New Yenko/SC Corvette to Pack 1000 Horsepower
Yenko is one of those storied names by that never fails to evoke strong images and stories from days gone by, at least among the bow tie and muscle car faithful. The dealership, the man, and the cars—along with the story behind them—are truly larger than life.
Though Yenko Chevrolet closed its doors in 1982, the name lives on with machines from Specialty Vehicle Engineering, itself a company with deep roots in the world of automotive performance. (Known prior to 2014 as Street Legal Performance, or SLP, they were the company behind the third- and fourth-generation Camaro SS and Firebird Firehawk, among others.) SVE’s latest Yenko-branded project, the Yenko/SC Corvette, combines looks and horsepower in that classic Yenko way but on a very modern platform.
The eighth-generation Corvette has been nothing if not polarizing to fans of America’s sportscar, but it’s nonetheless been wildly popular and has succeeded in bringing a younger audience to the model. From a performance perspective, it’s an obvious choice to get the Yenko treatment, even if the younger folks among those lusting after C8s might not be as familiar with the name. In a form consistent with older Yenko products as well as the existing lineup of Yenko/SC vehicles that SVE produces, this Corvette packs some serious performance.
The cosmetic treatment includes forged wheels and contrasting graphics that highlight the C8’s edgy styling. Like the stripes on Chevelles and Camaros of yore, these decals merely hint at the heavy work that’s been done under the hood. SVE turned the LT2 engine into a 1000 horsepower monster with a pair of turbochargers that pressure-feed the V-8 all the fresh air it can handle. To handle the boost, SVE upgraded the internals of the engine with a forged steel crankshaft, forged H-beam rods, forged 2618 aluminum pistons, ARP high strength head and main studs, CNC-ported high-flow cylinder heads with upgraded valvetrain, proprietary ground camshaft, custom intercooled intake manifold, custom valve covers with integrated oil separators, and an upgraded fuel system to support it all. According to SVE, the Tremec DCT transmission also receives upgrades, though the exact details are not in the promotional materials for the package.
It’s hard not to embrace the cool factor of a 1000-horsepower mid-engine Chevrolet—the eighth-generation Corvette already posted supercar performance metrics, so a 100% boost in power effectively makes the car a land-based rocket ship. Whether the exotic-looking C8 benefits from the nostalgic Yenko stripes is up for debate, but there’s no question that this build certainly lives up to the Yenko mythology. Pricing starts at $99,995, plus the cost of a new Corvette, of course. SVE will only build 10 Yenko/SC Corvettes in 2024 and another 50 in 2025. If you’re interested, you’ll need to head down to your Chevy dealer. This time around, a COPO form won’t be necessary.
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I’m sure it’s fun but I do not see this as a Yenko. That name had it’s time and place.
I just don’t see the point of 1000 HP. As you learn in Econ 101, the more of any resource or other quality you have, the less valuable each additional increment. I’ve driven a handful of EVs that have ridiculous amounts of torque, starting with the first Tesla Model S, and my reaction to all of them except for the Lucid Air is that they have zero character. I suspect this particular Corvette does have personality, which generally comes standard with ICE, but my guess is that if I had a choice between one with 500 HP, and one with 1000 HP, I’d take the former.
Well, I guess that is what it’s all about, choices. Without it you get the plain vanilla version like everyone else.
I guess you won’t be a customer.
Who are the people designing wheels these days? These are awful.
I like them. They look questionable on the yellow version, but on the silver car they look quite nice.
The wheels are fine, but not on this car. Their delicate design is at odds with the more brutal styling of the C8. Something more substantial is called for.
A 1000 hp to drive on the street how many people are you going to take with you
Heck my daily driver is 1050 hp on the street. Its not about the power, its about how tight the loose nut behind the wheel is.
The yellow with black stripes is the first C8 that looks half way decent. It’s such a hideous vehicle. I liked the photos of the new fatter C8, looked so much better than the skinny ones until I saw one IRL last week, still fugly. Somehow that black stripe brings a bit of cohesiveness to the car.
The 1st C8 where I went “I like that”
Wheels are a personal thing. No mater what the design is some people will not like them and some people will like them. I always think that wheels should have “opposite” sides so they look correct on both sides of the car. The design of the wheels on my Esprit, one side looks correct and one side doesn’t. I was going to post a picture but I guess it can’t be done on this site.
Seeing as how it’s a Corvette, one passenger is the limit.
Only 1 person? I can take 4 with me in my 2013 CTS V Wagon, plus a month’s groceries or golf clubs.
Why is there a question mark after “A 1,000 hp Corvette”
Any reference to Yenko, in any context, without a mention and image of Executive Secretary and racing standout, Donna Mae Mims, is a wasted opportunity to inform the public about a true racing legend.
I had never heard of her. Looked her up. Impressive person, cool life story.
I’ve had six Corvettes…. Still have my C5 Anniversary edition. When they changed the tail lights for the C6, they lost me with the “America’s Sports Car”….. “GM” decided to become European…… Sad! Who wants a spin-off of a Farrari or McLaren….. I guess tradition and the Chevy “Bow tie”, means nothing….
I think your creating a bit of a conundrum. Sports cars are primarily in the domain of Europe with the exception of Corvette and a few limited examples like Bocar and Cheeta. It would be almost Impossible to come up with a unique USA design. The Italians, the French, the Germans and the British have all put their hands on sports car design for a very long time. Whatever USA designers come up with, it’s going to have elements of some European design that came before it. just look at what Japan has done and you will see elements of European sport cars. I suspect that your dislike of the Corvette design is due to its angular, choppy flow. I agree! I much prefer a clean, smooth, well proportioned look.
Thank you for your comment….
Hate to burst your bubble but GM’s mission was to burn bridges with the existing Corvette demographic from the C5 intro forward to this day. They are not interested in selling “the old man’s sports car”, and the history of the car is Ancient History to GM Marketing.
I believe you are spot on with your assessment. At 70 years old and owning a 59, 64, 66, 73 and building a Replica 1963 Grand Sport Corvette I can only say, that I am sure that the current technology is far superior to any of mine, but beauty is in the I of the beholder and the C2 is my absolute go to.
You didn’t burst my bubble… it was my personal opinion and the first “American Sports Car”… Thanks for your comment.
Calling this a Yenko is nothing but a money grab. Good luck to those that blow their 401K for a little self gratification
AMC, if it were not for Don Yenko then the performance would have never achieved the level we have today, i will be attempting to grab the 2025 sYc Corvette for the performance and the name, Don made the world competition step it up, every one owes him a big thank you
You can bet your keester one will show up on BaT as soon as the first ones hit the market and will bring $250k +. I’d buy one if I could and do exactly that.
Two very different cars, but I wonder how this car and a Demon 170 would match up on the drag strip. Add in a few corners and the outcome would be very lop sided.
I like how the stripe makes that black air intake trim design look less of an “island” and ties it together. Not a fan of C8 proportions, but this looks kinda cool.
I knew Don and his family, through racing and also I purchased a ’75 Camaro from him. My husband got his
’74 Vette from him and it was quite a story how that happened, to long to tell here. If you are interested, email me and I will answer back. We were friends for a number of years until Don’s sad untimely passing. I see nothing wrong with keeping the Yenko name on the cars. Maybe you are just jealous that it isn’t your name!!!
Hi Judy, would love to hear whole story, it doesn’t display email address for me to write you, not sure how to make contact, i’ll check back here
On tail lights. I think you meant c7 not c6.
The C7 is definitely the tail light change from the iconic round lights. Lots of dislikes of that change. All though, change sometimes takes time to be appreciated.