1992 Corvette
While Chevrolet would unveil a concept car called the Stingray III at the North American International Auto Show in January 1992, it was announced that the C4 generation would have to remain in production at least until 1997. Fortunately, it would continue with added power for the 1992 Corvette -- a boost of 50 bhp to be exact -- thanks to a new version of the standard pushrod small-block engine, dubbed LT1.
The one-millionth Corvette was produced on July 2, 1992.
The LT1 was also the first Chevrolet powerplant to use "reverse flow cooling," in which the engine routed coolant directly to the cylinder heads, rather than sending it through the block first. This was said to allow higher bore temperatures and reduced ring friction, and also help cooling at key points. Mobil 1 synthetic oil was now used at the factory and was recommended for subsequent changes; the use of synthetic oil precluded the need for an engine-oil cooler, which was no longer offered as an option.
As
could be expected, the motoring press greeted the new standard engine with
gusto. Perhaps what Chevrolet did not expect was that most reviewers would also
conclude that the LT1 and its 300 bhp tended to make the ZR-1 with its 75 extra
horsepower -- not to mention its steep sticker price -- somewhat irrelevant. Car and Driver, for example, found that
while the ZR-1 could hit 60 mph from a standing start in 4.7 seconds, the LT1
could reach it in just 5.1 seconds. While the magazine's top speed of 179 mph
for the King of the Hill still reigned supreme, few rational motorists could
argue that the 161 mph top-end the LT1 reached wasn't enough. On paper and in
buyers' minds, the extra $31,683 tariff for the ZR-1's dwindling performance
premium hardly seemed worth it, and only a scant 502 buyers ordered RPO ZR1.
All 1992 Corvettes benefited from a new standard traction-control system called Acceleration Slip Regulation, which was developed in conjunction with Germany's Bosch. It used the ABS sensors to detect rear-wheel slip and apply the brakes to the affected wheels and/or throttle back power to maintain traction. A dashboard switch could be activated to disable the system. Further helping the car hug the road to match the LT1 powerplant's added muscle were standard new directional/asymmetrical-tread Goodyear GS-C tires.
Otherwise,
physical changes were nominal at best for '92. The car's twin exhaust outlets
were now rectangular in shape, and the ZR-1 acquired additional identifying
emblems on its side fenders.
The
1-millionth Corvette, a white convertible with specially stitched headrests,
rolled off the Bowling Green assembly line on
Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:
1985 Corvette
1986 Corvette
1987 Corvette
1988 Corvette
1989 Corvette1990 Corvette1991 Corvette1992 Corvette1993 Corvette
1994 Corvette
1995 Corvette
1996 Corvette
Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:
- Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
- Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
- Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
- Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
- Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
- Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.
1992 Corvette Specifications
With a beefed-up new engine, the 1992 Corvette was more powerful. The newly standard Automatic Slip Regulation traction control also made it a delight to handle. Here are the specifications for the 1992 Corvette:
Base horsepower jumped by 50 for the 1992 Corvette as the L98
gave way to a much-modified version called LT1.
Vehicle Specifications
Hatchback Hatchback (ZR-1)
Convertible
Wheelbase, inches
96.2
96.2
96.2
Length, inches
178.6
178.6
176.6
Width, inches
71.0
73.2
71.0
Track, inches
front: 57.7 rear: 59.1
front: 57.7 rear: 60.6
front: 57.7 rear: 59.1
Height, inches
46.7
46.4
46.4
Curb weight, pounds
3,223
3,465
3,263
Mechanical Specifications (2-door hatchback/convertible)
Suspension
front: Independent; unequal length upper and lower A-arms, transverse fiberglass leaf spring, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, antiroll bar
rear: Independent, upper and lower trailing arms, lateral arms, tie rods, halfshafts, transverse fiberglass leaf springs, tubular hydraulic shock absorbers, antiroll bar
Wheels/Tires
P275/40ZR-17
(P315/35ZR-17 ZR-1, rear)
Brakes
front: anti-lock 11.9-inch disc
rear: anti-lock 11.9-inch disc
Transmission
4-speed automatic
6-speed manual
Standard axle ratio
3.45:1
Engine Specifications
5.7/350
5.7/350
Bore × Stroke, inches
4.00 x 3.48
3.90 x 3.66
Fuel ManagementMulti-Port Injection
Multi-Port Injection
Horsepower @ rpm300 @ 5,000375 @ 5,800 Torque @ rpm, pound-foot330 @ 4,000370 @ 4,800
Published Performance Numbers
300 hp, 6-speed manual
0-60 mph, sec
5.7
0-100 mph, sec
NA
1/4-mile, sec @ mph
14.1 @ 99.9
Source: Motor Trend
Vehicle Production and Base Prices
Car TypeProduction Price 2-door coupe
14,604
$33,635.002-door convertible
5,875
40,145.00
Options and Production
Option Production PriceBase Seats, leather10,565
$475.00
Base Seats, white leather
752
555.00
Sport Seats, leather
7,973
1,100.00
Sport Seats, white leather
709
1,180.00
Power Passenger Seat
16,179
305.00
Power Driver Seat
19,378
305.00
Auxiliary Hardtop
915
1,995.00
Dual Removable Roof Panels
3,739
950.00
Removable Roof Panel, blue tint
6,424
650.00
Removable Roof Panel, bronze tint
3,005
650.00
Electronic Air Conditioning Control
18,460
205.00
Selective Ride and Handling, electronic
5,840
1,695.00
Performance Axle Ratio
2,283
50.00
6-Speed Manual Transmission
5,487
0.00
California Emission Requirements3,092
100.00
Low Tire Pressure Warning Indicator
3,416
325.00
Stereo System, Delco-Bose
3,241
823.00
Stereo System w/CD, Delco-Bose15,199
1,219.00
Luggage Rack (convertible)
845
140.00
Adjustable Suspension Package (coupe)
738
2,045.00
Special Performance Package (coupe)
502
31,683.00
Color Choices and Production
Color Choice
Production Color Choice
Production
White
4,101
Yellow
678
Black
3,209
Bright Aqua Metallic
1,953
Polo Green II Metallic1,995
Black Rose Metallic
1,886
Dark Red Metallic1,148
Quasar Blue Metallic1,043
Bright Red
4,466
Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:
1985 Corvette
1986 Corvette
1987 Corvette
1988 Corvette
1989 Corvette1990 Corvette1991 Corvette1992 Corvette1993 Corvette
1994 Corvette
1995 Corvette
1996 Corvette
Looking for more information on Corvettes and other cars? See:
- Corvettes: Learn about the history behind each model year and see Corvette photographs.
- Corvette Specifications: Get key specifications, engine and transmission types, prices, and production totals.
- Corvette Museum: The National Corvette Museum draws Corvette lovers from all over the world. Learn more about the museum.
- Corvette Pictures: Find pictures of the hottest classic and current-year Corvettes.
- Muscle Cars: Get information on more than 100 tough-guy rides.
- Consumer Guide Corvette Reviews: Considering a Corvette purchase? See what Consumer Guide has to say.