'09 ZR1 LS9 Corvette engine leaked-- !!

DMC is right on this; and just to carry this thought a little forward, I for one do not see this type of spring as some kind of crudity or low-tech feature. I would be one of the first to bash the pushrods in the engine as low-tech, but I think this suspension system has certain advantages.

The engineers claim that it is lighter than a steel spring, lower CG, and that it fits the packaging constraints better as well. The claim was also made that it has a much higher cycle limit than steel and does not weaken over stress cycles as much.

Please note also - way back when Car & Driver criticized the Zora Duntof rear IRS in the mid-years Stingray, that was a steel transverse leaf which also acted as part of the rear wheel location linkage. Duntof threatened to sue them over it, IIRC. The new cars are however well-located and are even fairly adjustable for a road car.

Also, (for what it is worth) you will seldom see a prettier piece of aluminum in a car than the strong but slender A-arms of a C4 Corvette when you open the hood. A lot of hot-rodders use these pieces in their customs just for the good looks.

 

There is no external oil pump used for a dry sump on the motor shown.





Darrell.



PS: I would also add the LS6 as you stated.

 

The problem with a leaf spring is that it transfers energy to the opposite wheel. A coil spring does not. Infact,this is why there are coil spring conversions for the vette.


Darrell.

 

Yes, but I've only seen those kits being used on a Vette when the owner intends to "slam" it (lower it all the way to the ground) then they throw in the coils, otherwise I've never seen or heard about coils being used on the Vette for any other reason.

 

I tend to disagree (on the energy transfer). These springs are bolted down to the frame in the middle, right?

 

Nor is there on the LS7 media shots. The external oil pump is at the nose of the crankshaft.

LS7 hi-res:
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-2006/2006-Chevrolet-Corvette-Z06-LS7-1280x960.jpg

LS9 hi-res:
http://jalopnik.com/photogallery/09CorvetteZR1LS9P/1000250320?viewSize=thumb1280x1280

 

Correct. There is minimal, if any, energy transfer in the current design.

 

Really? And if they are superior, why does the C6R run coils springs in the rear. Wouldn't they also run a leaf?




Darrell.

 

Darrell, I guess you would have to ask an engineer, but could it possibly have something to do with packaging, or with the ability to replace the coils with various spring rates?

I wasn't really saying that I thought they were vastly superior, I was just saying (like DMC) that they are kind of a far cry from those pitiful single leaf springs supporting (and locating without anything else but the shocks) a live rear axle.

BTW, I am putting this on the ZR1 site to enquire on the engine particulars - maybe some of them are closer to Chevrolet Engineering than most of us here.

James

 

It's probably easier and cheaper to buy coil springs of various rates or have them custom wound than it is to have leaf springs custom made. It's also easier to change out a coil than it is to change out a leaf, especially on the front suspension, which could be critical in a 24-hour race. Or, if a car is damaged in one corner you don't have to take apart the entire suspension on both sides to get the car back on the track. All considerations when you are endurance racing and have to take into consideration what you might have to do to repair a car. You don't have to worry about that so much on the street.

 

interesting that the leaf spring may not be such a bad thing, i never knew

are there any other cars made with this type suspension? past or present?

 

This corvette leaf spring talk is just what a lot of EU people and their fan boys perpetuate to bash a good American car. It is nothing like a pickup truck leaf spring, and the new Z tracking faster then a F430 should already dispel that, but yet it continues....omg. No one is saying its the greatest thing in the world, but clearly it works well, and ride height can be easily adjusted with the stock suspension on the Vette. Ride quality on the 190MPH BASE corvette is also very nice.

This reminds me of all the people saying the GM 6.0 and 7.0L push rod engines being low tech, yet at the end of the day, it makes more power, MUCH better gas mileage, less maintenance, arguably more reliable, and despite its larger displacement, dimensionally/physically smaller then their performance oriented "high tech" counterparts? Yea, what a piece of stone age crap.

I'm with the guy that said, if it works, it works!

 

I always laugh when Clarkson talks about its ancient technology in being a pushrod motor, when the OHC motor came out shortly after WWI, and DOHC predates the rise of Hitler! Using over head cames are as old as the Titanic!

 

Yes those C6R's are very good performers. I was lucky enough to see one at a local Chevy dealership!

 

I would guess to make the walls thicker to stand up to the boost pressure

 

I think I'm the only one who knew you were kidding.

 

As a past owner of corvettes, and a far cry from being a "fan boy" it has nothing to do with bashing a car. I was simply stating that the leaf spring(and yes it is basically the same thing that holds up a pick-up truck)is inferior to a coil. The coil offers a progress rate if so desired, and that is something the is simply not available with a leaf. The same goes with a tortion bar. They work well (see 911 Porsche) but even Porsche ended up going with a coil due to tuneability. And really, tuneability is what a sportscar needs. BTW the leaf does transmit energy from one side of the spring to the other. Even if it's being helld in the center. This is not ideal for the rear suspension where you wany them to be completely independant. No fan boy here, just saying there are better options out there.


Darrell.

 

It's torsion bar. And Porsche finally got rid of them as they were the last hold out after Chrysler and VW finally dumped them too. No automobile manufacturer currently uses torsion bar suspension. They are suited to armored combat vehicles. Then again, Porsche continued with air cooling long after it was obsolete.

 

You also no that anti roll bars transfer energy from one wheel to another? My gosh we should remove them all from all our cars.

 

That's called a typo.


Darrell.

 

That is correct. But, it's transferring a WANTED energy.



Darrell.

 

My Neighbor 5 doors down works at the Corvette plant. He is in a position so that he drives the new cars for testing purposes(actually drives them home)

I noticed the XLR early and the Zo6 early, If I see this guy pull up in one of these I'm going to finally introduce myself.

I'll try to get some pics also.. They should be in the testing phase already so it should be soon.

BTW, if you didnt notice I live in Bowling Green KY. Home of the Corvette/XLR plant

 

A lot of mags would pay big bucks for those first photos.



Darrell.

 

I dont think it will be that early.. the cars are always in plain veiw no tape stickers etc.

 

There's nothing intrinsically wrong with leaf springs or torsion bars. They both offer packaging benefits over coil springs and are still used in dedicated track cars. The term 'leaf' spring isn't really appropriate for the Corvette implementation. It's spring is a single piece, rather than an assembly of multiple leafs.