Photo: Callaway
Callaway and the Corvette go a long way back. The Old Lyme-based company from Connecticut has recently confirmed the output figures and performance numbers for its latest Corvette product, namely a supercharged upgrade that's believed to cost in the ballpark of $20k.
Official pricing isn't available for the time being. Callaway, however, is taking refundable deposits for serialized production slots. According to the manufacturer's website, production should commence during the second quarter of 2023. We're already past the second quarter, though, which means that somebody at Callaway forgot to update this info on the website.
That being said, let's talk numbers. The Stingray uses a small-block V8 with 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet (630 Nm) on deck. Opting for the sports exhaust grants you 495 ponies and 470 pound-feet (637 Nm). Step up to the Z06, and the flat-plane crankshaft V8 that GM refers to as LT6 belts out 670 free-breathing horsepower and 460 pound-feet (624 Nm) of torque.
Pretty good numbers, but Callaway isn't exactly impressed. The supercharged upgrade promises 687 horsepower at 6,450 revolutions per minute and 643 pound-feet (872 Nm) at 4,450 revolutions per minute. Callaway doesn't explain how it gained access to the powertrain control module of the C8, which is notoriously hard to crack due to hellish encryption.
The HP Tuners GM E99 ECM service is an educated guess. On the other hand, it's more likely that Callaway gained access to the control unit from none other than General Motors due to the company's long tradition of hi-po modifications for the 'Vette. Remember the Sledgehammer? That Callaway-designed monster was a big deal back then, an era during which the C4 was riding high due to the huge popularity of the ZR-1.
Callaway further entices prospective customers with a 0-60 estimate of 2.67 seconds, calculated using the standard one-foot rollout. This procedure, which is also used in Car and Driver's tests, also applies to the quarter-mile run. Callaway recorded 10.64 seconds at 129 miles per hour (nearly 208 kilometers per hour).
50-state emissions compliant, the supercharged upgrade is covered by a three-year powertrain warranty. A five-year powertrain warranty is also available, albeit it does cost extra. The Stingray is converted to Callaway's blown specification in either Old Lyme, Connecticut or Temecula, California. Pre-owned Corvette Stingray vehicles from the 2020 through 2023 model years are eligible for conversion as well, but the supercharger system isn't going to be offered as a standalone kit.
What's more, servicing can be performed at the Corvette dealer of your liking. That's a big plus on top of the powertrain warranty that supplements the vehicle's factory warranties. The problem, however, is that $20k estimate on top of the car's retail price.
The Stingray 2LT Z51 costs $80k or thereabouts. With $20k on top of that, you're entering Z06 1LZ territory ($105,300). But given the ridiculous dealership markups on the Stingray's wide-bodied sibling, there's no denying Callaway's upgrade will prove popular.
That being said, let's talk numbers. The Stingray uses a small-block V8 with 490 horsepower and 465 pound-feet (630 Nm) on deck. Opting for the sports exhaust grants you 495 ponies and 470 pound-feet (637 Nm). Step up to the Z06, and the flat-plane crankshaft V8 that GM refers to as LT6 belts out 670 free-breathing horsepower and 460 pound-feet (624 Nm) of torque.
Pretty good numbers, but Callaway isn't exactly impressed. The supercharged upgrade promises 687 horsepower at 6,450 revolutions per minute and 643 pound-feet (872 Nm) at 4,450 revolutions per minute. Callaway doesn't explain how it gained access to the powertrain control module of the C8, which is notoriously hard to crack due to hellish encryption.
The HP Tuners GM E99 ECM service is an educated guess. On the other hand, it's more likely that Callaway gained access to the control unit from none other than General Motors due to the company's long tradition of hi-po modifications for the 'Vette. Remember the Sledgehammer? That Callaway-designed monster was a big deal back then, an era during which the C4 was riding high due to the huge popularity of the ZR-1.
Callaway further entices prospective customers with a 0-60 estimate of 2.67 seconds, calculated using the standard one-foot rollout. This procedure, which is also used in Car and Driver's tests, also applies to the quarter-mile run. Callaway recorded 10.64 seconds at 129 miles per hour (nearly 208 kilometers per hour).
50-state emissions compliant, the supercharged upgrade is covered by a three-year powertrain warranty. A five-year powertrain warranty is also available, albeit it does cost extra. The Stingray is converted to Callaway's blown specification in either Old Lyme, Connecticut or Temecula, California. Pre-owned Corvette Stingray vehicles from the 2020 through 2023 model years are eligible for conversion as well, but the supercharger system isn't going to be offered as a standalone kit.
What's more, servicing can be performed at the Corvette dealer of your liking. That's a big plus on top of the powertrain warranty that supplements the vehicle's factory warranties. The problem, however, is that $20k estimate on top of the car's retail price.
The Stingray 2LT Z51 costs $80k or thereabouts. With $20k on top of that, you're entering Z06 1LZ territory ($105,300). But given the ridiculous dealership markups on the Stingray's wide-bodied sibling, there's no denying Callaway's upgrade will prove popular.
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