[POLL] What Do You Want to Power the Next Corvette Z06?

By
Alex Sommers
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[POLL] What Do You Want to Power the Next Corvette Z06?


It was a great week for those of us who are constantly wondering what is next for America’s Sports Car. First, we got to hear what we are expecting to be the C8 Corvette Z06 for the first time, all but confirming our suspicions of the newest road car using a version of the C8.R’s flat-plane-crank V8. Just two days later, the same car was spotted again, and this time it had a friend. Chevrolet engineers were benchmarking their next mid-engine marvel against the most potent 911 in history, the 991.2 generation GT2 RS.

Up to this point, there have been two schools of thought about what form the Z06’s engine would take. One group is hoping for the Z’s return to its lightweight, naturally aspirated roots with a high revving V8 as similar to the C8.R’s as Chevrolet can give them. The other faction is hungry for power. They are pulling for twin turbos to be bolted to the FPC V8. This split isn’t just between Corvette enthusiasts either, this one goes all the way to the top and is being fueled by Car and Driver who is predicting that the Z06 engine will be free breathing while MotorTrend is on team turbo. Let’s take a look at the thought processes behind each Z theory:

The NA Purists:
This group is all about the “feel” of a car. Their ideal benchmark vehicle is the last pre-turbo mid-engine V8 Ferrari, the 458.

Pros of Natural Aspiration: Higher revving, better sound, instant throttle response, would be unique in the 2021+ vehicle market, more desirable in the long term because there will always be a faster/more powerful car, the NA V8’s time seems to be limited.

Cons of Natural Aspiration: Less power and torque, higher revs make some people concerned about engine longevity.

Reasons to believe this is the way the team behind the Z06 will go: The Ferrari 458 was mentioned at the C8 reveal as the “best sports car in history,” the sound clip of a Z drive-by didn’t sound turbocharged, a 600ish HP car slots above the Stingray and leaves room for a twin-turbo ZR1 a lot better than a boosted 750+ HP Z would, a twin-turbo car is almost certainly in the pipeline and an NA Z06 adds differentiation to the Corvette portfolio that has been missing since 2013, 600 HP is plenty for the new layout based on how fast the Stingray is with “just” 495 ponies.

Twin Snails Please:
Those who subscribe to MT’s Z06 forecasts just want the fastest possible car. The McLaren 720S is their dream blueprint for the next version of the ‘Vette.

Pros of Twin Turbos: POWER!!!

Cons of Twin Turbos: Even the best modern turbos still lag, a TT V8 would make the Z06 “just another” mid-engine sports car these days, added weight.

Reasons to believe Tadge and Co. will turn to turbos for the Z06: Running with a GT2 RS instead of a GT3 or GT3 RS is pretty telling about the kind of power they are expecting, the new Z06 making less power than the old one doesn’t seem right, the most believable leaked information showed a twin-turbo powerplant.

So, what side of the fence do you fall on? I don’t want to speak for my compatriots here at CorvetteBlogger but I am strongly in favor of making the Z06 light and naturally aspirated again. I have covered the topic in the past but will still be excited if Chevrolet decides on a monster twin-turbo Z06. In that case, maybe they will throw a NA version of the Flat-Plane V8 into a Grand Sport? Vote and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

What Do You Want to Power the Next Corvette Z06?

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Related:
[SPIED] Prototype C8 Corvette Z06 Testing with a Porsche 911 GT2 RS
[SPIED] Video Captures the Sound of a Flat-Plane Crank V8 in this C8 Corvette Z06 Prototype
CorvettesC8 CorvetteNewsRumors & Innuendo [RUMOR] C8 Corvette Z06 Will Have a Flat-Plane Crank Twin Turbo V8

 



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29 COMMENTS

  2. Chuck,

    The homologation rules state that the race car’s engine has to be “based on” a road car engine so Chevrolet could comply with a Naturally Aspirated version or one with “Twins.”
    My understanding is that race and street versions don’t even have to be the same displacement either. So the road car could displace something like 4.2L, which has also been rumored. It is all just fun speculation at this point but I am crossing my fingers for the Z06 engine to be as similar as possible to the NA 5.5 FPC in the C8.R.

    As always, thank you for reading and participating,

    Alex

  3. Having owned both turbo and NA sports cars…the current 991.1 GT3RS (4.0L Boxer 6), and F430 (4.3L Flat- Plane V8), I drive with a 9000 and 8200 redline respectively, are by far a better driving experience than my previous 997.2 TTS (turbo). When the RS with its slightly modified exhaust and PDK trans is shifting at redline…the sound is absolutely intoxicating!!! I’ll gladly take a little less HP for a better driving experience in a C8 Z06… From what I’m hearing the C8 doesn’t need to gain additional weight either, not to mention the extra inter-cooling requirements… I say NA for the Z06 and save the forced induction for the ZR1. Just one man’s humble opinion…

  4. The flat plane crank engine is a great engine so long as high RPM vibration is not present. If that’s the engine of choice for the new ZO6, then give it the sound similar to the GT350 with it’s flat plane crank engine. Corvettes have all the looks and the power but they suck in the exhaust note department. If Ford can do it, why can’t Corvette?
    My present 2019 ZO6 sounds kinda lame compared to my son’s 2018 GT350.

  5. I would like to see the Grand Sport be the light weight naturally aspirated and then the Z06 and the ZR-1 can go the turbo & hybrid roads.

  6. I think that the Z06 should have a very Snotty “Street Version” of the C8.R 5.5 Flat Plane Crank motor , Save the turbo for the Grand Sport & maybe a twin turbo if they are going to have the ZR-1.

  8. I too walk the fence. I want as much torque and horsepower as can be had but, prefer the “responsiveness” of the NA and less complicated and potentially lighter prospect. JMHO.

  10. JB knows what’s up!
    Along the lines of Kerry and Greg, I don’t really care what it’s called but I’ll be on cloud nine if we get both versions of the 5.5.
    NA makes sense to me in the Z06 but if they want to use a new engine to differentiate the GS from the base car, that would be excellent too.

  12. Why does anyone ‘need’ more power than a 5.5 flat plane crank motor in the corvette. Where can you drive in this country to really wring out a turbo or twin turbo. If it is to boost ones ego then you are just wasting your money. If you get caught law enforcement trying to impress other people then, in all likelihood you will have your car impounded and you will pay a huge fine. Not to mention that in some states 25 miles over the listed speed limit is a considered a felony.

  13. I’d predict smaller displacement (lighter weight, easier to cool) flat plane twin turbo V8 with electric boosters up front. Why else are we seeing cars with pig tails in the front? Ala NSX
    Same 500 hp from gas and 150 from battery equates to 2019 Z06 but much quicker.
    Help’s with weight distribution and fixes understeer by going to all wheel drive when track type performance is required.
    Heat management will be the ultimate challenge, as it was in the first year C7 Z06.

  15. Since I own a C6 Z06 (at “only” 505 hp), I hope they never bring back the 427. On the other hand if I were Tadge’s boss, I’d have him put the 7 liter motor (NA) in the C8 Z06, turned up close to 600 hp. And while he’s at it, put a 6 or 7 speed trans (option) behind it. I’d tell him “Don’t argue, I’m your boss, just do it because real Corvette people want it and they will pay for it”.

  16. I live at 5,000 ft altitude and a NA engine and Supercharged engine looses about 2.5 lbs of boost or manifold pressure. Using rough numbers a 600 HP engine at sea level will loose 85 90HP at 5K ft.
    A Turbo or TT doesn’t loose any, IE; makes full power way up high. Also, it muffles the exhaust and evens the pulses sounding more like a FPC. I say forget the FPC and with the Hot V arrangement the sound will be different and enjoy a stronger and more balanced rotating system to higher RPM’s.

  17. Why isn’t a supercharger an option? I have a 2017 Z06 and would not want to step down in power so the C8 Z better have 700hp give or take a few. So here is my wish, stick a supercharger on the 5.5 FPC, no turbo lag, should sound fantastic, am I off base here?

  18. Rumor has it the Chevrolet engine engineers were astounded by the fact that the TT FPC engine produced 1016hp when dino’d. If this is correct I just hope they don’t decide to tune it down in any way for the ZR1 version. By the way Chevrolet engineers have eliminated the lag in the upcoming TT FCP engine.

    I would like to see this next C8 testing with the FCP be slotted as a Grand Sport that’s NA @ whatever HP that engine will produce.

    Detune the FPC TT for the Z06 to 800/850 horses.

    ZR1 with whatever that FPC TT engine will produce & active aero. Hopefully the 1016hp rumor is true.

    ZORA everything the ZR1 is + powered all wheel drive.

    Manta Ray a Hydrogen powered generator powering all wheel drive with no batteries required. Very light weight.

  19. The flat plane crank engine has not worked out to well for the Mustang. Blown engines ! Chevy would have to prove that they are reliable before I would buy one.

  21. At 1:40 today, when the green flag drops at Daytona I’ll be toasting a cool-one to all of you!!!
    Go “Team Corvette” and kick some European tail!!!’ (Sad Ford won’t be there)
    JB

  22. Twin turbo flat plane crank in the Z06, min. 700 hp. NA flat plane crank in the Grand Sport, 550 to 600 hp. Twin turbo flat plane crank hybrid drive train in the ZR1, 1000+ hp.

  25. @Dennis….and the first 4000lbs Corvette. LoL!!! ?

    Speaking of curb weight what is the C8’s wet (with fluids) curb weight?

  27. The engine for the C8 Z06 has already been developed, validated, and has been on the market for
    years, it produces 750 naturally aspirated horsepower and has a 8,000 rpm red line.
    https://www.mercuryracing.com/mercury-racing-reveals-sb4-7-0-automotive-crate-engine/
    Makes a great Vette-rod / resto-mod engine, too.

    Homologation – Corvette Racing 5.5L engines are based on a destroked production small block.
    Not truly and absolutely sure, but if the C8.R 5.5L engine is based on a production small block, I believe the crank can be a modification of the original crank. I believe the C8.R flat plane engine is based on a production ‘V’ configuation block, with a 180′ crank rather than a 90′ crank, with DOHC heads, of similar design to the heads on the Mercury Marine engine.

  28. How about something that has a loud exhaust painted in anything but the washed out lime green accelerate yellow. It shouldn’t look the same color as a road sign.

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