[VIDEO] Jeff Gordon is the First to Build his Own Corvette ZR1X Engine

By
Keith Cornett
-
19
73081

[VIDEO] Jeff Gordon is the First to Build his Own Corvette ZR1X Engine


Here’s a cool video coming out of the Performance Build Center inside GM’s Corvette Assembly Plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky. NASCAR Hall of Fame racer Jeff Gordon and his father became the first to participate in the new Engine Build Experience and he spent the day assembling the twin-turbo 5.5-Liter LT7 V8 engine that will go in his 2026 Corvette ZR1X.

We like to think of the Engine Build Experience as a Corvette lover’s fantasy camp, where a Z06, ZR1, or ZR1X buyer can go behind the scenes and work alongside a master GM engine builder as they assemble their own V8 engine. The cost of the program is $9,995 and it can be ordered with RPO PBC.

Chevrolet put out this video on their social media channels on Thursday morning. After a quick intro by Jeff, we see a time stamp of 9:39 am of an Orange ZR1X Convertible pulling up to the main entrance of the Corvette Assembly Plant, and by 2:55 PM he finished the process by putting his personalized Engine Builder plaque on the LT7’s blue manifold cover.

Jeff Gordon Builds an LT7 Engine


In between those two time stamps, we see Jeff and his engine in different stages of assembly. At one point, the moved to another room where it conducted a “Cold Test” behind a clear window. We’re not sure exactly what happens during the cold test, but Jeff seemed to like it! “That’s pretty cool, huh?” says Jeff.

From Chevrolet via Instagram:

A full day at the heart of Corvette. Follow along as Jeff Gordon joins us at Corvette’s Performance Build Center, where he participated in the Build Your Own Engine program.


The Engine Build Experience became available to order during the first February 2026 order cycle where we saw limited constraints for the PBC option. It’s our understanding that eight slots were granted during that order cycle with six of them for the Z06 and two spots available for the ZR1.


Source:
Chevrolet / Instagram

Related:
Chevrolet to Launch the Engine Build Experience in 2026 for Z06, ZR1, and ZR1X Customers
[VIDEO] Pricing Update on Engine Build Program and Scrape Armor Grille Screens for ZR1/ZR1X
NASCAR’s Hendrick Builds His Own LS7 for a 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Edition

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19 COMMENTS

  1. That’s pretty cool.!
    If I ever had the opportunity to do that the only caveat would be that if anything broke on the engine in the future I would think it was my fault.! : ) lol

    Joking, I realize you are working with a master builder and would do it in a heartbeat.!👍

  2. About as dumb as it gets. For $2000 per hour you get to touch a few tools while automation and a GM tech assembles 99.9% of your engine. So Jeff is going to have two ZR1X’s? He didn’t pay for the first one, will he pay for this one? Doesn’t matter, he’s got money to burn and doesn’t really appreciate anything he owns like Rick Hendricks and all his #0001 million dollar Corvettes. Ultra rich, celebrities and sports professionals make me sick. Am I jealous? Far from it.

  4. For $9995 you can forget it! I’d be willing to bet that Jeff will only keep his new ZR1X for a year or two and then raffle it off for his children’s charity just like he’s done with some of his other personal Corvettes.

  5. Jeff, if you could find the time, could you come to the house and rebuild my Jeep 3.8? Thanks in advance.

  6. Take all the money away and he couldnt afford to build a lawnmower engine. Nothing impressive to see here. Lots of shade tree mechanics running in the 9’s built their whole car for less than what he build this motor for.

  9. Pretty cool, he’s so important that he dosent have to follow gm safety policy like the rest of us. No rings on the shop floor jeff.

  11. I know it’s just a Dream. But my Dream. Jeff Gordon if there ever would be a Day that I could Join you and Dad. I could drive Down To Bowling Green Kentucky And participate in something like this.
    Will hope you read this and Think about a One off Engine
    And A unique twist on A Idea I have on The Zr1W4

  12. He Ronnie, don’t be so cynical. If you would have spent about 10 seconds checking it out, you would have found that the ZR1x motor is all HAND BUILT by one master technician. People love talking on the internet whether they actually know what they are talking about or not.

  13. My son would’ve loved to have seen this.
    Jeff G was his favorite driver & next to Mustangs, Corvettes were tops.
    Jeff.. take joy in what you are doing. You will always hold a special place in my heart. My son got to attend a race in VA thanks to the help of Carillion hospital. He was battling cancer for a 2nd time. We got to tour the pits before the race started. Matt wore his beloved Jeff Gordon racing coat & do rag to cover his head. Jeff took time to stop & talk to him then whipped out a sharpie & signed his coat and head scarf. Matt floated 2ft above the ground for the rest of the day. He wore that coat with such pride & admiration. He dreamed of learning to drive. You gave him a huge gift of your time and feeling of being part of something he loved.
    Feburary 2007,Matt left this world and into the arms of Jesus. He had just turned 13 two months prior. I have his coat & hat carefully stored but still able for me to see it, touch it and remember a day of pure joy. From a mum’s heart, thank you.

  14. All the whiners and idiots came here in full force to complain about other people’s money, lol.

    What a miserable life they lead.

    I’m a 60’s, 70’s Ford guy and think this is cool. And I do not like ‘Vettes.

  15. Some of you guys that replyed should shut tfu. Just because someone has earned the right to do things you havnt you figured you would say something stupid. I dont care if you dont like jeff or not just dont read the story.

  16. That is amazing! If only something like that would be offered by others to do something like this is like meeting a celebrity. Take note people. Chevy got something here.

  17. The engine build process is a memory that is tuff to beat. I hope that when my allocation is available for my ZR1X that I can get the engine build experience in as well. We will see.

  18. I was a strong Gorden fan for years, went to Talladega for my 50th birthday,got 2 tickets from my wife as a gift which included a meet and greet with the rainbow warrior himself. I brought with me his rookie year hat and pen to sign it for me, face to face i asked for his autograph and
    he walked right past me like I wasn’t even there,
    He ended up DNF that day, should have signed my hat shorty,I didn’t realize he was only 4 feet tall, thanks anyway buddy

    When I got home I loaded up all my 24 stuff and threw it away.

  19. That is absolutely hilarious. Reminds me of my friend when he was a kid trying to get Johnny Bench’s autograph and was sternly told to wait his turn and he almost cried.🤣

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