Drag Test Video: 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 430 hp LS3 Automatic- Road Test TV

July 10th, 2012 by Road Test TV

We recently had an opportunity to spend a week with a 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 1LT. During our week jaunt, we logged about 1000 miles and were impressed with the Corvette’s LS3 motor.  For 2013, the base price of a Corvette Convertible 1LT is $54,600.00.

 Engine: 6.2L V8 SFI engine LS3


Chevrolet’s well known and proven 6.2L LS3 small-block V8 packs a wallop for a naturally aspirated 2 valve per cylinder engine. In base form, the LS3 is rated at 430 Horsepower @ 5900 rpm and 424 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm with the standard exhaust system. An optional dual-mode exhaust system raises the power to 436 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. Even though our test car was equipped with the standard exhaust, we were impressed with the way the LS3 pulled, especially from 3000 rpm all the way to its 6600 rpm redline.

Specifications:

• Displacement (cu in): 376
• Bore and stroke (in): 4.06 x 3.62
• Horsepower: 430 hp @ 5900 rpm
• Torque: 424 ft-lbs. @ 4600 rpm
• Block material: cast aluminum
• Cylinder head material: cast aluminum
• Valvetrain: overhead valve, two valves per cylinder
• Fuel delivery: SFI (sequential fuel injection)
• Compression ratio: 10.7:1
• Recommended fuel: premium recommended
• Drag Coefficient: 0.29 Cd
• Curb weight: 3239 lbs.

Transmission: Automatic

The only option on our test car was the 6-speed Paddle Shifted automatic transmission (RPO MYC). It’s an $1250.00 option and allows manual gear changes simply by tapping the steering-wheel mounted paddles. When the 6 speed automatic transmission is ordered, the 2013 Corvette receives a long legged 2.56 rear axle ratio. Good for cruising, but not great for acceleration tests…so we thought (more on that later).

Fuel economy: EPA 16 city/26 highway mpg:

The 2013 Corvette gets good gas mileage. That’s right, 430 hp and good gas mileage. In fact, far better than we expected. The combination of a steep 2.56 gear ratio, an equally steep overdrive transmission and an efficient engine makes for great mileage. During our week with the 2013 Corvette we took a 500 mile trip to the Florida Keys and averaged over 27 mpg on the highway as long as we kept our foot out of the throttle. That’s impressive.

Wheels:

Our 2013 Corvette was equipped with the base 5-spoke aluminum 18″ x 8.5″ front wheels and 19″ x 10.0″ rear wheels

Acceleration: Track Test Results

Our week with the Corvette would not have been complete if we didn’t take it to the drag strip for acceleration tests. It’s summer in Florida and we were expecting the heat and the Corvette’s 2.56 gear to hamper its acceleration; however, the Corvette’s LS3 exceeded our expectations as you can see from the results below.

0-60 mph     (sec.)    4.4    V-Box
0-100 mph   (sec.)    9.9    V-Box
60-130 mph (sec.)  12.4   V-Box

1/4-mile (sec. @ mph) 12.63 @ 113.5 – Palm Beach International Raceway 

 

Driveability:

The 2013 Corvette was a pleasure to drive. The manual top was easy to use. Acceleration was strong and gas mileage was good. Our biggest gripe would be the road noise that is transmitted into the interior.

In sum, the 2013 Corvette is a solid sports car for the money. We can’t wait to see what Chevrolet has up its sleeve with the C7 Corvette.

Warranty:

Basic: 3 yr./ 36000 mi.
Drivetrain: 5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Roadside: 5 yr./ 100000 mi.
Rust: 6 yr./ 100000 mi.

22 Responses to “Drag Test Video: 2013 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible 430 hp LS3 Automatic- Road Test TV”

  1. July 10, 2012 at 3:52 am, 55545AJ said:

    very good time
    all the best
    try to tune maybe you will get 12.2 or 12.3

    Reply

  2. July 10, 2012 at 7:27 am, SSBermudaSS said:

    Shuf el differential ratio “2.56” ! :S
    Hathi bas yebalha 3.42 w sallem 3al rab3

    Reply

  3. July 10, 2012 at 8:38 am, Lehtosenkanava said:

    is that 2.56 stock r e ratio?

    Reply

  4. July 10, 2012 at 9:22 pm, Alexgotnicebody said:

    i will take the bmw. just whopped its ass.

    Reply

  5. July 10, 2012 at 10:15 pm, TheRebuttle said:

    get a stall best upgrade you will do to that tranny, you’ll drop between .5-.8 with just that.

    Reply

  6. July 10, 2012 at 10:59 pm, roadtesttv said:

    Yes, 2.56 is the stock ratio when you order the 6 speed automatic transmission.

    RPO – GM8: Rear axle, 2.56 ratio, limited slip
    1 – Included and only available with (MYC) 6-speed paddle shift, automatic transmission

    Thanks for watching!

    Reply

  7. July 10, 2012 at 11:01 pm, roadtesttv said:

    3.42 ratio comes with 6 speed manual transmission.

    2.56 ratio comes with 6 speed automatic transmission.

    Thanks for watching!

    Reply

  8. July 10, 2012 at 11:02 pm, roadtesttv said:

    Thanks and Thanks for watching!!!

    Reply

  9. July 11, 2012 at 1:07 am, Roman007M said:

    It wasn’t even M3 just 335i & still left Vette little behind 🙂

    Reply

  10. July 13, 2012 at 8:59 pm, nismofury said:

    12.6 thats it?…corvette needs to get to work. 2013 mustang gt does that.

    Reply

  11. July 15, 2012 at 1:45 am, shnto7 said:

    wow! that easily compares to a 5.0 mustang ,,, still trying to get used to the fact that mustangs (GT) now compare performance wise to corvettes (C6 LS3) back in 2008-2009 Corvettes were the shit but now its different, I wonder how long is the LS3 going to last in Corvettes and Camaros

    Reply

  12. July 23, 2012 at 8:45 pm, iMrKronic said:

    i dont know why everyone is getting so hyped up about the vett losing. they didnt build this vett for speed, they went for luxury. and all the engine is, is a stock ls3.

    Reply

  13. July 28, 2012 at 10:46 am, TotheFloorVideos said:

    Back in 05 there was an option for 3.15 gears in the auto. With less HP the car was the same speed as the current auto 7 years later….

    Reply

  14. November 05, 2012 at 8:59 am, MASISUSA1993 said:

    @nismofury I’m a ford guy but really 2013 mustang 5.0 will not do 12.6 1/4 mile.i have one best time I got 13.07and I drive 11 sec cobra.all the 12sec mustangs are modified

    Reply

  15. May 05, 2013 at 11:29 pm, leftynic said:

    This is going to be a terribly stupid question.. but how was this burnout done in automatic? he didn’t stand on the brakes so im curious….

    Reply

  16. August 03, 2013 at 8:02 am, jimsc6 said:

    What is the point of this vid a stock vette doing 12.6 and what ?? That is so average it hurt to watch this.

    Reply

  17. August 11, 2013 at 7:03 pm, Marc99GT said:

    Nothing wrong with 2.56 gears when you have a 6 speed auto and the first gear is 4.027. That is 10.30xx in torque multiplication. Someone mentioned the 05 with the 4L65 being as quick with 3.15s is crazy because those were only a 3.06xx first gear and that is still 9.639 multiplied. If you do this for the first 4 gears, the 4 speed offer less multiplication in all 4 even with 3.15s. So much for simple math.

    Reply

  18. August 19, 2013 at 7:20 pm, preppynonconformist said:

    very good time

    all the best

    try to tune maybe you will get 12.2 or 12.3

    Reply

  19. November 11, 2013 at 6:28 pm, IrishChris1979 said:

    You’re right Marc, the 2.56 gearing in the A6 is equivalent to an A4 car
    having 3.90 gears. The 2.73 are equal to 4.10 or better

    Reply

  20. November 11, 2013 at 6:35 pm, IrishChris1979 said:

    Now imagine what he would have run if he didn’t come off the line at idle.
    My guess is a 12.40 ish at 114+

    Reply

  21. November 22, 2013 at 11:00 pm, Richard S said:

    What kind of Bimmer is that you lost to?

    Reply

  22. November 29, 2013 at 8:17 am, brian centi said:

    great job, considering you have the slowest optioned ‘vette…’vert, more
    weight, N.A. optional exhaust and auto. and you still ran what you did..any
    plans for mods 🙂

    Reply

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