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1980 Specs

More About the 1980 Corvette
1980 Chevrolet Corvette C3 GM Factory Photograph

1980 Chevrolet Corvette C3 GM Factory Photograph

Close1980 Chevrolet Corvette C3 GM Factory Photograph

Body Specs

Wheelbase: 98.0 inches
Overhang (Front): 42.4 inches
Overhang (Rear): 44.9 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
Ground Clearance
Differential to Ground: 		5.7 inches
Ground Clearance
Front Suspension to Ground: 		6.6 inches
Ground Clearance
Front Bumper to Ground: 		10.8 inches
Ground Clearance
Exhaust System to Ground: 		5.5 inches
Ground Clearance
Rear Bumper to Ground: 		11.8 inches
Ground Clearance
Oil Pan to Ground: 		5.4 inches
Ground Clearance
Flywheel Housing to Ground: 		5.4 inches
Ground Clearance
Rear Axle to Ground: 		5.7 inches
Ground Clearance
Fuel Tank to Ground: 		16.2 inches
Minimum Ground Clearance: 4.1 inches
(Measured at Catalytic Converter)
Overall Height: 48.1 inches
Rocker Panel to Ground (Front): 8.1 inches
Rocker Panel to Ground (Rear): 7.7 inches
Luggage Capacity: 8.4 Cubic Feet
Cowl Height: 35.4 inches
Effective Head Room: 36.2 inches
Shoulder Room: 47.5 inches
Hip Room: 49.9 inches
Tire Size: P225/70R15
Recommended Tire Inflation: 35 PSI Front; 35 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
Four Speed Transmission: 1st Gear 2.88:1
2nd Gear 1.91:1
3rd Gear 1.33:1
4th Gear 1.00:1
Reverse Gear 2.78:1
Transmission Lubricant Type: GL-5 Gear Lubricant
80W or 80W-90
Lubricant Capacity: Four Speed Manual: 3.4 Quarts
Differential Lubricant Type: GL-5
SAE 80W-90
Differential Lubricant Capacity: 3.75 pints
Axle Ratio: Automatic, Four Speed Manual
3.07:1
Transmission Synchromesh: All Four Gears
Standard Fuel Tank Capacity: 24 Gallons (Approximately)
Steering Wheel Diameter: 14.5 inches
Steering Ratio: 16.1:1
Wheel Turns: 2.58
Turning Diameters: 41.3 feet (Curb to Curb)
40.4 feet (Wall to Wall)

EPA Fuel Economy

49 State: 13 mpg
California: 13 mpg

Weight

Model 1YZ87 Sport Coupe: (Curb)
Front: 1,587 lb.
Rear: 1,747 lb.
Total: 3,334 lb.
(Shipping)
Front: 1,618 lb.
Rear: 1,588 lb.
Total: 3,206 lb.
Curb Weight: Shipping weight plus gasoline to capacity.
Shipping Weight: Weight of the basic vehicle with regular equipment, including grease, oil, engine coolant to capacity and 3 gallons of gasoline.
Power to Weight Ratio
190 Horsepower Standard L48 Engine, Four Speed Transmission:
3,633 lb.: 		Pounds / Horsepower: 19.12
190 Horsepower Standard L48 Engine, Automatic Transmission:
3,658 lb.: 		Pounds / Horsepower: 19.25
230 Horsepower L82 Engine
Automatic Transmission:
3,678 lb.: 		Pounds / Horsepower: 15.99
180 Horsepower LG4 Engine
California Only
Automatic Transmission:
3,654 lb.: 		Pounds / Horsepower: 20.30
Weight Differentials
Power Door Locks (RPO AU3): +2.3 lb.
L82 Engine : +56 lb.
With Automatic Transmission +23.8 lb.
(+14.5 lb. Front; +9.3 lb. Rear)
Standard L48 Engine
With Turbo Hydra Matic Transmission: 		+38 lb.
305 cubic inch Engine
(California Only, RPO LG4)
With Turbo Hydra Matic Transmission: 		+35 lb.
Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
(RPO U58): 		+10 lb.
(+6 lb. Front; +4 lb. Rear)
Radio, AM/FM Stereo With CB
(RPO UP6): 		+10 lb.
(+6 lb. Front; +4 lb. Rear)
Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
With Tape Player(8-Track)
(RPO UM2): 		+13 lb.
(+7 lb. Front; +6 lb. Rear)
Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
With Tape Player (Cassette)
(RPO UN3): 		+12 lb.
(+7 lb. Front; +5 lb. Rear)
Gymkhana Suspension
(RPO FE7): 		+5.3 lb.
(+5.3 lb. Front; +0 lb. Rear)
Power Antenna
(RPO U75): 		+2.2 lb.
(+0 lb. Front; +2.2 lb. Rear)
Aluminum Wheels
(RPO N90): 		-38.8 lb.
(-19.4 lb. Front; -19.4 lb. Rear)
Glass Roof Panels
(RPO CC1): 		+13.6 lb.
(+4.8 lb. Front; +8.8 lb. Rear)
Speaker, Auxiliary
(RPO U81): 		+2.6 lb.
(+0 lb. Front; +2.6 lb. Rear)
Speed and Cruise Control
(RPO K30): 		+5.3 lb.
(+5.3 lb. Front; +0 lb. Rear)
Defogger, Rear Window
(RPO C49): 		+1 lb.
Carrier-Roof Panel
(RPO K30): 		+15.9 lb.
(+0 lb. Front; +15.9 lb. Rear)
Power Antenna, Tri-Band
(RPO U83): 		+2.2 lb.
(+0 lb. Front; +2.2 lb. Rear)

Engine Specs

Type:: V8
Valve Location:: In Head
Bore / Stroke:: 4.00" / 3.48" (Standard, L82 350 Cubic Inch)
3.736" / 3.48" (LG4, California Only)
Displacement:: Standard, L82 Engines: 350 Cubic Inches
(5.7 Liters)
California Only LG4: 305 Cubic Inches
(5.0 Liters)
Compression Ratio:: 8.2:1 (Standard Engine)
8.9:1 (L82 Engine)
8.6:1 (LG4 Engine)
Cylinder Head Material:: High Chrome Cast Alloy Iron
Cylinder Block Material:: Cast Alloy Iron
Oil Pump Type:: Gear
Normal Oil Pressure: 45 psi @ 2,000 RPM
Oil Pressure Gauge: Electrical
Crankcase Oil Capacity, Standard, L82 Engines: 4.0 Quarts, Less Filter
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: 7.50 - 9.00 PSI
Cooling System Capacity: 21.5 Quarts (305 cubic inch)
21.6 Quarts (350 cubic inch)
Thermostat Type: Pellet
Radiator Cap Relief Pressure: 15 PSI
Battery: 12 volt - 3,500 Watts
Thermostat Opening: 192° - 198° F
Fully Opened at 227°
Brakes
Type: Caliper Disc, Four Wheel Hydraulic
Gross Lining Area: 86.30 Square Inches
Swept Area: 498.30 Square Inches
Disc: Vented
Horsepower
Standard Engine (350 cubic inch): 190 hp @ 4,400 RPM;
Torque: 280 lb-ft @ 2,400 RPM
California LG4 (305 cubic inch)
180 hp @ 4,200 RPM;
Torque: 255 lb-ft @ 2,000 RPM
RPO L82 (350 cubic inch): 230 hp @ 5,200 RPM;
Torque: 275 lb-ft. @ 3,600 RPM
Ignition System
Ignition Timing Centrifugal Advance: Distributor | 1103287 | Base Engine
Manual Transmission
Start: 0° @ 1,200 RPM
Intermediate: 12° @ 2,000 RPM
Maximum: 22° @ 4,200 RPM
Distributor | 1103368 | LG4 Base Engine
(California Only)
Automatic Transmission
Start: 0° @ 1,000 RPM
Intermediate: 10° @ 1,700 RPM
Maximum: 20° @ 3,800 RPM
Distributor | 1103353 | L48 Base Engine
California, Automatic Only
Start: 0° @ 1,100 RPM
Intermediate: 12° @ 1,600 RPM
Maximum: 22° @ 4,600 RPM
Distributor | 1103435 | L82 Engine
Start: 0° @ 1,100 RPM
Intermediate: 12° @ 1,600 RPM
Maximum: 22° @ 4,600 RPM
Ignition Timing Vacuum Advance: Distributor | 1103287 | Base Engine
Start: 0° @ 6 inches Hg
Maximum: 15° @ 12 inches Hg
Distributor | 1103368 | LG4 Base Engine
(California Only)
Start: 0° @ 4 inches Hg
Maximum: 10° @ 8 inches Hg
Distributor | 1103353 | L48 Base Engine
Start: 0° @ 4 inches Hg
Maximum: 20° @ 10 inches Hg
Distributor | 1103435 | L82 Engine
Start: 0° @ 3 inches Hg
Maximum: 16° @ 6.5 inches Hg
Initial Timing: Distributor | 1103287 | Base L48 Engine
8° BTC
Distributor | 1103368 | LG4 Base Engine
(California Only)
4° BTC
Distributor | 1103353 | L48 Base Engine
6° BTC - Automatic Transmission
Distributor | 1103291 | L82 Engine
12° BTC @ 900 RPM
Spark Plug: R43TS
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

1980 Corvette Options

RPO: Description Production:    Price
AU3 Power Door Locks 32,692 (80.49%) $140.00
C49 Rear Window Defogger 36,589 (90.09%) $109.00
CC1 Removable Glass Roof Panels 19,695 (48.49%) $391.00
F51 Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers 1,695 (4.17%) $35.00
FE7 Gymkhana Suspension 9,907 (24.39%) $55.00
K30 Cruise Control 30,821 (75.89%) $123.00
L82 350 cu. in. 230hp Engine 5,069 (12.48%) $595.00
LG4 305ci, 180hp Engine (required in California) 3,221 (7.93%) n/a
MM4 4-Speed Manual Transmission 5,726 (14.10%) n/a
MX1 Automatic Transmission 34,838 (85.78%) n/a
N90 Aluminum Wheels (4) 34,128 (84.03%) $407.00
QGB White Letter SBR Tires, P225 / 70R15 26,208 (64.53%) $62.00
QXH White Letter SBR Tires, P255 / 60R15 13,140 (32.35%) $426.16
U58 AM-FM Radio, stereo 6,138 (15.11%) $46.00
U75 Power Antenna 32,863 (80.92%) $56.00
U81 Dual Rear Speakers 36,650 (90.24%) $52.00
UA1 Heavy Duty Battery 1,337 (3.29%) $22.00
UL5 Radio Delete 201 (0.49%) n/a
UM2 AM-FM Radio, stereo with 8-track 15,708 (38.68%) $155.00
UN3 AM-FM Radio, stereo with cassette 15,148 (37.30%) $168.00
UP6 AM-FM Radio, stereo with CB 2,434 (5.99%) $391.00
V54 Roof Panel Carrier 3,755 (9.25%) $125.00
YF5 California Emission Certification 3,221 (7.93%) $250.00
ZN1 Trailer Package 796 (1.96%) $105.00

Total Production: 40,614
Coupe: 40,614 (100.00%)

Notes: Base Corvette Coupe with 350 cu. in. 190 hp engine: $13,140.24. Price went up a number of times during the year and settled at $14,345.24. Manual or automatic transmission was a no-cost buyers choice. California buyers got a 305 cu. in. 180 hp engine and a $50 credit.

Colors

Code Exterior Quantity Interior Wheels
10 White 7,780 (19.16%) Black / Claret / Dark Blue / Doeskin / Oyster / Red Silver
13 Silver 4,341 (10.69%) Black / Claret / Dark Blue / Oyster / Red Silver
19 Black 7,250 (17.85%) Black / Doeskin / Oyster / Red Silver
28 Dark Blue 4,135 (10.18%) Black / Dark Blue / Doeskin / Oyster / Red Silver
47 Dark Brown 2,300 (5.66%) Black / Doeskin / Oyster Silver
52 Yellow 2,077 (5.11%) Black / Oyster Silver
58 Dark Green 844 (2.08%) Black / Doeskin / Oyster Silver
59 Frost Beige 3,070 (7.56%) Black / Claret / Dark Blue / Doeskin / Oyster Silver
76 Dark Claret 3,451 (8.50%) Black / Claret / Doeskin / Oyster Silver
83 Red 5,714 (14.07%) Black / Doeskin / Oyster / Red Silver

1980 Corvette