1993 Chevrolet Corvette: Specs, Performance & History

1993 Corvette Browse the article 1993 Corvette

1993 Corvette

With the Dodge Viper outpacing Chevy's "King of the Hill" ZR-1, and the standard LT1 engine nipping at its heels, the LT5 was appropriately beefed up for the 1993 Corvette. Modifications to the valvetrain and cylinder heads -- along with the use of platinum-tipped spark plugs and synthetic oil -- enabled the engine to produce 405 bhp (up from 375 bhp), while a new exhaust gas recirculation system also improved emissions control.

A "passive keyless entry" system was a new option for the 1993 Corvette.

Not to be ignored, the standard LT1 engine gained 10 pounds/foot of torque, now up to 340 pounds/foot, and ran more smoothly and quietly, thanks to a host of internal improvements.

To aid handling, base models followed the ZR-1's lead by adopting different width tires at the front and rear. The front tires were narrowed slightly to 255/45ZR17 and their rims slimmed by one inch, to 8.5 inches. The rear tires were widened slightly, to 285/40ZR17, on the same 9.5-inch wheels as before.

A newly optional passive keyless entry system that was unique to the Corvette automatically locked or unlocked the doors as the driver left or approached the car. The proximity-based system engaged or disengaged when a specially encoded keyfob sensor entered or left a magnetic field that surrounded the vehicle. In addition to unlocking the doors when in range, the system would also turn on the interior lights and disengage the alarm system, and it could be programmed to unlock either just the driver's door or the passenger's as well.

The 40th Anniversary 1993 Corvette featured Ruby Red
paint and matching leather-lined cockpit.

With the Corvette reaching yet another milestone in 1993, another special edition was prepared: The 40th Anniversary Edition, RPO Z25, cost $1,455 and included Ruby Red paint, matching leather seats and wheel centers, and special badges; it was ordered on 6,749 cars. In addition, all cars equipped with leather seats came with 40th Anniversary embroidery on the headrests, while standard black cloth seats remained unadorned.

Florida-based Greenwood Automotive Performance offered its ultra-high-performance G572 for 1993, which was a souped-up Corvette coupe with functional aero body panels and a reinforced chassis. Under the hood was an aluminum-block-and-head 9.4-liter (572 cid) Chevy V-8 rated at 575 bhp at 5400 rpm; it was mated to a GM four-speed automatic transmission. The modified Corvette could reach 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, the quarter-mile in 11.5 at 135 mph, and a top speed of 218, all for $179,333.

Despite the added oomph to its LT5 engine, ZR-1 sales remained at a mere trickle, with only 448 produced for 1993. Overall, however, Corvette sales rose for the first time in four years, to a final tally of 21,590 units.

Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:

1984 Corvette
1985 Corvette
1986 Corvette
1987 Corvette
1988 Corvette
1989 Corvette1990 Corvette1991 Corvette1992 Corvette1993 Corvette1994 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.

1993 Corvette Specifications

The 1993 Corvette followed the progression of C4 Corvettes with improved torque, handling, keyless entry, and high-performance options that made it a slick and fun ride. Here are the specifications for the 1993 Corvette:

The 1993 Corvette convertible top was manual, but was quick and easy to
put up or down. Corvette sold 5,692 convertibles in 1993.

Vehicle Specifications
Hatchback Hatchback (ZR-1)
Convertible
Wheelbase, inches
96.2
96.2
96.2
Length, inches
178.5
178.6
178.6
Width, inches
70.7
73.1
70.7
Track, inches
front: 57.7 rear: 59.1
front: 57.7 rear: 60.6
front: 57.7 rear: 59.1
Height, inches
46.3
46.4
47.3
Curb weight, pounds
3,333
3,465
3,383

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
front: P255/45ZR-17 (ZR-1, P275/40ZR-17)
rear: P285/40ZR-17 (ZR-1, P315/35ZR-17)

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

Typeohv V-8dohc V-8Displacement, liters/cu inch
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 @ 5,000405 @ 5,800 Torque @ rpm, pound-foot340 @ 4,000385 @ 5,200

Published Performance Numbers

Acceleration
300 hp, 6-speed manual
405 hp, 6-speed manual
0-60 mph, sec
5.6
4.9
0-100 mph, sec
NA
NA
1/4-mile, sec @ mph
14.0 @ 101.7
13.1 @ 109.6

Source: Motor Trend

Vehicle Production and Base Prices

Car Type
Production Price 2-door coupe
15,898
$34,595.002-door convertible
5,692
41,195.00

Options and Production

Option Production PriceBase Seats, leather
8,509
$475.00
Base Seats, white leather
766
555.00
Sport Seats, leather
11,267
1,100.00
Sport Seats, white leather
622
1,180.00
Power Passenger Seat
18,067
305.00
Power Driver Seat
20,626
305.00
Auxiliary Hardtop
976
1,995.00
Dual Removable Roof Panels
4,204
950.00
Removable Roof Panel, blue tint
6,203
650.00
Removable Roof Panel, bronze tint
4,288
650.00
Electronic Air Conditioning Control
19,550
205.00
Selective Ride and Handling, electronic
5,740
1,695.00
Performance Axle Ratio
2,630
50.00
6-Speed Manual Transmission
5,330
0.00
California Emission Requirements2,401
100.00
Low Tire Pressure Warning Indicator
3,353
325.00
Stereo System, Delco-Bose
2,685
823.00
Stereo System w/CD, Delco-Bose16,794
1,219.00
Luggage Rack (convertible)
765
140.00
Adjustable Suspension Package (coupe)
824
2,045.00
40th Anniversary Package
6,749
1,455.00
Special Performance Package (ZR-1 coupe)
448
31,683.00

Color Choices and Production

Color Choice
Production Color Choice
Production
Arctic White
3,031
Black
2,684
Bright Aqua Metallic1,305
Polo Green II Metallic2,189
Competition Yellow
517
Ruby Red
6,749
Torch Red
3,172
Black Rose Metallic935
Dark Red Metallic325
Quasar Blue Metallic683

Learn about other Corvettes in this generation:

1984 Corvette
1985 Corvette
1986 Corvette
1987 Corvette
1988 Corvette
1989 Corvette1990 Corvette1991 Corvette1992 Corvette1993 Corvette1994 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.