GM is thinking loudly about selling the Corvette Z06 engine as a crate engine, i.e. individually. First, however, complete cars should continue to go to the customer.
Crate engines, i.e. individually sold engines, are currently experiencing a renaissance, especially on the US market. The manufacturers are offering more and more of these so-called crate engines there - even Honda released its Civic Type R engine for retail sale in a limited number of pieces. Now GM is thinking aloud about offering the 5.5-liter V8 (LT6 series) from the current Corvette Z06 as a crate engine. To do this, however, the American carmaker has to overcome a few hurdles.
Performance boss confirms considerations
Russ O'Blenes, GM's head of performance, has confirmed that there is a discussion about whether the LT6 engine could also be sold separately. However, he emphasizes that GM is much happier about how well the Corvette Z06 is selling - the car is sold out for the next three years. Working through the Corvette order lists has top priority for GM, emphasizes the performance director. So it seems that GM currently needs all the engines to equip its cars. However, O'Blenes does point out that he and his team are continuing to explore the possibility of an LT6 crate engine.
Possibly very expensive
The 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine of the Corvette Z06 delivers 679 hp and generates a maximum torque of 623 Newton meters, which means that the LT6 is currently one of the most powerful naturally aspirated V8s used in a production car. This is what makes the engine so desirable. At what price GM could one day offer it is open - with the 1,017 hp V8 naturally aspirated crate engine ZZ632/1000 Deluxe , GM already offers a much more powerful and with 10.35 liters also significantly larger unit in retail sale. The price of this displacement monster is 37,759 dollars (currently the equivalent of around 32,744 euros). While the ZZ632 is considered to be a low-tech unit intended for drag races, the LT6, for example, is equipped with forged titanium connecting rods. Fans therefore suspect that the LT6 as a crate engine could be even more expensive than the ZZ623. How high the sales chances are for an engine that might then cost over 40,000 dollars can hardly be estimated.
Conclusion
Those responsible at GM are actually considering selling the naturally aspirated Corvette Z06 V8 engine separately. They currently only have enough engines to equip the Corvette with them, but this situation is unlikely to last forever.
Should the LT6 engine come out as a crate engine, it could be expensive - possibly over $40,000. However, industry experts expect that enough customers will still strike. In particular, converters of GM vehicles could be keen on the engine. In forums, fans are already raving about equipping older Corvette or current Camaro models with the LT6 engine.
