Although a facelift was expected by now, the C8-gen Corvette hangs on through 2025 with a 490-horsepower Stingray-style small-block. Opting for a fancier exhaust system bumps horsepower and torque numbers to 495 horsepower and 470 pound-feet (637 newton meters), which is more than enough for most people.
You can further enhance the LT2 direct-injected V8 with new Eliminator heads and a Lingenfelter cam package, which cost $13,495 installed. The Stingray in the featured clip features a few more extras, including a Performance Design pTR carbon fiber intake manifold that adds $2,155 to the final price.
Options also include a 95mm throttle body port, a Halltech cold-air intake airbox, Corsa Performance headers, plus a Corsa Performance cat-back exhaust system with black chrome tips. The heads and cam pack alone are advertised as making over 600 horsepower and 535 pound-feet (725 Newton-meters) of torque, and it’s tuned for both 91 and 93 octane.
The question is, what do you get for that $13,495? It all starts with a basic dynamometer, followed by engine removal and disassembly. Next, the go-faster company works its magic with CNC-machined cylinder heads with complete roller guides and chambers.
For the valvetrain, Lingenfelter uses the Lingenfelter LSx Dual Valve Spring Kit with titanium retainers, seats, locks, and gaskets. Performance Racing hydraulic rollers are also worth mentioning, along with a CHE pin kit, fuel injector O-rings, engine setup, and 0W-40 synthetic oil.
Photo: Lingenfelter
Before starting the engine, Lingenfelter also puts the required amount of water and ACDelco Dex-Cool antifreeze in the coolant tank. A plaque in the engine compartment distinguishes the modified LT2 from its stock counterparts. Before delivery, Lingenfelter unlocks the engine control unit for dynamometer calibration.
Compatible with both the Stingray coupe and convertible, the head and cam package gives the LT2 a rougher idle, which is a result of the GT32 camshaft. Lingenfelter clearly states that it is not compatible with Active Fuel Management, the fuel-saving technology that deactivates half the cylinders under light loads.
In other words, Lingenfelter also turns off the AFM for added peace of mind. The GT32 camshaft was designed with Gen 5 small-blocks in mind, including the LT1 in the previous-generation Camaro and Corvette, as well as the L83/L84 and L86/L87 truck engines. These 80-series V8s are the 5.3- and 6.2-liter EcoTec3 mills with AFM or the newer DFM.
Dynamic Fuel Management is much more complex, offering 17 different firing orders in total. Believe it or not, DFM-equipped trucks can shut down up to 7 cylinders to save fuel. Some owners aren’t exactly happy with that, which is why Range Technology invented the AFM/DFM Disabler a few years ago. At press time, the aforementioned contraption costs $213.26, excluding shipping.
