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1978 Corvette Performance & Specifications

Powertrain, Steering, Brakes, Dimensions, & Suspension

1978 Corvette

Mechanically, the car remained very similar to the 1977 Corvette that had come before it.  A few changes were made, including a larger fuel tank, which now held 24 gallons of gas (versus the 17 gallon tank used on the previous year.)

Read More: 1978 Chevrolet Corvette Research Center

1978 Corvette Specifications

1978 Corvette Main Specs

MODEL: 1978 Chevrolet Corvette
BODY STYLE: Two-door 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):
1Z87L8S400001 – 1Z87L8S440274 (Corvette Coupe)
1Z87L8S900001 – 1Z87L8S906502 (Corvette Pace Car)
ENGINE SUFFIX: CHW: 350 CUBIC INCH, 185 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CLM: 350 CUBIC INCH, 185 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CLR: 350 CUBIC INCH, 175 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS
CLS: 350 CUBIC INCH, 175 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, HIGH ALTITUDE
CMR: 350 CUBIC INCH, 220 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
CMS: 350 CUBIC INCH, 220 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CUT: 350 CUBIC INCH, 185 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER: 3970010: ALL
376450, 460703: UNCERTAIN USAGE
HEAD NUMBER: 462624: ALL
CARBURETOR NUMBERS: ROCHESTER Q-jet #17058202: 350 C.I., 185HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS.
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17058203: 350 C.I., 185HP, MANUAL TRANS.
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17058204: 350 C.I., 185HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS., AIR COND., FIRST DESIGN
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17058206: 350 C.I., 185HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS., AIR COND., SECOND DESIGN
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17058210: 350 C.I., 220HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS.
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17058211: 350 C.I., 220HP, MANUAL TRANS.
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17058228: 350 C.I., 220HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS., AIRCON
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17058502: 350 C.I., 175HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS., CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17058504: 350 C.I., 175HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS., AIRCON., CALIF. EMISSIONS
ROCHESTER Q-jet #17058582: 350 C.I., 175HP, AUTOMATIC TRANS., HIGH ALTITUDE
DISTRIBUTOR NUMBER: 1103285: 350 CUBIC INCH, 175HP, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS
1103291: 350 CUBIC INCH, 220HP
1103337: 350 CUBIC INCH, 185HP, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
1103353: 350 CUBIC INCH, 185HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ALTERNATOR NUMBER: 1102474: 350 CUBIC INCH, AIRCON -OR- REAR DEFOGGER, EARLY PRODUCTION
1102484: 350 CUBIC INCH
1102908: 350 CUBIC INCH, AIRCON -OR- REAR DEFOGGER, LATE PRODUCTION
AXLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER OK: 3.08:1 RATIO
OM: 3.36:1 RATIO
OH: 3.55:1 RATIO
OJ: 3.70:1 RATIO
PRODUCTION ENDING VEHICLE: SEP., 1977: 403186, OCT., 1977: 407401, NOV., 1977: 411316, DEC., 1977: 414695, JAN., 1978: 418154, FEB., 1978: 422503, MAR., 1978: 425280, APR., 1978: N/A, MAY., 1978: 428883, JUN., 1978: 433181, JUL., 1978: 436848, AUG., 1978: 440274, MAR., 1978: 901675, APR., 1978: 905766, MAY., 1978: 906502

1978 Corvette Powertrain Specifications

Order Code:
L48 (Standard Engine)
L82 (Optional Engine)
Engine Manufacturing Location
Flint, Michigan
Flint, Michigan
Type:
90 degree V, Overhead Valve
90 degree V, Overhead Valve
Number of Cylinders:
8 8
Pistons:
Cast Aluminum Alloy, Sump Head
Aluminum impact Extruded, Flat Head
Piston Weight:
21.33 oz.
20.38 oz.
Displacement (cid):
350 350
Fuel induction system:
4-Barrel Carburetor
4-Barrel Carburetor
Torque (net lbs.-ft. @ rpm)
280 @ 2,400
260 @ 3,600
Valves per cylinder:
2 2
Bore x stroke (in.):
 4.00 x 3.48
4.00 x 3.48
Compression ratio:
8.2:1
8.9:1
Valve Lifters
Hydraulic
Hydraulic
Total Dressed Engine Weight:
622.4lbs
640.7lbs
Firing Order:
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
Cylinder Number System (Right)
2-4-6-8 2-4-6-8
 Recommended Fuel:
Premium
Premium
EPA – Automatic Transmission
City (mpg):
15 12
Highway (mpg): 21 17
Max cruising range 255 miles (avg.) 270 (avg.)
EPA – Manual Transmission
City (mpg): 14 12
Highway (mpg): 19 17
Highway (mpg):
283 miles (avg.)
270 (avg.)

1978 Corvette Manual Transmission/Gear Ratios

Manual Transmission

Gear Ratios 
4-Speed (RPO MM4) (L48)
4-Speed (RPO MM4) (L82)
4-Speed Close Ratio (RPO M21)
1st Gear:
2.85:1
2.02:1
2.64:1
1.75:1
2.43:1
1.61:1
2nd Gear:
1.35:1
1.34:1
1.23:1
3rd Gear:
1.00:1
1.00:1
1.00:1
4th Gear:
 2.85:1  2.55:1  2.35:1

Clutch

Clutch Stats
Type Single Dry Disk Centrifugal
Spring Pressure (lbs) 2,100 – 2,300 (for L48) / 2,450-2,750 (for L82)
Lining area (sq. in.) 101.6 (for L48) / 123.7 (for L82)

Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission RPO M40/ Gear Ratios

Gear Drive L2 L1 Reverse
1st Gear 2.52:1 2.52:1 2.52:1 N/A
2nd Gear 1.52:1 1.52:1 N/A N/A
3rd Gear 1.00:1 N/A N/A N/A
Reverse N/A N/A N/A 1.93

1978 Corvette Wheels, Suspension & Brakes

Suspension – Front

Type and Description: Independent, SLA type with coil springs with center mounted shock absorber.

Front Coil Springs
Make & Type Link
Size 10.49 in. (coil height) x 3.80 in. (int.dia.); 133.83 in. (length) x .609 in. (dia. of coiled steel) *
Spring Rate: 295lbs. per inch *
Rate at Wheel 117.6lbs. per inch *
Front Stabilizer Bar
Type Link
Material Hot rolled steel
Diameter .875

Suspension – Back

Type and Description: Full Independent rear suspension with fixed differential; transverse. Multi-leaf spring, lateral struts and universally jointed axle shafts. Drive and torque taken through torque control arms.
Rear Leaf Springs
Type Multi-Leaf
Number of Leafs 10
Material Chrome carbon steel
Length, width, height 48.60 in. (length) x 2.50 in. (width)
Spring Rate 198 lbs. per inch *
Rate at Wheel 151 lbs. per inch *
Rear Stabilizer
Type Link (RPO FE7 Gymkhana Suspension Only)
Material Hot rolled steel
Diameter .440 in.

(*) For base equipped models, springs are computer selected by size and rate according to vehicle weight including optional equipment. Spring rates and shock absorber equipment may vary when engine, transmission or Gymkhana suspension options are used.

Brakes

Brake Specs
Type: Caliper Disk – 4 Wheel Dual Hydraulic with Pressure Differential and Warning Light
Delco Moraine, vacuum power unit; integral
Disk Diameter, front (in.): 11.75 x 1.25
Disk Diameter, rear (in.): 11.75 x 1.25
Swept Drum Area Effective area: 249.14

Wheels & Tires

Wheels & Tires Specs
Wheel Type:
– Standard Short spoke spider, welded steel
Wheels, size:
– Standard 15″ x 8.00
Tire, size:
– Standard P225/70R15 — Steel Belted Radial (standard)
P225/60R15 – (optional.)
Side Wall Blackwall (standard)
White Lettering (optional)
Inflation
– Front 28 lbs.
– Rear 32 lbs.
Space Rim
– Size 15 x 5.0 inch rim
– Lettering Black Lettering (marked “SPARE.)

Steering

Steering Specs – Manual Steering
Type
– Standard STANDARD – Energy absorbing steering column.
– Optional OPTIONAL – Tilt and telescopic steering wheel; 2″ adjustment
Wheel Diameter (in.) 14.75 x 14.25
Turning Diameter
– Outside Front: 37.0 ft. (Curb to Curb (left & right)), 38.6 ft. (Wall to Wall (left and right))
– Inside Front: 10.5 ft. (Curb to Curb (left & right)), 11.4 ft. (Wall to Wall (left and right))
Power Steering
– Type Linkage, power pump assisted
– Make Saginaw Steering
Steering Gear Semi-reversible, recirculating ballnut
– Steering Gear Ratio: 16.1:1
– Overall Ratio: 17.6:1
No. of Wheel Turns, Lock-to-Lock: 2.92

1978 Corvette

1978 Corvette Exterior Dimensions

Coupe Dimensions

Exterior Dimensions (Coupe) Interior Dimensions (Coupe)
Wheelbase: 98.0 Inches Headroom: 36.2 Inches
Overall Length: 185.2 Inches Shoulder Room: 47.5 Inches
Total Body Width: 69.0 Inches Hip Room: 49.9 Inches
Overall Height: 48.0 Inches Leg Room: 42.1 Inches
Front Track Width: 58.7 Inches
Rear Track Width: 59.5 Inches
Min. Ground Clearance 4.3 Inches

Capacities

Capacities
Passenger Capacity 2 – Driver & Passenger
Curb Weight (lbs) 3,557
Interior Passenger Volume (cu. ft) 8.4
Interior Trunk Volume (cu. ft) 24 (approximately)
Fuel Capacity (gallons): 4.0 (capacity of crankcase less filter – refill)
4.5 (capacity of crankcase refill with filter change)
Coolant capacity without heater (qts.) 21.6
Battery: 12 Volt, 3,500 Watts
Generator Output: 14-22 Amps

1978 Corvette

1978 Corvette Performance Results

4-Speed Transmission
Base L82
Performance weight (lbs.)
Pounds/net horsepower
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement
Net horsepower/cu.in. displacement
Power displacement (cu.ft./mile)
Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile)
0 – 60 mph (seconds)
7.8 6.5
Top Speed (mph)
123 132
Quarter Mile (secs @ mph)
15.2 @ 95.0

 

Turbo Hydra-Matic Automatic Transmission Base L82
Performance weight (lbs.)
Pounds/net horsepower
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement
Net horsepower/cu.in. displacement
Power displacement (cu.ft./mile)
Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile)
0 – 60 mph (seconds)
9.5
Top Speed (mph)
116
Quarter Mile (secs @ mph)

1978 Corvette