Muscle Car Mag Predicts V8 DOHC for the LT2

[SheepDog]

"the Muscle Cars & Trucks story expects the engine at launch to be a dual-overhead cam V-8 called LT-2. It was previously speculated that a DOHC V-8 with a flat-plane crank would come later and make about 600 hp. Rumors also suggest a twin-turbocharged V-8 and even a hybrid powertrain are on the table. The latter could sport all-wheel drive with its electrified running gear."



The aftermarket may have a tough go with the mid-engine 2020 Chevrolet C8 Corvette.

The mid-engine sports car has a "unique encrypted ECU system," according to a Tuesday report from Muscle Cars & Trucks. Per the report, any changes in the pursuit of more horsepower to the ECU will be a difficult task, if not impossible.



2020 Chevrolet Corvette (C8) spy shots - Image via S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

It's worth noting the 2020 Corvette will likely be one of the many new cars from General Motors to use the automaker's new electrical architecture, which has been floated as one of many reasons why the car was subject to delays. The "digital architecture" not only boosts output for future in-car technologies but also puts a major focus on cybersecurity. The latter is reportedly one of the major roadblocks to ECU tuning.

In the event re-programming fails, the mid-engine Corvette will enter a "recovery mode." Like a rolling computer, the car will need to be rebooted. Those who don't have the resources to restore the car's ECU will be left with a "bricked" sports car, sources said.



2020 Chevrolet Corvette

ECU tuning is often an essential means of squeezing more power from a car. It can be as simple as unlocking more power from the parts that are already there or retuning to match new parts, including new or larger turbochargers or superchargers. Yet, where there's a will, there's a way. That way may involve a few bricked mid-engine Corvettes along the way. The Corvette has always been a prized car for aftermarket companies to tinker with. This time, they may not be able to crack into the ECU and if they can they will have to be careful not to brick the C8.

The 2020 Corvette will—finally—debut on July 18 in California. The common thought has been that the car will come with an upgraded version of the Corvette's current pushrod 6.2-liter V-8 making about 500 horsepower. However, the Muscle Cars & Trucks story expects the engine at launch to be a dual-overhead cam V-8 called LT-2. It was previously speculated that a DOHC V-8 with a flat-plane crank would come later and make about 600 hp. Rumors also suggest a twin-turbocharged V-8 and even a hybrid powertrain are on the table. The latter could sport all-wheel drive with its electrified running gear.

[SheepDog]

by Manoli Katakisabout 22 hours agoNEWS 2020 C8 Corvette May Be Un-Tunable

Too Tech Focused For Its Own Good?


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Today Muscle Cars & Trucks has learned that the upcoming 2020 C8 Corvette may be off-limits to much of the performance tuning community because of its unique encrypted ECU system. In effect, successfully flash-tuning, reprogramming and otherwise altering the engine control unit to increase power output will be next to impossible.

Yes, encrypted ECU systems are already in vehicles. But the C8 Corvette is unique in that it features a widely heightened sense of cybersecurity. As a result, it might be impossible to read, write, and/or replace the standard ECU of the C8 Corvette. Major side effects of attempting to do so include “bricking” the car, according to sources.

When a programming event fails, the C8 Corvette is designed to go into what can be essentially described as a “recovery mode.” When this happens, it communicates certain data in order to restore a point that a new programming session can start. Then the ECU can be reprogrammed as normal. In layman’s terms, any foreign code will shut down the Corvette’s computer, and it will need to be rebooted. If one does not have the resources to re-image the ECU of the 2020 C8 Corvette, the vehicle’s as good as a rolling paperweight.



Don’t expect an official comment from Chevrolet anytime soon, as the official details are still classified until such things are disclosed this summer.

The 2020 C8 Corvette will be officially revealed on July 18, 2019 in California. Expect it to have an exclusive DOHC V8 engine, dubbed LT2, paired to an exclusive seven-speed dual clutch transmission. That’s right: no pushrods, and no manual transmission. At least, not at first.

Proportionally, the 2020 C8 Corvette is rumored to have enough space in its “frunk” to accommodate at least one bag of golf clubs. Seeing as some of the executives in charge of developing the mid-engine Corvette enjoy a round of 18 holes as much as they enjoy a round at the road course, we imagine that this was always an essential component of the car’s development. A car that took six decades to manifest itself.

[meyerweb]

That the initial engine for the C8 will be called the LT2 seems to be accepted "wisdom," but virtually everyone else thinks it will be an updated version of the OHV LT1, and that any DOHC engine will appear later in a Z06-type performance version of the car. We'll know about the "entry-level" motor in a month and a half, but will probably have to wait a while to learn about any future engines.

[Bikerjulio]

In thinking about the "encypted ECU" question I put myself in the position of GM and think about the reasons they might want to do it.

Firstly is warranty. I'd assume that any meddling with the ECU would void it, but of course they don't need to brick it, just to know that it's been messed with. Then void the warranty.

Secondly would be the ability to download running updates. Any tampering would potentially mess with an update. GM's choice is then either to restore the ECU to it's original program+update, or deny the update to an altered ECU. The first risks risks damage if there have also been mechanical alterations. The second prevents GM fixing any bugs that could also be damaging. A quandary.

Thirdly is the interconnectedness of all the systems in a modern car - the engine, transmission, sensors, brakes etc all working together. If you were in GM's shoes would you want any old shade tree mechanic messing with that? Don't think so.

Fourthly, and following along, locking down the system would allow GM to sell performance software upgrades for a price. Hmm, where did I get that idea?



It's a brave new world.

[Sparro]

But what does it all mean Bazil?

[Bikerjulio]

But what does it all mean Bazil?

Perhaps that was too complicated. Here's a visual aid.

[meyerweb]

Downloading OTA updates is a good point. Applying an update to modified code could well brick the entire ECU, since GM will have no way of knowing what changed.

[P-Tree]

They're going to alienate a few people if their V8s can't be tuned. Myself for one.

[Klinn]

Downloading OTA updates is a good point. Applying an update to modified code could well brick the entire ECU, since GM will have no way of knowing what changed.

I would guess that one of the first things an OTA update would check is the currently installed version of the software in the ECU. A checksum or some such. That could avoid issues if a vehicle has skipped an update or two, maybe during winter storage?

If the checksum is not what the update is expecting, it could fail gracefully with a message to consult with your dealer rather than plunging ahead anyway and bricking the ECU.

Just so long as Microsoft is not in charge of updates, we'll be fine.

[John]

I like the idea of checking/check off/checksum system first, Thanks meyerweb, did not know that process even was an option. Yet while I have done about 150 mods over the past five decades, I never modded any part of any computer system (nor authorized anyone else to do so). I am not concerned for my C8.

As for missing one OTA software, then causing a second OTA issue, I have faith that GM has that figured out. Why? If nothing else is that they want happy owners, not ones who have problem after problem.

Why my C8 ownership be perfect? Not a chance, but neither was my experience with every Corvette previously. Still loved each one, was sad when I left it behind for the next one. Sure my C8 ownership will be mots.

[Meldoon]

Me thinks, if past Corvettes, enjoyed, you did, the new Corvette, knock your socks off, will it!

[JB]

I could care less even though my last three new corvettes have tuned pcms.

with over five hundred hp in the c8 i see no reason to mod the pcm.


companies like callaway will have the code or capability to modify the pcm so others will benefit of it as well.

worst case scenerio just as many european makes do...like alfa or bmw or porsche...they just run piggyback pcms.

i wont bother with it myself...but its not untunable...anything is always tunable...

btw the hellcat and other fca products have a supposedly untunable pcm and het the aftermarket exists...

[Maxster]

Proportionally, the 2020 C8 Corvette is rumored to have enough space in its “frunk” to accommodate at least one bag of golf clubs. Seeing as some of the executives in charge of developing the mid-engine Corvette enjoy a round of 18 holes as much as they enjoy a round at the road course, we imagine that this was always an essential component of the car’s development. A car that took six decades to manifest itself.

I am not a golfer but when I tried to be, just left my clubs at the Club and they would get them on the golf-cart before I even arrived. Was saving Golf for my old age but that ship is long gone. Can give you a decent game of Squash though

[electroVette]

In thinking about the "encypted ECU" question I put myself in the position of GM and think about the reasons they might want to do it.

Firstly is warranty. I'd assume that any meddling with the ECU would void it, but of course they don't need to brick it, just to know that it's been messed with. Then void the warranty.

Secondly would be the ability to download running updates. Any tampering would potentially mess with an update. GM's choice is then either to restore the ECU to it's original program+update, or deny the update to an altered ECU. The first risks risks damage if there have also been mechanical alterations. The second prevents GM fixing any bugs that could also be damaging. A quandary.

Thirdly is the interconnectedness of all the systems in a modern car - the engine, transmission, sensors, brakes etc all working together. If you were in GM's shoes would you want any old shade tree mechanic messing with that? Don't think so.

Fourthly, and following along, locking down the system would allow GM to sell performance software upgrades for a price. Hmm, where did I get that idea?



It's a brave new world.

Very insightful analysis of the situtation, thanks. In thinking of GM's interests, I'm reminded of internet tuning forums. Check them for any car model, and while most who tune accept the loss of warranty as a logical trade-off, there are always a few entitled tuners who crank the boost on their 270 bhp four bangers to achieve 450 whp, then after the engine inevitably self-immolates they're outraged at denied warranty repairs.

I remember an Ask Tadge question about MRC tunes where there's a discussion of updated MRC calibrations, both for general use and for specific race tracks. As the procedure for updating the MRC was explained it sounded like a 1980s computer update, where the customer has to bring his Corvette to a dealer and leave it for the updates to be done! My reaction was, why waste the R&D time for the handful of Corvette enthusiasts who would avail themselves of such a clumsy process?

Now the answer makes sense. The new Digital Vehicle Architecture will enable the Corvette team to offer such MRC updates OTA and on demand. Imagine, you drive to VIR and upon arrival your C8 asks if you would like to purchase the VIR MRC calibration from GM's App Store. That is exactly the sort of functionality young buyers expect, and a brilliant way to go about lowering the average age of Corvette buyers.

[John]

We have also all watched how thieves now can walk up to any car with an electronic device in hand, and not just open it, but start it and drive it away. Two different law enforcement agencies interview last summer said that so far, that they were powerless to deal with this new device to prevent such thefts.

Is this one of the three alleged delay reasons, that GM has developed a system that both allows OTA’s when GM wants, yet eliminates (at least for now), this new kind of electronic hacking? That would be the proverbial win-win (again at least for now).