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1978 Chevrolet Corvette C3 Pace Car Edition
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1978 Corvette Specs

Body Specs

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
Ground Clearance
Differential to Ground
5.7 inches
Ground Clearance
Front Bumper to Ground
10.8 inches
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
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
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
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)


EPA Fuel Economy

49 State City: 14 mpg
Highway: 19 mpg
Combined: 16 mpg
California City: 13 mpg
Highway: 18 mpg
Combined: 15 mpg


Weight

Model 19437 Sport Coupe (Curb)
Front: 1,679 lb.
Rear: 1,850 lb.
Total: 3,529 lb.
(Shipping)
Front: 1,707 lb.
Rear: 1,694 lb.
Total: 3,401 lb.
Shipping Weight: Coolant to capacity and three gallons gasoline.
Curb Weight: Shipping weight plus gasoline to capacity.

Power to Weight Ratio
185 Horsepower Standard L48 Engine, Four Speed Transmission:
3,829 lb.
Pounds / Horsepower: 20.70
175 Horsepower L48 Standard Engine, California Specification
Four Speed Transmission:
3,829 lb.
Pounds / Horsepower: 21.88
185 Horsepower Standard L48 Engine, Automatic Transmission:
3,863 lb.
Pounds / Horsepower: 20.88
175 Horsepower Standard L48 Engine, California Specification
Automatic Transmission:
3,863 lb.
Pounds / Horsepower: 22.07
220 Horsepower L82 Engine
Four Speed Transmission:
3,849 lb.
Pounds / Horsepower: 17.50
220 Horsepower L82 Engine, Automatic Transmission:
3,883 lb.
Pounds / Horsepower: 17.65

Weight Differentials
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
Standard L48 Engine
With Turbo Hydra Matic Transmission
+34 lb.
(+21 lb. Front; +13 lb. Rear)
Tilt / Telescopic Steering Wheel
(RPO N37)
+2 lb.
(+2 lb. Front; +0 lb. Rear)
Gymkhana Suspension
(RPO FE7)
+7 lb.
(+3 lb. Front; +4 lb. Rear)
Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
(RPO U58)
+13 lb.
(+7 lb. Front; +6 lb. Rear)
Radio, AM/FM Pushbutton
(RPO U69)
+13 lb.
(+7 lb. Front; +6 lb. Rear)
Radio, AM/FM Stereophonic
With Tape Player
(RPO UM2)
+15 lb.
(+8 lb. Front; +7 lb. Rear)
Heavy Duty Battery
(RPO UA1)
+5 lb.
(+0 lb. Front; +5 lb. Rear)
Power Antenna
(RPO U75)
+4 lb.


Engine Specs

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°

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) 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

Ignition System
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

Total Production: 46,776
Coupe: 46,776 (100.00%)

Notes: Base Corvette Coupe with 350 cu. in. 185 hp engine and wide ratio four speed manual transmission: $9,351.89.
Limited Edition Pace Car Replica Corvette with 350 cu. in. 185 hp engine and wide ratio four speed manual transmission: $13,653.21.

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


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All years and generations are covered, from 1953 to 2014. Over 350 photographs and detailed text are included.

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