So, due to production and supply constraints, the 2023 C8 Corvette Z06 is gonna be pretty hard to acquire for most, even if you have the $106,000+ needed to get one. But there’s a reward for the patient. If you wait until at least the second quarter of 2023, you’ll be able to take part in the supercar’s engine build experience, which is finally making a return. The engine in question is the record-setting LT6. A record-setting, DOHC flat-plane crank 5.5L V8 that spins to 8,600 RPM and produces 670 horsepower. It’s the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 engine ever put in a production car.
Per Corvette Blogger, who attended the 28th Anniversary celebration of the National Corvette Museum over Labor Day weekend, learned that being able to build an LT6 engine yourself is an option coming very soon. Corvette Assembly plant director Kai Spande, spoke at the celebration where he revealed the upcoming option and how it will work.
Image copyright Manoli Katakis, Muscle Cars & Trucks.
In previous years, the process included taking an engine on a cart and moving to each area building out your Corvette’s engine at each respective station. This is no longer the case, the Corvette assembly plant has built a dedicated “cell” or workspace known as the performance build center for individuals looking to build their own LT6 engine to put in their 2023 C8 Corvette Z06. Having this workspace eliminates moving around the factory, parts needed come to you as opposed to going throughout the factory itself. Something that’s sure to reduce complexity as a result.
In previous years the option cost an additional $5,000 but due to the complexity of the LT6 engine or internally known as “Gemini” we expect the add-on option to be priced significantly higher. Once you’ve built your engine, it gets sent to the dyno for a test run and upon successful completion gets pushed through to the assembly line where it will meet its chassis and body at a later date.
