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Trace the history of Corvette V-8 from 1955 to 2022.

The first Corvette lacked one basic element: the V-8 engine. In contrast, the cars of 1953 and 1954 were powered by a 150-horsepower, 235-cubic-inch (3.8-liter) straight six-cylinder engine with a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission. They are slow slugs, numb feces. Think about 0 to 60 in about 11.5 seconds.

With the introduction of the Chevrolet small V-8 and its insertion into the 1955 Corvette, all this changed. Suddenly, the Corvette became a real sports car. most.

But the story of the V-8 Corvette began about a year before the car went into production. In December 1953, Zora Arkus-Duntov, a young racer/development engineer/ultimate Chevrolet high-performance director, wrote a memo to Chevrolet management and proposed a performance parts plan for the upcoming small V-8.

"I do know that in 1954, sports car enthusiasts will get a Corvette, whether we like it or not, we will participate in the race," Duntov said. "Since we can't stop people from driving Corvette, maybe it's best to help them do a good job."

Since then, Chevrolet's V-8 engine and Corvette have been constantly evolving. In most cases, it is getting better along the way, but there are some exceptions.

With this in mind, this parallel evolution takes a leap forward in the form of the 2022 Corvette Z06 and its LT6 engine, with its 8600 rpm red line, flat crank and squeal. It is different from any Corvette V-8 before it. most. This is how Corvette came here.

With a displacement of only 265 cubic inches (4.3 liters), the first small piece is rated at 195 horsepower among other almost unchanged 55 Corvettes. Although it was equipped with a Rochester four-cylinder carburetor, the original small cylinder only had a compression ratio of 8.0:1.

In addition, the '55 Corvette was trapped by the Powerglide automatic block. Road & Track measured the '55 Corvette to reach 60 mph in 8.5 seconds, which is better. But, well, not so good.

Things are about to get better.

Corvette received a completely new bodywork in '56, although the chassis was mostly left over. But what really matters is that Corvette is now fully powered by V-8 for the first time. And it's much faster.

The engine of the '56 Corvette is still a 265 cubic inch V-8 with a small cylinder block, but thanks to the increased compression ratio of 9.25:1, a solid lift valve mechanism and better breathing through Carter’s four barrels of carbohydrates, it is now rated at 210 horsepower. Moreover, this is the first time it is equipped with a three-speed manual transmission.

This is the basis on which Arkus-Duntov can build a legend. In February 1956, Duntov appeared at Daytona Speedweeks in Florida with a new Corvette driven by John Fitch and Betty Skelton. Using the modified cylinder head, the compression ratio rebounded to 10.3 to 1, and some other adjustments were made. The power of the small V-8 engine was 255 horsepower. Skelton's speed is 137.8 mph; Fitch, 145.5. This was a scream for any production car at the time.

In 1957, the small V-8 engine increased to 283 cubic inches (4.6 liters), and with it, the standard output jumped to 220 horsepower. However, a dual four-wheel carburetor is also provided to increase the output power to 245 or 270 horsepower. Even better, Rochester mechanical fuel injection can be used, which means 250 or 283 horsepower can be produced. Imagine; one horsepower per cubic inch. R&T measured a 57-year-old "Fuelie", which is equipped with an excellent T-10 four-speed manual transmission, which can reach 60 mph in only 5.7 seconds.

In these two model years, four different versions of the 283 small-cylinder V-8 were offered, ranging from a single four-barrel version with 230 hp to 290 hp with the most efficient fuel injection model.

The fuel-injected version of the 283 improves performance again. The two available versions are now 275 and 315 horsepower respectively. This is the first Corvette rated to exceed 300 horsepower, despite using generous SAE "total" measurements.

The Corvette in 1962 was the last ro to use a solid rear axle and the first model to be equipped with a 327 cubic inch (5.4 liter) small V-8 engine. The basic four-cylinder engine can now produce 250 horsepower, with a higher compression ratio and higher output version, which can provide 300 and 340 horsepower. The Dual Quad carbohydrates are gone, but mechanical fuel injection is still available and rated at an astonishing (at the time) 360 horsepower.

Very beautiful, now equipped with a full independent suspension. The Sting Ray in 1963 is a great classic Corvette, but the available engines are the same as the 327 offered in 62. Although the 64-year-old car is simple in shape, it is almost a remnant of the engine compartment. Significant changes are about to take place in 1965. Literally, it is huge.

In 1965, Corvette received the "bulk" V-8 for the first time. The L78 396 cubic inch (6.5 liter) engine was a 425-horsepower ogre, easily becoming the most powerful Corvette engine at the time and an instant classic. But with the advent of a large chunk of power, the mechanical fuel injection 327 is doomed to fail, and 1965 will be its last year. The 396 itself can only be used in Corvette for one year.

The block in 66 increased to 427 cubic inches, the power of the L39 427 was 390 horsepower, and the brutal L72 427 was rated at 425 horsepower (yes, this is the same as the best 396 in 65, but not so crazy. ). The basic engine is still a 327-type carbonized engine, which is now rated at 300 horsepower, with a 350-horse version as an option.

The classic Sting Ray reached its peak in the 1967 model year, which was the last body style. Now appearing on the Corvette option chart are the L68 427 rated at 400 hp and the L71 427 rated at 435 hp, with three two-barrel carburetors ("three-power"). But the powerful L88 is destined to become the most sought after Corvettes.

With an aluminum cylinder head and a compression ratio of 12.5 to 1, the L88 can generate more than 500 horsepower with an 850-cfm four-barrel carburetor. Chevrolet said it only produced 430 horsepower. They lied. Only 20 L88s were built.

The new C3 Corvette appeared in 1968, but most of the material under the body was inherited from the 1967 C2 model. These include the standard 300-horsepower 327 small four-cylinder V-8. Optional engines include a 350-horsepower 327 and a 67-year-old large 427, including the L88.

The 327 small V-8, which had been the mainstay of the Corvette lineup since 1962, disappeared in 1969. Replaced by a new 350 cubic inch (5.7 liter) small displacement V-8, the basic four-tube version is still 300 horsepower, and the optional L46 is rated for 350 horsepower. The old-fashioned iron 350 small block engine will remain the standard size power unit of Corvette in 1996, with a slight difference.

Block 427 lasted from 1967 and 1968 to 1969. But then ZL-1 appeared. Wow. The ZL-1 engine is basically an L88 427 large-cylinder V-8, but made of aluminum instead of iron. This means that it is 20 to 25 pounds lighter than the small V-8 engine, but has the 585 horsepower grunt of the 427 large engine. Almost ideal for road racing, this is a Corvette designed to kill Ferrari. This is the first all-aluminum engine "supplied" in Corvette-but only two have been built.

The LT-1 is a new easy-to-accelerate 370-horsepower 350 small cylinder that joined the 1970 lineup. It is by far the best small cylinder in a car, and it has become a classic in itself. At the same time, 427 was expelled and replaced by two new 454 cubic inches of large V-8, 390 horsepower LS5 with four barrels of carburetor, equipped with three power LS7 claimed power of 460 horsepower. However, the option price of LS7 is $3,000, and there is no actual manufacturing record.

Tighter emission controls and reduced compression ratios of all Corvette engines reduced the output of all V-8s in 1971. The base 350 is now rated at 270 horsepower, and the LT-1 drops to 330. LS5 454 now makes a 365 horsepower pokey. The new LS6 454 four-tube V-8 engine has a rated power of 425 horsepower.

In 1972, power output continued to decline, but the figures were exaggerated due to the conversion from SAE "total" rated power to the new "net" standard. The base 350 small engine is rated at 200 horsepower, and the optional LT1 is 270 horsepower. The only 454 offered is the LS5 with a rated power of 270 horsepower. There are also around 30 72 Corvettes with a special ZR1 version of the LT-1 350, included in the club racing kit.

At this point, the output of the Corvette engine becomes very sad. The standard 350 is now rated at 190 horsepower. This is the first V-8 in the Corvette with less than 200 horsepower since 1955! Shhh. The optional L82 350 is rated at 250 horsepower, and the LS4 Bulk 454 is rated at 275.

The base power of the 350 is now 195 horsepower. lame. The L98 was the only small V-8 option in 1974, and its 350 cubic inch power rating was the same as in 1971. The LS4 bulk 454 is now reduced to 270 horses. Since there is only a difference of 20 horsepower, the distinction between small-displacement engines and large-displacement engines is increasingly meaningless, so this year will be the last year for large-displacement engines. God rested its huge iron block.

The Corvette in 1975 was reduced to two engine options: a basic 350 V-8 rated at 165 horsepower or an L82 rated at 205 horsepower. Both of them have catalytic converters in their exhaust systems. Could things get worse? Yes! But not immediately.

Since the basic power rating of the L48 350 is now 180 horsepower, the 200th anniversary celebration in the United States ushered in a glimmer of light. The optional L82 350 can reach up to 210 horsepower. Both engines are sucked in through four-barrel carburetor. Both continued unchanged until '77.

In 1978, a modified body with a new wrap-around rear window appeared. But the engine compartment has not changed so much. The base L48 350 has a rated power of 185 horsepower, and the dual-ventilated air intake increases the output of the L82 to 220 horsepower. Nevertheless, for the first model year ever, Chevrolet sold more than 40,000 Corvettes. Go to figure it out.

The dual vent air cleaner now also powers the standard L48 350 and is now rated at 195 horsepower. At the same time, the L82 is equipped with a new cam, a larger valve, a higher compression ratio and a better exhaust system. All in all, this increases the output to 225 horsepower. Chevrolet sold 53,807 Corvettes in the 1979 model year. Although this car is bad, this is the first year that the Corvette has sold more than 50,000 vehicles. Why? I blame the disco.

Why? Disco, a highly underestimated art form, conveys the happy message of multiculturalism and universal tolerance. It perfectly matches the image of Corvette, attracts a wider audience, and drives sales soaring. God bless the disco.

In the 1980s, the Corvette’s curb weight was reduced by 250 pounds. Most of this comes from the cut-out structure that was no longer needed when the convertible version went off the assembly line after 1975. The base L48 350 is now rated at 190 hp and the L82 is rated at 230. Both provide manual or automatic gearboxes.

Except in California. In California, the only available Corvette engine in 1980 was a 305 cubic inch (5.0 liter) version of the small V-8 with a rated power of 180 horsepower, a peak torque of only 2000 rpm, and a peak torque of 255 pound-feet. An anchor. The only gearbox bundled with it is the three-speed TH350 automatic gearbox.

The only engine offered in 1981 was the new L81 four-cylinder engine with a 350 small engine rated at 190 horsepower. This is not important to most parts of the country, but it is a big step forward for California. Well, not a big step, but still a step.

Although the manual transmission disappeared from the Corvette production line in 1982, fuel injection was restored for the first time since 1965. All 1982 Corvettes used 350 small cylinders with a dual-throttle body electronic fuel injection system on the top, which sold Chevrolet in the form of "Cross-Fire Injection". The engine has a rated power of 200 horsepower and is supported by a four-speed automatic transmission. This is the end of the C3 Dikolvet; only 25,407 units were sold.

There was no 1983 Corvette available for public use, which severely impaired engine output.

The new "C4" Dekelvet made its debut under its clamshell hood, equipped with the old 350 small-displacement V-8. The Cross-Fire Injection engine is mainly a remnant of the Corvette in 1982. It has a rated power of 205 hp and can be equipped with a four-speed automatic transmission or the insidious Doug Nash “4 3” manual transmission, which includes the first three electronically engaged overdrive gears. gear.

Although it was still a small displacement V-8, the new "tuned port injection" (TPI) system looked more advanced at least in 1985 and 1986. Rated at 230 horsepower, this L98 engine now refers to 5.7 liters in most advertisements by its metric displacement. The peak torque is now 330 pound-feet higher than the 290 pound-feet of the Cross-Fire V-8. All this is a good thing.

The detailed improvements of the L98 5.7-liter small V-8 engine make it a more attractive engine. The hydraulic roller lift increased the output power of the 1987 edition to 240 horsepower. A new camshaft increased 245 horsepower in 1988 and 1989. The major improvement in 1989 was the new six-speed manual gearbox made by ZF, which replaced the terrible 43 device that has plagued cars since 1984.

After years of anticipation, the stunning ZR-1 appeared in the 1990 model year. Those who nicknamed the car called it the "King of the Hill". The distinctive feature of the ZR-1 is the all-aluminum 5.7-liter DOHC 32-valve LT5 V-8 designed by Lotus and manufactured by Mercury Ocean. The LT5 is the first brand new engine specially built for Corvette. This is the first all-aluminum engine in Corvette to enter regular production. It was the first to use an overhead cam instead of a single in-cylinder cam, and the first to have a four-valve combustion chamber. In short, all kinds of awesome.

The net power rating of the LT5 is 375 horsepower. This is the most powerful rating used by any Corvette engine since 1970 (when the free total rating system was still used). The only transmission provided by the LT5 is the ZF six-speed manual transmission.

At the same time, the conventional Corvette's L98 5.7-liter V-8 engine is still rated at 245 horsepower. Well, this is still a pretty good car.

Both L98 and LT5 in ZR-1 continued until 1991.

L98 did not live until 1992. Replaced by the next-generation small V-8, called LT1. Unlike the 1970 LT-1, this LT1 has no hyphens in its name. Due to careful modifications to the cylinder head, accessory drive, cooling system and fuel injection efficiency, the new LT1 is rated for 300 horsepower. It is an overall better engine than the L98, and it makes the C4 Corvette (now in its ninth model year) more attractive. At the same time, LT5 continues to be used in ZR-1, and the rated power is still 375 horsepower. Something must be done for this.

In 1993, the output power of the LT5 was increased to 405 horsepower. This is a series of detailed adjustments that have improved the output of this awesome engine. The ZR-1 from 1993 to 1995 was obviously the fastest Corvette ever to be put into conventional production at the time. At the same time, in these three model years, the 300-horsepower LT1 remained unchanged in the regular Corvette. The ZR-1 powered by LT5 was discontinued after 1995. Its loss is still painful.

With the disappearance of the ZR-1, Chevrolet became interested in the new 13-year-old C4 and launched a special edition model in 1996. Collectible models are just paint and logos. But Grand Sport uses an enhanced version of LT1, called LT4, rated at a truly healthy 330 horsepower. As a gentle car, the Grand Sport is obviously the best C4, not the ZR-1.

However, C4 has been used up; there is nothing I can do. Something happened the following year.

The fifth-generation C5 Corvette is a big leap forward for front-engine sports cars. The chassis is brand new, the manual and automatic transmissions are moved to the rear of the car to better distribute the weight, and the engine is also new.

Like the upcoming LT1, the LS-1 uses a single in-cylinder camshaft to drive the push rod and two valves per cylinder with a displacement of 5.7 liters. But after that, it is brand new. General Motors still calls it a small V-8, but the only major size it shares with engines that previously used that name is the 4.​​4 inch hole center spacing. LS-1 is an all-aluminum design, uses a new cylinder head with equidistant exhaust ports, and has higher thermal power. Its output reached a satisfactory 345 horsepower in the Corvette.

The V-8 of the LS series will continue to power a large number of General Motors and trucks. The engine has a reputation for providing a lot of reliable power with a compact and lightweight design. But the first was installed on the Corvette in 1997. The LS-1 will remain essentially unchanged for the 2000 model year.

Based on the success of C5 and LS-1 engines, a new version of LS was launched in 2001 and installed on the new Z06 model. This version of LS is called LS6 and has a higher compression ratio, reduced mass reciprocating components and a titanium exhaust system. Even if the displacement is still 5.7 liters, this is enough to increase the output power to 385 horsepower.

By the way, the rating of 385 horses is the same as the LT5 of the 1990 ZR-1. Z06 is much cheaper to manufacture and purchase. At the same time, the output rating of the regular Corvette LS1 engine has been increased from 345 horsepower to 350 horsepower.

The Z06 Corvette's LS6 engine was adjusted in the second year of production, and its output increased to 405 horsepower. Yes, this matches the output of the old ZR-1 before it was withdrawn from production in 1995. That's great. The C5 will play a role in the 2004 model year. It resets the performance expectations of the Chevrolet sports car. The next Corvette will be difficult to surpass it. Well, it's not that difficult.

C6 Corvette is a refined and polished version of C5. It's better in every way, but shares most of its basic layout and engineering. Except for the engine compartment.

In 2005, the C6 Corvette was powered by a 6.0-liter version of LS V-8 with a rated power of 400 horsepower and a peak torque of 400 pound-feet. Chevrolet claimed at the time that this was enough to accelerate the Corvette from 0 mph to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds at a top speed of 186 mph. Scream.

Z06 returned in 2006, equipped with aluminum frame rails and the new 7.0-liter LS7 version of General Motors' small V-8 engine with a rated power of 505 horsepower. The Z06 is one of the best all-round sports cars in the world, which is obviously a bargain compared to cars with similar performance but much higher prices offered by European manufacturers. At the same time, the LS2 power version of the Corvette engine remains unchanged.

If 6.0 liters is good, then 6.2 liters will be better. Therefore, the 2008 Corvette received a new 6.2-liter LS3 low-displacement V-8 version rated at 430 horsepower. Even a basic coupe equipped with a six-speed manual transmission will sprint at 60 miles per hour in approximately 4.5 seconds. At the same time, Z06 will remain basically unchanged, but its era on the Corvette production line is over. Supercharged engines will be launched in 2009.

In 2009, the ZR1 came back again, with a 6.2-liter small V-8 supercharged LS9 version under the hood. Wow, 638 horsepower. Of course, the new ZR1 is by far the fastest and fastest Corvette. An explosion from 0 to 60 mph is now less than 4 seconds; amazing. At the same time, the naturally aspirated 7.0-liter Z06 continues to serve the track rats. The regular Corvette's 6.2-liter V-8 engine is still very powerful. C6 will launch a series of mashup special editions: Gran Sports, 427s, 60th Anniversary Special Edition. But after 2013, its days are over. And LS itself is about to be replaced.

The Z06 returned in 2015 and now uses a supercharged version of the 6.2-liter LT1, called LT4, with a rated power of 650 horsepower. This means an incredible top speed of 185 miles per hour. However, this is not the highest point of C7 performance. At the same time, LT1 hardly changed in 2015.

This is the last model year of the C7, and it is launched in an explosive ZR1 size. The LT5 engine in the revitalized ZR1 uses an oversized Eaton supercharger, which is more than half of the supercharger used on the LT4. The result is 755 horsepower and a top speed of more than 200 mph. amazing. So far, this makes it the most powerful Corvette to date. The LT1 and LT4 engines passed 2019 intact. Next comes, well, something completely different.

Depending on how you calculate output and specification changes, nearly 70 different V-8s have been used in Corvette in the past 66 years.