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1972 Corvette Performance & Specifications

Powertrain, Steering, Brakes, Dimensions, & Suspension

1972 Corvette Wallpapers

Although its arrival was anticipated by consumers and critics alike, there were virtually no physical or mechanical changes made to the 1972 Corvette from the previous year.

Read More: 1972 Chevrolet Corvette Research Center

1972 Corvette Specifications

1972 Corvette Main Specs

MODEL: 1972 Chevrolet Corvette
BODY STYLE: Two-door convertible/coupe, front engine, rear wheel drive
MANUFACTURING LOCATION: St. Louis, Missouri
CONSTRUCTION: Uniconstruction: fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP or “fiberglass”) body, backboned by a steel cage outlining the passenger compartment. Principal members – underbody, front and rear end assemblies, dash panel and hinge pillars are bonded, riveted, or bolted together and to each other. Hood is plastic with bonded plastic reinforcement. Coupe: two removable roof panels and removable rear window. Frame: all welded, full length, ladder construction with 5 crossmembers. Side Rails and intermediate crossmembers box section; front crossmember box girder section. Eight body-mounting points.
VEHICLE NUMBERS (VIN): 1Z37K2S500001 – 1Z37K2S527004
ENGINE SUFFIX: CDH: 350 CUBIC INCH, 200 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL, EMISSION CONTROL
CDJ: 350 CUBIC INCH, 200 HORSEPOWER, AUTO, EMISSION CONTROL
CKW: 350 CUBIC INCH, 200 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL
CKX: 350 CUBIC INCH, 200 HORSEPOWER, AUTO
CKY: 350 CUBIC INCH, 255 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL
CKZ: 350 CUBIC INCH, 255 HORSEPOWER (ZR1), MANUAL
CPH: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL
CPJ: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC
CRS: 350 CUBIC INCH, 255 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC, AIR INJECTION REACTOR
CRT: 350 CUBIC INCH, 255 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL, AIR INJECTION REACTOR
CSR: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL, AIR INJECTION REACTOR
CSS: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC, AIR INJECTION REACTOR
ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER: 3970010: 350 CUBIC INCH, 200 HP, 255HP
3970014: 350 CUBIC INCH, 200 HP, 255HP
3999289: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270HP
HEAD NUMBER: 3973487: 350 CUBIC INCH, 200HP, 255HP
3998916: 350 CUBIC INCH, 255HP
3998993: 350 CUBIC INCH, 200HP
3999241: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270HP
CARBURETOR NUMBERS: ROCHESTER Q-jet #7042202: 350 CUBIC INCH, 200HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ROCHESTER Q-jet #7042203: 350 CUBIC INCH, 200HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ROCHESTER Q-jet #7042216: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ROCHESTER Q-jet #7042217: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ROCHESTER Q-jet #7042902: 350 CUBIC INCH, 200HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DISTRIBUTOR NUMBER: 1112050: 350 CUBIC INCH, 200HP
1112051: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270HP
1112101: 350 CUBIC INCH, 255HP
ALTERNATOR NUMBER: 1100543: 454 CUBIC INCH, 270HP
1100950: 350 CUBIC INCH 200HP, 255HP
1100544: ALL WITH AIR CONDITIONING
AXLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AA: 3.55:1 RATIO
AB: 3.70:1 RATIO
AC: 4.11:1 RATIO
AX: 3.36:1 RATIO
LR: 3.36:1 RATIO
PRODUCTION ENDING VEHICLE: AUG., 1971: 501344, SEP.. 1971: 503697, OCT., 1971: 506050, NOV., 1971: 508406, DEC. 1971: 510310, JAN. 1972: 512661, FEB. 1972: 515020, MAR. 1972: 517613, APR, 1972: 519993, MAY., 1972: 522611, JUNE, 1972: 525226, JULY, 1972: 527004

1972 Corvette Powertrain Specifications

Order Code Standard LT1 LS5
Manufacturing Location Flint, Michigan Flint, Michigan Flint, Michigan
Type 90 degree V, Valve-In-Head 90 degree V, Valve-In-Head 90 degree V, Valve-In-Head
Cylinders 8 8 8
Displacement (cid) 350 350 454
Fuel Induction System 4-Barrel Carburetor 4-Barrel Carburetor 4-Barrel Carburetor
Horsepower 200 @ 4,400 255 @ 5,600 270 @ 4,000
Torque 300 @ 2,800 280 @ 4,000 390 @ 3,200
Bore x Stroke (in.) 4.00 x 3.48 4.00 x 3.48 4.251 x 4.00
Compression Ratio 8.5:1 9.0:1 8.5:1
Valve Lifters Hydraulic Mechanical Hydraulic
Firing Order 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2
Cylinder Number System (Left) 1-3-5-7 1-3-5-7 1-3-5-7
Cylinder Number System (Right) 2-4-6-8 2-4-6-8 2-4-6-8
Recommended Fuel Premium Premium Premium

1972 Corvette Manual Transmission/Gear Ratios

Manual Transmission

Gear Ratios 
4-Speed (RPO M20)
4-Speed Close Ratio (RPO M21)
4-Speed Heavy Duty (RPO M22)
1st Gear:
2.52:1
2.20:1
2.20:1
2nd Gear:
1.88:1
1.64:1
1.64:1
3rd Gear:
1.46:1
1.27:1
1.27:1
4th Gear:
1.00:1
1.00:1
1.00:1
Reverse:
2.59:1
2.26:1
2.26:1

Clutch

Clutch Stats
Type Single Dry Disk Centrifugal (Dual Dry Disk for LT1)
Spring Pressure (lbs) 2450 – 2750 (2900 – 3100 for LT1)
Lining area (sq. in.) 123.7 (207.06 for LT1)

Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission RPO M40/ Gear Ratios

Gear Drive L2 L1 Reverse
1st Gear 2.48:1 2.48:1 2.48:1 N/A
2nd Gear 1.48:1 1.48:1 N/A N/A
3rd Gear 1.00:1 N/A N/A N/A
Reverse N/A N/A N/A 2.08

1972 Corvette Wheels, Suspension & Brakes

Suspension – Front

Type and Description: Independent, SLA type, coil springs with center mounted shock absorbers, spherical joint steering knuckle pivots.

Front Coil Springs
Make & Type Right-hand Helix Variable rate
Material Steel Alloy
Part Number 3931823, 3931824, 3931825, 3931826, 3832518
Front Stabilizer Bar
Type Link
Material Hot rolled steel
Diameter .750 with 350ci engine, .9375 with 454ci engine

Suspension – Back

Type and Description: Full Independent rear suspension with frame-anchored differential unit. Position of each wheel established by three links: tubular axle drive shafts, transverse strut rods, torque control arms. Vertical suspension loads taken by transverse leaf springs. Built-in camber adjustment at strut rod inner ends.
Rear Leaf Springs
Number of Leaves Variable rate 9-leaf
Material Chrome carbon steel
Length, width, height 48.60 x 2.25 x 2.121
Rear Strut
Material Forged Steel
Diameter 0.75

Brakes

Brake Specs
Type:
– Standard Caliper Disk – 4 Wheel Hydraulic
– J50 Delco Moraine, vacuum power unit; integral
Drum diameter, front (in.): 11.75 x 1.25
Drum diameter, rear (in.): 11.75 x 1.25
Swept Drum Area Effective area: 639.4

Wheels & Tires

Wheels & Tires Specs
Wheel Type:
– Standard Short spoke spider, welded steel
Wheels, size:
– Standard 15″ x 8.00
Tire, size:
– Standard F70 x 15 — 4 PR. 2-Ply Tubeless Nylon
– PT6 F70 x 15 — 4 PR, 2-Ply Red Stripe Nylon
– PT7 F70 x 15 — 4 PR, 2-Ply White Stripe Nylon
Inflation (cold)
– Front 24 psi (cold), 30 psi (hot)
– Rear 24 psi (cold), 30 psi (hot)

Steering

Steering Specs – Manual Steering
Type Semi-reversible gear with ball-nut driven by recirculating anti-friction bearings, energy-absorbing steering column, steering damper attached to relay rod; two position steering knuckle arm attachment for street and fast ratio steering. Adjustable steering column available optionally.
Make Saginaw
Ratio (Street) 20.2:1
Ratio (Fast) 17.6:1
Wheel Diameter (in.) 16
Turns, Stop to Stop
– Street 3.4
– Fast 2.92
Turning Diameter 37 ft. (outside front), 39 ft. (outside front)
Steering Specs – Power Steering RPO N40
Type (Specifications are the same as Manual Steering except the following):
Description Hydraulic; pump powered cylinder assisted linkage
Gear Ratio 16:1
Overall Ratio 17.6:1
Wheel Turns (Lock to Lock) 2.92

1972 Corvette


1972 Corvette Exterior Dimensions

Hard Top Dimensions

1972 Corvette Dimensions - Coupe

Exterior Dimensions (Hardtop) Interior Dimensions (Hardtop)
Wheelbase: 98.0 Inches Headroom: 37.1 Inches
Overall Length: 182.1 Inches Shoulder Room: 46.9 Inches
Total Body Width: 69.2 Inches Hip Room: 48.8 Inches
Overall Height: 47.9 Inches Leg Room: 43.0 Inches
Front Track Width: 58.3 Inches
Rear Track Width: 59.0 Inches
Min. Ground Clearance 4.9 Inches

Soft Top Dimensions

1972 Corvette Dimensions - Soft Top

Exterior Dimensions (Soft Top) Interior Dimensions (Soft Top)
Wheelbase: 98.0 Inches Headroom: 38.3 Inches
Overall Length: 182.5 Inches Shoulder Room: 46.9 Inches
Total Body Width: 69.0 Inches Hip Room: 48.8 Inches
Overall Height: 47.9 Inches Leg Room: 43.0 Inches
Front Track Width: 58.7 Inches
Rear Track Width: 59.4 Inches
Min. Ground Clearance 4.5 Inches

Coupe Dimensions

1972 Corvette Dimensions - Hard Top

Exterior Dimensions (Coupe) Interior Dimensions (Coupe)
Wheelbase: 98.0 Inches Headroom: 37.2 Inches
Overall Length: 182.5 Inches Shoulder Room: 46.9 Inches
Total Body Width: 69.0 Inches Hip Room: 48.8 Inches
Overall Height: 47.8 Inches Leg Room: 43.0 Inches
Front Track Width: 58.7 Inches
Rear Track Width: 59.4 Inches
Min. Ground Clearance 4.8 Inches

Capacities

Capacities
Passenger Capacity 2 – Driver & Passenger
Curb Weight (lbs) 3,306
Interior Passenger Volume (cu. ft)
Interior Trunk Volume (cu. ft) 20
Fuel Capacity (gallons): 4.0 for 350ci. engines (capacity of crankcase less filter – refill)
5.0 for 454ci engines (capacity of crankcase less filter – refill)
Coolant capacity without heater (qts.) 18 for RPO LT1 engine
22 for 454ci. engine
Battery: 12 Volt, 62AH for 350ci. engines
12 Volt, 80AH for 454ci. engines

1972 Corvette

1972 Corvette Performance Results

4-Speed Transmission
Standard
LT1 LS5
Performance weight (lbs.)
3605 3630 3827
Pounds/gross horsepower
18.02 14.23 14.17
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement
10.30 10.37 8.43
Gross horsepower/cu.in. displacement
.571 .728 .771
Power displacement (cu.ft./mile)
255.55 270.00 303.86
Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile)
141.97 148.35 159.09
0 – 60 mph (seconds)
8.5
Top Speed (mph)
Quarter Mile (secs @ mph)
15.2 @ 83 14.7 @ 93

1972 Corvette