the system geared tall because of exhaust/fuel consumption/CAFE regs? I imagine a good re-gearing of the drivetrain and we'd have lower laptimes, etc. Well, I won't get too speculative but looking forward to seeing the latest evolution of the original American sport.

I'll finish your 427 write-up tomorrow - delightfully lengthy, lots of detail for a gearheaded bro!

 

[Hib Halverson]

That's the kind of data I was looking for, thanks! They really have the system geared tall because of exhaust/fuel consumption/CAFE regs? I imagine a good re-gearing of the drivetrain and we'd have lower laptimes, etc. Well, I won't get too speculative but looking forward to seeing the latest evolution of the original American sport.
(snip)

Know that gear ratios and final drive ratios have not changed. What has changed on the manuals is the addition of seventh gear which is either a 0.42 (base) or a 0.48 (Z51) overdrive.

While final EPA fuel numbers are not available because the certification testing is not complete, I have it on good authority that a C7 run in the "eco mode" and cruising in seventh gear at "highway speeds" gets significantly better fuel mileage than did any C6 base or Grand Sport.

0-60 will be four seconds...maybe even a bit less and that will be in-spite of having to do a 1-2 shift. That's pretty damn impressive.

I would not assume that simply lowering the final drive ratio would always translate into "lower laptimes."