Talked to my friend who works at GM and goes up to one of the build centers in Detroit regularly.

He said he has seen many Z06’s come in and out (I guess going over to the Milford proving grounds) with blowers on them since April.

He has been told the Escalade will also be receiving this engine.

So the LS9 looks to be in full test mode right now

 

Z06s w/ blowers? So you mean they just strapped on a blower to an LS7 and called it an LS9 or made a few other changes or are they just sticking fully unique LS9 motors in Z06s?

 

The Z06 bodies are just test shells. I don’t think it has really much to do with the Z06 at all. They just happen to be the mules.

Have you been living under a rock Kyle? There have been many threads about the LS9 SC engine in here over the past few months.

We’ve even had some pics I think last week.

This is a totally unique engine with nothing really to do with the LS7 other than both being LS engines.

He said they come in and totally replace their drive and powertrain after each test run, only leaving the brake components and such still on the car.

The only real way to tell the difference visually between these mules and a regular Z06 is a small fiberglass bump on the hood where they had to cut to make room for the blower components.

 

Oh and I forgot to mention, the hybrid Tahoe’s they are building/testing right now are using 6.0L V8’s

 

I thought the LS9 was 6.4l?

 

No.

My understanding is the LS9 is a smaller displacement and mass produced, not handbuilt like the LS7, making it cheaper to manufacture.

 

Probably forged pistons too. Isnt the current LS7 using Hypereutectic pistons along with every other LS engine?

 

I believe you're correct about the smaller displacement. Last I heard was 6.2. Wasn't it the cylinder walls on 7.0L that were too thin to make it a blown motor?

However, the LS9 will still be built at the Performance Build Center and in very low numbers.

 

dont think I like the Z06 LS7 replacement being a blown motor. I hope there is a motor over the LS9 Naturally aspirated.

 

Yea, I've heard of one in another vehicle. I guess it's a good dream car to look forward to buying when I'm old.
The Camaro isn't a poor man's sports car anymore.

 

People say I act condescening and 'know it all' like? Wow.

I just asked a damn question. I've seen a couple of threads about the LS9 but seen absolutely no solid answers about its design other than it's a supercharged LS architecture motor. I didn't know if it was basically a supercharged LS7 or just the unique LS9 being tested in the Z06 body or what... way to simply answer my question and not act like a star wars geek when the newb asks such an obvious question as 'What was princess Leia's second line to Chewbaca in the 47th scene of the first star wars movie?'

 

Last I heard the LS9 is a Supercharged 6.2L. The N/A 6.2L was called to be the LS3.

 

Actually, Princess Leia had no lines spoken directly to Chewbacca in the first star wars movie....

 

Your Geek-Fu is awesome. The grasshapper bows to the master and hopes the master only uses his awesome powers for good!

 

Those of you worried about the GT500's weight might want to consider something.

A supercharger, intercooler, tubing & plumbing, and beefer drivetrain added about 350 pounds to the Mustang GT.

Though this GM engine will have an alumunum block instead of iron, all that stuff is still gonna add weight..... quite a bit.