SAE Article on 2020 Corvette Engineering

[Floyd B.]

Nice article on some of the mid-engine architecture challenges.

https://www.sae.org/news/2020/03/eng...e-architecture

I found this one interesting:

"One challenge that has thus far stymied engineers is a straightforward procedure for replacing the front-of-engine accessory drive (FEAD) belts. Doing so requires dropping the entire engine-transaxle assembly from the car. Corvette owners can only hope that will be a rare occurrence necessary only every 100,000 miles or so."

[Bill M.]

Re: SAE Article on 2020 Corvette Engineering

I thought I read a month or 2 ago that this was a false statement by Vette haters

[Don L.]

Re: SAE Article on 2020 Corvette Engineering

Thanks fur posting, Floyd. I read a couple interesting C8 articles in that issue. I too found that detail interesting. Hopefully sometime here can dispel it as fake news. There also seems to be some conflict among the various reviewers about the steering wheel. Where this article favors its square shape, suggesting "why didn't I think of this", other mags are negative on it. Frankly, I think writers feel compelled to find something they don't like. Perhaps they'd do well to organize among themselves...

[Jim D.]

Re: SAE Article on 2020 Corvette Engineering

Here's a link to a previous thread regarding this "Fake news" - https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...401#post865401

That being said, I wish they would all get back to work and build me a HTC.

[Mark P.]

Re: SAE Article on 2020 Corvette Engineering

The July 2019 Car and Driver articles stated this by small-block chief engineer Jordan Lee https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a2...c8-lt2-engine/

[Duke W.]

Re: SAE Article on 2020 Corvette Engineering

Another item to consider is the water pump. I recall that Panteras had a removable panel between the seats that you removed to access the water pump from the interior, and it may have required removal to swap belts, too.

I have a buddy who formerly owned both 308 and 328 Ferraris. The transverse DOHC V8 cams were driven by belts, long after most manufacturers had gone back to timing chains. The recommended belt change intervals were some mileage number or every five years whichever occurred first, and the mechanics found it easier to remove the engine to change the timing belts rather than do it in the car.

I figured Ferrari used rubber timing belts to keep to enhance dealer service revenue.

I expect GM will endeavor to make C8 maintenance as simple as possible, and it will likely be less expensive to maintain than any other mid-engine exotic.

Duke

[Floyd B.]

Re: SAE Article on 2020 Corvette Engineering

>>> "...and the mechanics found it easier to remove the engine to change the timing belts rather than do it in the car."

Exactly. The factory service manuals always assume the mechanic will have all the recommended equipment and special tools (e.g. Kent Moore J-xxxxx) available. I can't recall the number of times I have deviated from the recommended procedure to avoid compromising a major subsystem. Did I get the job done? - yes. Was it actually easier than following the recommend procedure - probably not.