New Z06 Specific Engine Beauty Covers

Once the majority of the changes to the new LS6 are internal, the Corvette Team thought it necessary to give the LS6 a distinctive look to distinguish it from the LS1. Corvette owners are always asked to see "what's under the hood," and with its new red beauty covers, the Z06 is as distinctive on display at a car show as it is on the road.

Strengthened Rear Axle

To handle the increased torque loads, the Z06's rear axle has been strengthened for increased durability.

A process known as "shot peening" was employed to make the ring gear of the rear axle more robust. Shot peening involves shooting small, BB-like pellets at the areas of the ring gear where the bending stresses are highest. This works as a hardening system to the surface, and packs the structure of the metal itself to make it stronger and more able to handle the increased torque output of the Z06.

Increased Clamping Load for Clutch

With the higher power output of the LS6, a new clutch was needed with higher clamping capabilities to efficiently deliver power from the engine to the transmission and drivetrain. The Corvette Team came up with a clutch that was stronger, while at the same time easier to use.

The clamping load of the clutch spring was increased by switching from plastic to steel in a redesign of the clutch cover. In the previous transmission, the self-adjusting clutch mechanism utilized plastic adjuster rings. Since the steel deflects or "gives" less than the plastic, the decreased deflections allowed the Corvette Team to increase the clamping load of the clutch. Doing so increased the clamping force of the clutch from 9,600 Newtons to 10,300 Newtons (or seven percent), yet reduced the release load from 1,700 Newtons to 1,650 Newtons (or three percent). Decreasing the load needed to release the clutch translates into the reduced pedal effort that the customer feels, making the Z06 easier to drive in stop-and-go traffic.