More About the 1978 Corvette
1978 Corvette
Body Specs |
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| Wheelbase: | 98.0 inches |
| Overhang (Front): | 42.4 inches |
| Overhang (Rear): | 44.8 inches |
| Front Track: | 58.7 inches |
| Rear Track: | 59.5 inches |
| Length: | 185.2 inches |
| Front Fender Overall Width: | 69.0 inches |
| Rear Fender Overall Width: | 68.8 inches |
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Ground Clearance
Differential to Ground: |
5.7 inches |
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Ground Clearance
Front Bumper to Ground: |
10.8 inches |
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Ground Clearance
Rear Bumper to Ground: |
11.8 inches |
| Minimum Running Clearance: |
4.3 inches
(Measured at Catalytic Converter) |
Overall Height: | 48.0 inches |
| Rocker Panel to Ground (Front): | 8.0 inches |
| Rocker Panel to Ground (Rear): | 7.6 inches |
| Luggage Capacity: | 8.4 Cubic Feet |
| Cowl Height: | 36.4 inches |
| Windshield Slope Angle: | 57.0° |
| Effective Head Room: | 36.2 inches |
| Shoulder Room: | 47.5 inches |
| Hip Room: | 49.9 inches |
| Tire Size: | P225/70R15 |
| Recommended Tire Inflation | 28 PSI Front; 32 PSI Rear |
| Wheels, Regular Production: | Size: 15 x 8 |
| Synchronization | All Forward Gears |
| Turbo Hydra-Matic (Automatic) Transmission: |
1st Gear 2.52:1
2nd Gear 1.52:1 3rd Gear 1.00:1 Reverse Gear 1.93:1 |
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Four Speed M20 Transmission
Base L48 Engine: |
1st Gear 2.85:1
2nd Gear 2.02:1 3rd Gear 1.35:1 4th Gear 1.00:1 Reverse Gear 2.85:1 |
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Four Speed M20 Transmission
L82 Engine: |
1st Gear 2.64:1
2nd Gear 1.75:1 3rd Gear 1.34:1 4th Gear 1.00:1 Reverse Gear 2.55:1 |
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Close Ratio Four Speed
M21 Transmission L82 Engine: |
1st Gear 2.43:1
2nd Gear 1.61:1 3rd Gear 1.23:1 4th Gear 1.00:1 Reverse Gear 2.35:1 |
| Transmission Lubricant Type: | GL-5 Gear Lubricant |
| Lubricant Capacity: | Four Speed Manual: 3 Quarts |
| Differential Lubricant Type: |
GL-5
SAE 80W-90 |
| Differential Lubricant Capacity: | 3.75 pints |
| Axle Ratio: |
185 Horsepower Base Engine
Four Speed Manual 3.36:1 185 Horsepower Base Engine Automatic 3.08:1 220 Horsepower L82 Engine Four Speed Manual 3.08:1, 3.36:1 220 Horsepower L82 Engine Automatic 3.55:1, 3.70:1 |
| Transmission Synchromesh: | All Four Gears |
| Standard Fuel Tank Capacity: | 23.7 Gallons |
| Wheel Turns: | 2.92 |
| Turning Diameters: |
37.0 feet (Curb to Curb)
38.6 feet (Wall to Wall) |
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| 49 State: |
City: 14 mpg
Highway: 19 mpg Combined: 16 mpg |
| California: |
City: 13 mpg
Highway: 18 mpg Combined: 15 mpg |
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| Model 19437 Sport Coupe: |
(Curb)
(Shipping) |
|
Shipping Weight: Coolant to capacity and three gallons gasoline.
Curb Weight: Shipping weight plus gasoline to capacity. |
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185 Horsepower Standard L48 Engine, Four Speed Transmission:
3,829 lb.: |
Pounds / Horsepower: 20.70 |
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175 Horsepower L48 Standard Engine, California Specification
Four Speed Transmission: 3,829 lb.: |
Pounds / Horsepower: 21.88 |
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185 Horsepower Standard L48 Engine, Automatic Transmission:
3,863 lb.: |
Pounds / Horsepower: 20.88 |
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175 Horsepower Standard L48 Engine, California Specification
Automatic Transmission: 3,863 lb.: |
Pounds / Horsepower: 22.07 |
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220 Horsepower L82 Engine
Four Speed Transmission: 3,849 lb.: |
Pounds / Horsepower: 17.50 |
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220 Horsepower L82 Engine, Automatic Transmission:
3,883 lb.: |
Pounds / Horsepower: 17.65 |
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| Air Conditioning (RPO C60): |
+63 lb. (With Standard L48 Engine)
(+47 lb. Front; +16 lb. Rear) +67 lb. (With L82 Engine) (+50 lb. Front; +17 lb. Rear) |
| Power Windows (RPO A31): |
+8 lb.
(+4 lb. Front; +4 lb. Rear) |
| L82 Engine : |
+20 lb.
(+17 lb. Front; +3 lb. Rear) +66 lb. With Automatic Transmission |
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Standard L48 Engine
With Turbo Hydra Matic Transmission: |
+34 lb.
(+21 lb. Front; +13 lb. Rear) |
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Tilt / Telescopic Steering Wheel
(RPO N37): |
+2 lb.
(+2 lb. Front; +0 lb. Rear) |
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Gymkhana Suspension
(RPO FE7): |
+7 lb.
(+3 lb. Front; +4 lb. Rear) |
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Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
(RPO U58): |
+13 lb.
(+7 lb. Front; +6 lb. Rear) |
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Radio, AM/FM Pushbutton
(RPO U69): |
+13 lb.
(+7 lb. Front; +6 lb. Rear) |
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Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
With Tape Player (RPO UM2): |
+15 lb.
(+8 lb. Front; +7 lb. Rear) |
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Heavy Duty Battery
(RPO UA1): |
+5 lb.
(+0 lb. Front; +5 lb. Rear) |
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Power Antenna
(RPO U75): |
+4 lb. |
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| Type:: | V8 |
| Valve Location:: | In Head |
| Bore / Stroke:: | 4.00" / 3.48" (Standard, L82 350 Cubic Inch) |
| Displacement:: | Standard, L82 Engines: 350 Cubic Inches |
| Compression Ratio:: |
8.2:1 (Standard Engine)
8.9:1 (L82 Engine) |
| Cylinder Head Material:: | Cast Alloy Iron |
| Cylinder Block Material:: | Cast Alloy Iron |
| Oil Pump Type:: | Gear |
| Normal Oil Pressure: | 32 - 40 psi @ 2,000 RPM |
| Oil Pressure Gauge: | Electrical |
| Crankcase Oil Capacity, Standard, L82 Engines: |
4.0 Quarts, Less Filter
4.5 Quarts, With Filter Change |
| Recommended Oil Grade: |
Above 20°F: SAE 20W-20, SAE 10W-30, 10W-40
20W-40, 20W-50 0°F to 60°F: SAE 10W, 5W-30, 10W-30, 10W-40 Below 20°F: SAE 5W-20, 5W-30 |
| Fuel Filter: | Mesh Strainer |
| Fuel Pump: | Mechanical |
| Fuel Pressure: | 7.5 - 9.0 PSI |
| Cooling System Capacity: | 21.6 Quarts (with heater) |
| Thermostat Type: | Pellet |
| Radiator Cap Relief Pressure: | ~15 PSI |
| Battery: |
12 volt - 6 Cells, 78 plates
3,500 Watts 12 volt - 6 Cells, 90 plates 4,000 Watts |
| Thermostat Opening: |
192° - 198° F
Fully Opened at 227° |
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Brakes |
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| Type: | Caliper Disc, Four Wheel Hydraulic |
| Gross Lining Area: | 86.30 Square Inches |
| Swept Area: | 498.30 Square Inches |
| Disc: | Vented |
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Horsepower |
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| Standard Engine (350 cubic inch): |
185 hp @ 4,000 RPM;
Torque: 280 lb-ft @ 2,400 RPM |
| RPO L82 (350 cubic inch): |
210 hp @ 5,200 RPM;
Torque: 260 lb-ft. @ 3,600 RPM |
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Ignition System |
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| Ignition Timing Centrifugal Advance: |
Distributor | 1103337 | Base Engine
Manual Transmission Start: 0° @ 1,100 RPM Intermediate: 12° @ 1,600 RPM Maximum: 22° @ 4,600 RPM Distributor | 1103353 | Base Engine Automatic Transmission Start: 0° @ 1,100 RPM Intermediate: 12° @ 1,600 RPM Maximum: 22° @ 4,600 RPM Distributor | 1103285 | Base Engine California, Automatic Only Start: 0° @ 1,200 RPM Intermediate: 12° @ 2,000 RPM Maximum: 22° @ 4,200 RPM Distributor | 1103291 | L82 Engine Start: 0° @ 1,200 RPM Intermediate: 13° @ 1,600 RPM Maximum: 16° @ 2,000 RPM |
| Ignition Timing Vacuum Advance: |
Distributor | 1103337 | Base Engine
Start: 0° @ 4 inches Hg Maximum: 24° @ 10 inches Hg Distributor | 1103353 | Base Engine Start: 0° @ 4 inches Hg Maximum: 20° 10 inches Hg Distributor | 1103285 | L82 Engine California, Automatic Only Start: 0° 4 inches Hg Maximum: 10° 8 inches Hg Distributor | 1103291 | L82 Engine Start: 0° 4 inches Hg Maximum: 10° 8 inches Hg |
| Initial Timing: |
Distributor | 1103337 | Base Engine
6° BTC @ 700 RPM - Manual Transmission Distributor | 1103353 | Base Engine 6° BTC @ 500 RPM - Automatic Transmission Distributor | 1103285 | Base Engine California Only 8° BTC @ 500 RPM - Automatic Transmission Distributor | 1103291 | L82 Engine 12° BTC @ 900 RPM - Manual Transmission 12° BTC @ 700 RPM - Automatic Transmission |
| Spark Plug: |
AC Spark Plug ACR45TS |
| Spark Plug Torque: | 25 lb.-ft. |
| Spark Plug Thread: | 14 mm. |
| Spark Plug Gap: | .045 inch |
| Firing Order: | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 |
| Idle: |
Standard Engine, Manual Transmission:
700 RPM (In Neutral) Standard Engine, Automatic Transmission: 500 RPM (In Drive) L82 Engine, Manual Transmission: 900 RPM (In Neutral) L82 Engine, Automatic Transmission: 700 RPM (In Drive) |
1978 Corvette Options
| RPO: | Description | Production: | Price |
| Pace Car Replica (included RPO A31, AU3, CC1, C49, C60, D35, N37, QBS, UA1, UM2, U75, U81, YJ8, ZX2 and special seats) | 6,502 (13.90%) | $13,653.20 | |
| A31 | Power Windows | 36,931 (78.95%) | $130.00 |
| AU3 | Power Door Locks | 12,187 (26.05%) | $120.00 |
| B2Z | Silver Anniversary Paint | 15,283 (32.67%) | $399.00 |
| C49 | Rear Window Defogger | 30,912 (66.09%) | $95.00 |
| C60 | Air Conditioning | 37,638 (80.46%) | $605.00 |
| CC1 | Removable Glass Roof Panels | 972 (2.08%) | $349.00 |
| D35 | Sport Mirrors | 38,405 (82.10%) | $40.00 |
| FE7 | Gymkhana Suspension | 12,590 (26.92%) | $41.00 |
| G95 | Optional Rear Axle Ratio | 382 (0.82%) | $15.00 |
| K30 | Cruise Control | 31,608 (67.57%) | $99.00 |
| L82 | 350 cu. in. 220hp Engine | 12,739 (27.23%) | $525.00 |
| M21 | 4-Speed Manual Transmission, close ratio | 3,385 (7.24%) | n/a |
| MX1 | Automatic Transmission | 38,614 (82.55%) | n/a |
| N37 | Tilt-Telescopic Steering Column | 37,858 (80.93%) | $175.00 |
| NA6 | High Altitude Emission Equipment (Manual transmission and L82 not available) | 260 (0.56%) | $33.00 |
| QBS | White Letter SBR Tires, P255 / 60R15 | 18,296 (39.11%) | $216.32 |
| QGR | White Letter SBR Tires, P225 / 70R15 | 26,203 (56.02%) | $51.00 |
| U58 | AM-FM Radio, stereo | 10,189 (21.78%) | $286.00 |
| U69 | AM-FM Radio | 2,057 (4.40%) | $199.00 |
| U75 | Power Antenna | 23,069 (49.32%) | $49.00 |
| U81 | Dual Rear Speakers | 12,340 (26.38%) | $49.00 |
| UA1 | Heavy Duty Battery | 28,243 (60.38%) | $18.00 |
| UM2 | AM-FM Radio, stereo with 8-track tape | 20,899 (44.68%) | $419.00 |
| UP6 | AM-FM Radio, stereo with CB | 7,138 (15.26%) | $638.00 |
| YF5 | California Emission Certification (Manual transmission and L82 not available) | 3,405 (7.28%) | $75.00 |
| YJ8 | Aluminum Wheels (4) | 28,008 (59.88%) | $340.00 |
| ZN1 | Trailer Package | 972 (2.08%) | $89.00 |
| ZX2 | Convenience Group | 37,222 (79.57%) | $84.00 |
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Total Production:
46,776
Notes: Base Corvette Coupe with 350 cu. in. 185 hp engine and wide ratio four speed manual transmission: $9,351.89. |
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Colors
| Code | Exterior | Quantity | Interior | Wheels | |
| 10 | Classic White | 4,150 (8.87%) | Black / Dark Blue / Dark Brown / Light Beige / Oyster / Mahogany / Red | Silver | |
| 13 | Silver | 3,232 (6.91%) | Black / Dark Blue / Mahogany / Red | Silver | |
| 13/0 | Silver Anniversary | 15,283 (32.67%) | Black / Oyster / Red | Alloy | |
| 19 | Black | 4,573 (9.78%) | Black / Light Beige / Mahogany / Oyster / Red | Silver | |
| 19/4 | Black / Silver | 6,502 (13.90%) | Silver | Alloy | |
| 26 | Corvette Light Blue | 1,960 (4.19%) | Dark Blue | Silver | |
| 52 | Corvette Yellow | 1,243 (2.66%) | Black / Dark Brown / Oyster | Silver | |
| 59 | Corvette Light Beige | 1,686 (3.60%) | Black / Dark Blue / Dark Brown / Light Beige / Mahogany | Silver | |
| 72 | Corvette Red | 2,074 (4.43%) | Black / Light Beige / Oyster / Red | Silver | |
| 82 | Corvette Mahogany | 2,121 (4.53%) | Black / Dark Brown / Light Beige / Mahogany / Oyster | Silver | |
| 83 | Corvette Dark Blue | 2,084 (4.46%) | Dark Blue / Light Beige / Oyster | Silver | |
| 89 | Corvette Dark Brown | 1,991 (4.26%) | Dark Brown / Light Beige / Oyster | Silver | |