Corvette ZR1 Certified at 638hp

[TriShield]

CHEVROLET ANNOUCES CERTIFIED POWER RATINGS FOR THE NEW CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1: 638 HP FROM THE SUPERCHARGED LS9 V-8

PONTIAC, Mich. – When it was introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year, the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1's power was estimated at 100 horsepower for each of its 6.2 liters of displacement. GM Powertrain has completed SAE certification of the ZR1's supercharged LS9 V-8 and the results exceed the estimate: 638 horsepower (476 kW) and 604 lb.-ft. of torque (819 Nm).

The LS9's output is nearly 103 horses per liter, or just about 1.7 horses for each of the engine's 376 cubic inches. It is unquestionably the most powerful automotive production engine ever manufactured by General Motors and enables the Corvette ZR1 to achieve a top speed of more than 200 mph (322 km/h).

"One of the most amazing things about the Corvette ZR1 is the level of refinement that our designers and engineers have attained. Even with all that power, this car has road manners that will allow our customers to enjoy it on the streets as a daily driver, and on the track," said Chevrolet General Manager Ed Peper.

The Corvette ZR1 goes on sale this summer. Its 638-hp supercharged engine is complemented in the chassis by heavy-duty components not offered in any other model, including a six-speed manual transmission with race-hardened gears and dual-disc clutch technology that delivers exceptional clamping power and lower inertia, as well as strengthened axle components.

Fuel economy testing has not been completed, but engineers are confident the ZR1 will be the most fuel-efficient 600-plus-horsepower car on the market.

The LS9 engine is hand-built by specially trained technicians at GM's Performance Build Center in Wixom, Mich. It is a unique, small-volume engine production facility that also builds the Chevrolet Corvette Z06's LS7 engine and other high-performance GM production engines.

"Developing the LS9 involved more than simply striving for a great horsepower number. Endurance and reliability testing have shown the engine to be robust and low-maintenance, just like other engines in the small-block family," said Sam Winegarden, executive director, engine engineering for GM Powertrain. "That it is distinguished as the most powerful engine ever from General Motors is a source of immense pride among everyone involved with the LS9."

Supercharged aspiration

The key enabler of the LS9's performance is the industry's first production application of a new, positive-displacement Roots-type supercharger that has a unique four-lobe rotor design. Its design promotes quieter and more efficient performance, while the large, 2.3-liter displacement ensures adequate air volume at high rpm. Maximum boost pressure is 10.5 psi (0.72 bar). It is teamed with an integrated charge cooling system that reduces inlet air temperature for maximum performance.

"The combination of large displacement and the new, four-rotor design broadens the effective range of the supercharger, allowing the engine to make more power at lower rpm and sustain it throughout the power band," said Winegarden. "The low-end torque is tremendous and the high-rpm charge from the supercharger is simply amazing."

A raised hood provides adequate clearance for the LS9, while a polycarbonate window in the hood provides a view of the engine beneath it.

LS9 details

The LS9 features many unique design and manufacturing details that support its high-performance nature. They include:

Aluminum cylinder block with iron cylinder liners that are finish-bored and honed with a deck plate installed
Forged steel crankshaft with a nine-bolt flange
Titanium connecting rods and forged aluminum pistons
Stronger, rotocast cylinder heads with 2.16-inch (55 mm) titanium intake valves and 1.59-inch (40.4 mm) hollow-stem, sodium-filled exhaust valves
Camshaft with 0.555-inch (14.1 mm) lift for excellent idle and low-speed driving qualities
A dry-sump oiling system with 10.5-quart (9.9 liters) capacity
Integrated oil cooler and piston-cooling oil squirters

Specifications

LS9 6.2L SUPERCHARGED V-8

Displacement (cu in / cc): 376 / 6162
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92
Block material: cast aluminum
Cylinder head material: A356-T6 rotocast aluminum
Valvetrain: overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel delivery: SFI (sequential fuel injection)
Compression ratio: 9.1:1
Horsepower / kW: 638 / 476 @ 6500 rpm
Torque (lb-ft / Nm): 604 / 819 @ 3800 rpm
Fuel shut-off (rpm): 6600
Recommended fuel: premium required
Exhaust manifolds: stainless steel
Main bearing caps: forged steel
Crankshaft: forged steel
Camshaft:n hollow steel; 0.555-in (14.1 mm) lift
Connecting rods: forged titanium
Valves:
intake: titanium
exhaust: hollow steel
Valve lifters: hydraulic roller
Supercharger: R2300, four-lobe "Roots" type (2.3L)
Additional features: piston oil-spray cooling; direct-mount ignition coils; 11-rib accessory drive



http://media.gm.com/servlet/GatewayS...74&docid=45315

[E. Haskell]

638hp

Is that supposed to be good or somethin'?

[drew630]

Originally Posted by E. Haskell

638hp

Is that supposed to be good or somethin'?

Well, its advertised as only 620hp for starters.

[chakis24]

well, heres the question....

will the zr-1 have better fuel economy than the z06 and the base vette?

all that additional torque means quickness of the line, which means you dont have to hit the gas much to get the car moving. at highway speeds, its low slung, lighter than a z06 (i think???), and again more power without a large increase in weight.

i expect it to be the most frugal of the three vettes.

[forsbach427]

yeah ill take one

[Slideways]

Originally Posted by chakis24

i expect it to be the most frugal of the three vettes.

I don't know, the standard Vette has things pretty well sorted out. It's not like you have to really lay into it to get it to cruising speed, so I don't see how the supercharger is going to add to fuel economy. The main reason the LS9 makes more power is that it's able to burn fuel at a faster rate than the LS3, and even at cruising rpms it's got to be making a little boost. I guess it depends on the testing procedures. We'll see.

[free_energy0]

Originally Posted by chakis24

well, heres the question....

will the zr-1 have better fuel economy than the z06 and the base vette?

No, it won't. It's heavier, has wider tires, and the drag from a S/Cer.

[CobaltSScrazy]

hot-dang! That is just stunning! Imagine what kind of performance numbers this car truly puts down? Do you need to go to driving school before purchasing one? maybe they should require that.

Imagine what a C7 with an LS13 will do

CobaltSS

[FenixII]

[quote=TriShield;1383601]CHEVROLET ANNOUCES CERTIFIED POWER RATINGS FOR THE NEW CHEVROLET CORVETTE ZR1: 638 HP FROM THE SUPERCHARGED LS9 V-8



The LS9's output is nearly 103 horses per liter, or just about 1.7 horses for each of the engine's 376 cubic inches. It is unquestionably the most powerful automotive production engine ever manufactured by General Motors and enables the Corvette ZR1 to achieve a top speed of more than 200 mph (322 km/h).

My little brazilian FORD FIESTA has a supercharged 1.0 liter with 95 h.p., so I'm very close to the ZR1!!!!!!!!!

[Ultra Magnus]

In-frickin-credible. So when will the LS9 be available as a crate engine?

[SuperSS27]

Additional features: piston oil-spray cooling; direct-mount ignition coils; 11-rib accessory drive

Intersting. I wonder how easy it is to convert that to other LSx motors.

[tamatt27]

Originally Posted by E. Haskell

638hp

Is that supposed to be good or somethin'?

Have you ever ridden in a 638hp car?
I suspect that, like most Magnachargers, the supercharger has a built in boost regulator so it's not making boost at cruising speeds for fuel economy.

[Ambalanche]

WOW

If they can keep it under 100K and it still can eat Ferrari's and Lambo's for lunch, I'll be so happy!! Not that I could ever afford one, but for American Pride!!

[SSJ]

Originally Posted by TriShield

Fuel economy testing has not been completed, but engineers are confident the ZR1 will be the most fuel-efficient 600-plus-horsepower car on the market.

yeah...thats why I'd buy this car...that quote made my morning!!

[Ambalanche]

I probably missed it, but do any of you know why they didn't use Direct Injection on the LS9? Are they saving it for an update? Or would it not make any difference on this engine? I know it does on the 2.0 Turbo 4.