Corvette Z06 Coupe

Make
Chevrolet
Segment
Coupe

The Chevrolet Corvette has for decades been a favorite of US sports car fans and has always enjoyed significant aftermarket support. With the rise and refinement of turbo technology, we've seen an explosion in the number of high-horsepower Corvettes rolling around, and with the all-new C8 Z06 'Vette on its way, there has never been a better time to be into these legendary American sports cars. The car featured here is a pure celebration of raw power, and features a massive engine, a big turbo, a sequential transmission, and a flame-spitting exhaust like it's just been on an episode of Hot Ones. Oh, and it's packing over 1,800 horsepower.

This 2015 Z06 is owned and raced by Matt Kavanah and was built by Cutaway Creations in Summit Point, West Virginia. This high-power 'Vette leaves nothing on the table: from the outside, it looks mean as hell and could never pass for a sleeper thanks to those sticky rear drag radials and the fact that it's a murdered-out Corvette. The exterior of this gorgeous Corvette is the least interesting part of the car though. What matters is what's under the hood.

Kavanah decided to go big with a 427 cubic-inch LS-based V8 engine as at the time of the build, there was nothing available to get the stock LT4 engine up to the power level that Matt wanted. The new engine consists of a tough LS Dart block rated at 2,300 horses and features a Callies crankshaft and connecting rods. Diamond pistons eat up whatever is served, and fuel is supplied by Bosch 210 injectors. The whole thing is controlled by a Motec M150 ECU hooked up to a custom harness.

So how does it make all that power? The simple answer: it has a giant single turbo strapped to the side of the engine. Matt opted to go for a massive Precision 94-millimeter hairdryer. At a dizzying 40 pounds of boost, it makes around 1,800 hp, but Matt is more comfortable running it at 24 psi at the moment. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox from Samsonas connected to an RPS quad-plate carbon clutch and a Wavetrac differential. On the current setup, this Chevy runs low ten-second quarter-miles. Matt says that he is planning to upgrade the turbo on this 'daily driver' for the upcoming Texas 2K event, and we cannot wait to see what this thing does down the strip.