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2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 vs 2014 Callaway Corvette SC627 - Which Makes More Sense?

When it comes to high performance Vettes, it's an age-old question if it's better to go for a factory-prepped model or a vehicle which has been steroidized with aftermarket bits and bobs. With the Callaway Corvette SC627 on the horizon, we wonder if this package offers more bang for the buck than the manufacturer's 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06.
2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 vs 2014 Callaway Corvette SC627 1 photo
Photo: Chevrolet; Callaway; edited by autoevolution
On paper, the 2014 Callaway Corvette SC627 has been rated at 627 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 610 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm. Compared to the C7 Stingray, that translates to a 167 horsepower and 145 lb-ft increase over the stock 6.2-liter LT1 V8's output. This power increase comes from a supercharger system that includes a 2,300cc high helix angle, four-lobe rotor pack, a bigger intercooler with three liquid-to-air cooling elements and a revised intake manifold.

Callaway points out that while it used SAE-corrected flywheel figures to rate the SC627, most aftermarket tuners use a "standard-corrected" procedure, which would have resulted in much higher output of 657 horsepower and 639 lb-ft of torque. Price-wise, the extra oomph and ZR1-inspired visuals cost at least $22,995 on top of the $53,000 a basic 2014 Chevrolet C7 Corvette Stingray commands, translating to a $75,995 grand total. That's perilously close compared to the recently revealed 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06, which is expected to hold a base sticker price of $76,595.

So what does the in-house high performance version of the Stingray has in store for you? Starting with the LT4 supercharged 6.2-liter mill, the all-new Z06 has been rated 650 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 650 lb-ft of torque available when the engine turns over 3,600 rpm. Mind you, those are crank figures, so if there's minimum loss to the rear wheels, the Z06 and Callaway SC627 are pretty similar in terms of punch. Compared to the 2,3-liter blower on the Callaway, Chevy's Z06 is aided by a 1.7-liter supercharger that can spin up to 20,000 rpm thanks to smaller diameter rotors and a more direct discharge port which increases airflow but also reduces heat.

Buying a sports car packing over 600 horsepower is a purely subjective matter, so don't get too geeky with the numbers and listen to what your heart whispers. Speaking of which, the order book for the 2014 Callaway Corvette SC627 is now open, while the 2015 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 will go on sale Stateside in the fourth quarter, with deliveries slated for early next year.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
Mircea Panait profile photo

After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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