Warrendale, Pennsylvania – The LS9 engine in General Motors’ 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 has become the 100th engine certified through the SAE International’s Engine Power Test Code – Engine Power and Torque Certification (J1349). Another Corvette engine, the LS7 used in the 2006 Z06, was the first to be certified under the program.

The LS9 engine has been certified at 638 hp at 6,500 rpm, and 604 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm.

Engine certification is based on a series of self-certification tests conducted by the manufacturer that are witnessed and verified by an SAE-qualified observer. Although engine manufacturers are free to cite power and torque figures from other tests, only those that strictly follow all of the SAE procedures can claim to be “SAE J1349 Certified Power.”