Rich McBride, an engine builder at the GM Performance Build Center, is one of the people who will make sure you don't screw up your new Corvette Z06 or ZR1 engine after you pay $5,800 for the build-your-own engine option.
I wasn’t completely against forking over tax dollars in order to float GM a loan, but now they expect new car buyers to build their own engines… and fork over almost $6,000 for the privilege?
I always thought people bought new cars to avoid building their own engines?
As it turns out, this program is strictly voluntary and applies only to Corvettes. (So no, you can’t fly to Korea to assemble the engine in your new Chevrolet Aveo.). And the self-built engine option only applies to the uber ‘Vettes – the LS7 in the Z06 and the LS9 in the ZR1.
You’ll be glad to know that they don’t just deliver a Corvette to your house with the engine parts piled up on the seats. (That’s how my first Corvette will likely arrive). The lucky Z06/ZR1 purchaser will be whisked off to Metro Detroit at his or her own expense (hey, GM isn’t made of money) and using his or her own travel arrangements. Once there, the customer will be taken to GM’s 10,000-square-foot Performance Build Center in Wixom, Michigan, to build his or her own Corvette engine under supervision of the professionals who normally screw these powerplants together.
There are, of course, other perks to the program too, which actually sounds like a fun getaway for Corvette enthusiasts. The cost is $5,800 and it’s available as an option on the Z06 and ZR1. Check out the post about it on the Corvette Facebook page.