For Corvette enthusiasts the world over, March 7, 1997, was a date that would be long remembered. After the 13-year production run of the C4, Chevrolet had declared this date as the day that the first all-new Corvette would be made available for sale to the public. Given the massive amount of fanfare that surrounded the arrival of the C5 Corvette, it was little wonder that there was such an overwhelming clamor for this amazing new variant of the legendary sports car.
Read More: 1997 Chevrolet Corvette Research Center
1997 Corvette Specifications
1997 Corvette Main Specs
| MODEL: | 1997 Chevrolet Corvette |
| BODY STYLE: | Two-door Coupe, front engine, rear wheel drive |
| MANUFACTURING LOCATION: | Bowling Green, Kentucky |
| VEHICLE NUMBERS (VIN): | 1G1YY22G1V5100001 – 1G1YY22G9V5109707 (Corvette Coupe) |
| VIN SUFFIX: | ZYC: 346 CUBIC INCH, 345 HORSEPOWER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION ZYD: 346 CUBIC INCH, 345 HORSEPOWER, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION |
| ENGINE BLOCK NUMBER: | 12550592: 346 CUBIC INCH, 345 HORSEPOWER |
| HEAD NUMBER: | 102550592: 346 CUBIC INCH, 345 HP 102558806: 346 CUBIC INCH, 345 HP, LATE PRODUCTION |
1997 Corvette Construction
- Full-length perimeter frame with hydroformed frame side rails manufactured out of seamless tubular steel joined by two welded-on bumper beams.
- The cockpit is framed by a welded cage of aluminum castings and extrusions.
- Instrument panel cross member includes a magnesium steering column support and magnesium-core steering wheel.
- Closed Drivetrain tunnel
- Twin mid-ship mounted composite fuel tanks
- Aircraft-type composite floor with a balsa wood core
- One-piece Cast Aluminum front and rear chassis cross members
- Body panels are constructed of flexible sheet-molded compound (SMC)
- Quarter panels are bolted to the structure
1997 Corvette Powertrain Specifications
| Engine | LS1 |
| Order Code: | LS1 |
| Cylinders: | V8 |
| Type: | Overhead-Valve (OHV) / Pushrod V8 |
| Assembly Site: | Romulus, Mi |
| Engine Materials | |
|
Block Material:
|
Cast Aluminum |
|
Cylinder Head Material:
|
Cast Aluminum |
| Intake Manifold | Composite |
| Exhaust Manifold | Insulated Dual Wall Stainless Steel |
| Valvetrain: | OHV, 2 valves per cyl. |
| Cylinder Head Material: | Aluminum |
| Main Bearing Caps: | Powdered Metal |
| Crankshaft: | Cast Iron with undercut and rolled fillets |
| Camshaft: | Hollow Steel |
| Connecting Rod: | Powdered Metal |
| Engine Specs | |
| Displacement (liters): | 5.68 |
| Fuel induction system: | Sequential Fuel Injection |
| Horsepower (SAE net @ rpm): | 345 @ 5,600 |
| Torque (lbs.-ft. @ rpm): | 350 @ 4,400 |
| Valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Hydraulic roller lifters: | Standard |
| Roller rocker arms: | Standard |
| Bore x stroke (inches): | 3.90 x 3.62 |
| Bore x stroke (mm.): | 99.00 x 92.00 |
| Redline (rpm): | 6,000 |
| Compression ratio: | 10.1:1 |
| Cam drive: | Chain |
| Total Dressed Engine Weight | N/A |
| Firing Order: | 18726543 |
| Recommended fuel: | Premium Unleaded |
| EPA – Automatic: | 17 mpg / 25 mpg |
| Max cruising range – Automatic: | 477.5 miles |
| EPA – Manual: | 18 mpg / 28 mpg |
| Max cruising range – Manual: | 534.8 miles |
| Emission control System: | Three-Way Catalyst, Air Injection Reaction (AIR), Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) |
Transmission
| Standard Transmission Spec | |
| Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Order Code: | M30 |
| Model: | 4L60-E Hydra-Matic Rear-Mounted 4-Speed Automatic w/Overdrive |
| Gear Ratios | |
| 1st Gear: | 3.06:1 |
| 2nd Gear: | 1.63:1 |
| 3rd Gear: | 1.00:1 |
| 4th Gear: | 0.70:1 |
| Reverse: | 2.29:1 |
| Axle Ratio: | 2.73;1 (3.15 optional) |
| Final Drive Ratio: | 1.91:1 (2.21 optional) |
| Optional Transmission Spec | |
| Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Order Code: | MN6 |
| Model: | T56 Borg-Warner Rear-Mounted 6-Speed Manual |
| Gear Ratios | |
| 1st Gear: | 3.06:1 |
| 2nd Gear: | 1.78:1 |
| 3rd Gear: | 1.30:1 |
| 4th Gear: | 1.00:1 |
| 5th Gear: | 0.74:1 |
| 6th Gear: | 0.50:1 |
| Reverse: | 2.90:1 |
| Axle Ratio: | 3.42:1 |
| Final Drive Ratio: | 1.71:1 |
1997 Corvette Wheels, Suspension & Brakes
Suspension
| Front Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Short/long arm double wishbone front suspension Forged aluminum upper control arm, cast aluminum lower control arm Transverse mounted composite leaf springs Lubed-for-life ball joints Individual wheel height adjusters |
| Stabilizer bar diameter: | Base (19mm), F45 (19mm), Z51 (21.7mm) |
| Shock absorber diameter: | Base (36mm), F45 (28mm), Z51 (45mm) |
| Rear Suspension | |
| Rear Suspension | Cast Aluminum upper and lower control arm Transverse-mounted composite leaf springs Monotube shock absorbers Individual wheel height adjusters |
| Stabilizer bar diameter: | Base (19mm), F45 (19mm), Z51 (21.7mm) |
| Shock absorber diameter: | Base (36mm), F45 (28mm), Z51 (45mm) |
Brakes
| Type | Four-Wheel Disc |
| Anti-lock system (Standard) | Four-Wheel Disc |
| Rotor diameter x thickness, front (mm): | 325 x 32 |
| Rotor diameter x thickness, rear (mm): | 305 x 26 |
| Swept area, fr. / rr. (sq. in.): | – |
Wheels & Tires
| Wheels & Tires | Front | Rear |
| Wheels, size: | 17 x 8.5 | 18 x 9.5 |
| Number of studs: | 5 | 5 |
| Circle diameter, (inches): | N/A | N/A |
| Spare: | N/A | N/A |
| Tire, size: | P245/45ZR-17 | P275/40ZR-18 |
| Tires, manufacturer / type: | Goodyear F1 GS Extended Mobility Tires | Goodyear F1 GS Extended Mobility Tires |
Steering
| Steering | Front |
| Type: | Speed-Sensitive, Power Assisted, Magnetic Variable Effort |
| Ratio: | 16.1:1 |
| Wheel diameter (in.): | – |
| Turns, Lock to Lock: | 2.66 |
| Turning Diameter, curb-to-curb (ft.): | 38.50 |
1997 Corvette Exterior Dimensions
Coupe Dimensions
Exterior Dimensions
| Exterior Dimensions | |
| Model | Coupe |
| Wheelbase | 104.5 Inches |
| Overall Length | 179.7 Inches |
| Total Body Width | 73.6 Inches |
| Overall Height | 47.7 Inches |
| Front Track Width | 62.0 Inches |
| Rear Track Width | 62.1 Inches |
| Ground Clearance | 3.7 Inches |
| Overhang, Front: | 38.8 Inches |
| Overhang, Rear: | 35.7 Inches |
| Trunk Liftover Height: | 36.7 Inches |
Interior Dimensions
| Interior Dimensions | |
| Model | Coupe |
| Headroom | 37.8 Inches |
| Shoulder Room | 55.3 Inches |
| Hip Room | 54.2 Inches |
| Leg Room | 42.7 Inches |
Capacities
| Capacities | |
| Model | Coupe |
| Passenger Capacity | 2 – Driver & Passenger |
| Curb Weight – Automatic (LBS) | 3,229 lbs. |
| Curb Weight – Manual (LBS) | 3,218 lbs. |
| Interior Passenger Volume (cu.ft): | 51.4 Cubic Feet |
| Interior Trunk Volume (cu. ft): | 25.0 Cubic Feet |
| Fuel Capacity (GALLONS) | 19.1 gallons |
| Engine Oil Capacity (QTS) | 6.5 (with filter) |
| Coolant Capacity (QTS./LITERS) | 11.4 quarts |
| Battery (CCA): | 600 Cold Cranking Amperes |
| Coefficient of Drag (cd): | 0.29 cd |
| Weight Dist. Front/Rear (%) | 51.4 / 48.6 |
1997 Corvette Performance Results
| Performance | Results |
| Weight-to-power ratio, auto. trans. (lbs:hp): | 9.4:1 |
| Weight-to-power ratio, man. trans. (lbs:hp): | 9.3:1 |
| Specific output (hp/liter): | 60.53:1 |
| 0-60 MPH, Manual Trans. (seconds): | 4.72 |
| 0-60 MPH, Auto Trans. (seconds): | 5.05 |
| Quarter Mile (seconds / mph): | 13.36 / 109.4 |
| Top Speed (mph): | 172 |
| Lateral Acceleration (g): | 0.93 |
