World-renowned automotive tuner Callaway has recently hinted that the Old Lyme, Connecticut-based company is moving forward on modifications for the C8 Corvette. As various shops and social media channels hastily adapt turbos and nitrous to up the power of their C8s, long-time power-mogul Callaway has shown that they are in for the long-haul, not the quick dyno number.
Stronger Sounder
To start, they introduced their all-new “Double-D” exhaust for the C8. The Callaway Double-D exhaust has been used on previous generations of Corvettes, but as you can imagine, it has been re-engineered to fit the mid-engine platform of the C8. It uses multiple baffled chambers inside a single canister which are tuned to offer improved flow characteristics and frequency cancellation to eliminate in-cabin resonances while offering a refined exhaust note.
Exclusive to the C8 Corvette is a new carbon fiber surround that allows for cooling airflow around the muffler, which is inherently thermally-challenged in a mid-engine configuration. Testing is on-going as the company tools up for production.
Refined Rollers
Callaway also hinted at a new set of Callaway/O.Z. Racing Forged 9-spoke wheels for the C8 Corvette. Callaway and O.Z. have been working together on road-car and motorsport applications for 30 years, including the championship-winning Callaway C7 GT3-R. O.Z. Racing, is one of the world’s leading wheel manufacturers, supplying Formula 1, World Rally, and all levels of sportscar racing worldwide.
The new O.Z. Racing wheel features the strength of a race-proven and fully-forged wheel with the bespoke styling from Callaway. The forged/HLT® construction offers greater strength and stiffness at significantly less weight.
“We expect the wheels to provide considerable weight savings over the OE offerings, which will yield dynamic handling benefits due to unsprung and rotating mass reduction,” Callaway reported. “While they will be slightly wider than OE, will still utilize the phenomenal Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (ZP) OE fitments and compounds developed for the C8. The offset will be slightly reduced for a flush appearance and increased track width.
The wheels are currently undergoing FEM and weight optimization and testing to exceed TüV and JWL standards will be completed shortly. A variety of finishes will be offered, including a brilliant ‘ceramic polished’ finish with a clear protective coating that does not detract from the brilliance of the polished alloy.
The company also hinted at future offerings, but simply stated, “Further aerodynamic and styling features will be announced in the upcoming months, while Callaway engineers are working on developing powertrain offerings as well,” the release said. And for those turning their C8 into a track star, Callaway stated that it is working on a line of track day-specific improvements which will be offered down the road.