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Chevrolet Corvette ZR1The Corvette ZR1 engine is a heavily modified version of the LS3 Corvette engine, designated the supercharged LS9 Corvette engine. Producing 638 hp (476 kW; 647 PS) and 604 lbf·ft (819 N·m) of torque, it is the most powerful production Corvette to date. The LS9 has a sixth-generation Eaton TVS R2300 roots 4-lobe supercharger with intercoolers from Behr, utilizing an air-to-water, dual-brick design. The supercharger's four-lobe design offers improved efficiency over three-lobe models. To avoid changes to the hood appearance, the supercharger's output was split into two halves. Each cylinder bank has an intercooler.The cylinder walls of the LS3 are thicker than the Z06's LS7 since the LS3 has a smaller bore. Oil squirters under each piston help cool the pistons. Connecting rods and the inlet valve are made of titanium. Heads are made from a special heat resistant aluminum alloy. The camshaft lift was reduced from the LS7's to improve idle quality. With the addition of the supercharger to the 6.2 liter LS9, the higher lift camshaft was no longer necessary to achieve horsepower targets.Lubrication is provided by an improved version of the LS7's dry sump system. The new system increases oil capacity from 8.0 to 10.5 quarts (9.94 liters). A new dual gerotor oil pump increases scavenge performance and oil pressure, enabling oil to be delivered under the most extreme conditions. The LS7 oilpan is used for the LS9 with the addition of an oil cooler which is mounted on the left side of the pan.With the 2011 model, GM offers the optional "Corvette Engine Build Experience," where the customer visits the General Motors’ Performance Build Center to help assemble the LS9 for the ZR1 purchased. Factory technicians supervise the process and the normal warranty covers the engine built by the customer's hands. |