C7 ZR1 already upstaged? Maybe-maybe not

[Hib Halverson]

Dodge announced yesterday that an uprated version of the Hellcat engine, rated at 797-hp, will be released in the "Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye". "Redeye"...makes me think of someone with a bad hangover.

Ironically, I just submitted a story to Corvette Magazine on the new LT5 and in researching that story, I interviewed Jordan Lee, the top V8 engine guy at GM Propulsion Systems, and he told me that during the early planning for the new LT5 that the engine, "...had to be better than the Hellcat."

Well...for several months it was.

But then, 4G Zroners ought not worry too much because even the portly C7 ZR1 weighs significantly less than a Challenger and handles a ton better...that's why you never see one of those fat-assed Mopars setting records at Nurburgring or VIR.

I told Jordan in a later email that some forum posts claim that just installing the GM Performance air box and trading the second set of cats for an X-pipe section bumps the Gen 5 LT5 to just shy of 800-hp. He didn't agree or disagree with me but said he thought hot rodders could make "..four figures". 1000-hp? I guess that's doable with just tuning, a pulley and exhaust, as long as you're willing to give up warranty coverage and some durability.

What does everyone think about the new ZR1, anyway.

Couple weeks ago I emailed Harlan Charles and asked him, of the orders so far, what were the rarest colors. He said the "Ceramic Gray Matrix" (another weird color name) and, strangely, Corvette Racing Yellow.

I think this one is pretty cool