1958 Corvette Performance & Specifications

Chevrolet Introduced the Corvette in 1953

By the late 1950s, the infrastructure of the automotive industry had begun a transformation from the monopolistic business of a few, large, corporate giants to a much more competitive and highly segmented marketplace.

For more: 1958 Corvette Research Guide

1958 Corvette – Specifications

1958 Corvette Powertrain Specifications

Description	4-barrel Carb	Dual Carb	Dual Carb w. Special Cam	Fuel Injection	Fuel Injection w. Special Cam
Standard	RPO 469	RPO 469C	RPO 469C	RPO 579D
Type:	90 V	90 V	90 V	90 V	90 V
Number of Cylinders	8	8	8	8	8
Displacement (cid):	283	283	283	283	283
Horsepower (gross @ rpm):	230hp @ 4,800	245hp @ 5,000	270hp @ 6,000	250hp @ 5,000	290hp @ 6,200
Torque (lbs.-ft. @ rpm):	300 @ 3,000	300 @ 3,800	285 @ 4,200	305 @ 3,800	290 @ 4,400
Bore Spacing (C/L to C/L)	4.4 inches	4.4 inches	4.4 inches	4.4 inches	4.4 inches
Bore x stroke (in.):	3.875 x 3.00	3.875 x 3.00	3.875 x 3.00	3.875 x 3.00	3.875 x 3.00
Redline (rpm):	–	–	–	–	–
Compression ratio:	9.5:1	9.5:1	9.5:1	9.5:1	9.5:1
Idle Speed (RPM)	475 in neutral w/3-speed	475 in neutral w/3-speed	475 in neutral w/3-speed	475 in neutral w/3-speed	475 in neutral w/3-speed
Automatic	779	779	779	779	779
Manual	678	678	678	678	678
Firing Order:	18436572	18436572	18436572	18436572	18436572
Cylinder Number System;	–	–	–	–	–
Left Bank:	1-3-5-7	1-3-5-7	1-3-5-7	1-3-5-7	1-3-5-7
Right Bank:	2-4-6-8	2-4-6-8	2-4-6-8	2-4-6-8	2-4-6-8
Recommended Fuel:	94-96 Premium Octane	94-96 Premium Octane	94-96 Premium Octane	94-96 Premium Octane	94-96 Premium Octane
EPA – Three-Speed Manual Transmission – Average:	12.9 mpg (Motor Trend)	12.9 mpg (Motor Trend)	–	14.9 mpg (Motor Trend)	13.9 mpg (Motor Trend)

Carburetor Engine Component Specifications

Description	Standard 230hp	RPO 469 245hp	RPO 469C 270hp
Upper Compression Ring:
Material	Cast alloy iron	Cast alloy iron	Cast alloy iron
Width	.184 — .194	.184 — .194	.184 — .194
Thickness	.0775 — .0780	.0775 — .0780	.0775 — .0780
Gap	.010 — .020	.010 — .020	.010 — .020
Ring Clearance	.0012 — .0017	.0012 — .0017	.0012 — .0017
Valve Springs:
Length & Pressure
Valve closed	1.696@ 69 — 79 lb.	1.696@ 69 — 79 lb.	1.696@ 69 — 79 lb.
Valve open	1.306@ 159 — 169 lb.	1.306@ 159 — 169 lb.	1.306@ 159 — 169 lb.
Free length	2.08	2.08	2.08
Damper:
– Number of coils	3.874 — 4.12	3.874 — 4.12	3.874 — 4.12
– Free length	2.00	2.00	2.00
Tappets:
Type	Hydraulic	Hydraulic	Hydraulic
Material	Steel	Steel	Steel
Carburetor:
Make	Carter	Carter	Carter
Model
– front	–	3744002	3744002
– rear	–	3744004	3744004
Type	4 barrel, down-draft	4 barrel	4 barrel
Choke	Automatic	Automatic	Automatic
Camshaft:
Ramp inlet
Opening	.00474, 10° long	.00474, 10° long	.0067, 18° long
Closing	.00670, 15° long	.00670, 15° long	.0067, 18° long
Ramp exhaust
Opening	.00474, 10° long	.00474, 10° long	.0107, 29° long
Closing	.00670, 15° long	.00670, 15° long	.0107, 29° long
Tappet Lift
– Inlet	.26581	.26581	.2625
– Exhaust	.26581	.26581	.2625
Valve lift
Inlet	0.3987	0.3987	0.39375
Exhaust	0.3987	0.3987	0.39375
Valve lash (normal driving)
Inlet	Zero	Zero	.008 hot
Exhaust	Zero	Zero	.018 hot
Timing Diagram Data:
Inlet
Opens (theoretical)	12° 30′ BTC	12° 30′ BTC	35° BTC
Closes (theoretical)	57° 30′ ABC	57° 30′ ABC	72° ABC
Exhaust
Opens (theoretical)	54° 30′ BBC	54° 30′ BBC	76° BBC
Closes (theoretical)	15° 30′ ATC	15° 30′ ATC	31° ATC
Clutch:
Type	Semi-centrifugal	Semi-centrifugal	Semi-centrifugal
Number of coil springs	9	9	9
Spring pressure (lbs.)	1620 Initial	1620 Initial	1620 Initial
Drive	Lug	Lug	Lug
Lining area (sq. in.)	90.72	90.72	90.72
Rated torque capacity (lb. ft.)	326	326	326
Air Cleaner:
Make and Type	AC oil wetted	AC oil bath	AC oil bath
Capacity	–	1 Pint	1 Pint
Filter Element	Aluminum wire	cactus fiber	cactus fiber
Oil Filter:
Make	AC, Full flow	AC, Full flow	AC, Full flow
Capacity (Quartz)	1-1/2	1-1/2	1-1/2
Dual Exhaust System:
Muffler Type	Diffusion & resonance, reverse flow	Diffusion & resonance, reverse flow	Diffusion & resonance, reverse flow
Body Size	24×4.06	24×4.06	24×4.06
Manifold	Center take down each branch serving two cylinders	Center take down each branch serving two cylinders	Center take down each branch serving two cylinders
Exhaust Pipe Size O.D	2.0	2.0	2.0
Tall Pipe I.D	1.81	1.81	1.81
Suspension	Individual, rubber insulated mountings.	Individual, rubber insulated mountings.	Individual, rubber insulated mountings.
Fuel System:
Fuel Tank	Two stamped pans seam welded	Two stamped pans seam welded	Two stamped pans seam welded
Capacity (gallons)	16.4	16.4	16.4
Mounting	Support by two straps attached to underbody behind seat	Support by two straps attached to underbody behind seat	Support by two straps attached to underbody behind seat
Filler	In body left side, to rear of driver’s door	In body left side, to rear of driver’s door	In body left side, to rear of driver’s door
Cooling System:
Radiator core
Make	Harrison	Harrison	Harrison
Type	Cellular	Cellular	Cellular
Size	.22x.550×2.00	.22x.550×2.00	.22x.550×2.00
Frontal Area (sq. in)	380	380	380
Capacity	16.5 qts. with heater	16.5 qts. with heater	16.5 qts. with heater

Fuelie (Fuel Injected) Engine Component Specifications

Description	(RPO 579 250hp)	(RPO 579D 290hp)
Upper Compression Ring:
Material	Cast alloy iron	Cast alloy iron
Width	.184 -.194	.184 – .194
Thickness	0775 – .0780	0775 – .0780
Gap	.010 – 0.020	.010 – 0.020
Ring Clearance Grove	.0012 – .0017	.0012 – .0017
Valve Springs:
Length & Pressure
Valve closed	1.696@ 69 — 79 lb	1.696@ 69 — 79 lb
Valve open	1.306@ 159 — 169 lb.	1.306@ 159 — 169 lb.
Free length	2.08	2.08
Damper:
Number of coils	3.874 — 4.12	3.874 — 4.12
Free length	2.00	2.00
Tappets:
Type	Hydraulic	Hydraulic
Material	Steel	Steel
Manifold assembly, inlet:
Material	Cast aluminum	Cast aluminum
Fuel:
System	Fuel Injection	Fuel Injection
Make	Rochester Products	Rochester Products
Fuel Filter:
Make	AC	AC
Model	GF43	GF43
Location	Mounted on engine top cover	Mounted on engine top cover
Camshaft:
Ramp inlet
Opening	.00474, 10° long	.00474, 10° long
Closing	.00670, 15° long	.00670, 15° long
Ramp exhaust
Opening	.00474, 10° long	.0107, 29° long
Closing	.00670, 15° long	.0107, 29° long
Tappet Lift
Inlet	.26581	.2625
Exhaust	.26581	.2625
Valve Lift
Inlet	.3987	.39375
Exhaust	.3987	.39375
Valve lash (normal driving)
Inlet	Zero	.008 hot
Exhaust	Zero	.018 hot
Timing Diagram Data:
Inlet
Opens (theoretical)	12° 30′ BTC	35° BTC
Closes (theoretical)	57° 30′ ABC	72° ABC
Exhaust
Opens (theoretical)	54° 30′ BBC	76° BBC
Closes (theoretical)	15° 30′ ATC	31° ATC
Clutch:
Type	Semi-centrifugal	Semi-centrifugal
Number of coil springs	9	9
Spring pressure (lbs.)	1620 initial	1620 initial
Drive	Lug	Lug
Lining area (sq. in.)	90.72	90.72
Rated torque capacity (lb. ft.)	326	326
Air Cleaner:
Make	AC	AC
Type	Dry	Dry
Filter Element	Paper	Paper
Oil Filter:
Make	AC, Full flow	AC, Full flow
Capacity (Quartz)	1-1/2	1-1/2
Dual Exhaust System:
Muffler Type	Diffusion & resonance, reverse flow	Straight thru
Body Size	24×4.06
Manifold	Center take down each branch serving two cylinders
Exhaust Pipe Size O.D	2.0
Tall Pipe I.D	1.81
Suspension	Individual, rubber insulated mountings.
Fuel System:
Fuel Tank	Two stamped pans seam welded	Two stamped pans seam welded
Capacity (gallons)	16.4	16.4
Mounting	Support by two straps attached to underbody behind the seat	Support by two straps attached to underbody behind the seat
Filler	In body left side, to the rear of driver’s door	In body left side, to the rear of driver’s door
Cooling System:
Radiator core
Make	Harrison	Harrison
Type	Cellular	Cellular
Size	.22x.550×2.00	.22x.550×2.00
Frontal Area (sq. in)	380	380
Capacity	16.5 qts. with heater	16.5 qts. with heater

Manual Transmission / Gear Ratios

3-Speed Close Ratio	4-Speed (RPO 685)
1st Gear:	2.21:1	2.20:1
2nd Gear:	1.32:1	1.66:1
3rd Gear:	1.00:1	1:31:1
4th Gear:	N/A	1.00:1
Reverse:	2.21:1	2.25:1

Powerglide Automatic Transmission RPO 313/ Gear Ratios

Drive	1.82-1:1
Low	1.82:1
Reverse	1.82:1

1958 Corvette Car Dimensions

Hardtop

Exterior Dimensions (Hardtop)		Interior Dimensions (Hardtop)
Wheelbase:	101.85 Inches	Headroom:	42.3 Inches
Overall Length:	177.2 Inches	Shoulder Room:	49.4 Inches
Total Body Width:	72.8 Inches	Hip Room:	49.4 Inches
Overall Height:	51 Inches	Leg Room:	44.2 Inches
Front Track Width:	57 Inches
Rear Track Width:	59 Inches
Min. Ground Clearance	5.8 Inches

Softtop

Exterior Dimensions (Soft Top)		Interior Dimensions (Soft Top)
Wheelbase:	101.85 Inches	Headroom:	42.3 Inches
Overall Length:	177.2 Inches	Shoulder Room:	49.4 Inches
Total Body Width:	72.8 Inches	Hip Room:	49.1 Inches
Overall Height:	51 Inches	Leg Room:	44.2 Inches
Front Track Width:	57 Inches
Rear Track Width:	59 Inches
Min. Ground Clearance	5.8 Inches

Capacities

Capacities	Specs
Passenger Capacity:	2 Passengers
Curb Weight (LBS/KG):
Manual	2,926
Automatic	3,034
Fuel Capacity (GALLONS):	16.4
Engine Oil Capacity (QTS.):	5 (capacity of crankcase less filter – refill)
Coolant Capacity (qts.):	17 (with heater)
Battery:	12 volt, 9-plate, 53AH

1958 Corvette Brakes, Wheels, Steering & Suspension

Brakes:
Type:	Servo – 4 Wheel Hydraulic (Heavy Duty, RPO 684 Optional)
Power brake type:	None
Drum diameter, front (in.):	11
Drum diameter, rear (in.):	11
Effective area (sq. in.):	157 (121 with Heavy Duty brake option)

 

Wheels/Tires
Wheel Type (Standard):	Short Spoke Disk, Pressed Steel
Tire Size:	6.70 — 15 — 4 Ply Tubeless (standard), 6.70 — 15 — 4 Ply White & Blackwall (optional)
Front & Rear Wheels:	15″
Tires, type:	Rayon Cord
Revolutions at 30mph:	755
Inflation (cold)	24 lbs. Front & Rear

 

Steering
Type:	Semi-reversible recirculating ball
Make:	Saginaw
Ratio:	21.0:1
Wheel Diameter (in):	17.25
Turns, Stop to Start	–
Turn Diameter (curb to curb)	36.5 ft. right — 37 ft. left (outside front), 38.5 ft. right — 39 ft. left (outside front)

 

Front Suspension	Unitized, Independent, Short, and Long Arm
Front Springs:	Own, coil
Make & Type	Chrome alloy steel .547 — .553
Material & Gauges	Total 9.75; active 7.94
Number of Coils	Outside 4.30; pitch 3.752
Diameter	Free 13.45; working 9.62@ 1145 lb.
Height	9.72
Height Under Curb Weight	800 lb.
Capacity At Ground
Deflection Rate
At Spring	300 lb.
At Wheel	110 lb.
Front Shock Absorbers:
Make & Type	Delco, direct double acting
Mounting	Vertically from lower control arm through coil spring to front suspension cross member
Model Number	538F
Valve Code	3.5G6/axr/P 1.25
Piston Diameter and Travel	1.00×4.68

Rear Suspension	Outrigger mounted semi-elliptical leaf springs
Rear Springs:	Own, coil
– Make & Type	Own, semi-elliptic
– Material	Alloy steel
– Length & Width	51×2.0
– Spring Slips	Clinch type = 3, Bolt type = 1, Total = 4
– Number of Leaves	4
– Leaf Thickness	Number 1 & 3 = .282, Number 2 = .313, Total = 1.159
– Capacity	At pad = 575 lb., At ground = 725 lb.
Rear Shock Absorbers:
Make & Type	Delco, direct double acting
Mounting	Stem attached to slotted holes in flanged “U” shaped rear cross member, eye attached at the bottom to an anchor bolt-on rear spring “U” bolt and shock absorber anchor bolt plate
Model Number	560P
Valve Code	4D6/oxh/j 1.25
Piston Diameter and Travel	1.0×6.69

1958 Corvette Performance

Performance Results	Standard	RPO 469	RPO 469C	RPO 579	RPO 579
3 Speed Transmission
Performance weight (lbs.)	3204	3214	3214	3191	3191
Pounds/gross horsepower	13.93	13.12	11.90	12.78	11.00
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement	11.33	11.36	11.36	11.24	11.24
Gross horsepower/cu.in. displacement	.813	.866	.954	.883	1.025
Power displacement (cu.ft./mile)	228.7	228.7	228.7	228.7	228.7
Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile)	142.94	142.94	142.94	143.34	143.34
0 – 60 mph (seconds)	9.2	7.6 –	–	–	–
Top Speed (mph)	103.1	112	–	–	–
Powerglide Transmission
Performance weight (lbs.)	3305	3314	3288
Pounds/gross horsepower	14.37	13.53	13.15
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement	11.68	11.71	11.62
Gross horsepower/cu.in. displacement	.813	.866	.883
Power displacement (cu.ft./mile)	219.5	219.5	219.5
Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile)	132.83	132.47	133.52
0 – 60 mph (seconds)	–	–	–
Top Speed (mph)	–	–	–
4-Speed Transmission
Performance weight (lbs.)	3217	3227	3227	3204	3204
Pounds/gross horsepower	13.90	13.17	11.95	12.82	11.05
Pounds/cu.in. piston displacement	11.37	11.40	11.40	11.32	11.32
Gross horsepower/cu.in. displacement	.813	.866	.954	.883	1.025
Power displacement (cu.ft./mile)	228.7	228.7	228.7	228.7	228.7
Displacement factor (cu.ft./mile)	142.18	141.74	141.74	142.76	142.76
0 – 60 mph (seconds)	–	–	–	–	6.9
Top Speed (mph)	–	–	–	113.6	118.7

(0 – 60 and top speed times courtesy of Motor Trend, March 1958)