Is the C7 Corvette ZR1 Power Limited Under 500 Miles?

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 offers 755 horsepower, but some owners wonder if power is limited during break-in.

The C7 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is the most powerful Corvette, the most powerful Chevrolet and the most powerful General Motors road car ever introduced to the public, with the supercharged V8 delivering 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, some bad information being spread around the Internet claims that the output of the LT5 is limited until the odometer hits 500 miles as part of a structured break-in period.

Fortunately, while there is a recommended break-in period for the first 500 miles of driving the new ZR1, the digital tachometer suggests a lower redline, but nothing is forced and there is no reduction in power.

Corvette ZR1 Power Question

When Corvette Forum member “CorvetteKingZR1” first posted his question on the availability of all 755 horsepower in the 2019 Corvette ZR1 to the forum, he provided the following information.

I just saw a review on the ZR1 saying the power is limited until 500 miles in the car. Is this true? If so, what is the power limited to before the 500 miles break in?

The first person to reply was “BearZ06”, who didn’t know about power, but he pointed out the adjusted redline marker on the tachometer.

I know the tach redline is at 4500 until 500 miles when it moves to 6500, watch for it! I really don’t believe the hp is limited prior to that though and don’t forget the oil change.

That was followed by a post by “Bill Dearborn”, who pointed out the fact that there is a different redline marker during the 500-mile break-in period, but there is no reduction of power.

Some people are easily fooled and believe because the tach shows a lower red line until 500 miles are reached that power is limited. However, the tach red line is only a mark/color on the tach. The driver can go past it if they want to.

Also, “Ben@WeaponX” posted the gauge cluster of his own ZR1, stating that there was nothing special about the first 500 miles.

I ‘ve been saying this was a myth since the Z06s… I had my C7 within the first couple of months of them being out, so I never could remember on that one. But my ZR1 did not have any redline restrictions when picking it up. You can see here with just 77mi on the odometer, that redline is still 6500 RPMs on the maiden voyage home from Detroit. Does anyone have a pic showing otherwise? I was calling in favors (and being told NO LOL) before ordering asking for the PCM to be unlocked and the car could be built without 4G wifi and could have the warranty voided off the line. Not going to lie, when my 4G and NAV didn’t work the entire drive home, I had high hopes! LOL But I can indeed show you at least mine had no lower redline.

However, “HTXSkydiver” quickly pointed out that Ben’s tachometer did have the lower redline point in yellow.

It actually does though. It’s the thin yellow/orange/red line above the hash marks that’s is the temporary lower “redline”. That thinner section disappears after 500 miles. Go take a look at your car now and it will be gone.

Suggested Redline, That’s All

After it was made clear that the C7 Corvette ZR1 tachometer does have a lower redline point during the first 500 miles, other members chimed in to point out that the redline changes, but the power output does not.

The first was “ilkSurfer”, who shared pictures of the ZR1 tachometer during the break-in period, with the redline at 4,500 RPM.

Here is a close up. 84 miles ZR1 and the redline starts at 4500. The HUD shows it better. I have the close up of my 4400 miles Grand Sport at the bottom photo where the redline starts at 5800.

The fact that the lower redline is only a suggestion was reinforced by “Warp Factor”, who pointed out that the lower redline will also be present when the engine isn’t warmed up.

Yup, it’s merely an rpm limit suggested on the display, for breakin purposes. After breakin, it will still show up prior to the engine warming up to the point that GM wants it thrashed.

Finally, after it had been soundly established that there is no power reduction during the first 500 miles of driving the new ZR1, “Hawkbarr” went a different direction with the discussion.

OK, so the OP question was answered.
Next question is what damage/negative impact happens if you go ABOVE the temporary tach line during the first 500 miles?
I’m sure this topic has been beat to death over in the C7 General Discussion forum 4 years ago when the C7 was introduced.

I’ve had 2 ZO6s and accidentally gone above it during breakin with no negative effects……I take delivery of #792 next week and am thinking the same experience as the ZO6s will happen.

Ben@WeaponX seen any issues? You’re the pro here…..

To which Ben replied with the following.

No, there are a lot of different views on this. Some engine builders will tell you to bring it up to temp a few heat cycles, change out the break in oil, and give it hell. Others will say break it in for 500 miles.

Personally, on a new car I change the oil after 100 miles, then again at 500, and give it hell. I certainly did go over the 4500 rpm point on my 3 hour drive back from Detroit to Cincinnati, but it wasn’t anything excessive. I currently have the quickest at 9.97 and fastest at 140mph quarter mile times, and I did a compression test at 3000 miles and all is good!

I’m surprised more aren’t concerned with the Mag Ride 1500 mi break in period. Reading that surprised me as that’s a long one for a guy who bought the car for just that.

So, the bottom line here is that power of the new Corvette ZR1 is not limited, but there is a recommended, lower redline during the suggested 500-mile break-in period.

Click here to read the whole thread and to provide insight of your own.

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