12 Non-corvettes That Are Powered By Corvette Engines

The Chevy Corvette has been a emblem bearer for nan American automotive manufacture ever since nan first-gen exemplary launched successful 1953. Even today, nan communal man's supercar pushes nan capacity boundaries. The latest Corvette ZR1X packs 1,250 horsepower of twin-turbo V8 hybrid goodness, capable to embarrass exorbitantly much costly hypercars.

But 1 oft-forgotten facet of nan Corvette is really bully of a philanthropist car it is. Yes, it often debuted GM's latest V8 monsters, but those were later utilized successful different models. Since nan 1990s, nan Corvette V8 has been utilized successful each sorts of vehicles. Family sedans and position wagons, SUVs and musculus cars, moreover existent hypercars and modern-day basking rods.

Clearly, producing nan astir affordable supercar wasn't capable for GM. The automaker wanted to further democratize insane horsepower figures and breathtaking speed. And, frankly, we emotion them for that. So let's observe GM's publication to nan enthusiast organization by having a look astatine immoderate of nan sleepers powered by Corvette engines.

If you want a car that would perfectly fresh nan meaning of a sleeper, look nary further than nan 1994-1996 Chevy Impala SS. Chevy enthusiasts will constituent retired nan slick 17-inch wheels, articulator spoiler, and little thrust height, but it's different a regular-looking Impala — 1 that looks for illustration it came retired from a noir movie, that is. Initially, Chevy only offered nan Impala SS successful black. Then, successful 1995, it added 2 monotone assemblage colour options: Dark Cherry Metallic and Dark Grey Green.

There is thing monotone astir this Impala's 5.7-liter V8 from nan C4 Corvette, though. It's a detuned type of nan LT1 engine, but it still produces a patient 260 horsepower and a meaty 330 pound-feet of torque paired to a four-speed auto. Yeah, a manual action would've been great, but astatine slightest GM's 4L60E transmission could fastener its torque converter for quicker cogwheel changes. The combo propelled nan Impala SS from 0 to 60 mph successful 7.3 seconds.

But nan Impala SS wasn't conscionable a straight-line wonder. To tighten up nan handling, Chevy's engineers borrowed from nan Caprice 9C1's playbook and lowered nan suspension by utilizing De Carbon shocks. The Impala SS besides received Z-rated capacity tires for higher grip and larger 12.1-inch disc brakes. It's a dense sedan sitting connected a ladder framework chassis, truthful you still shouldn't expect miracles, but well-maintained models are often sold for good complete $20,000 today.

The Buick Roadmaster Estate houses nan aforesaid 5.7-liter LT1 motor arsenic nan Impala SS, producing 260 horsepower and 330 pound-feet of torque. It sprints to 60 successful 8.6 seconds erstwhile equipped pinch nan modular four-speed auto. Not accelerated by today's metric, judge — but this is simply a dense position wagon we are talking about. For its era and size, it's much than speedy enough.

However, nan Roadmaster Estate isn't conscionable a capacity sleeper; it's besides a truck/SUV sleeper. Thanks to nan body-on-frame chassis, nan Roadmaster Estate tin tow up to 5,000 pinch nan trailering package. For comparison, nan latest Toyota Tacoma Hybrid is rated astatine up to 6,000 pounds. Other optional features included a limited-slip differential and a self-leveling aerial suspension connected nan rear axle that kept Roadmaster's posture, moreover pinch a dense trailer attached.

The Roadmaster Estate's monolithic 55-cubic-foot trunk is besides a coagulated substitute for a pickup motortruck bed. It's truthful large that Buick offered a rear-facing 3rd row, bringing nan full seating capacity to 9 people. The max trunk capacity of 92.4 cubic feet is besides exceptional for a family vehicle.

GM was connected an LT1 spree successful 1994. Apart from its ample family cars, nan American elephantine brought nan Corvette motor to 2 enthusiast-grade machines: nan Chevy Camaro Z28 and Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. Both based connected nan aforesaid F-body level and pinch sleek, fighter-jet designs, GM's 1990s musculus cars instantly drew attention.

But, travel on, we each cognize GM's scheme was to bully nan fox-body Mustang. The marque did that truthful convincingly that it wasn't adjacent connected Ford's musculus car. In a 1994 Car and Driver comparison, nan fourth-gen Camaro Z28 thrashed nan Mustang GT successful each capacity metric. Its Corvette-derived 5.7-liter LT1 produced 275 horsepower and 325 pound-feet. The Mustang GT only had a 4.9-liter V8 pinch 215 horsepower and 285 pound-feet. 0-60 times were 5.4 and 6.1 seconds, respectively. And nan spread expanded further; nan Mustang GT needed 44.7 seconds to scope 130 mph while nan Camaro Z28 accomplished it successful 26.6 seconds.

The Camaro Z28 besides out-cornered and out-braked its fierce rival, too. And dissimilar GM's family cars, you could get some nan Camaro Z28 and Pontiac Firebird Trans Am pinch a six-speed manual. Buyers could besides take betwixt coupe and convertible models. In 1997, Chevrolet took a measurement further and introduced nan highly-limited LT4-powered Camaro Z28 SS. Again originated from nan Corvette, nan improved 5.7-liter V8 produced 330 horsepower, blowing erstwhile models retired of nan h2o entirely.

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The 2004 Pontiac GTO wasn't arsenic charismatic arsenic nan Firebird Trans Am. The proportions are each right, but overall, it looks a spot bland. Still, nan Australian-built musculus car, which was sold arsenic nan Holden Monaro successful nan onshore down under, was thing but bland successful nan capacity department; it was the eventual mid-2000s sleeper. The musculus car's Corvette-sourced 5.7-liter LS1 V8 was bully for 350 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque, capable for a 0-60 clip of conscionable 5.3 seconds in Motor Trend's testing — and that's pinch all-season tires.

The mag besides praised nan driving dynamics, saying nan Pontiac GTO felt "so poised, truthful well-balanced, truthful confidence-inspiring erstwhile you're successful full-hustle mode." It besides came disposable pinch a six-speed manual from Tremec for an moreover much engaging driving experience. A four-speed car was disposable arsenic well; this is an American musculus car, aft all.

But that was conscionable nan beginning. For nan 2005 model year, Pontiac already upped nan ante pinch nan improved 6.0-liter LS2 V8 motor from nan C6 Corvette for 400 horsepower, 395 pound-feet of torque, and 0-60 successful 5.1 seconds. Again, a six-speed manual was an action for enthusiasts, though Pontiac only equipped nan GTO pinch all-season rubber. Put high-performance summers connected it, and it will surely beryllium quicker. Unfortunately, nan Pontiac GTO was discontinued after conscionable 3 years connected nan market, hinting astatine Pontiac's eventual demise a fewer years later.

A track-ready motor from nan C5 Corvette Z06, a six-speed manual transmission, and a Nürburgring-honed chassis. When it arrived, nan CTS-V was for illustration nary Cadillac earlier it. With its angular, futuristic creation and powerful internals, nan exemplary was aimed straight astatine rivaling German capacity sedans. 

To opportunity that nan first-gen CTS-V arrived pinch a bang would beryllium an understatement. It packed nan 5.7-liter LS6 V8, bully for 400 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque. In a comparison trial to its German rivals, Car and Driver measured a 0-60 clip of conscionable 4.8 seconds and a apical velocity of 161 mph. Thanks to nan balanced chassis, though, nan CTS-V was besides capable to beryllium itself connected nan Nürburgring Nordschleife, wherever it posted a clip of 8:19.

Two years down nan line, Cadillac replaced nan LS6 pinch nan LS2 engine. The caller 6.0-liter V8 produced nan aforesaid horsepower and torque, but nan second was disposable little successful nan rpm scope — 4,400 alternatively than 4,800. The 2006 CTS-V besides received a stronger rear differential to amended grip nan engine's immense torque output. Today, first-gen Cadillac CTS-Vs spell for astir $20,000, which isn't a bad value for nan capacity connected offer. The futuristic creation that starred successful 'The Matrix Reloaded' still looks benignant of sick today, too.

Back successful 2005, nan XC90 SUV became Volvo's first accumulation conveyance pinch a V8 engine. The Yamaha-honed 4.4-liter V8 pushed nan boundaries pinch its compact footprint and an fantabulous 315 horsepower. Predictably, this sparked a countermove from Volvo's perennial hometown rival. Saab's consequence was nan 9-7X Aero, a super-SUV pinch nan 6.0-liter LS2 V8 engine. With 390 horsepower and 395 pound-feet of torque connected tap, nan 9-7X Aero could easy outrun nan XC90 connected apical of being capable to tow a whopping 6,600 pounds. Thanks to nan enhanced traction from nan AWD system, it besides sprinted to 60 successful conscionable a small over five seconds.

But wait, really did a Corvette motor extremity up successful a Swedish SUV? Simple: It shared nan underpinnings pinch nan Chevrolet Trailblazer SS. In fact, galore different GM SUVs were besides based connected nan aforesaid platform, for illustration nan Isuzu Ascender, Buick Rainier, Oldsmobile Bravada, and GMC Envoy. Only nan Saab and Chevy versions received nan Corvette engine, though.

Both SUVs besides had lowered suspension pinch Bilstein dampers, a stronger rear axle, and thicker anti-roll bars. They besides rode connected 20-inch wheels pinch capacity tires for higher grip and curb appeal. Still, their four-speed automatic transmissions and body-on-frame chassis somewhat constricted their capacity abilities. Not that there's overmuch to kick astir pinch a fast, rugged SUV that tin tow monolithic trailers.

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Is it a truck, aliases is it a sports car? Both and neither. The Chevrolet SSR sits connected a ladder framework chassis, conscionable for illustration a pickup truck. Good luck doing inferior pinch it, though. Its furniture is excessively mini for thing serious, and nan debased thrust tallness limits you to soft roads only. The SSR besides weighs a whopping 4,760 pounds, truthful no, it isn't a sports car, either. The original 300 horsepower 5.3-liter V8 lacked nan punch needed to move specified a dense framework pinch immoderate existent authority. The four-speed car further constricted performance, truthful nan 0-60 sprint lasted 7.8 seconds.

But nan SSR look became measurement much palatable erstwhile Chevy equipped it pinch nan 6.0-liter LS2 engine. Now pinch 390 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque connected tap, nan 2025 Chevy SSR needed conscionable 5.3 seconds to scope 60 mph. It was besides disposable pinch a Tremec six-speed manual for a much engaging drive. The improved SSR was still arsenic dense arsenic before, but it gained retuned steering to sharpen up nan experience.

In nan end, you could opportunity that nan Chevy SSR was some a pickup motortruck and a sports car. A modern reincarnation of nan basking rod, if you will. It mightiness person been short-lived, but it's an absorbing imaginable arsenic a classical car, pinch prices ranging from $20,000 to almost $40,000 for pristine, low-mileage examples.

With a apical velocity of 270.49 mph, nan Hennessey Venom GT became nan world's fastest accumulation car successful 2007. It hit established machines for illustration nan Bugatti Veyron and nan Ruf Porsche 911 Twin Turbo. Hennessey Performance besides collapsed nan 0-300 km/h (0-186.4 mph) grounds pinch a clip of 13.63 seconds and nan 0-200 mph grounds pinch a clip of 14.51 seconds.

To execute these insane figures, nan hypercar shaper opted for a chassis originated from nan featherlight Lotus Exige. Instead of nan Exige's V6, though, Hennessey Performance slapped nan 7.0-liter LS7 V8 from nan C6 Corvette Z06. Of course, nan LS7's 505 horsepower wasn't capable to hit each those records connected its own. So, nan Venom GT besides received 2 turbochargers, which bumped nan output to an insane 1,244 horsepower and 1,155 pound-feet of torque. Did we mention nan Venom GT weighs conscionable 1,244 kilograms (2,743 pounds)? One horsepower per kilogram is absolute madness successful our book.

It took Chevy 16 years to lucifer Venom GT's output pinch 1,250 horsepower from nan Corvette ZR1X hybrid powerhouse. But that's thing compared to Hennessey Performance's latest hypercar, nan Venom F5 Revolution Evo, boasting a 6.6-liter twin-turbo V8 that produces 2,031 horsepower and reaches an estimated apical velocity of 318 mph. It should beryllium noted, though, that nan Evo's motor was made in-house alternatively than being taken from a Corvette.

Timeless looks pinch classical musculus car vibes and limitless powerfulness from a supercharged V8. That's what you get from nan Equus Bass 770 – a modern boutique musculus car that plays nan nostalgia paper almost excessively perfectly. It's for illustration nan top musculus car hits from nan 1960s and 1970s blended into a sleek, aggressive, fastback stunner. It wouldn't moreover look retired of spot connected our database of the top 'coke bottle' style musculus cars of each time.

And it's not conscionable Equus Bass' creation that's intimidating. Under nan hood, it packs nan supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 motor from nan C6 Corvette ZR1, which produces an astonishing 640 horsepower and 605 pound-feet of torque. The V8 is paired to a dual-clutch six-speed manual mounted connected nan rear axle for amended weight distribution. According to Equus (as reported by Top Gear), nan combo propels nan Bass 770 to 60 successful a brisk 3.4 seconds. Top speed: 200 mph.

Unlike nan musculus cars of yore, though, nan Bass 770 isn't built conscionable for straight-line speed. Its chassis is made from aluminum and c fibre for lightness and stiffness, resulting successful a weight of conscionable 3,459 pounds. In addition, nan motor is mounted successful a front-mid configuration, which should heighten handling. So, pinch each these awesome specs, why are you not seeing it much often? That's because it starts astatine an eye-watering $250,000, pinch options pushing that value to complete $500,000.

Want nan aforesaid capacity arsenic nan Equus Bass 770 but astatine a fraction of nan cost? Get nan past Camaro ZL1. It packs nan newer LT4 motor from nan C7 Z06 Corvette, which produces 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque for a apical velocity of 190 mph. 0-60 takes conscionable 3.1 seconds pinch nan 10-speed car and nan six-speed manual takes 3.4 seconds.

Yes, nan Camaro ZL1's acceleration is neck-snapping. The aforesaid tin beryllium said for nan adjustable suspension successful nan 1LE package, which is designed specifically for way use. It's stiff, but it does move nan ZL1 into a way weapon. The package besides brings aerodynamic improvements to nan array pinch nan beforehand splitter and dive planes alongside nan immense rear wing. Together, they create 300 pounds of downforce astatine 150 mph. Extreme capacity summertime tires are portion of nan 1LE package, too.

But nan Camaro ZL1 communicative is besides a bittersweet one. After all, nan nameplate faced its extremity pinch nan 2024 exemplary year. Sure, nan ZL1 Collector's Edition allowed Camaro to discontinue pinch a bang, but this doesn't alteration nan truth that this lineup is nary longer sold successful dealerships.

The Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is different enthusiast-grade GM car that's astir to beryllium discontinued, pinch nan 2026 exemplary twelvemonth being its last. It's a shame, because the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is simply a ace sedan for group who for illustration driving. It has a crisp chassis pinch speedy turn-in and fantabulous balance. The steering is amazingly engaging, too. The CT5-V Blackwing moreover comes pinch a six-speed manual, showcasing Cadillac's committedness to producing fun-to-drive cars, but a 10-speed car is besides disposable for those that mightiness find nan acquisition a spot overwhelming. 

See, nan CT5-V Blackwing packs nan supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 motor from nan C7 Corvette ZR1, producing a whopping 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque. In Car and Driver's tests, this was capable for a 0-60 clip of conscionable 3.5 seconds. This overmuch capacity paired pinch a manual mightiness beryllium challenging for astir group — not that we're complaining. The CT5-V Blackwing is 1 of nan past non-electrified ace sedans. The Germans proceed to push horsepower figures moreover higher utilizing hybrid powerfulness trains, but astatine what cost? With a curb weight of 5,251 pounds, nan 2026 BMW M5 looks for illustration a vessel adjacent to nan 4,092-pound Blackwing. Let's dream Cadillac takes notes for immoderate exemplary replaces it.

Oh, did you deliberation nan BMW M5 is heavy? Think again; nan Escalade-V dwarfs immoderate different capacity conveyance pinch a curb weight of 6,352 pounds. It's a boat, each right, but it's a vessel that sprints to 60 mph successful a ridiculous 4.4 seconds. Interestingly, the Cadillac Escalade IQ EV is almost arsenic quick, reaching 60 mph successful 4.7 seconds contempt weighing an insane 9,120 pounds.

Still, nan Escalade IQ offers nary replacement for nan thunderous sound of nan supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8. And there's much entreaty than conscionable nan aural extravaganza. In nan Escalade-V, nan Corvette-sourced monster is equipped pinch a monolithic 2.65-liter R2650 TVS supercharger, truthful it produces 682 horsepower and 653 pound-feet of torque. It's paired exclusively pinch a 10-speed auto, which is nan correct transmission for specified a ample and dense capacity SUV.

Unsurprisingly, nan Escalade-V isn't nan crisp driving instrumentality nan CT5-V Blackwing is. Sure, it comes pinch Magnetic Ride Control 4.0 and Air Ride Adaptive Suspension arsenic standard, but nan weight takes its toll successful nan driving department. It's still awesome for its size, though, and that size allows nan Escalade-V to spot 7 passengers — and their cargo — successful absolute comfort.