...most powerful what?????

[*89x2*]

As visitors of the Callaway Owners Group website, I am certain that our tagline, "The Callaway Owners Group is dedicated to the preservation of the world's most powerful Corvette." is right there on the front page, displayed proudly, describing our cars :cool

Well, I guess it has raised the question, "...most powerful what???"

In fact, here was the complete message I got and I thought it was generic enough to share with the group, as I was not quite sure of what first, motivated the question... Second, did I miss somethign about the new ZR1 for 2009 being supercharged (or, unnaturaly aspirated). ;squint:

What are your thoughts on this, and does the tagline need to be reviewed??

I love Corvettes all of them C1 thru C6,mild to wild, but I don't understand how
the callaway is the most powerful.Could you please clear this up for me.My stock
Z06 is at 405hp,the C6 Z06 is at 505, the ZR1 will be around 620hp. Speaking of
ZR1s, the ZR-1s from 1990-1995 will definitely give callaways of the same year a
run for the money,so I ask you again please explain to me how Callaway is the
most powerful. I'm no Vette purist but when we talk most powerful, we should be
talking naturally aspirated.

 

[fiveoone]

I'm surprised he did not mention the big block cars of the 60's and 70?
They were rated well over 400 HP, unless my memory serves me wrong?
As a whole, Callaway Vettes from 86-recent have always been the most powerfulmostly?

 

[jonstr]

I hate getting sucked into these debates, but I'm bored...

I don't get the position that the question is being asked from. Is this a question of who gets the most flat-out horsepower? I'm sure there are a couple of Corvette-bodied top fuel drag cars out there that generate a few more HP than anything we have access to, but is that a fair comparison? I don't think so.

Is he talking about the new cars being more powerful than the old cars? There will always be something more powerful "tomorrow". It isn't any more fair to compare the 2009 ZR1 to the CTTC than it is to compare a 2004 Z06 to a 1963 Z06. New technology always brings advances in capabilities.

Is he talking about "tuner cars"? Personally, I don't think Callaway fits into the "tuner car" category. Can another tuner get more HP out of the Corvette? Maybe, but how many of them come with a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty?

Since he specifically calls out horsepower, if I'm not mistaken, I believe that if you compare the top 'stock' offering (ZR1, Z06, etc.) to the top offering that Callaway produced for that same year, the Callaway will always come out on top of the HP comparison. Maybe it would be fun to create a page (linked from the tagline) that does a year by year comparison.

As for the 2009 ZR1 (620 HP), the current C16 Speedster (at 700 HP) already leaves it in the dust, horsepower-wise.

Of course, if he wants to talk 'naturally aspirated', he can stop quoting the figures coming from the '09 ZR1 anyway...

 

[TurboLuigi]

I agree with Jonster.

When referring to the "world's most powerful Corvette", this means street legal Corvettes, not track/off-road. With that in mind, I seem to remember that the Sledgehammer in 1988 was street (emissions) legal.

Likewise on a Calendar year by year comparison, in terms of horsepower, the Callaway Corvette had a higher rathing than the ZR-1. Even with the current platform, there is no ZR1 for comparison for production years 2007 or 2008 where the C16 series has dominated and even for 2009 even the C16 Coupe/Cabrio will have a higher rating with 650HP (over the ZR1's 620HP).

So I think that the e-mailer needs to think reconsider just why he(she) questions the tag line.



As to whether Callaway is considered a tuner, I think that tuners are recognized for making 1-off cars. Callaway on the other hand while they certainly have made 1-off cars, their emphasis is on standard product offerings (each of their C series) combined with the benefit of commissioning to address the color combo/paint scheme which tailors the car to the taste of its respective owner. It is also the standardization process which allows Callaway to qualify for NADA price tracking, something that does not happen with "tuner" cars. Hence Callaway is not considered a tuner with regards to their "standard product offerings".

-Luigi
:cool

 

[John H. Christensen]

THE CALLAWAY 6.6 LITER AND 7 LITER NATURALLY ASPIRATED ENGINES MAKE ABOUT 585HP THIS IS STILL BETTER THAN Z06 505HP AND ARE FIFTY STATE LEAGAL.
CALLAWAY GIVES THEM A 3YEAR 30,000 MILE WARRANTY.

 

[kaijumax]

Just to take the guess work out of the question and to give some of the new people something to look at , a year by year comparison list would be a great idea. Show a list posting figures between what Chevrolet offered and what Callaway offered for the same year starting with the 1987's to current offerings. :duh

 

[scraffen]

Chris, I think the tag line is fine. For their day they are probably among the most powerful corvettes. The TT was also the most powerful that could be ordered directly from the dealer in those days.

 

[scraffen]

I'm surprised he did not mention the big block cars of the 60's and 70?
They were rated well over 400 HP, unless my memory serves me wrong?
As a whole, Callaway Vettes from 86-recent have always been the most powerfulmostly?

Before 1972, I believe the horsepower ratings were at the shaft with nothing on the engine. I think in 1972 they changed to SAE which meant that all other parasitic losses from power steering etc. had to be considered. I'm probably not describing this correctly but I know the power ratings are different.

 

[jonstr]

Before 1972, I believe the horsepower ratings were at the shaft with nothing on the engine. I think in 1972 they changed to SAE which meant that all other parasitic losses from power steering etc. had to be considered. I'm probably not describing this correctly but I know the power ratings are different.

You're correct. Pre-1972, manufacturers quoted SAE gross HP, which was done using a bare engine with no accessories and not very realistic. Post 1972 they were required to quote SAE net HP, which was tested on the engine as the motor was installed in the car (with accessories), and was always lower than gross HP.

Considering that a well tuned L88 in 1967-69 would produce in the range of 560 gross HP, the 600+ net HP ratings cars are getting these days is even more impressive.

I must say, however, that in my old school opinion, not even the whine of the supercharger can compare with a big block roar through a good set of side pipes at full song. That's what I miss most from selling my L88.

 

[scraffen]

You're correct. Pre-1972, manufacturers quoted SAE gross HP, which was done using a bare engine with no accessories and not very realistic. Post 1972 they were required to quote SAE net HP, which was tested on the engine as the motor was installed in the car (with accessories), and was always lower than gross HP.

Considering that a well tuned L88 in 1967-69 would produce in the range of 560 gross HP, the 600+ net HP ratings cars are getting these days is even more impressive.

I must say, however, that in my old school opinion, not even the whine of the supercharger can compare with a big block roar through a good set of side pipes at full song. That's what I miss most from selling my L88.

I know what you mean. I had a Camaro SS 396 that had that roar though it did not have sidepipes. Some of it was intake noise through the carburator

I will say though the sound coming through the double D's helps bring those memories back.

 

[Brangeta]

The Sledgehammer had 880 horsepower, so that's good enough for me.

 

[*89x2*]

I agree with all the points above on why the Callaway should not be regarded as not having the power to compare - or beat what Chevrolet Engineers churn out :cool

Good morning and thank you for taking the time to ask such a question.
I am unclear to begin with, on your position where you suggest one should only consider naturally aspirated Corvettes for power, yet you mention the new 2009 ZR1 that is coming out - you do know that Corvette has a supercharger, right?

Regarding the statement about the Callaways and their power, the Callaway Twin Turbo Corvette was a Chevrolet RPO option and is the only one of its kind, ever in Corvette history that allowed an outside company to place their engine in the Corvette with Chevy's blessing. When the option ceased in 1991, the car had 403 hp, but that only told 1/2 the story. The torque on the factory twin turbo cars, was 575!!! With a top speed of 191 mph, it was not until the C6 Z06 came to be, that level of top speed was matched.

With respect to the older ZR-1s, they were slower in both acceleration and in top speed. That has been shown time and time again. The older ZR-1s were heavier cars than the Callaway TTs and with less torque, they were slower, too. Same with any of the C5 Corvettes. They too, were slower than a stock Callaway TT.

During the TT era, a somewhat modified variant of a 1988 car was pushed to 254.76mph in street legal trim. NOBODY has been able to match this feat with a Corvette that can rightfully wear license plates. Nobody!

Today, Callaway is considered a small volume manufacturer, but still utilizes the very good Corvette chassis to base its cars from. In 2008, the Callaway Corvette, which is supercharged, has 580 hp and nearly as much torque, and their C16 Supercar model has 650hp with a Speedster variant providing an amazing 700hp - much more in either case, than the new ZR1 for 2009. With top speeds of over 209 mph for the new Callaway Corvettes, rest assured there will be little to see in your rear view mirror.

I hope this information helps clear things up for you and again, thank our for your interest.
All this information and more can be found at www.callawayownersgroup.com

 

[Brangeta]

Good answer Chris.

 

[*89x2*]

...this should get you guys started

Just to take the guess work out of the question and to give some of the new people something to look at , a year by year comparison list would be a great idea. Show a list posting figures between what Chevrolet offered and what Callaway offered for the same year starting with the 1987's to current offerings. :duh

Year - Chevy Stock Power - Chevy Optional Power - Callaway Power

1987 - 240 hp /345 lb-ft of torque - no additional optional engines - 345hp and 465lb-ft of torque
1988 - 245 hp / 345 lb-ft of torque - no additional optional engines - 382 hp and 562 lb-ft of torque
1989 - 245 hp / 345 lb-ft of torque - no additional optional engines - 382 hp and 562 lb-ft of torque
1990 - 250 hp / 350 lb-ft of torque - 375hp and 370lb-ft of torque - 390 hp and 562 lb-ft of torque
1991 - 250 hp / 350 lb-ft of torque - 375hp and 370lb-ft of torque - 403 hp and 575 lb-ft of torque

 

[SurfnSun]

Heh...I know of a certain b2k that makes basically the same rwhp #'s as a new Z06 with a LOT more torque.

 

[*89x2*]

...unless it is a diesel pickup -

Heh...I know of a certain b2k that makes basically the same rwhp #'s as a new Z06 with a LOT more torque.

...and we all know and understand that it is TORQUE that one feels, while horsepower "sells"

 

[scraffen]

Take it from an old engineer and member of the SAE, torque is where it's at! Horsepower is torque at RPM.

Torque is what kicks you in the ass!

 

[*89x2*]

...after taking the time to respond with the sentiments expressed here, I got nothing in return. We left the person apparently, speechless