Why the 5.5L LT6 Is More Powerful (and Likely More Reliable) Than Ford’s 5.2L Voodoo V8
Why the 5.5L LT6 Is More Powerful (and Likely More Reliable) Than Ford’s 5.2L Voodoo V8
Why the 5.5L LT6 Is More Powerful (and Likely More Reliable) Than Ford’s 5.2L Voodoo V8
Though these two flat-plane-crank V8 engines share a lot in common, the C8 Corvette Z06’s LT6 has some distinct advantages.
Much ado has been made about the 5.5-liter LT6 V8 present in the 2023 Corvette Z06, and for good reason – it is the most powerful naturally-aspirated V8 to ever make it to a production vehicle. The LT6 also sounds amazing thanks to its flat-plane crank construction, revving to the literal moon and emitting sounds once reserved for things like, well, a Ferrari. However, the LT6 certainly isn’t the first American flat-plane crank V8 to exist, as Ford did it with the 5.2-liter Voodoo engine used in the now-discontinued S550 generation Mustang Shelby GT350.
Recently, a comparison between these two engines surfaced in the CorvetteForum forums, and it’s a pretty interesting discussion for certain. While the LT6 and Voodoo share some things in common, there are also a few key differences between the pair, which is what helps make GM’s version more powerful – and likely more reliable over the long haul – which is notable for those that are worried about facing the same oil consumption and overheating issues that many GT350 owners have dealt with in recent years.
@gregrexadams Comparing the new LT6 Z06 engine to the Shelby GT350 Voodoo engine #chevy #gm #corvette #z06 #lt6 #Shelby #voodoo #coyote #ford #mustang #dodge
As TikTok user gregrexadams points out in the video here, both of these engines are, of course, naturally aspirated V8s with dual overhead cams, variable timing, and four valves per cylinder, as well as a flat plane crankshaft. These engines utilize opposing cylinders to counterweight each other, so there’s less weight on the crank, which allows for faster revving and a higher redline. From there, however, there are some pretty major differences between these two engines and their construction.
For starters, the LT6 has more bore than the Voodoo – four-tenths of an inch, to be exact – which helps it generate much more power – 670 horsepower versus 526. This allows GM to run larger valves, and have more space around those valves for air to get through. This does result in a shorter stroke and less overall displacement, however, though that actually aids in terms of horsepower. If the piston rings are moving up and down the bore more, it creates friction and ultimately reduces horsepower, albeit while also increasing torque.
The LT6 also employs lots of titanium in its construction to help keep weight down and make it rev faster – along with a solid valve train, which removes a lot of slack in the system, while the Voodoo uses a traditional hydraulic setup that helps reduce required maintenance. However, this also significantly reduces throttle response and output. The LT6 utilizes a direct injection setup, while the Voodoo does not, giving it the ability to generate more in terms of compression, too.
Aside from basic peak power output – which the LT6 gets nearly 150 more horsepower out of three-tenths of a liter of displacement – the Voodoo is known for its reliability issues, most of which can be attributed to its star feature – the flat plane crank. The LT6, on the other hand, has already been battle-tested in various endurance races, and thus far, has only faced a small number of (well-documented) issues.
As CorvetteForum member P-Tree pointed out some time ago, other flat plane crank machines like the Ferrari F430 utilize an up-down down-up orientation for the crankpins, while the Voodoo features an up-down up-down setup. “It’s unknown why Ford went this route, but a lot of rumors are due to the sound of the engine,” he noted. “Supposedly, the first Voodoo they made had a traditional up-down down-up configuration, and sounded just like a Ferrari 458. However, it was thought that the Mustang purist would rebel against this European exotic-sounding V8. They decided to change the crankpins and change from two intake manifolds to one. I’ve read on some more tech oriented forums and sites that the Voodoo’s layout contributed more to its vibration problems and possible its oil consumption. All that to say, with the LT6 being a more traditional crank layout, hopefully that mitigates some of those issues/concerns.”
This is obviously good news for those worried that the LT6 might suffer from some of the same long-term issues as the Voodoo, which is notable given the fact that the C8 Corvette Z06 seems to have already cemented its place in automotive history as a sure-fire, guaranteed future collectible – as well as a vehicle that will be celebrated for generations to come.
Photos: Chevrolet, Ford
