How the C8 Corvette Unleashes More Power After Hitting First 500 Miles
How the C8 Corvette Unleashes More Power After Hitting First 500 Miles
GM engineers share how the C8 Corvette uses unique tech that protects the engine during break-in period.
When you take ownership of a car like a Corvette there one thing you really want to do first. It is a Corvette, after all. The most visceral instinct is to go in hot, put that pedal down and open the car up. But as we know, pushing the redline isn’t the best way to maximize Corvette performance. Fun, yes. But it’s not the way the GM recommends to break-in the car.
It turns out that the team at Chevrolet considered this while designing the C8 Corvette. In fact, not only did they plan for that, but they developed technology to best safeguard the engine. C8 Corvette drivers have discovered an increase in power and performance once they pass the 500-mile break-in period. Turns out patience pays off.
“People were really rolling the dice when they opened up the engine too soon 10 or 20 years ago,” Mike Kociba, assistant chief engineer of GM’s legendary LS small block V8 engines told the Detroit Free Press.
But an important aspect in this technology is that engineers successfully used software that would limit the engine output until the car has 500 miles on the odometer. The unique tech is very cool, and unlike anything else we’ve seen from the automaker.
“We do two things for the Corvette,” Kociba explains. “First, limit engine speed. For the first 500 miles, the redline is 4,000 rpm.”
The base C8 Corvette runs a naturally aspirated 6.2-liter LT2 V8 that produces a robust 495 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, eventually. But off the lot, the ‘Vette is torque-managed, meaning software limits maximum torque in first and second gears.
Corvette’s Chief Engineer Tadge Juechter discussed this on the Forums as part of our ongoing Ask Tadge discussion.
“With more weight on the rear, the car has more traction and we take advantage of that with more aggressive gearing. That translates into more torque multiplication and more loads in the driveline….torque reduction is roughly 25 to 30 percent depending on which transaxle (standard or Z51) and which gear. That may sound like a big reduction, but in reality the car is still really fast. In fact, you could easily spin the tires on some surfaces. Engine speed is not limited at all – it will wind out to redline. So the torque reduction limits the worse of potential break in wear, but is not a panacea.”
That magic moment when the Corvette hits that mark, the heavens part, the angles sing; and the redline bumps up to 6,600 RPM. Worth the wait.
Corvette is the currently only car at GM using this technology. Ford and Ram have developed different controls for the drivetrain, but nothing quite as remarkable as this cool Corvette feature.
We like to think Corvette installed a little angel on our shoulder to balance out that devil beckoning us to go hammer down. We look forward to seeing what the next 500, and 1,000 miles will bring.
Photos: General Motors
