As Chevy blazed past its centennial anniversary in 2011 and its centennial anniversary for their trucks in 2017, now Ed Rinke does the same, celebrating 100 years of Ed Rinke since our founding in 2017. Let’s reflect on the past with the retirement of the legendary LS motor and look into the future with it’s replacement, the LT, and its use in the new ZR1 and Silverado Performance Concept in the coming years.
After 20 years of greatness, Chevy retired the LSX platform in 2017 from production vehicles and has introduced the new LT block, replacing the legendary LS in the Corvette, Camaro, Silverado, and more. The Chevy small-block motor defined American performance cars and heavily influenced the culture of hot-rodding and the automotive community as a whole. Introduced in 1997 in the C5 Corvette, the updated small block, the LS1 would become the go-to motor for racing, hot-rodding, and nearly everything else. The LS1 was followed up by the LS6 and later improved on with a multitude of upgraded blocks given the LS name.
The LS1 and its variants would serve as the defining performance drivetrain of the past 20 years, with no other American motor reaching the wide variety of applications the LS can be found in. LS swaps have become the most popular, most reliable and most notorious swaps in the automotive community. LS motors will still be manufactured due to their staple legacy within the enthusiast community, and we will continue to have them available for all your needs, from hot rodding to racing. Find out more about getting yourself a legendary LS for your project here.
While many die-hard fans of one of the most renowned small block chevy motors mourn the retirement of an icon, the new LT motor shows a lot of promise. The LT1, named as an homage to the famous 350 small-block motor of the 70’s, was introduced in the C7 Stingray and has proven to be an excellent power plant, attracting tuners and builders to maximize the performance on the newest and best Corvette. The new LT4, available in the new ZO6, CTS-V, and ZL1, is the newest addition to the Chevy Performance supercharged drivetrains. Next, we will see another supercharged LT motor released with the 2019 Corvette ZR1 which will be equipped with a supercharged LT5 motor, reclaiming the throne of “Most Powerful Chevy”.
The future is so exciting for Chevy and Ed Rinke, we can’t help but look forward to what’s coming. In the next year, Chevy is bringing out the new legendary ZR1, including the first convertible model since the 1970 ZR1, as well as a performance variant concept of the Silverado 1500. Both cars will be equipped with the new LT series engine. The Silverado utilizes what Chevy calls a “LT4-style supercharger” to breathe more power through its drivetrain while the new ZR1 will be equipped with a supercharged 6.3L V8, the LT5.
The fastest, most powerful production Corvette ever – the 755-horsepower 2019 ZR1 Coupe.
Once again, with the release of the new ZR1, GM and Chevrolet will offer the fastest, most powerful production Corvette ever built. The Corvette ZR1’s exclusive LT5 supercharged engine, which produces an SAE-certified 755 horsepower and 715 lb-ft of torque, is establishing a new benchmark in performance. Saying goodbye to the old window into the heart of the ZR1 found on the C6, the new C7 includes a special carbon-fiber “halo” hood that is open in the middle to clear the LT5 engine’s supercharger/intercooler assembly. An all-new front fascia is designed to channel air for propulsion-system and drivetrain cooling, with four new radiators bringing the radiator total to 13.
In a world where paddle-shifting automatic transmissions are often becoming the only option, the multitudes of enthusiasts crying out “save the manuals!” can be happy with the new ZR1. A seven-speed manual and eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmissions will be available with the LT5. It’s the first time an automatic transmission has been offered in a ZR1, offering the best of best of both worlds, whatever your preference.
The ZR1 serves as the most track capable Corvette yet, with two wind tunnel-honed aerodynamics packages, including an actual adjustable chassis mount wing that creates incredible downforce. The aero continues to the front as well with additional aero packages including stanchion-mounted wings that help push the ZR1 harder onto the track.
The ZR1 will offer two aero packages: a standard rear Low Wing, which delivers the highest top speed of 210mph, and the two-way-adjustable High Wing that generates maximum downforce of an estimated 950 pounds onto the track for the quickest lap times — about 60 percent more downforce than the Z06 with the available Z07 Performance Package. All models also feature a Chevrolet-first downforce-enhancing front underwing. The adjustable High Wing is part of the new ZTK Performance Package, which also includes a front splitter with carbon-fiber end caps, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 summer-only tires and specific chassis and Magnetic Ride Control tuning for more grip. Like the Corvette Racing C7.R race car, both available wings for the ZR1 are tied into the chassis for strength and stability.
As more specialized track-inspired parts are coming to Chevy production vehicles, we are proud to stand with these developments and offer all Chevy Performance parts and accessories. Browse our parts catalog to find all the performance parts that help Corvette push the boundaries of street and track.
The fastest, most powerful production Corvette ever – the 755-horsepower 2019 ZR1 Convertible.
For the first time since the 70’s, the ZR1 will also be offered with the top dropped. Nothing could be more visceral and exciting than this 755 horsepower monster with the top down. The performance and technology introduced on the Corvette ZR1 coupe carries over to the new ZR1 convertible. In order to bring the convertible up to par with the coupe, some innovative changes were made to maintain the raw performance from the coupe to the convertible. The strength of the Corvette’s aluminum chassis means the only structural changes are accommodations for the folding top and repositioned seat belt mounts. The power top can be operated remotely or while driving, only up to 30 mph. In fact, the curb weight difference between the ZR1 coupe and convertible is less than 60 pounds, with most of the difference attributed to the folding top hardware. The 2019 Corvette ZR1 coupe and convertible go on sale Spring 2018, ready to take on the world’s best on street and track.
As Chevy celebrates an entire century of making some of the best pickup trucks on the market, they’ve decided to start off the next 100 years with something quite wild to talk about. Announced during SEMA, the 2018 Silverado Performance Concept explores the performance capability of Chevy’s light-duty pickup with a concept supercharger system that figuratively and literally blows more life into its 5.3L V-8 engine. This concept will utilize the same L83 seen previously in the Silverado, but now equipped with a supercharger based on that of the LT4 engine offered in the Corvette Z06 and Camaro ZL1. We could be seeing this beast come to life in the next few years and we couldn’t be more excited.
2018 Silverado Performance SEMA Concept with a LT4-style intercooled supercharger system adds 100+ horsepower.
Looking forward to 2018, we’re ready for the next 100 years. We’ve been with Chevrolet through all of their successes and we’re proud to support them into the future. We’re proud to offer all Chevy Performance parts, including engines, transmissions, accessories and anything else you could think of.
Take advantage of the current deals on everything from 15% off Gen6 Camaro accessories to full Connect & Cruise drivetrain systems that offer up to $750 back with a mail-in rebate, all while enjoying free shipping! We’re ready for what the next 100 years brings and even more ready to help you build the Hot Rod or Racecar of your dreams with the most reliable performance parts and drivetrains in the industry. Find the parts and accessories you need here on our website.
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