The 1981 model year marked a significant milestone in the history of the Corvette. While the car itself would primarily be a carryover from the previous model year, it was announced that Corvette production would move from the old St. Louis plant to a brand-new, high-tech facility located in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Read More: 1981 Chevrolet Corvette Research Center
1981 Corvette Specifications
1981 Corvette Main Specs
| MODEL: | 1981 Chevrolet Corvette |
| BODY STYLE: | Two-door coupe, front engine, rear wheel drive |
| MANUFACTURING LOCATION: | St. Louis, Missouri & Bowling Green, Kentucky |
| CONSTRUCTION: | Frame features a cross-member for transmission (with bolting assembly for transmission). The frame is all welded (full length), ladder constructed. The full frame includes four cross-members and is sealed with a corrosion resistant material. The body is constructed of a corrosion-resistant, steel-reinforced fiberglass. The front bumper features a honeycomb cushion system. The rear energy-absorbing bumper features twin hydraulic shock absorbers. The hood and doors are constructed of fiberglass and feature a double-panel construction method. The roof assembly features two removable roof panels. |
| VEHICLE NUMBERS (VIN): |
1G1AY8764BS400001 – 1G1AY8764BS431611 (St. Louis)
1G1AY8764B5100001 – 1G1AY8764B5108995 (Bowling Green) |
| ENGINE SUFFIX: | ZDA: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION ZDB: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC, CALIFORNIA EMISSIONS ZDC: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION ZDD: 350 CUBIC INCH, 190 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION |
| ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER: | 14010207: ALL |
| HEAD NUMBER: | 462624: ALL |
| CARBURETOR NUMBERS: | ROCHESTER Q-jet #17081217: 350 C.I., 190HP,MANUAL TRANSMISSION ROCHESTER Q-jet #17081218: 350 C.I., 190HP, AUTOMATIC, CALIF. EMISSIONS ROCHESTER Q-jet #17081228: 350 C.I., 190HP, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION |
| DISTRIBUTOR NUMBER: | 1103443: ALL |
| ALTERNATOR NUMBER: | 1101075, 1101085, 1103088, 1103091, 1103103 |
| AXLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER |
OJ: 2.87:1 RATIO, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
OK: 2.72:1 RATIO, MANUAL TRANSMISSION
|
| PRODUCTION ENDING VEHICLE: | AUG., 1980: 400775 DEC., 1980: 415234 APR., 1981: 426422, SEP., 1980: 404136 JAN., 1981: 418399 MAY, 1981: 428003, OCT., 1980: 408594 FEB., 1981: 421392 JUN., 1981: 429775, NOV., 1980: 412124 MAR., 1981: 424742 JUL., 1981: |
1981 Corvette Powertrain Specifications
| Engine: | L81 (All States Except California) | L81 (California) |
|
Order Code:
|
RPO L81 | RPO L81 |
| Engine Type: | V-8 OHV | V-8 OHV |
| Piston Displacement (Litres): | 5.7 Litres | 5.7 Litres |
| Number of Cylinders: | 8 | 8 |
| Bore & Stroke (Nominal): | 4.00 x 3.48 | 4.00 x 3.48 |
| Compression Ratio: | 8.2:1 | 8.2:1 |
| Firing Order: | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 |
| Idling Speed | ||
| Manual Trans. (In Neutral): | 700 RPM | 700 RPM |
| Automatic Trans (In Drive): | 500 RPM | 500 RPM |
| Powerplant Mount Locations: | 2 front and 1 rear, compression type. | 2 front and 1 rear, compression type. |
| Carburetor: | 4-Barrel | 4-Barrel |
| Net Brake Horsepower @ RPM: | 190 BHP @ 4200 RPM | 190 BHP @ 4200 RPM |
| Net Torque (lb/ft) @ RPM: | 280 lb/ft @ 1600 RPM | |
| Cylinder Block | ||
| Material: | Cast Alloy Iron | Cast Alloy Iron |
| Bore: | 3.9995 – 4.0025 | 3.9995 – 4.0025 |
| Bore Spacing (Centerline to Centerline): | 4.4 | 4.4 |
| Bearing Caps (Number & Material): | 5, Gray Iron; 2-bolts | 5, Gray Iron; 2-bolts |
| Water Jackets: | Full length around each cylinder | Full length around each cylinder |
| Cylinder Head | ||
| Material: | Light weight cast iron | Light weight cast iron |
| Bolt Number: | 34 | 34 |
| Bolt Size: | .4375 diameter; 14 threads/inch | .4375 diameter; 14 threads/inch |
| Inlet Manifold | ||
| Material: | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Type: | 8 port, double deck | 8 port, double deck |
| Exhaust Manifold | ||
| Material: | Cast Alloy Iron | Cast Alloy Iron |
| Type: | Rams Horn | Rams Horn |
| Outlet Diameter (Nominal): | 2.50 | 2.50 |
| Crankshaft | ||
| Material: | Nodular Cast Iron | Nodular Cast Iron |
| Drive: | .002 – .007 | .002 – .007 |
| Gear: | 6 | 6 |
| Bearings: | 1.74 | 1.74 |
| Torsional Damper: | Sintered Iron | Sintered Iron |
| Timing Gear: | Sintered Iron; sprocket and chain | Sintered Iron; sprocket and chain |
| Pulley Pitch Diameter: | 7.58 | 7.58 |
| Main Bearings | Precision Removable | Precision Removable |
| Camshaft | ||
| Material: | Cast Alloy Iron | Cast Alloy Iron |
| Drive: | Chain | Chain |
| Gear: | Nylon Teeth with Aluminum Hub | Nylon Teeth with Aluminum Hub |
| Bearings: | 5; Steel Backed Babbitt | 5; Steel Backed Babbitt |
| Pistons | ||
| Material: | Cast Aluminum Alloy | Cast Aluminum Alloy |
| Head Type: | Sump Head | Sump Head |
| Skirt Type: | Closed Skirt | Closed Skirt |
| Top Land Clearance: | .597 – .825 (.0235 – .0325) | .597 – .825 (.0235 – .0325) |
| Skirt Clearance: | .018 – .043 (.0007 – .0017) | .018 – .043 (.0007 – .0017) |
| Piston Pin Material: | Chromium Steel | Chromium Steel |
| Pin Mounting: | Locked in rod by shrink fit | Locked in rod by shrink fit |
| Valve Timing (Crankshaft/Deg. Excl. Ramps) | ||
| Intake Valve | – | – |
| – Opens – BTC: | 38 degrees | 38 degrees |
| – Closes – ABC: | 92 degrees | 92 degrees |
| – Duration: | 310 degrees | 310 degrees |
| Exhaust Valve: | ||
| – Opens – BBC: | 88 degrees | 88 degrees |
| – Closes – ATC: | 52 degrees | 52 degrees |
| – Duration: | 320 degrees | 320 degrees |
