C6 Performance Figures

[Rob]

It's pretty evident that Corvette owners love performance, and obviously, that's what the Corvette is all about.

Since the early 1980s, Corvette performance has gradually increased. Starting in:

1985 we saw the introduction of "tuned port fuel injection",
1990 the double overhead cam, 32-valve LT5 engine in the ZR-1 was introduced with 375 hp.
1992 saw the introduction of the LT1 engine which provided 300 hp.
1996, saw the limited production LT4 engine based off of the LT1 and provided "330 hp".

The C5 generation is now seeing 350 hp out of the base LS1 and 405 hp out of the LS6.

All of this power obviously equates to greater performance numbers and depending upon the model, higher top speeds (even though the Z06 has more muscle under the hood, the 350 hp LS1 powered Coupe is able to achieve a higher top speed than the Z06 with 405 hp).

In terms of the C6 and increased performance, which would be more important to you:

1. More emphasis on lower acceleration times in terms of 0-60 mph, 5-60 mph and 0-100-0 mph, or

2. More emphasis on greater acceleration in terms of a higher top speed?

Why or why not?

[BigBrakeFuelie]

I would like to see greater acceleration 0-60mph,and the quarter mile times improved.Not to say they arn`t already excellant but there`s always room for improvement.
The reason? Well the Corvette is an American car through and through and it should reflect performance in an American way.There is no Autobahn here in the U.S. so great top speed ## are great to read about but not as usable IMO.
Also I would like to see the handling and braking to keep improving.The Corvette should be able to handle with any car in the world.I think it does,but you can`t keep still in the car biz.
Looks? The Corvette needs to keep it`s unique look and appeal never look like one of the herd that would be mistake.
My 2 cents.

[BigRed]

Last time I checked its quite rare anyone see's the 150+ Mph mark. However how often do we go 0-60?

If it was a money issue 0-60 of course if it wasn't both of course.

[DkBG]

I choose lower because that s where we all drive . The torque of the LS1 is what makes it such a pleasure to drive . It's so forgiveing that you can be in the wrong gear and still pull out of the corners easily . I wouldn't want to sacrifice that low end torque for high rev power . Cliff

[JBsC5]

No question the top speed of the C5 is more than enough..I would like better acceleration ..in fact..to that end..I have only one necessary item that the C6 hi performance version should have.. Dual clutch Sequential Shift Manual transmission.

Consistant perfection and efficiency in performance.

[Vettelt193]

I have never been over 140.... I don't have a track near me, and really don't know of a track that I could go to for top speed.... What I use every day though, is the low end grunt of my vette... so, I want a ton of power, and want it down low!

[Rob]

Moderators and Administrators:

I didn't want this thread in the Polls forum which is why I originally posted this thread in the C6 forum. Please do not move my threads into other forums unless you ask me first. Thanks. :)

[lt4 gs]

I'd like to see it even w/359:eek :eek :eek :eek :eek :eek :(

[Rob]

Originally posted by lt4 gs
I'd like to see it even w/359:eek :eek :eek :eek :eek :eek :( You completely lost me here....

[Edmond]

I'd have to go with the acceleration improvements for the reasons stated above. We don't have any Autobahn type road where we can cruise however fast we want. What we usually do is the occasional 1/4 run and the occasional rush we give ourselves by "gunning it" from the light.

Guy I used to work with visited Germany with his family. I asked him if he went to the Autobahn and he said yes. Asked him if he saw any Vette's over there and he saw a few but he made the comment that Vette's couldn't handle the everyday high speed driving and would "fall apart." I just :L at him.

[Colorado]

I think that 0-100-0 figures provide a good basis of comparison between competitors. Maybe a 0-85-0 would be more "real world", but every once in a while somebody in a Cavalier can't resist challenging the old man in the white 'Vette :eyerole I was there once upon a time, so I understand :beer

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone :w

[tvgm84]

Basically what it comes down to is how many times you hit the top speed of your Vette, compaired to the amount of times you go 0-60. Other than those with a death wish, I think (hope) many people here have not gone speeds over 150mph.

I'd like to see the base Vette in the mid 12s in the 1/4 mile.

[Colorado]

Mid 12s at altitude would be sweet indeed!!!! If we could get down to very low 13s or high 12s we could impress my turbo and forced (supercharged)-ricer buddies. Those guys are burnin' up the strip lately...

[Colorado]

Please understand...no dis intended at all...these guys are winding out real good!

[iburke]

I love running the 1/4 .... but as you can see by the pic...I would love to have a 200 mph daily driver.. If you have to ask why you just don't understand.. I'm heading back to Bonneville next fall with a few mod's and a few tips from a retired GM enginer to see how close I can get with an almost stock C5.

[vettepilot]

iburke,
I have a friend here who is the president of the East Coast Timing Association, Keith Turk.. you may have run into him at the big B flats. He was telling about trying to hit the magic 200 and all the effort it takes in a modified Camaro that he is running. I think it's a darn good expression of how strongly competative the Corvette is today when one can take a pure stock Vette and attempt to reach 200 MPH. It may fall short of 200, but how many other cars in the Corvette Coupe price range could even think about going out to attempt this. I can't think of any.
Good Luck and keep the greasy side down.

I got a little off topic here but I would still like to see both worlds, very strong o - 100 times, and a big top end, just for bragging rights. Usually if the low end is there the high end will naturally follow provided the gearing is matched to the engine characteristics. So far the Corvette team has not disapointed us, but please keep the price in the area where I can still afford a new Vette, and eat once in a while too.... LOL
vettepilot

[Gorgon]

I would like to see an improvement in both. Correct me if I'm wrong, but GM is targeting the performance cars of the world with the Corvette. Just because we don't have a road to open up for top speed doesn't mean that other countries don't. What better way to change the views and opinions of the world about the Corvette than to create a car with Z06 performance and 180+ top end in the base Corvette? And make it in a reliable package. This is all about the perception of the car.

BTW, years ago Car and Drive took a stock C4 and modified that to a top speed of 212. What a beast. :eek

Leon

[danl72]

More power of course. The more the marrier. I am sure GM is on that same page. I am sure they are tired like the rest of us hearing everyone compare the Vette to the Viper when you can't compare them. The best thing to do is best them, and keep the Vette in the same class it is in, OUR CLASS.

[msiska]

It's nice to have top speed of 170 or so, but what track can we go to, to actually drive at that speed? Summit Point for me is a 135mph straight. I know that VIR and Watkins Glenn have 150mph straights. But for my everyday driving, and the more frequent use of the drags, I want grunt (torque) for the acceleration!!

[Brett]

I think they should primarily work on the 0-60 and quarter mile times. If they do that right, top end should naturally follow.

Top end speed is more of a stat for supercars (Zonda, Enzo, etc.) anyway. As long as Corvette has something impressive, that is all I ask.



Brett

[Zippy]

Quicker acceleration would be my first choice, and I believe we will get that, and a whole lot more, with the C6!

Can't wait to get mine! :dance

[vettedoc]

Current Motor Trend implies 400-500hp by 2006. That should lower the 0-60 pretty good.

[Utah]

Originally posted by vettedoc
Current Motor Trend implies 400-500hp by 2006. That should lower the 0-60 pretty good.


WOW, are there any price speculations yet, and how the performance and price will compare to others (like the viper)?

[Edmond]

Read in one of the magazines that we shouldn't expect a big jump in displacement, if any because:

The 350 is darn fast!

CAFE requirements.

[Rob]

I'm kind of skeptical that we'll see a return of the 427ci engine in a production Corvette.

Here's why....take a look at the specs on the 2003 Guldstrand 50th Anniversary Corvette that is tested in the April 2003 Motor Trend Magazine.

The engine is a 427 cubic inch, 7-liter, LS1-based V8 built by Katech Engineering. Output is 500 horsepower and 520 lb-ft of torque.

I don't know what the actual dry engine weight is, or the curb weight of the car and Guldstrand's site is down, so I haven't been able to look for specs there, but historically, 427 engines have been known to be quite heavy. While they put out gobs of power, their weight can negatively affect performance in terms of handling and braking. This is of course, historically speaking. Given today's advances in metallurgy and engine manufacturing technology, it's quite possible that today's 427 cu in V8, could be significantly lighter than yesterday's 427.

Here are the performance figures cited in Motor Trend

Standard 2002 Corvette

0-60: 4.80
1/4 mile: 13.12 @ 109.1
Brk, 60-0ft: 116
Slalom, 600 ft: 66.5

Guldstrand 50th

0-60: 4.52
1/4 mile: 12.49 @ 120.3
Brk, 60-0ft: 111
Slalom, 600 ft: 69.7

For comparison, lets look at a Z06 Corvette equipped with the standard LS6 engine:

0-60: 4.00 (C&D - Dec. 2001)
1/4 mile: 12.4 @ 116 (C&D - Dec. 2001)
Brk, 60-0ft: 104 (60 - 0 mph) (C&D - Feb. 2002)
Slalom, 600 ft: NA

Given the performance results of a 2002 Z06, we're looking at a 1/2 second less 0-60 than the GS 50th, and an almost equivalent 1/4 mile acceleration time and speed. Braking is also better.

In my own humble opinion, unless performance of the LS6 or some other iteration of the small block engine spawned from the LS1/LS6 family hits a ceiling of no more than 450hp in terms of output, I see little justification for a big block Corvette at this time.

Again, this is just my own opinion based upon speculation and published performance test results. Who knows, maybe the good ole General will surprise us. Personally speaking, performance numbers be damned, I still wouldn't mind seeing the ole rat motor reincarnated and turned loose on Dodge's bulbous serpent. :D ;)

[ROCKETBLOCK]

[i]Again, this is just my own opinion based upon speculation and published performance test results. Who knows, maybe the good ole General will surprise us. Personally speaking, performance numbers be damned, I still wouldn't mind seeing the ole rat motor reincarnated and turned loose on Dodge's bulbous serpent. :D ;)

And.........a good opinion it is!!! :D
I would like to see the standard 0 to 60 replaced with a 0 to 80 to 0 test as a benchmark. I think this would be a better test of sports cars and all cars in general. JMO

[LongTimer]

Since Zora's time, the Corvette has always been quick and fast (top speed). Supposedly stock '57 fuelies were turning 150+MPH at Daytona in '57. That was pretty good for that era. With today's 6 sp, I don't know why the Vette can't be excellent at being both quick and fast. 0-60 times could be dramatically improved by changing rear-end gears, but at the cost of practical mpg and top speed.

I know some of you guys want to see 200 mph on the speedo first hand, but I (and most vette owners, I think) don't want it to cost me anything in 0-60. GM should return to offering optional differential ratios to satisfy everyone. I suspect demand may be so low that it will be a dealer installed option, but it should be available to those who want it.

[SlowRide]

Originally posted by Rob
I'm kind of skeptical that we'll see a return of the 427ci engine in a production Corvette.

Again, this is just my own opinion based upon speculation and published performance test results. Who knows, maybe the good ole General will surprise us. Personally speaking, performance numbers be damned, I still wouldn't mind seeing the ole rat motor reincarnated and turned loose on Dodge's bulbous serpent. :D ;)

It can be done!!!! GM has the engine. The C5-R block is waiting and ready to go. To my knowledge, there would be no weight concerns. Even Dave McLellan states it in his latest book that it is a viable option. I agree that Dick Gulstrands Vette left something to be desired but the C5-R block is not the same. But....will GM listen to its customers?

[JBsC5]

Originally posted by LongTimer
Since Zora's time, the Corvette has always been quick and fast (top speed). Supposedly stock '57 fuelies were turning 150+MPH at Daytona in '57. That was pretty good for that era. With today's 6 sp, I don't know why the Vette can't be excellent at being both quick and fast. 0-60 times could be dramatically improved by changing rear-end gears, but at the cost of practical mpg and top speed.

I know some of you guys want to see 200 mph on the speedo first hand, but I (and most vette owners, I think) don't want it to cost me anything in 0-60. GM should return to offering optional differential ratios to satisfy everyone. I suspect demand may be so low that it will be a dealer installed option, but it should be available to those who want it.

Emissions and fuel economy regulations would make offering various rear gear sets impossible to be a dealer installed option.

[LongTimer]

Originally posted by JBsC5
Emissions and fuel economy regulations would make offering various rear gear sets impossible to be a dealer installed option.

Can't say I'm too surprised. I sure miss the days of going down that options list and customizing the powertrain. I ran across a '67 vette brochure in a box in my garage a couple of months ago and I wanted to cry when I saw the list of engines, trans, and rearends available from the factory. Don't get me wrong, the '67 was, in many ways, down right primative as compared to the C5, but it could be "individualized" from the factory to a MUCH greater extent. After market mods are cash out of pocket and place the warrantee at risk. Oh well, at least we start with a hell of a car today.

[22229stingray81]

Regarding Guldstrand's 50th Anniversary Corvette,

I saw and read several reviews (auto week, vette magazine)of the car and they all said that the slow 0-60 times was because it had too much low end torque! They had to start the launch in second gear becasue if it was in first the tires would just smoke!! Man thats a problem I'd like to have.. anyways I think that is why it had slower times on paper.. in theory it is much faster.. Just thought I'd share what Ive seen... I would love to see the C5-R block in the C6 personally.. GM has the technology.. use it.


-Tatortot

[LongTimer]

I'm for all the options the General's willing to present us with. Unfortunately, these days the slightest variation in the powertrain requires unique testing for certification. This translates to very high cost for low volume options. Aftermarket tuners are actually cheaper than what GM would need to charge.