It usually doesn’t take aftermarket companies very long to start releasing products that can boost the power output of a new vehicle. However, the C8 Corvette is a tough nut to crack, with an encrypted electrical architecture blocking any tuners from modifying the ECU. But that wasn’t going to stop Lingenfelter, and after over two years of development, they have finally released their 700-horsepower supercharger kit. But it’ll cost a pretty penny.
The Lingenfelter Magnuson TVS2650 Chevrolet C8 Corvette DI 700 Horsepower Supercharger Package is in stock on the Lingenfelter website. According to the official release, the product will cost customers $24,950. That’s about $3,500 USD more than upgrading a C7 Corvette Stingray with a supercharger kit from LPE. But considering that the kit boosts power up to 700 ponies and 675 lb-ft of torque, that price may be worth it. That’s 30 more ponies than what the C8 Corvette Z06 officially makes., which is just beginning production right now.
Lingenfelter C8 Corvette Magnuson Supercharger Kit: Details
You may wonder how they accomplished this feat and got around the ECU blockade. That would be thanks to Lingenfelter’s bespoke System Control Module (C-Cal), which uses advanced programable flash-capable circuitry which generates an algorithm that manages manifold air pressure and, in turn, the boost. It also helps inform the encrypted ECU’s decision-making regarding ignition timing and throttle management. Meanwhile, the C8 Corvette’s stock ECU remains encrypted and retains complete control of stoichiometry using the OEM wide-band lambda sensors. As a result, Lingenfelter is unable to alter the air/fuel ratios of the car. But, with what they’ve accomplished, they don’t need to.
Cooling of the engine and supercharger is accomplished with Lingenfelter’s ECT (Extreme Cooling Technology) heat exchanger system, which maximizes cooling of the supercharger charge-air intercooler to control and lower intake air temperatures and prevent heat-soak. In addition, the system comes with a 3-year/36,000 Mile Warranty (Supplementing Factory Warranty) which should give customers more piece of mind when installing something as potent as this system is to the C8 Corvette LT2 engine.
C8 Coupe superchargers are in inventory, and Lingenfelter will take a $1,000 deposit for a list placeholder to manage demand. A full deposit will be taken at the time of the confirmed installation date. As for Convertible owners, you’ll have to wait until January 11th, 2023, for that program to launch.
