Redline Motorsports

The current Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is no slouch, but as this video proves, it’s only a handful of parts away from running the quarter-mile in less than ten seconds. First: the basics. This is a 2016 Corvette Z06 equipped with the eight-speed automatic transmission. Of course, with it being a Z06, it comes with the supercharged 6.2-liter V-8 known as the LT4. In its stock configuration, it makes a highly respectable 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque.

That’s wasn’t enough for the owner of this Vette. He sent his ride to Redline Motorsports of Pompano Beach, Florida for some high-horsepower add-ons. The upgrade list reads like a recipe for horsepower. Redline added its Phase 3Z camshaft; billet lower supercharger pulley; high capacity cold air intake; and long tube, two-inch stainless steel headers. Redline also tweaked the Vette’s ECU with its custom tune – a program written by Redline’s CEO, Howard Tanner. The eight-speed auto’s computer also received computer tuning. Lastly, a set of Hoosier drag slicks mounted on lightweight wheels were added for traction.

We won’t spoil all the fun, but the Vette seamlessly breaks into the sub 10-second category on the quarter mile – but not after a few runs to dial in the ECU tune. What’s more, in talking with Tanner about the Vette, he tells us the Vette’s owner isn’t done with performance upgrades.

Sixth generation Corvettes aren’t slow by any means, and that’s especially true for the Z06 models. Nevertheless, there is always room for improvement. That might be an understatement here as this modified Vette now runs the quarter-mile in the sevens.

Built by Redline Motorsports of South Florida, the Vette boasts a 432-cubic-inch iron block with forged components making up the rotating assembly, and a turbo handing off each side of the block. The twin turbos pump anywhere from 10 to 16 pounds of boost, depending on tuning for track conditions, giving the mill as much as 1,500 horsepower at the wheels.

The Z06’s six-speed manual transmission has long since been replaced with a two-speed Power Glide transmission. A 9-inch rear end sends power to the wheels, while a custom coilover suspension keeps the car in line. And like any proper drag car, a parachute hangs off the rear bumper.

Redline’s president, Howard Tanner, says the Corvette sill has its full interior, complete with air-conditioning. “It started out as my daily driver when I bought it in 2006,” Tanner says. “But it’s now become like the shop’s test mule for new powertrain setups and tunes.” With its current quarter-mile times listed at 7.98 seconds at 179.3 mph, the car is quick, but Tanner wants more. “We’re shooting for mid-sevens now. And with a better track surface, I know we can hit it.”

Some guys just can’t get enough horsepower. That’s certainly the case with one Texas man who contacted the South Florida-based Redline Motorsports to hop up his already fast 2010 Chevrolet Camaro called “No Punk.”

Howard Tanner, President of Redline, says the Camaro was already running in the high nine-second range down the quarter-mile, but the owner wanted more. Tanner and his team swapped the 416-cubic-inch LS block for a 427 LSX, slid in forged pistons, high-performance rods, and a gnarly cam. Then came a set of high-flow fuel injectors and a custom built, twin-turbo setup that averages 23 pounds of boost, depending on tune. Backing the engine is a high-performance Turbo 400, three-speed automatic transmission.

All told, the 7.0-liter V-8 pumps out some 1,300 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque. The Camaro still sports its full interior and its porky curb weight of 4,350 pounds, so launches take their toll. The output shaft on the Turbo 400 was the first weak link to expose itself, followed by the aftermarket 9-inch rear end. Both parts were swapped for stronger units able to handle the torque.

In the video above, the No Punk Camaro lays down an impressive 8.98-second quarter mile at 162.1 mph. Tanner says he expects mid-eight-second times when racing on a better track surface where more boost can be dialed in.

Chevrolet designed the Z/28 version of the Camaro to be a lightweight track boss with word-class credentials. Still, some feel its 505-horsepower, naturally aspirated 7.0-liter V-8 is underpowered, especially compared to its 580-horsepower ZL1 brother. Though the Z/28 has been on the market for a relatively short time, owners are already beginning to pour on the power.

Redline Motorsports in South Florida has already shown what’s possible. The speed shop threw on an Edelbrock supercharger, high-flow injectors, a performance camshaft complete with beefier valvetrain, and a full exhaust with two-inch diameter headers. Topping the build off is a full tune of the Z/28’s ECU, making all the added parts work together.

The result was a full 197 horsepower and 208 pound-feet of torque added to the Camaro’s baseline dyno run. That translates into an impressive 652 horsepower and 628 pound-feet of torque at the wheels. No doubt its 0-60 mph time will drop below the 4.0 seconds it takes a stock Z/28.