Can the LT2 really produce 650hp?

lt2engine

It has been recently reported that a test C8 made a calculated 656 hp. The problem is that the math does not add up.

Motor Trend dyno’d a pre-production 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Z51 at 558 horsepower and 515 pound-feet of torque on the wheels. This, the magazine estimated, translates to 656 hp and 606 lb-ft of torque at the crankshaft, well over the number Chevrolet gave of, a SAE-certified, 495 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque.

The problem with the Dyno numbers are #1 the test car performed exactly as the math said it would with 495hp, and #2 the LT2 would have to be the most efficient naturally aspirated motor of all times.

The C8’s 0-60 performance is spectacular, as it’s nearly a second quicker than the old Stingray, which had a similar power-to-weight ratio to the new C8. The new car’s additional thrust comes from two things: gearing and grip. Second gear on the 2020 Corvette’s new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic is only a hair longer than first was on the old seven-speed manual, and the extra mass over the rear wheels gives the C8 the ability to more easily put its extra grunt to the ground. If it truly had 200 more HP than the C7, you would see much better performance numbers.

As for efficiency, this can be measured using something called Brake Mean Effective Pressure (BMEP). This is a measure of torque per unit displacement; also referred as horsepower per liter. BMEP doesn’t change dramatically from one engine to another, at least where computer-optimized modern engines are concerned. The LT2, at 475 lf-ft, produces 13.0 bar (i.e. a Toyota Corolla 12.0 bar, Ferrari 812 Superfast 13.9 bar), but if it were to produce 606 lb-ft, it would need to have a BMEP of 17.7 bar!

As you can see, the C8’s peak BMEP is right in the middle of a small window that ranges between 12.0 for the base Toyota Corolla and 13.9 for the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in the history of the automobile.

Just in

Nearly 50,000 General Motors employees are in the process of voting on a tentative labor deal that could end their five-week strike. The early results are mixed. The Warren Technical center, in Warren, Michigan, which is made up mostly of engineers, voted 85% in favor of the deal. It also passed easily at a metal stamping plant in Saginaw, Michigan, and a transmission plant in Toledo, Ohio.

But at the enormous assembly plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee, which has almost as many UAW members as Warren, Saginaw and Toledo combined, members voted narrowly against the deal by a 51% to 49% margin. That factory builds three different SUVs, including the GMC Acadia, and the Cadillac XT5 and XT6.

Union locals across the country are voting on different days. They will remain on the picket lines while the vote is completed. The nationwide results are expected to be announced Friday evening.

Inbound NOW!

1973 LS4 454ci big block Convertible

1973 white corvette ls5 convertible coming

1973 Classic White w/Black interior Corvette LS4 454ci big block Convertible matted to a 4-speed manual transmission. On top of being rare and beautiful, it has been frame-off restored and comes with both a Convertible soft and hard top, matching #’s engine and loaded with just about every available option, including air conditioning, am/fm stereo, p/b, p/s, p/w, tilt/tele steering column, Deluxe interior, rear defroster, both hard and soft tops and more!

In today’s equivalent dollars it would take over $100,000 to duplicate this car and it’s finest frame off restoration.

Selling out of a major collection.
Priced today at $55,000 Firm!

Trades accepted. Excellent financing.

Featured Car of the Week

1967 Duntov and Triple Crown L71
Factory Side Pipe Delivery

1967 red l71 convertible exterior

What Mike likes about this car:
“For as long as I’ve been attending all of the nationwide Corvette shows including Bloomington Gold back to the early 80s the 1967 red on red 435 convertible with factory side exhaust has always been the car to own.

I encourage you to stop by and have a firsthand look at this amazing example and please feel free to have the car inspected by anybody of your choosing. I drove it recently and it is quite the performer!

Check out our great financing options.

Happy Throttling!
Apex • Exit • Accelerate!!
CM V8tro”

1967 red l71 convertible interior

This beautiful matching numbers 1967 Rally Red L71 Corvette Convertible came off the St. Louis assembly line on March 29th of ’67 and was sold new out of Prout Chevrolet in Elyria, OH. It’s been frame off restored to a very high standard in its correct Rally Red with Red interior and has both Duntov and Triple Crown Awards.
This ’67 is indeed a rare example, being one of only a handful of Rally Red w/Red interior L71 Convertibles ever built.

1967 red l71 convertible engine

It’s also loaded with great options including; L71 427/435hp engine, M21 close ratio manual transmission, 4.11 Posi rear end, am/fm radio, N14 dual side exhaust system, J50 power brakes, power windows, tinted glass, F41 suspension, Rally wheels w/Red line tires. Corvette collectors and aficionados; this is the essence of Corvette beauty and performance! It’s when Chevrolet got everything just right.

1967 red l71 convertible tank sticker 2

Nicely documented with the original Tank Sticker (validated by NCRS) and an N.C.R.S. Shipping Data Report.

Priced Slashed: ~~$189,900~~ $169,900

Trades maybe?
Financing yes!!!
Thrill rides no!!!

Upcoming events:

Las Vegas Concours d’Elegance
October 25-28, 2019
Las Vegas, Nevada

Vettes for Veterans
November 9th
The Shoppes at Carlsbad Mall
2525 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA

The Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals
November 23 & 24, 2019
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center
5555 N. River Rd, Rosemont, IL. 60018

Have a special event coming up? Let us know and we will let others know.

Corvette from the Inside

Corvette From The Inside
Signed by Author
Dave McLellan
Corvette Chief Engineer 1975-1992
Price: $25!
Other books and artwork available.

Kelsey Hayes Knock Offs Corvette Tires, repro wheels and caps. Corvette Parts Hard to find

Real Kelsey Hayes Knock offs and Bolt-Ons for sale.
Tires, repro wheels and caps.
Call for pricing.

Discounted Parts Table Items

Pictures Available Upon Request.

1956-1962 Corvette Hardtops – Priced from $4,888.
1963-1967 Corvette Hardtops – Priced from $2,000.
1968-1975 Used convertible top assembly. Good condition.
1957 Corvette Fuel Injection Unit – taken off of a ’57 Corvette engine, completely rebuilt and is ready to use. Part #7014520. Price $5,500 OBO (make us an offer).

Holley Carburetor 1969 Corvette