Todd Schnitt to Help Build His Corvette ZR1 Engine

Popular radio show host Todd Schnitt will personally help build the 638 horsepower supercharged small block engine for his ZR1 supercar at the General Motors Performance Build Center, Chevrolet announced today. This was thanks to purchasing the optional Corvette Engine Build Experience, launched by the company recently.

After the build is completed Monday, the engine will be tracked and sent to the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Ky., where Schnitt's ZR1 will be assembled with the engine.

"To build my own engine is over the top," said Schnitt. "When my dealer told me about the option it was like 'Of course, I'll do it, sign me up!'. I can't wait to get there and build my own LS9. It will be the ultimate personalization for my car. I'm anticipating it being one of the coolest things I've done in my life. It definitely makes my 'bucket-list.'"

Technicians at the PBC individually hand build each Corvette Z06 LS7 7.0L engine, Corvette ZR1 6.2L supercharged LS9 engine and a variation of the Corvette Grand Sport's LS3 6.2L engine. Schnitt will be closely guided and coached by one of these technicians, and his engine will still be covered by GM's five-year / 100,000 mile warranty.

“In addition to building their own engines, Corvette buyers can attend driving school in Arizona or Nevada, take delivery of their vehicles at the National Corvette Museum or watch their vehicles being built at the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green. Schnitt attended the driving school in conjunction with his 2009 ZR1 purchase and took museum delivery of his 2007 Z06,” a company statement reads.

According to Chevrolet, Schnitt's current order is for a cyber grey 2011 ZR1, the same as his last two ZR1s.