Photos By: The Author
We Pick our Top Five C7 Corvettes of SEMA 2016
The seventh-generation Chevrolet Corvette has been out for a couple of years, and the aftermarket has readily embraced the platform. It is proving to be a formidable canvas of choice for modification, even edging out cars twice its price. At SEMA 2016 one will find anything from brand new factory stock Stingrays, to highly modified Z06s, to the full-race C7.R, and all in between. So we set out to find the top five that stood out to us the most.
Here are our top five C7 Corvettes, presented in no particular order.
1. Stance Craft Wide Body Stingray
Bringing this car to fruition was a collaborative effort between a few different companies. Stance Craft installed their wide body kit on a brand new Stingray, and totally changed the attitude of the car. The car was reskinned with a widened front fascia, front fenders, rear fenders, and rear section. A carbon fiber front splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser are added to give the C7 a ground hugging look. Complementing the body are carbon fiber trim pieces, from APR Performance, which include Z06 front and rear fender vents and rear spoiler. A RPM Rollbars unit keeps the occupants safe, in the event things get a little out of hand.
Seeing what’s under the hood reveals this car might be trouble! Powering this Corvette is a built LT1 with a LME intake and a Paxton centrifugal supercharger, they team up to make 750 rear wheel horsepower. All that power gets a voice thanks to a Kooks exhaust system. Wheels are fifteen52‘s paired with Michelin tires from Tire Rack measuring 295/30/19 in front and 345/30/19 in the rear.
A few other companies were involved with the efforts as well, they include: Mobil 1, Chevrolet Performance, Retro Designs Speed and Custom, East Coast Supercharging, and Ed Rinke Performance Parts.
2. 2016 LPE Z06 Roadster Dream Giveaway Car
Yes that’s right, you could win this car! Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, or LPE for short, has added their 800 horsepower package to a 2016 Z07 track package equipped Z06 Roadster. The Z07 package is formidable in its own right, which includes an adjustable, transparent wickerbill, Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, and stickier tires, among a few other options.
The LPE package includes CNC ported and polished LT4 cylinder heads, a LPE GT35 hydraulic roller camshaft, a ported and polished throttle body, and an Edelbrock TVS2300 supercharger. Bringing this powertrain package into harmony is LPE’s custom computer calibration.
Cosmetically there isn’t much changed from the factory offering, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Z06’s look aggressive from the factory, which works well with this car’s purpose: to be a very nice performing and looking prize for a very lucky person. Lingenfelter signature edition custom graphics, and a Ken Lingenfelter signature round out the cosmetic changes.
3. Snow Performance Z06
Water methanol works well with forced induction. Thankfully, Snow Performance has a C7 Z06 to play with. They are industry leaders in water methanol injection, and their Z06 is packing one of their Boost Cooler systems. These systems inject a water methanol mixture into the engine causing the air to cool and become more dense. This not only makes more power, but also allows for more boost to be ran.
Also helping make more power are Kooks headers flowing through a Borla exhaust system, a COMP Cams camshaft, an aFe intake, parts from Granatelli Motor Sports, and an eight pack of Nitrous Express bottles under the hatch. Air fuel ratio is kept in check by an Innovate Motorsports gage, with everything being tuned to optimum operation by HP Tuners.
Cosmetically, Carbon Creations front splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser offset the C7’s bright red paint. Adding to the custom look and providing better traction are Forgestar wheels with Mickey Thompson 285/35/19’s in front and 325/30/19’s in rear.
4. Trufiber Stingray
Trufiber manufactures premium quality parts for American muscle cars. Their C7 Stingray stands out above, or maybe we should say …below… the crowd. This Corvette is low! If their carbon fiber front splitter, side skirts, and rear diffuser didn’t make it seem low already, tucking 275mm wide in the front and 345mm wide in the rear 20 inch Toyo Proxes on Triumph Performance Wheels might.
Especially under wide carbon fiber fender flares. Laying this C7 on it’s under tray is an air ride system with compressors from Viair. Keeping a shine on all the extra width and carbon fiber is products from Mothers.
Under the hood is a carbon engine cover to dress up the engine bay, and a Paxton supercharger provided by East Coast Superchargers, to make things happen with a little more haste. This combination was tuned to harmony by KAR Performance.
5. Vettesthetics F35 Stealth Fighter C7
This C7 is a collaborative effort between a NFL football player, Vettesthetics, and a host of other manufacturers. It’s purpose is to pay tribute to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. It will be auctioned off to benefit military charities such as; the Wounded Warrior Project, USO, and Disabled American Veterans at Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale, 2017.
This 2016 Z51 Stingray has been modified with an Extreme Dimensions Riveted Widebody on a Z06 clone kit. The driver’s side is Navy and Marine Corps Blue Angel colors, and the passenger’s side is themed Air Force Thunderbirds. The words “Freedom Isn’t Free” and “For Those who Served” pay homage to the sacrifices of the men and women of the Armed Forces, and their famalies face daily.
This Stingray rides on Intro Wheels with 275/30/19 tires in front and 345/25/20 tires in back. MGP Caliper Covers, give the brakes a custom look to match the bodywork. As of the 2016 SEMA show the engine was stock, but looking at the list of sponsors, we know upgrades under the hood aren’t far behind.
The 2016 SEMA show was bigger than ever, and there were many great C7 Corvettes there. These five represent a good mix of what is shown at SEMA. As the platform gains more aftermarket support, the build will just get better and better. We can’t wait to see what next year’s show brings!
At just 5-years old, it was an ’85 IROC-Z Camaro that ignited the fuel that sparked the life-long passion of GM hardware for Michael. Being a huge fan of late-model muscle in general, the LS-powered 4th-generation Firebirds truly capture Michael’s heart.
