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 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 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)
|
—
|
— |
