Corvette: Year by Year
1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 19651966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978
1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
The Return of the Z06
David Kimble drawing courtesy of GM
The new Z06 was equipped to be a dual purpose car: one that is at home on both the race track and public roads. Track days for amateur race car drivers had become popular and the Corvette lineup now featured a worthy participant.
The star of the new Z06 was the LS6 engine which was named in honor of the 454 cu in. 425 hp motor available in 1971. It is based on the LS1 that powers the convertible and coupe Corvettes; both engines have 5.7 liters (346 cu in) of displacement. The Z06 is rated at 385 hp @ 6,000 RPM and the LS1 is 350 hp @ 5,600 RPM. See the power curve to the right. The increase is due to higher compression cylinder heads (LS6 > 10.5:1; LS1 > 10.1:1) with improved porting, larger fuel injectors, a more aggressive camshaft, stronger valve springs and better crankcase pressure management along with speedier oil return. Backing up the improvements (pun intended) was a less restrictive lighter weight titanium exhaust system. Red engine covers gave the LS6 some visual distinction.
Worth noting is the 385 hp rating of the LS6, which is 10 hp more than the LS5 found in the 1990 ZR-1. The simpler and less pricey two valve single camshaft design had conclusively proved itself over the complex and expensive four valve / four cam concept.
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