The story may sound familiar–a gearhead father bonds with his young son, hands him a wrench, and the seed is planted. That was the case with John Lingenfelter, and by 1973, he had quit his job as an engineer with International Harvester to give full-time racing a try. Today’s feature, along with the majority of CorvSport’s digital content, is FREE and not behind a paywall. If/when any pop-ups appear, please click to dismiss them and continue enjoying the article.
While John was victorious in his early racing days, the bulk of the prize money was reinvested in his creations. But, in 1984, John was able to marry his “genius for speed” with a solid income stream, and soon thereafter, Lingenfelter Performance Engineering (LPE) ventured into the “mail-order business” with a 383 small block V8.
As the National Corvette Museum wrote for John’s 2006 Hall of Fame induction, “Corvettes became his focus with the release of Tuned Port Injection on the C4. His innovations brought him to the attention of Reeves Callaway who asked him to build the engine for the legendary Sledgehammer, the car Lingenfelter himself drove to a record 254.76 mph. With the release of the C5, Lingenfelter achieved superstar status with some of the fastest, yet drivable and reliable Corvettes ever made. John Lingenfelter died on Christmas Day, 2003.”
It’s hard to believe that nearly twenty-two years have passed since John’s untimely death, but the company’s legacy lived on with Ken Lingenfelter, who coincidentally recently joined the National Corvette Museum’s Board of Directors as an At-Large Member.
Now that we have some LPE history for context of the remarkable climb of this legendary tuner, let’s jump into the Top 5 Favorites from CorvSport’s vast archives! However, the Lingenfelter content doesn’t end there–after our Top 5, we have a bonus piece from our founder, which highlights five of Ken Lingenfelter’s personal Corvettes.
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Our Top 5 Favorite Lingenfelter Corvettes
#5
CorvSport Tuner Feature: Lingenfelter Cranks Up The HP On New C8 Corvette Package
How close does Lingenfelter’s new exclusive Stage 3 Supercharger Package get to the ZR1’s 1,064 HP, and is the five-figure price worth it? See the full reveal!
Author: Douglas Barton
“If you’ve been around car guys long enough, you’ll know that one of the first things Corvette owners usually yearn for is MORE power! Heck, as a car guy, I’m sure this rings true for you. Sure, the LT2’s 495HP felt fast at first, but once your butt dyno gets used to it, the natural instinct is to start looking into modifications that will continue to tickle your senses. And if you’re really feeling needy, enter Lingenfelter Performance Engineering’s new Stage 3 Supercharger Package.
Just how much horsepower will this exclusive package add? Lingenfelter said it best in the opening of the full reveal video below when they exclaimed their new package delivers ‘850HP of pure supercharged madness!’ Yikes! That is madness, but… how much will this madness cost, and what exactly does it include?” Continue Reading or Save for Later
#4
Corvette Of The Day: 2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 Lingenfelter
Author: Mark Leofe Capayas
“In 2010, Chevrolet reintroduced Torch Red, and the Lingenfelter Collection’s Corvette ZR1 took it up a notch with their engineering expertise. The 6.2L LS9 V-8 received Lingenfelter upgrades, including a high-flow supercharger air intake, a cast aluminum supercharger front cover assembly, and a 2.60-ratio pulley. These modifications resulted in 710 HP and 680 lb-ft of torque, maintaining factory drivability and fuel efficiency.
Complementing this power are custom long-tube headers and a tuned exhaust system. Chevrolet improved the transmission with launch control and performance traction management. Carbon-ceramic disc brakes enhance stopping power. The ZR1’s hood features a clear intercooler window and a carbon-fiber front splitter, both accented in Torch Red. Magnetic ride control ensures excellent handling…” Continue Reading or Save for Later
#3
Lingenfelter C7 Z06: A Supercar Killer on a Budget
Author: Mark Leofe Capayas
“The Chevrolet Corvette, a legendary American sports car, has always been synonymous with performance and value. While the C8 generation has garnered significant attention, there’s still a lot to love about its predecessor, the C7.
With its stunning design, powerful engine, and exceptional handling, the C7 Z06 is a true performance machine. And now, thanks to Lingenfelter, you can get your hands on a supercar-killing Z06 without breaking the bank. Their prepped C7 ZO6 is no different, featuring a host of modifications that significantly enhance its power and handling.
With a supercharged 6.2L V8 engine producing an impressive 720 horsepower and 730 lb-ft of torque, this car can easily keep up with much more expensive exotics. The Z07 track package adds even more performance, with features like carbon ceramic brakes, a stiffer suspension, and a larger rear wing…” Continue Reading or Save for Later
#2
Rare Find: 2008 Lingenfelter Commemorative Edition Corvette
Number 13 of only 25 Lingenfelter Commemorative Edition models produced
Author: Mark Leofe Capayas
“Lingenfelter Performance Engineering was founded to offer enthusiasts a range of upgrades for their vehicles. While they initially focused on Corvettes, their expertise eventually extended to various cars and trucks. They provided services ranging from simple bolt-on modifications to comprehensive rebuilds of high-performance drivetrains, powertrains, suspensions, and cosmetic enhancements.
This 2008 Chevrolet Corvette convertible is one of just 25 Lingenfelter Commemorative Edition models and is currently available for sale on Bring A Trailer. The Commemorative Edition features a Lingenfelter-tuned twin-turbocharged 427ci V8 engine that produces 725 horsepower and 730 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential…” Continue Reading or Save for Later
#1
Corvette Of The Day: 2021 Chevrolet Corvette Lingenfelter Cunningham 60th Anniversary
Author: Mark Leofe Capayas
“The 60th Anniversary Cunningham Corvette is a limited edition model of only 60 units. It is inspired by the No. 3 car driven by John Fitch and Bob Grossman at the 1960 Le Mans, with special livery.
It features modifications by Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, including a high-floor carbon fiber intake manifold, Corsa Sport headers, exhaust, and airbox tune, plus Cunningham/MOV’it performance brakes. The car sits on bespoke 20-inch front and 21-inch rear HRE forged wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires.
The mid-mounted 6.2-liter V8 engine has been tuned and modified by Lingenfelter, producing 600 horsepower and 580 lb-ft of torque, as opposed to its original power unit, which produced 495 horsepower…” Continue Reading or Save for Later
♦ Bonus Content: Get To Know Ken Lingenfelter & His Corvette Collection
Five of Ken Lingenfelter’s Incredible Corvettes
Authored by CorvSport’s founder and contributor Scott Kolecki
“If you are any kind of a Corvette enthusiast, then you’ve doubtless heard the name Ken Lingenfelter, and have at least a passing familiarity with Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. Okay, I hope its more than a passing familiarity as Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has been building some of the most radical, most incredible Corvettes (and Corvette modification packages) available on the market today.
The company, which was founded in 1973, has become a globally recognized brand in performance engineering. They offer engine and chassis tuning components and installations to vehicle owners, manufacturers, and much more…” Continue Reading or Save for Later
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