While Hennessey Performance has attracted significant attention for its C8 Corvette ZR1 project, Specialty Vehicle Engineering’s approach to the platform deserves equal recognition.
SVE has transformed the C8 Corvette E-Ray with its 2026 Stage III Yenko/SC package, boosting total output to a staggering 1,564 horsepower, roughly 900 horsepower more than the stock configuration.
This dramatic surge in power is the result of a heavily reengineered 6.2-liter LT2 V8. The engine features upgraded internals, including a forged steel crankshaft, forged H-beam connecting rods, and forged 2618 aluminum pistons.
Twin water-cooled Garrett 58 mm ceramic ball-bearing turbochargers complete the setup, enabling the car to produce more than 1,500 horsepower when running on E85 fuel.
That figure exceeds the output of the brand’s most extreme factory offering, the Corvette ZR1X, by roughly 300 horsepower.
The modifications go far beyond the engine itself. From the factory, the E-Ray pairs its V8 with an electric motor and an all-wheel-drive (AWD) system, an arrangement that earlier generations of the Corvette never envisioned.
To ensure reliability at these power levels, SVE fitted upgraded high- and low-pressure fuel systems, along with a reinforced Stage III 8/9 dual-clutch transmission designed to withstand the substantial increase in output.
The New Jersey–based builder, which delivered a 1,000-horsepower Chevrolet Silverado last year, also offers forged and CNC-machined lightweight wheels measuring 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear.
Additional upgrades include Yenko-branded brake calipers and an optional high-flow exhaust system that the company highly recommends.
Inside the cabin, customers can choose from several badging treatments, such as twin-turbo graphics on the floor mats and SYC-embroidered headrests.
Further options include a chassis-mounted Z06-style rear wing, custom-color SYC logo center caps, and a clear engine bay for the Corvette E-Ray convertible, among other enhancements.
Production will be restricted to just 50 examples, although Specialty Vehicle Engineering has not released official pricing.
Each vehicle is covered by a 3-year/36,000-mile engine and twin-turbo assembly limited warranty, along with a separate 3-year/36,000-mile limited warranty for non-powertrain components.
For context, the C8 Corvette E-Ray already carries a starting price of approximately $108,600, meaning the final cost with the 1,564-horsepower conversion is expected to be significantly higher.
Within Chevrolet’s lineup, the Corvette E-Ray is positioned between the base Corvette Stingray and the Corvette Z06, while a rumored Corvette Grand Sport trim for the C8 generation is expected to slot above the Stingray.
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