Autoblog

VIDEO: Drag racing Chevy C6 Corvette owner shoulda bought a ZR1

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet, Humor

Corvette C6 w/Nitrous Oxide - Click image to watch the video

Or at least a Z06. Now, we're all for drag racing - it's one of the purest forms of sport around - much like World's Strongest Man minus all the steroids. Or is that plus nine billion times the steroids? Either way, little is more adrenaline pumping than watching a nitrous-venting 1976 Chevrolet Camaro run the quarter in 8.5 seconds. Especially when you stop and think about how totally terrible Camaros were when Jimmy Carter took office. *Shudder.*

Anyhow, the reason you can get dirty old Camaros to run so quick are the mods. In fact, a constant, never-ending stream of modifications always makes that next hundredth of a second seem just within reach. Drag racing is the sport of the tinkerer - just ask Don Garlits. You can always shed weight, but then you reach a point where structural integrity becomes an issue.

More power is typically (if not always) the answer. To get there, you got your lumpy cams, bundle o' snakes headers, intake pipes the size of telephone poles, hot lifters, blowers, turbos and, of course, nitrous oxide (N2O). We say "of course" N2O because most drag races are over before you can count to ten. Besides, motors are cheap but Friday night glory at New Jersey's Island Dragway lasts forever, right? In this case, however, the ol' nitrous bottle might be more at home hooked up to another car - might we suggest a '76 Camaro? Find out why after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via Tampa Bay Examiner]

Continue reading VIDEO: Drag racing Chevy C6 Corvette owner shoulda bought a ZR1

VIDEO: Drag racing Chevy C6 Corvette owner shoulda bought a ZR1 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Specter Werkes reveals new and improved C6 GTR

Drew Phillips — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:38:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet

Specter Werkes C6 GTR - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Specter Werkes, the Corvette tuners from Troy, MI unveiled the C6 GTR last summer, but are set to reveal a new and improved version at SEMA next week. Featuring the LS7 V8 with a twin-turbo setup courtesy of Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, this hyper-Vette produces an incredible 800 horsepower. The looks back up the performance, with BASF Pearl Blue paint, HRE CF40 carbon fiber wheels, and Specter's unique body package for the C6. Other performance upgrades include StopTech brakes front and rear and a Corsa exhaust system. The car will be prominently displayed outside the Las Vegas convention center in just a few days, so expect plenty of live high-res photos. Until then, hit the jump for the company's press release and browse the gallery below for an eye-full.

Gallery: Specter Werkes C6 GTR

[Source: Specter Werkes]

Continue reading Specter Werkes reveals new and improved C6 GTR

Specter Werkes reveals new and improved C6 GTR originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Geiger gives Chevrolet Corvette Z06 the twin-turbo treatment

Drew Phillips — Wed, 20 May 2009 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Coupe, Supercars, Chevrolet

Geiger Cars Twin-Turbo Corvette Z06 - Click above for a high-res gallery

Leave it up to Geiger Cars to build a lime green, 890-horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Z06. The force behind flamboyant creations like the Gulf-Wing Hummer and the Santa-style H2 have turned their attention to American muscle once again and have introduced an abundance of new performance parts for the Z06 featured in this over-the-top Vette.

The bi-turbo package includes an increase in displacement to 7.6-liters and upgraded cylinder heads, valve springs, cams, a larger mass air meter, and a less-restrictive exhaust system in addition to the dual turbochargers. The result is an impressive 890 horsepower and 694 lb-ft torque, as well as a reported top speed of 220 mph. The drivetrain has been beefed up accordingly with a sturdier twin-disc clutch and a carbon fiber driveshaft.

This being a Geiger effort, the car in question also features the company's body kit, adjustable coilovers, and larger brakes both front and rear. Did we mention it's lime green? More details in the distinctly German press release after the jump.

Gallery: Geiger Corvette Z06 Twin-Turbo

[Source: Geiger Cars]

Continue reading Geiger gives Chevrolet Corvette Z06 the twin-turbo treatment

Geiger gives Chevrolet Corvette Z06 the twin-turbo treatment originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 May 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEMA 2008: STS Twin Turbo C6 Corvette a matte monster

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Coupe, Performance, Chevrolet

Click above for a high-res gallery of the STS C6 Z06

The Squires Turbo Systems twin-turbo C6 Z06 gives the former most-powerful Vette model a boost to 700 horsepower at a very reasonable 7 pounds of boost, which, depending on how sorted the Bilstein-shocked suspension is, could give it a good shot at sticking with a stock ZR-1. The most unique thing about this car is that STS mounts the turbos remotely, at the rear of the car. That placement keeps the engine bay freer and adds a host of technical perks like lower temps under the hood and cooler oil going to the turbo. And according to STS, some customers have even gotten better gas mileage. Strangely, though, for all of that new performance, the brakes look untouched. Check it out in the gallery of high-res photos below.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: STS Twin Turbo C6 Covette

SEMA 2008: STS Twin Turbo C6 Corvette a matte monster originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Katech unveils track-oriented Chevrolet Corvette Z06 ClubSport

Drew Phillips — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Performance, Chevrolet

Click above for a high resolution image

An American supercar with lightweight components, sport suspension, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, aerodynamic body kit, and menacing black wheels. No, we're not talking about the Dodge Viper ACR. It's Katech's new ClubSport package for the Corvette Z06. The Detroit-based company has the credentials to build a 'Vette for the track. After all, it's responsible for building the race engines that go into the Le Mans-winning Corvette C6R race cars and the SCCA SPEED World Challenge cars. For the ClubSport, Katech adds a 14-inch, six-piston Brembo brake system, Moton ClubSport suspension, 15-spoke wheels, sticky Michelin tires, Katech appearance package, carbon fiber air intake, lightweight exhaust system and more. Also on the options list are leather race seats, A/C and radio delete, roll bar, and six-point harnesses. Add one of Katech's fully built motors, and the ClubSport will surely put down some pretty impressive numbers at the track. Full details on the ClubSport can be found in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Katech via CorvetteForum.com]

Continue reading Katech unveils track-oriented Chevrolet Corvette Z06 ClubSport

Katech unveils track-oriented Chevrolet Corvette Z06 ClubSport originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Aug 2008 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Porsche 911 Turbo, Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and U.S. spec. Nissan GT-R hit the racetrack

Merritt Johnson — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:32:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Chevrolet, Nissan, Porsche

Photo by Bruce Benedict

The arrival of the Nissan GT-R has not only clogged up the automotive news headlines, it has sparked the creative juices of many journalists. Every publication is scrambling to concoct a unique comparison test for the new Godzilla. In the past, typical comparisons consisted of nonsensical number ratings calculated through a formula that only had meaning to folks offering their opinion based off their butt cheeks. Now the objective seems to have shifted towards streamlining variables and logging repeatable data for direct overlay between vehicles. First Inside Line brought us unbiased measurements of power output, now Road and Track gives us measurements of time. They did not quite eliminate the use of their own point scale to add up the results of various tests, but at least they provided the actual time results, as well.

The crew from R&T recently transported a U.S. market version of the 2009 Nissan GT-R, a 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo and a 2008 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 to Buttonwillow Raceway in California for a little fun. Don't worry about inconsistent journalist drivers either, as they also brought veteran 12 Hours of Sebring race winner Steve Millen along to be the pilot. Their plan saw each car take a few laps of race configuration 13, which has quickly become the circuit of choice for various media outlets. The typical 0-60 mph, 1/4 mile, skidpad, slalom and braking tests were also performed, but proved to be ill-equipped in distinguishing the competitors. The lap times really told the story with the Porsche clocking in at 2:02.1, the Z06 right on its tail at 2:02.2 and the GT-R well ahead at 1:56.9. Thanks for the tip Chuck!

[Source: Road and Track]

Porsche 911 Turbo, Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and U.S. spec. Nissan GT-R hit the racetrack originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Mar 2008 19:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments