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1981 Specs

More About the 1981 Corvette
1981 Chevrolet Corvette C3

1981 Chevrolet Corvette C3

Close1981 Chevrolet Corvette C3

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: 185.3 inches
Ground Clearance
Differential to Ground: 		12.9 inches
Ground Clearance
Front Bumper to Ground: 		9.4 inches
Ground Clearance
Rear Bumper to Ground: 		11.4 inches
Ground Clearance
Rear Axle to Ground: 		12.9 inches
Minimum Ground Clearance: 4.1 inches
(Measured at Catalytic Converter)
Overall Height: 48.1 inches
Rocker Panel to Ground (Front): 8.0 inches
Rocker Panel to Ground (Rear): 7.7 inches
Luggage Capacity: 8.4 Cubic Feet
Cowl Height: 35.4 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 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
Axle Ratio: Automatic, Four Speed Manual
2.72:1, 2.87:1
Transmission Synchromesh: All Four Gears
Standard Fuel Tank Capacity: 24 Gallons (Approximately)
Steering Ratio: 16.1:1
Steering Wheel Diameter: 14.5 inches
Wheel Turns: 2.58
Turning Diameters: 40.4 feet (Curb to Curb)
41.3 feet (Wall to Wall)

EPA Fuel Economy

49 State: 15 mpg (Automatic)
14 mpg (Manual)
California: 15 mpg (Automatic)
14 mpg (Manual)

Weight

Model 1YY87 Sport Coupe: (Curb)
Front: 1,594 lb.
Rear: 1,713 lb.
Total: 3,307 lb.
(Shipping)
Total: 3,179 lb.
Curb Weight: The calculated weight of a vehicle with standard equipment, only as designed with the additional load of oils, lubes coolants and fuel all filled to capacity.
Shipping Weight: Same as base curb weight except 3 gallons of gasoline.
Weight Differentials
Standard Engine
With Turbo Hydra Matic Transmission: 		+38.2 lb.
(+22.4 lb. Front; +15.8 lb. Rear)
Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
(RPO U58): 		+10 lb.
(+6 lb. Front; +4 lb. Rear)
Radio, AM/FM Stereo With CB,
8 Track Tape Player
(RPO UM5): 		+1.2 lb.
(+.8 lb. Front; +.4 lb. Rear)
Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
With Cassette Tape Player
(RPO UM6): 		+1.2 lb.
(+.8 lb. Front; +.4 lb. Rear)
Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
With 8 Track Tape Player
(RPO UM4): 		+2.8 lb.
(+1.4 lb. Front; +1.4 lb. Rear)
Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
With CB, Cassette Tape Player
(RPO UN5): 		+1.2 lb.
(+.8 lb. Front; +.4 lb. Rear)
Gymkhana Suspension
(RPO FE7): 		+37.0 lb.
(+5.2 lb. Front; +31.8 lb. Rear)
Power Antenna
All Radios Except Citizen's Band
(RPO U75): 		+3.6 lb.
(-0.8 lb. Front; +4.4 lb. Rear)
Aluminum Wheels
(RPO N90): 		-47.1 lb.
(-23.8 lb. Front; -23.3 lb. Rear)
Glass Roof Panels
(RPO CC1): 		+14.6 lb.
(+4.4 lb. Front; +10.2 lb. Rear)
Carrier-Roof Panel
(RPO K30): 		+7.0 lb.
(-1.8 lb. Front; +8.8 lb. Rear)

Engine Specs

Type:: V8
Valve Location:: In Head
Bore / Stroke:: 4.00" / 3.48"
Displacement:: 350 Cubic Inches
(5.7 Liters)
Compression Ratio:: 8.2:1
Cylinder Head Material:: High Chrome Cast Alloy Iron
Cylinder Block Material:: Cast Alloy Iron
Oil Pump Type:: Gear
Crankcase Oil Capacity: 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 in Gasoline Tank and
Paper Filter Element in Carburetor Inlet.
Fuel Pump: Mechanical
Fuel Pressure: 7.5 - 9.0 PSI
Cooling System Capacity: 21.6 Quarts
Radiator Cap Relief Pressure: 15 PSI
Battery: 12 volt - 115 Minute Reserve Capacity
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 @ 4,200 RPM;
Torque: 280 lb-ft @ 1,600 RPM
Ignition System
Ignition Timing Centrifugal Advance: Does Not Apply
Ignition Timing Vacuum Advance: Does Not Apply
Initial Timing: Distributor | 1103443 | Base Engine
6° BTC
Manual / Automatic
Spark Plug: R45TS
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)

1981 Corvette Options

RPO: Description Production:    Price
A42 Power Driver Seat 29,200 (71.91%) $183.00
AU3 Power Door Locks 36,322 (89.45%) $145.00
C49 Rear Window Defogger 36,893 (90.86%) $119.00
CC1 Removable Glass Roof Panels 29,095 (71.65%) $414.00
D84 Two-Tone Paint 5,352 (13.18%) $399.00
DG7 Electric Sport Mirrors 13,567 (33.41%) $117.00
F51 Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers 1,128 (2.78%) $37.00
FE7 Gymkhana Suspension 7,803 (19.22%) $57.00
G92 Performance Axle Ratio 2,400 (5.91%) $20.00
K35 Cruise Control 32,522 (80.09%) $155.00
MM4 4-Speed Manual Transmission 5,757 (14.18%) n/a
N90 Aluminum Wheels (4) 36,485 (89.85%) $428.00
QGR White Letter SBR Tires, P225 / 70R15 21,939 (54.03%) $72.00
QXH White Letter SBR Tires, P255 / 60R15 18,004 (44.34%) $491.92
U58 AM-FM Radio, stereo 5,145 (12.67%) $95.00
U75 Power Antenna 32,903 (81.03%) $55.00
UL5 Radio Delete 315 (0.78%) n/a
UM4 AM-FM Radio, etc stereo with 8-track 8,262 (20.35%) $386.00
UM5 AM-FM Radio, etc stereo with 8-track/CB 792 (1.95%) $712.00
UM6 AM-FM Radio, etc stereo with cassette 22,892 (56.38%) $423.00
UN5 AM-FM Radio, etc stereo with cassette/CB 2,349 (5.78%) $750.00
V54 Roof Panel Carrier 3,303 (8.13%) $135.00
YF5 California Emission Certification 4,951 (12.19%) $46.00
ZN1 Trailer Package 916 (2.26%) $110.00

Total Production: 40,606
Coupe: 40,606 (100.00%)

Notes: Base Corvette Coupe with 350 cu. in. 190 hp engine: $16,258.52.
Manual or automatic transmission was a no-cost buyers choice.

Colors

Code Exterior Quantity Interior
06 Mahogany Metallic 1,092 (2.69%) Camel / Dark Red
10 White 6,387 (15.73%) Black / Charcoal / Camel / Dark Blue / Dark Red / Medium Red / Silver Grey
13 Silver Metallic 2,590 (6.38%) Black / Charcoal / Dark Blue / Medium Red / Silver Grey
19 Black 4,712 (11.60%) Black / Charcoal / Camel / Dark Red / Medium Red / Silver Grey
24 Bright Blue Metallic 1 (0.00%) Charcoal / Camel / Dark Blue / Silver Grey
28 Dark Blue Metallic 2,522 (6.21%) Camel / Dark Blue / Medium Red / Silver Grey
33 Silver Metallic 3,369 (8.30%) Charcoal / Dark Blue / Dark Red / Silver Grey
33/38 Silver / Dark Blue n/a Dark Blue / Silver Gray
33/39 Silver / Charcoal n/a Charcoal / Silver Gray
38 Dark Blue Metallic 496 (1.22%) Camel / Dark Blue / Silver Grey
39 Charcoal Metallic 613 (1.51%) Charcoal / Dark Red / Silver Grey
50 Beige 2,239 (5.51%) Charcoal / Camel / Dark Blue / Dark Red
50/74 Beige / Dark Bronze n/a Camel
52 Yellow 1,031 (2.54%) Black / Charcoal / Camel
59 Beige 3,842 (9.46%) Camel / Dark Blue / Dark
74 Dark Bronze 432 (1.06%) Charcoal / Camel
75 Red 4,310 (10.61%) Black / Charcoal / Camel / Medium Red / Silver Grey
79 Maroon Metallic 1,618 (3.98%) Black / Charcoal / Camel / Medium Red / Silver Grey
80 Autumn Red 1,505 (3.71%) Charcoal / Camel / Dark Red / Silver Grey
80/98 Autumn Red / Dark Claret n/a Dark Red / Silver Gray
84 Charcoal Metallic 3,485 (8.58%) Black / Charcoal / Camel / Medium Red / Silver Grey
98 Dark Claret Metallic n/a Camel / Dark Red / Silver

Notes: The vast color choices was due to the fact that 1981 Corvettes were built at both the St. Louis MO and Bowling Green KY plants.

1981 Corvette