C6 Corvette ZR1 Enjoys Major Gains with Simple Bolt-On Mods

By Brett Foote - June 17, 2019

Some basic additions and changes net this last-gen Corvette ZR1 over 200 more horsepower and 200 more lb-ft.

In a time when we’re focused on the mighty C7 Corvette ZR1 and forthcoming mid-engine C8, it’s easy to forget about the C6 ZR1. But as we’ve seen in the past, that’s a mistake. The last-gen ZR1 still holds amazing potential, despite leaving the factory as a beastly machine right out of the box. And that fact is on clear display in this video from YouTuber Race Proven Motorsports.

Here we get to see a C6 Corvette ZR1 display the results of some basic bolt-ons. But we also get to see multiple Camaro ZL1s strut their stuff establishing baselines as well. Both are brand new, one a 2018 and one a 2019. Both are A10 cars, so it’s a nice look at any potential differences between two model years. The gray ’18 put down 545 hp and 555 lb-ft, while the ’19 cranks out 566 hp and 583 lb-ft. Pretty big difference there, we’d say.

With that interesting test in the books, it’s time to move on to our mighty Corvette. The ZR1 is running a ported blower, headers, meth injection, full fuel system, upper and lower pulleys, and a cold-air intake. Pretty simple stuff, but enough to add up to some major gains on the dyno. But before the results of this experiment, we also get to see a blown and meth-injected C6 Z06 put down an impressive 808 hp and 675 lb-ft.

And finally, it’s time for the main attraction. Before these mods, the C6 Corvette ZR1 put down 562 hp and 530 lb-ft. After, it cranks out 763 hp and 750 lb-ft. For those who like to count, that’s an astounding increase of 201 hp and 220 lb-ft. Not too shabby for the relatively modest parts list this thing now touts.

Obviously, the last-gen ZR1 isn’t something anybody should sleep on anytime soon. Even if it’s about to be two generations old, there’s still some serious power potential here with minimal effort. Even still, we doubt this marks the end for this Corvette build. And we certainly look forward to what it can accomplish with some more carefully curated additions in the near future!