New Corvette’s Engine Tops Rev Limit

[6 Shooter]

Road & Track
February 2005

General Motors claims in a news release that its engineers have “achieved a feat many speculated was not possible.” The new LS7 7.0-liter OHV (overhead valve) V-8 engine for the 2006 Z06 Corvette will not only achieve 500 horsepower but will be capable of running up to 7100 rpm. The previous limit was 6600 rpm in the 6.0-liter LS2, the company said.

What does this mean? Well, GM says the higher rpm allows the driver to remain in first gear to just over 60 mph, contributes to higher top speed and improves overall vehicle performance; the new Z06's sub-four-second 0-60 mph time is achieved in part by the extended rpm range and the ability to remain in first gear past 60 mph. The over-190 top speed of the Z06 is partially due to the speed capability of the engine.

The LS7 is one of the first automotive OHV production engines in the industry capable of over 7000 rpm, GM claims. Of course, GM does not add that limit is routinely exceeded by more sophisticated, overhead-camshaft engines.

 

[OLDGOAT]

I would not want to buy one of these used. There will be those owners who take up the challenge to see if they can blow the engine. I think this one is engineered too close to the edge. Achieving the rpms is one thing. Building an engine that will stay together for a reasonable lifetime at this level of performance is another. This is not yet a proven fact. When the LS7 finally gets into the hands of the public we'll see what will happen. My hunch is that a lot of these engines will be all over the road in pieces.

 

[6 Shooter]

I've got an idea . . .

I would not want to buy one of these used. There will be those owners who take up the challenge to see if they can blow the engine. I think this one is engineered too close to the edge. Achieving the rpms is one thing. Building an engine that will stay together for a reasonable lifetime at this level of performance is another. This is not yet a proven fact. When the LS7 finally gets into the hands of the public we'll see what will happen. My hunch is that a lot of these engines will be all over the road in pieces.

Why don't you drop an LS7 in your 1:18 C6 Blue Z51 and see how she holds together?

 

[rkreigh]

guess everyone forgot about the DZ Z28 and ford 302s huh???

we've been doing over 7500 for quite a few years. but yes the new z06 engine is impressive.

 

[OLDGOAT]

guess everyone forgot about the DZ Z28 and ford 302s huh???

we've been doing over 7500 for quite a few years. but yes the new z06 engine is impressive.

In fact I have owned two 1969 Camaro Z-28's along with three '68 396's. The 302 is a cast iron block and head motor. I understand all the mass reducing strategies used in the LS7. However, I have to believe that considerably more mass is moving in the LS7 than in a 302. Cylinder wall thickness also must be greater in the smaller motor since the new 7 liter has big block displacement in a small block package.

I simply think that this formula might prove troublesome. My favorite V8's were the 396's. They were solid, strong, and essentially low performance even in the 350hp versions that I owned.

Notwithstanding the present crazy prices being paid for original '69 Z-28's I can say from experience that they are VERY poor performance cars. Handling was a joke and the 302's power curve just is not up to propelling the 3500 lb + Camaro off the line. It was always rev it up and drop the clutch.

To 6 shooter....My intent was to be somewhat humorous and honest in describing my Mattel. When/if GM fixes the front license plate monstrosity I will probably buy a C6. I don't believe in rewarding GM with my business when they commit such gross errors as letting the C6 leave the factory with that flaw. It defaces an otherwise perfect car.

In the meantime I intend to see if Mattel is making a Z06 1:18 model. If so I will buy one and swap it's engine into my present C6. I will report back about any technical difficulties I may encounter.

 

[Aurora40]

guess everyone forgot about the DZ Z28 and ford 302s huh???

we've been doing over 7500 for quite a few years. but yes the new z06 engine is impressive.

Are you talking about in a stock motor? Didn't the original Z28 rev just into the upper 6000's? I didn't think it redlined in the 7's, but I'm not that positive about it.

 

[OLDGOAT]

I don't recall the redline. It was at least 6000 and perhaps 6500. The motor just loved to rev high. Though weak on torque it sure sounded sweet but would knock like a demon on bad gas ( that's all gas today incidentally ). I don't know what people who own these cars now do for gas. Very pretty cars but VERY obsolete. I think the '69 Z28 was a mid 14 second car. A base C6 would blow it off and road or track.

 

[Edmond]

With the high price and possible low production run, maybe they're anticipating that the folks who buy the C6 Z06 will just stow them away in their garages.:L

 

[6 Shooter]

With the high price and possible low production run, maybe they're anticipating that the folks who buy the C6 Z06 will just stow them away in their garages.:L

I think some of the boys who buy em will run em hard and put em away wet. Heck that's what there made for!

 

[OLDGOAT]

Whether GM thinks that will happen I believe that it will. Looking at the enormous runup of prices paid ( note I did not say "value" ) of early vettes greed will motivate some to just park their Z06's. Of course, like Beenie Babies and coins if everyone "saves" the cars for later as investments the market will be glutted in the future with pristine very low mile cars.

Then again, the new Z06 is so much beyond anything ever offered by a domestic auto maker I think it will be too much for many buyers to handle....they may have the money but not the nerve or skill. Hence some more get parked. Then there will be buyers with the money who purchase the cars purely as status symbols and have no intention of driving them.

If I was to buy one of these beasts I'd do my best to break it early in its lifetime while still in warranty. If it held together after lots of 7000 rpm shifts I'd figure it was a keeper. In the future I think that many of these exotic vettes will be found to have factory replacement blocks because the originals blew up.

It's clear that the motor ( and the rest of the Z06 ) is hardly even the same car as a base C6. No offense to the base C6-an awesome machine to be sure-but the Z06 is a true super car.

It would be too much for me to handle and I don't mind admitting it. Heck, the base C6 is way too much for most people to control safely.

 

[Edmond]

OLDGOAT,

Can you say ZR-1 all over again?

Drive around Chicago and people can't handle anything that has a motor.:L