by Brad Anderson
- Corvette’s engine build program is back for the 2026MY
- Buyers can help assemble the 5.5-liter flat-plane-crank V8.
- Z06, ZR1, and ZR1X models are eligible for the experience.
For Corvette buyers who want a deeper connection with their car, beyond the drive and the badge, that is, Chevy is reopening a rare hands-on opportunity. Anyone purchasing a new Corvette Z06, ZR1, or the forthcoming ZR1X, can now take part in building the very engine that will power their car, right inside the Performance Build Center in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Chevrolet’s Build Your Own Engine Experience, which has existed in past model years, is officially returning for 2026. Customers who opt in by selecting RPO Code: PBC on their order will get behind-the-scenes access to the Bowling Green facility, working side by side with a master technician to assemble the engine destined for their car.
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The program had been slated to return in 2023, specifically for the Corvette Z06. Chevrolet had announced a $5,000 price tag for the experience at the time, but it was eventually paused.
As Corvette Blogger reports, complications related to the engine’s intricate design and ongoing supply chain disruptions led to an indefinite delay. While Chevrolet hasn’t confirmed pricing for the 2026 version, the structure appears similar to what was initially planned.
The director of the Corvette Plant, Ray Theriault, confirmed the return of the experience on LinkedIn. “We know that when you help build the heart, every rev feels personal,” he wrote, “so roll up your sleeves and come get your hands (actually gloves) dirty as you work alongside our master builders to put together the core of our beloved Corvette: its engine.”
All three models, the Z06, ZR1, and ZR1X, feature Chevrolet’s 5.5-liter flat-plane-crank V8. In the Z06, it remains naturally aspirated, known for its high-revving sharpness. The ZR1 and ZR1X, however, add twin turbochargers to the same block, taking performance to an entirely different level.
Regardless of configuration, the engine is a centerpiece of the Corvette lineup, and assembling one by hand offers a rare window into the car’s DNA, even if it comes at a literal cost.
Participants in the program won’t leave empty-handed, either. Alongside the experience, they’ll receive a custom engine plaque, a photo commemorating their build session, and a unique gift, which Chevrolet has yet to detail.
