A car enthusiast’s thrill-seeking pursuit turned into a moment of sheer terror as he grappled with the overwhelming power of his monstrously tuned 1,200 horsepower Chevrolet Corvette Z06. What was initially an attempt to elevate his C7 Chevy’s performance through advanced tuning ended up being an adrenaline-filled, nerve-wracking experience in Texas.
The tuning was done by Late Model Racecraft, known for transforming high-performance vehicles into beasts for the public road. The machine’s newfound grip on power far surpasses anything made by Chevrolet. In fact, it surpasses even some hypercars. The Bugatti Chiron, at one point the pinnacle of public road performance, has a mild 1,111 horsepower in comparison.
The original C7 Corvette Z06 already boasted a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine with 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, packing a punch for road-use. And with a rigid chassis, it was great on the track, too. However, by tapping into the specialized services of Late Model Racecraft, the Corvette’s owner sought to push the boundaries further, opting for a 1,200 horsepower upgrade package.
This robust upgrade leaves the C7 Z06 outrunning even the highly touted upcoming C8 ZR1, equipped with a 5.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that delivers 1,064 horsepower, establishing the tuned Z06 as a formidable contender.
Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images
Late Model Racecraft, based in Texas, specializes in high-performance tuning for muscle cars such as Corvettes, Camaros, and Mustangs. Their packages range from simple bolt-ons to comprehensive engine modifications. The Corvette owner’s journey from New York to Texas shows just how intent he was on utilizing their services.
Making the car achieve 1,200 horsepower meant implementing substantial modifications, including upgrades to a procharger, fuel systems (E85), and exhaust components, as well as managing this power to the tarmac with specialized Mickey Thompson rubber.
The culmination of these modifications was a dramatic and unforgettable test drive alongside Steven Fereday, a representative of Late Model Racecraft. Equipped with a GoPro to capture the moment, the car owner’s initial joy quickly shifted to trepidation as the true power of the Corvette was realized. Expressing genuine astonishment, the owner remarked, “That’s scary” and humorously added, “I don’t think I’m afraid of flying anymore.”
Despite the initial shock, the owner was more than happy with the outcome.
“I am still trying to take it all in. All I know is that I am very happy with it,” he confessed. The car, now a mesmerizing powerhouse, surpassed his expectations in performance. “My Chevy is now scarier and louder than I expected it to be,” he said.
The entire experience was documented and shared on YouTube by Late Model Racecraft, providing viewers with a firsthand look at not only the pronounced boost in performance but also the genuine reaction of someone pushing the limits of automotive tuning.
