It took Chevrolet 66 long years to finally make the Corvette a mid-engine sports car, but the inevitable did happen with the 2020 model year. Switching the location of the small-block V8 from the front to the middle of the ‘Vette also translates to a different kind of aural pleasure, more so if you remember that the headers, piping, and mufflers are also different from the seventh generation of the breed.
Beneath the glass and plastic, the LT2 retains the 11.5:1 compression ratio of the LT1 as well as the forged crankshaft, piston oil squirters, and direct injection. The superior output ratings over the previous small-block engine can be attributed to a slight boost in exhaust valve lift and as well the equal-length intake runners.
On the lubrication front, the LT2 comes standard with a dry-sump system that includes a molded-plastic oil reservoir with a capacity of 7.5 quarts. Not only is this solution better for extreme driving but it saves the owner a few bucks at every oil change considering that the LT1 takes 9.7 quarts. Oh, and the cooling is better too.
Moving on to the exhaust system, the 2020 model year Stingray features two butterfly valves while the Z51 Performance Package adds another pair. A company called Tenneco supplies both systems, and the $5,000 option is definitely worth the price considering that the engine breathes out better and sounds better.
Tenneco further produces LT2 components such as the pistons and piston rings, valve seats and guides, bearings, and bushings. The 6.2-liter motor isn’t made at the Performance Build Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky but at Tonawanda in New York. The facility is also responsible for 2.0- and 2.5-liter four-cylinder motors, 4.3-, 5.3-, and 6.2-liter truck engines, and the 6.6-liter heavy-duty truck engine.
Having gone through all this info, now’s high time to enjoy the LT2 rumble in two exhaust compilations from Drive 615 on YouTube. The uploader has filmed both manufacturer and customer cars with or without the Z51 Performance Package, so there’s something in there for every ‘Vette enthusiast.
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. Full profile
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