When the eighth generation Chevrolet Corvette debuted in 2019, it was said that it was not adjustable due to its locked ECU. This did not stop some people from trying, including YouTuber Emelia Hartford and her persistence paid off. Excluding the existence of an unknown C8 owner going fast while avoiding the spotlight, she has the world’s fastest cool street Vette center engine.
How fast are we talking? The appropriately named Phoenix with Hartford at the wheel, he headed for the Famous Raceway in Bakersfield, California, aiming to beat 9.95 seconds in a powered C8 built by Extreme Turbo Systems. She started the day with a 10-second half-pass, driving her C8 on street music burning gasoline. Executions continued in the 10-second range from low to medium as additional adjustments were made, despite adding significantly more power. Switching to racing fuel methanol, the ‘Vette was reducing 1,000 horsepower, but skating was a problem in both early and second gear.
After a cooling break and a re-preparation of the track, Hartford ran 9.98, but the next race finally set the new record at 9.90. Sensing that the car still had more to give, the tuning continued and she stepped manner with 9.47 in 11 pounds of boost from the turbochargers. With the previous record totally eliminated, the track officials offered their “advice” to end the day before breaking the car. In true running style, she ignored the advice and ended her fastest run of all: 9.41 seconds at 144.84 mph with an impressive 1.41 60 feet. The Phoenix is really a very fast car.
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Why is it called Phoenix? We reported on the Hartford C8 adventure last summer, when the first edition of its ‘driven Vette’ had major engine problems. The plant has been completely rebuilt with a goal of handling up to 1,200 hp and, to solve the problem of the stuck ECU, the car actually features an independent and autonomous Holley ECU to manage fuel, time, momentum and other parameters. As such, the orange-finished C8 recently emerged from the proverbial ashes with its upgraded engine, and this video of the trailing track chronicles its first proper assessment.
We would say it was definitely a success.
