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 Exterior Dimensions
Hard Top Dimensions
| 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
| 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
| 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 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 |
Thank you for the 1972 vette specs. Good data and nice reading.
Please note, the following 1972 engine cap specs appear to be invalid.
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