Is this a v6 Turbo ZR-1 Prototype Engine? Friend purchased it (pics) ---

[XfireZ51]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

Before landing on the LT-5 vs a TT setup, GM did build a series of TT cars....Motor trend noted that they ran a test with a Lambo running at 120, as it passed one of the TT prototypes(sitting still) ...Jim Engles punched it....at the end of the mile the TT vette has passed the lambo at 180+....

"Jingles" was the go to guy for doing some crazy sh*t. He's the one that did the validation on 1/4 mile times. BTW, that included real power shifting. Never let up.

[LGAFF]

Interesting the ConsumerGuide published in 12/88 mentioned the turbo 6 was a test engine for the ZR-1; as stated too rough

Originally Posted by alwayscode390

He contacted the SVI people , they gave him the first pic I posted. They verified that they were building these engines for a Corvette prototype. The turbo lag and the engine shaking of the unbalanced 4.3 was too much hassle for GM to approve the design. Im not sure if it was ZR-1 specific though ... but the year "1987" seems feasible.

He originally bought it thinking it was a SYCLONE/TYPHOON prototype engine , but its too big to fit in the s15 body ---

[alwayscode390]

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[scottfab]

Originally Posted by LGAFF

Interesting the ConsumerGuide published in 12/88 mentioned the turbo 6 was a test engine for the ZR-1; as stated too rough

That must mean it WAS considered for the ZR-1.

[1989ZR1#74]

Originally Posted by scottfab

That must mean it WAS considered for the ZR-1.

I am pretty sure the ZR-1 was always LT5 powered from day 1. This may or may not have been a "study" for the Corvette but not a ZR-1. The ZR-1 was an "option and Marketing group" that group included the LT-5 like the Z28 camaro's had 302s. You couldn't get a Z28 with a 396.

If it is a Corvette powertrain it could be related to the program that build EX5273 in 1988. EX5273 was a twin turbo V8 concept study. It sold at BJ2009 Palm Beach:

http://www.barrett-jackson.com/appli...s.aspx?ln=57.1

[1989ZR1#74]

OK I went digging. Per Dave MCcLellan's "Corvette fron the Inside" page 195:

"V-6S AND TWIN TURBOS
To his credit, Lloyd kept the pressure on the engine guys. Their first
response was a turbocharged 90-degree V-6 for the Corvette. They reasoned
that the smaller displacement was needed, both for fuel economy and to
accommodate the turbochargers and auxiliary plumbing. But we rejected
the V-6 engine, and so did the car. The engine caused problems in the driveline
and rear suspension and made the car buzz and the mirrors shake. This
unbalanced V-6 engine configuration was totally unacceptable when
mounted in the Corvette, which had never been designed for such an
engine. So, the engine guys finally got the V-6 out of their system, and we
settled down to work with them to package a twin turbo V-8."





If that is the engine that is a very rare piece of Corvette history. Thanks for posting it.

[1989ZR1#74]

I will go one step further and say the name "ZR-1" didn't really exist until the 1988 time frame. Up until that point the LT5 moniker ruled the day. If you look at the 1988 and earlier build sheets you see LT5 hand written on them and King of Hill noted but no ZR-1 anywhere. ZR-1 really came to fame when Chevrolet denied the use of the LT-5 badging due to GM's own new restrictions on noting engine's badging on the outside of the vehicle. Hmmm does that make Queenie just another Corvette? I will let Tyler decide.

[LGAFF]

This is the prototype Corvette turbo 6....Callaway just posted a pic of it in the car on Facebook

[icarus-54]

Saw one a many years ago at Watkins Glen,it was in a prototype road racer.I think it was around 90-91.It caught my eye because I had just bought my first gmc syclone new.

[Z51JEFF]

That motor looks like a Big Block with 2 cylinders lopped off.