Future of ZR1 & GM
04-02-09, 04:36 PM
#16
Lexus Test Driver
V6 Corvette, I think hell will freeze over before that happens. The Corvette history is not like other cars, were engines can flip flop, like the mustang. The first Corvette built in 1953 had a V8, all Corvettes will have V8's, anything else being big(V!2, V10, or smaller(V6), is unacceptable. What may happen is a lower horspower V8, like the Vettes in the late 70's and early 80's, but it will non the less be a V8.
04-02-09, 05:33 PM
#18
Lexus Champion
When introduced in 1953, the Corvette featured the "Blue Flame" six cylinder engine. This is not as the Chevrolet engineering team wanted things, but they had no choice. Although other GM marques featured V8 motors they were not willing to share; a very different situation compared to years later when various divisions would feature the same powerplants. It was renowned for reliability but with a rating of 105 HP, performance and sportiness was not included. The engineering staff responded with the usual engine upgrade methods. A more radical camshaft rubbing on solid lifters, dual valve springs, and a higher compression ratio cylinder head (8.0:1; previous was 7.5:1) all contributed to the effort. The largest gain was achieved via an upgrade to the induction system (right). Three Carter type YH sidedraft carburetors featuring "bullet" air cleaners with an aluminum manifold were incorporated and the output soared to 150 bhp at 4,500 RPM.
04-02-09, 05:47 PM
#20
Lexus Champion
V6 Corvette, I think hell will freeze over before that happens. The Corvette history is not like other cars, were engines can flip flop, like the mustang. The first Corvette built in 1953 had a V8, all Corvettes will have V8's, anything else being big(V!2, V10, or smaller(V6), is unacceptable. What may happen is a lower horspower V8, like the Vettes in the late 70's and early 80's, but it will non the less be a V8.
as stated above it all began with a 6 cyliner motor....
and BTW the 911 seems to do just fine with a 6 cylinder powerplant...
2009 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Performance & Efficiency Standard Features
- 3,596 cc 3.6 liters horizontal 6 rear engine with 96.0 mm bore, 82.8 mm stroke, 11.3 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder
- Premium unleaded fuel 91
- Gasoline direct injection fuel system
- 16.9 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank 14.1
- Power: 257 kW , 345 HP SAE and 288 ft lb , 390 Nm
04-02-09, 05:52 PM
#21
Lexus Fanatic
OOOOOHHH poor GM they will have to make power the smart way instead of using stupid brute strength and size that the american car companies know so well . Its the only way they know how to make sports cars..... not for long. In stead of the lame " add a liter" attitude they will need to turn to tubos with direct injection. I love the Z06 and the ZR1 for what they are.... pure sports car monsters that resemble big stupid oafish football players. Porsche and Nissan make almost the same power with half the engine size and/or turbo. They remind me more of olympic atheletes/ track stars. Lean and fast.
04-02-09, 06:40 PM
#22
Lexus Fanatic
OOOOOHHH poor GM they will have to make power the smart way instead of using stupid brute strength and size that the american car companies know so well . Its the only way they know how to make sports cars..... not for long. In stead of the lame " add a liter" attitude they will need to turn to tubos with direct injection. I love the Z06 and the ZR1 for what they are.... pure sports car monsters that resemble big stupid oafish football players. Porsche and Nissan make almost the same power with half the engine size and/or turbo. They remind me more of olympic atheletes/ track stars. Lean and fast.
04-02-09, 06:45 PM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
yep BLUE FLAME...
When introduced in 1953, the Corvette featured the "Blue Flame" six cylinder engine. This is not as the Chevrolet engineering team wanted things, but they had no choice. Although other GM marques featured V8 motors they were not willing to share; a very different situation compared to years later when various divisions would feature the same powerplants. It was renowned for reliability but with a rating of 105 HP, performance and sportiness was not included. The engineering staff responded with the usual engine upgrade methods. A more radical camshaft rubbing on solid lifters, dual valve springs, and a higher compression ratio cylinder head (8.0:1; previous was 7.5:1) all contributed to the effort. The largest gain was achieved via an upgrade to the induction system (right). Three Carter type YH sidedraft carburetors featuring "bullet" air cleaners with an aluminum manifold were incorporated and the output soared to 150 bhp at 4,500 RPM.
When introduced in 1953, the Corvette featured the "Blue Flame" six cylinder engine. This is not as the Chevrolet engineering team wanted things, but they had no choice. Although other GM marques featured V8 motors they were not willing to share; a very different situation compared to years later when various divisions would feature the same powerplants. It was renowned for reliability but with a rating of 105 HP, performance and sportiness was not included. The engineering staff responded with the usual engine upgrade methods. A more radical camshaft rubbing on solid lifters, dual valve springs, and a higher compression ratio cylinder head (8.0:1; previous was 7.5:1) all contributed to the effort. The largest gain was achieved via an upgrade to the induction system (right). Three Carter type YH sidedraft carburetors featuring "bullet" air cleaners with an aluminum manifold were incorporated and the output soared to 150 bhp at 4,500 RPM.
04-02-09, 07:29 PM
#24
Lexus Champion
04-03-09, 08:52 AM
#26
Lexus Champion
04-03-09, 09:08 AM
#27
Lexus Fanatic
04-03-09, 09:30 AM
#28
Lexus Champion
A V6 is possible as a base motor.. 300+ horsepower, light weight, not a bad idea at all, really, other than for image.
But there's no way they're going to go without a V8 at all for the next gen.
It seems very strange to me that they wouldn't build 331 cars that they're already tooled up to build and know they can sell for a huge profit with no effort at all.
But there's no way they're going to go without a V8 at all for the next gen.
8. 669 2009 ZR-1s have been built, unknown if remaining 331 will EVER be built
Last edited by Threxx; 04-03-09 at 09:36 AM.
04-03-09, 09:35 AM
#30
Lexus Champion
OOOOOHHH poor GM they will have to make power the smart way instead of using stupid brute strength and size that the american car companies know so well . Its the only way they know how to make sports cars..... not for long. In stead of the lame " add a liter" attitude they will need to turn to tubos with direct injection. I love the Z06 and the ZR1 for what they are.... pure sports car monsters that resemble big stupid oafish football players. Porsche and Nissan make almost the same power with half the engine size and/or turbo. They remind me more of olympic atheletes/ track stars. Lean and fast.
The Vette offers huge amounts of power, an extremely usable/flat/monsterous torque curve, great reliability, very good fuel mileage, low engine weight, low engine cost of production, it can be opened up and repaired or modified without a degree in rocket science, it has fairly compact dimensions, etc...
If anything I think the LSx series of V8s from GM makes all of these complicated small displacement motors look kinda silly for trying to hard and ending up almost right back where they left off.