C6 Corvette Z06 Sets Naturally-aspirated World Record at 8.993

Photo: Sebastien Imbeault

Corvette Z06 got into the 8s with a manual transmission and full interior, but without forced induction.

We talk about a great many insanely-quick Chevrolet Corvette records, but many of the quickest Vettes from every generation feature some form of forced induction. The vast majority of Corvettes running in the 8- and 9-second range are relying on a supercharger, turbocharger, nitrous oxide or a combination boost and nitrous. However, the black 2008 C6 Z06 shown here recently covered the quarter-mile in just 8.993 seconds at Napierville Dragway in Quebec and it did so with a naturally-aspirated engine.

While running in the 8-second range with a naturally-aspirated car of any kind is impressive, this run is doubly-important, as it set a new record for the quickest naturally-aspirated C6 Corvette Z06 in the world.

Here’s all the deets from our sister site, Corvette Forum:

This is the First N/A 427 LS7 C6 Z06 M6 with 17’’ & 15″ Drag Radial on Corvette Forum to record a 9.7x, 9.6x, 9.5x, 9.4x, 9.3x, 9.2x, 9.1x, 9.0x, 8.9x

Year of the Z06: 2008
Tire used on the pass: Hoosier DR2 295-55-15, Front skinnies, Bogart custom lightweight 15×11 wheels
Performance Mods (if any): Vararam SC1R, ARH, AHP ported MSD 102/102, AHP CNC LS7 heads, ID1050X injectors, Fore twin walbro 525 pump, RPS BC2 clutch, Mezier EWP, ATI underdrive, Custom Iceman 4.0 cam, MSD 8.5mm, MSD LS 2 step, S.I.R.P. Tune, 160 stats, Custom TR6060 ratio, Motive 3.90 rear end, C6Z06 rear axle, QA1 DA shocks, Weight 2675lbs dry no fuel no driver, Stock LS7 block Darton sleeved with stock LS7 rotating, ARP main & Heads studs, 3800 RPM launch.

Category submitted for: Bolt-On with internal engine mods

Thanks to American Heritage Performance, we have video footage of the record run.

Photo: Sebastien Imbeault

Record-setting Corvette Z06

This black C6 Z06, tuned by Sebastien Imbeault of S.I.R.P. Tuning (also the owner), is powered by an LS7 engine measuring 427 cubic inches, topped by a set of American Heritage Performance CNC ported GM LS7 cylinder heads. The California-based shop also ported the intake manifold, allowing the Corvette to breathe easier.

Photo: Sebastien Imbeault

Aside from the modified and tuned LS7, C6 Corvette Z06 has a manual transmission equipped with a BC2 carbon fiber clutch, courtesy of Rob Smith from RPS Performance Clutches, and the full interior. Many people who focus on quarter-mile times will swap to a quick-shifting automatic and gut the interior to remove as much weight as possible. According to Imbeault, his Z06 weighs 2675 pounds, sans fuel and driver. That is considerably lighter than a stock Z06’s 3,113 pounds, even with a full interior layout includes with a roll cage.

“A few years ago, Seb came to us because he could only go 9.3s in the quarter-miles,” said Kohle Heimlich, owner of AHP. “Last year, he told us that he wanted to break the C6 Z06 world record by going 8s in the quarter-mile but his current setup was maxed out.”

Photo: Sebastien Imbeault

It sits on Weld Racing wheels with M&H Racemaster radials upfront, but Bogart Racing wheels wrapped with Hoosier radials in the rear to get out of the hole in blazing style.

Photo: Sebastien Imbeault

Record Run

The video below comes from the American Heritage Performance Facebook page and it showcases the record-setting run. There is a Mustang in the way at the beginning of the run, but in every other way, this clip is nothing short of awesome.

It sounds as though the Corvette Z06 leaves at idle or just above, but it still comes screaming out of the hole. Speaking of screaming, make sure to watch the video with your volume up, as the worked LS7 sounds absolutely incredible. After the hard, smooth launch, the driver quickly bangs through the gears, getting to the top end in a serious hurry.

Photo: American Heritage Performance

Imbeault’s black Corvette stops the timers with an 8.993 at 151.84 miles per hour. It took just 1.239 seconds to get to the 60-foot mark and the eighth-mile marker was reached in 5.738 seconds at 119.71. There are quicker C6 Corvette Z06s, but none have run this quick without nitrous, boost or both.

Crank up your speakers and enjoy!

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com