Re: What the Corvette folks can't stand about the ACR:
Wow, I really hope that some of you aren't as naive as you appear when it comes to GM engines.
For those that do not know me, I co-founded LS1TECH.com (look it up) and have been building/racing LSX engines since 1998. I also write for GM High Tech magazine, and am involved behind the scenes with GM performance.
I also own a Viper. It is one of several toys I own.
1. A supercharged LSX is nothing to sneeze at. In my previous C6, I had a small housing Eaton blower on a stock engine (6.0L, 11.1 CR) and it made 550 rwhp SAE at only 5.5 psi. That engine (LS2) wasn't even a boost friendly engine. 550 rwhp is approx 625 HP at the crank. The car went 11.2 @ 129 on stock run-flats. It weighed 235 lbs more than a C6 Z06. My twin-turbo 2006 GTO puts down 550 rwhp at 6psi boost, on a completely stock LS2 (6.0L) with factory exhaust.
2. The ZR-1 (speculation on) is planned to be a lower compression 6.2L LSX based engine with a great set of heads. Similar heads to the current LS7, and LS3/L92. With a properly built, forged internal engine to handle a factory supercharger, it will easily put down higher numbers than my previous car did. Figure a simply pulley swap will net even more. There will be 650+ rwhp ZR-1 Corvettes out there, with minimal mods. 650 rwhp is over 700 HP at the crank. Look how simple the '03-04 Cobras with a factory supercharger could hit 500+ rwhp. Pulley, headers, tuning. That was with a smaller engine also.
3. The Corvette is lighter than a Viper. Try 300 lbs or so. Both cars suffer from traction issues with stock tires. Most of the hardcore enthusiasts will have better tires installed anyways. Traction is a lame excuse, buy some tires.
4. Bench racing sucks. Sadly, buyers of both the ACR and the ZR-1 will probably be 90% garage queens, owned by people too scared to drive them to potential.
5. I'm putting a Paxton on my SRTC, and will enjoy kicking the crap out of the ZR-1, the ACR, and any other exotic I may come across.
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