Gloves On
Some may know Jeff Gordon as the NASCAR legend who, as a young driver, battled the late Dale Earnhardt Sr. for championships in the ’90s. While his racing credentials are unquestionable, could he prove himself just as capable in the garage?
In an Instagram post, Chevrolet showed Gordon arriving at its Bowling Green Assembly Plant with his father to help build an LT7 engine for his Corvette ZR1X. Well, the returning Build Your Own Engine program is open to buyers who ordered the Z06, ZR1, and ZR1X. Gordon, who retired from full-time racing in 2015, also serves as vice chairman of Chevrolet-backed Hendrick Motorsports, where he oversees the team’s operations and drivers — including reigning NASCAR champion Kyle Larson.
Inside the LT7 Assembly
The engine assembly began with the short-block build at 10:09 a.m., followed by the long-block assembly at 12:02 p.m. At 1:27 p.m., the engine underwent a cold test — a procedure that uses an electric motor to run the engine without combustion to verify proper operation.
So yes, the 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged LT7 V8 is paired with an electric motor, producing a combined 1,250 horsepower and making the ZR1X the most powerful Corvette variant to date. It is also the second Corvette to adopt a hybridized setup, following the E-Ray. Both C8-generation models feature an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. According to Chevrolet, the ZR1X is capable of sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in just 1.89 seconds and completing a quarter-mile time of 8.99 seconds.
At 1:55 p.m., the blue intake manifold was installed, followed by the turbochargers at 2:37 p.m. The engine received its nameplate at 2:55 p.m., with the final inspection taking place at 3:10 p.m.
A Longstanding Chevrolet Tie
Gordon is reportedly the first to participate in the Build Your Own Engine program, which, according to Corvette Blogger, costs about $9,995. Given his connections, that comes as little surprise. During his racing days, he delivered four NASCAR Cup Series championships to Hendrick Motorsports and Chevrolet, along with 93 race wins — the third-most in series history behind Richard Petty and David Pearson.
Under the program, ZR1 and ZR1X customers assemble the LT7, while Z06 buyers build the LT6. For reference, the Corvette ZR1X starts at $209,700, excluding destination fees. One of its most notable achievements so far is a 6:49.275 lap time at Germany’s Nürburgring, making it the fastest American production car around the Ring, edging out the Ford Mustang GTD.
