A Massive V8 Engine Powered This Underrated Performance Car
When car fans ponder the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, the first images that come to mind are probably high-revving C8 Z06s or supercharged C7 models. However, some younger Corvette fans may have forgotten another ground-breaking model with a massive LS7 V8 engine: the C6 Corvette Z06.
The C6 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 has one of the largest V8 engines in the model’s history
The C6, or sixth-generation, Chevrolet Corvette Z06 stepped things up for the performance nameplate. Most notably, the Z06 got a naturally aspirated 7.0L (yes, you read that right) small-block V8 engine. It’s one of the largest mills ever to power a Corvette.
How much HP does a C6 Z06 Corvette have?
The sixth-generation Chevrolet Corvette Z06 packs 505 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque from its 7.0L LS7 V8 engine. What’s more, at around 3,130 lbs, even early models brought serious power-to-weight ratios to bear.
It wasn’t until the supercharged C7 Z06 rolled off the assembly line that the “Plastic Fantastic” broke the 500-horsepower barrier again.
How much is a used C6 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 with the LS7 V8 engine?
The C6 Z06 has an average value of around $50,634. However, earlier models tend to have lower average values. For instance, a 2006 model has a typical sales price of $45,032, per Classic.com. However, the 2013 iteration, the final model before the C7 took over, sells for an average of $61,270.
Of course, mileage and condition make a difference. Kelley Blue Book (KBB) says that a sixth-generation Z06 with 68,434 miles has a fair purchase price of closer to $30,731. Still, depending on your location, a cursory internet search will reveal that prices typically live somewhere between $35,000 and $48,000.
Why the C6 Z06 is special?
The C6 Corvette Z06 packed the largest Chevrolet small-block engine (SBC) ever. What’s more, the LS7 V8 engine in the Z06 marked the first time that the nameplate reached beyond a factory rating of over 500 horsepower. Of course, popular automotive lore suggests that the sought-after 1969 ZL-1 may have eclipsed the 500-horsepower mark.
After the C6 model drove off into the sunset, the Corvette ditched much of its old-school appeal. It gained build quality, a seven-speed manual transmission, and even eco-features like cylinder deactivation. As a result, the sixth-gen Z06 is one of the last analog, old-school rock n’ roll ‘Vettes.
