2025 Corvette ZR1: How NASA-inspired twin-turbos unlock next-level power

Traditionally, there was “no replacement for displacement,” but if you want to extract a previously unthinkable amount of power from a 5.5-liter V8, you can do so by strapping on a hefty turbocharger. When it comes to production cars, turbos don’t get any heftier than the ones BorgWarner is supplying to General Motors for use in the Corvette ZR1.

Each hypercar will be getting two of them, to be exact, following an agreement that BorgWarner and General Motors announced on September 23. The parts are all designed and manufactured in the United States, and evidence of the collaboration between GM and BorgWarner is already present. GM’s anti-lag calibration is assisted by the electronically actuated wastegate system built into BorgWarner’s twin-turbo setup.

BorgWarner’s turbos have a space-age easter egg

BorgWarner is 130 years old and has a long history of supplying high-performance parts. The company’s work with the NTT INDYCAR SERIES was a major factor in its selection, and it also influenced the development of the twin ball bearing turbochargers that will be fitted on the ZR1 platform.

As a further nod to the partnership and GM’s history, each turbocharger will feature the Gemini rocket insignia on its face — paying homage to the company’s collaboration with NASA in the 1960s.

High-tech LT7 engine meets high-tech turbocharger

While described as a “5.5-liter V8,” the ZR1’s LT7 engine is far more advanced. With the help of BorgWarner’s turbochargers, it produces up to 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine isn’t entirely new; its flat-plane crank and fundamental architecture are carried over from the LT6, which also powers the Z06 Corvette.

The innovation doesn’t stop there. Atop the LT7 sits the "Edge Blue Intake System," which blends chilled air from the charge air coolers with fuel from both the port and direct injection systems before feeding the mixture into the combustion chambers. Unique cylinder head castings, dual overhead cams, forged pistons, a refined valve train, and forged titanium rods round out the extensive list of high-performance components.

Related: 2025 Chevrolet Corvette C8 Z06 vs ZR1: Pitting two American legends head-to-head

The twin turbochargers deliver the power the LT7 deserves

Overkill can be a real consideration, but with the LT7, the turbochargers are essential to push the engine’s potential. Even the turbo casing is high-tech, featuring zero-clearance heat shielding to combat the extreme temperatures produced during operation.

These are the largest turbos found in a production car, featuring a 76mm forged milled compressor wheel with a ported shroud and a 67mm turbine wheel housed in a mono scroll turbine housing. The housing improves efficiency, and the integrated exhaust manifold ensures all runners are the same length, further enhancing performance and refining the exhaust note.

There’s a digital side to the ZR1’s turbocharger

On the digital side, each turbo is equipped with a compressor-mounted blade pass speed sensor, providing real-time data on turbo speed to the car’s computer system.

This innovation allows the ZR1 to push its turbochargers to 100% capacity without the risk of damage. A patented decoupled ball bearing system reduces response time, increases durability, and keeps things quieter.

Related: How the 2025 Corvette ZR1 moved from supercar to hypercar

Final thoughts

BorgWarner’s NASA-inspired turbos feature 76mm forged compressor wheels and integrated exhaust manifolds, forming a highly efficient, high-performance system. This setup allows the ZR1 to produce an impressive 1,064 horsepower and 828 lb.-ft. of torque. With advanced technology such as blade pass speed sensors and a decoupled ball bearing system, the ZR1's turbochargers maximize output and responsiveness, elevating the car to new performance heights.