This is it. Thanks to an anonymous tipster we have what appear to be the very first and clearest shots yet procured of the 2009 LS9 6.2-liter V8 engine powering the 2009 Corvette ZR1 -- something we weren't expecting to see until the Detroit Auto Show in January. But, since information yearns to be free -- and whoa, nelly, do these shots show off some serious information on what will be the most serious piece of weaponry in the General's quiver come next year -- here they are and here's what we know. Essentially what you're looking at is what appears to be a standard twin-screw-type supercharger mounted below a highly efficient air-to-water intercooler system. Now, we can't speculate if it's tied into the engine system or if it has an independent radiator system -- but we feel pretty confident all of this is a one-off, which means the General's running the show on every single horsepower above and beyond the stock horse output from the 6.2-liter V8 it all sits atop. Gearheads, your engine pr0n awaits in the photogallery below. While you check that out we're going to go and hide from GM's shock troopers. Hey, does anyone know the number for the witness protection program?
That may be the next C5 Z06 motor swap trend,m I know it would be for me.
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2003 Millenium Yellow Z06
Blackwing, TB Bypass, 170 Tstat, MSD Plug Wires.
LG Pro Long Tube headers, Random Tech Metal Matrix Cats.
380 RWHP and 361 RWTQ LGM 2/26/2005
I'm not sold on the 'idea' yet, as I'll explain later. Yes, it will be fast (at least in a straight line ) Yes, it's cool technology and forced induction is almost certainly the future of GM hipo engines, and likely many others. However, this is the first of its kind and I feel the technology needs to mature before I'd be willing to buy a GM car that uses it to that degree.
As I've said before, the ZR-1 or whatever it will be called is, in effect, a public test mule for future FI V8 engines (as well as others), including those in Corvettes. And that is what I mean by "the idea". It's a concept that is being introduced on the ZR-1 and depending on how well it works "in the wild", will be tweaked or altered accordingly.
Furthermore, and it's been said before by others, how well will it perform with respect to reliability on a track? (although GM can disavow any claim there since it is a production street car after all) And, since it is FI there is always the potential for heat related issues to emerge. It is also more complex with more moving parts. And so on and so forth.
Again, FI is likely the future, as is E85 compatability, and those who buy a ZR-1 are the guinea pigs...IMO.
The more I think about it the more it reminds me, conceptually speaking, of the original ZR-1: DOHC, etc, etc. You know, somewhat exotic , new, high tech, fast, expensive...Where did they go again??
I'm not sold on the 'idea' yet, as I'll explain later. Yes, it will be fast (at least in a straight line ) Yes, it's cool technology and forced induction is almost certainly the future of GM hipo engines, and likely many others. However, this is the first of its kind and I feel the technology needs to mature before I'd be willing to buy a GM car that uses it to that degree.
As I've said before, the ZR-1 or whatever it will be called is, in effect, a public test mule for future FI V8 engines (as well as others), including those in Corvettes. And that is what I mean by "the idea". It's a concept that is being introduced on the ZR-1 and depending on how well it works "in the wild", will be tweaked or altered accordingly.
Furthermore, and it's been said before by others, how well will it perform with respect to reliability on a track? (although GM can disavow any claim there since it is a production street car after all) And, since it is FI there is always the potential for heat related issues to emerge. It is also more complex with more moving parts. And so on and so forth.
Again, FI is likely the future, as is E85 compatability, and those who buy a ZR-1 are the guinea pigs...IMO.
I think this technology (ie blower with integrated water to air intercooler) has been around under GM hoods for a few years now. Cobalt SS/Saturn Redline has had it for a couple years along with STS V with the Northstar engine.
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Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy -Ben Franklin
You just shattered my belief in the Corvette by comparing it, however distantly, to a Cobalt and a Saturn!
Hmm, then again: composite body panels...forced induction... GOOD LORD, it's a SATURN with fender flares, a V8 and 2 seats! Next thing you know some dude in a Pontiac Solstice will say "Hey, you could have bought one of these, same car ya know, for a lot less, man!"
While it is true that GM has been dabbling in FI for a while now, it has not done it to this level of performance. Unfortunately, many of the ZR-1/BD/SS owners will not really put the car through its paces. This is due to the fact that many who buy it will rarely drive it. Of course there will be a few exceptions, but for the most part, GM will learn a lot more about FI "in the wild" from the Cobalt and other less expensive platforms. They will get driven much more.
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You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of football team or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer. --- Frank Zappa
'04 MS/Blk - Z06Fest IV, V, VI & VII - WinterFest I "Bus Driver"
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GOOD LORD, it's a SATURN with fender flares, a V8 and 2 seats! 
Next thing you know some dude in a Pontiac Solstice will say "Hey, you could have bought one of these, same car ya know, for a lot less, man!" 
Probably not in the working man catagory.
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