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1992 Corvette LT1 Engine
Real Corvette Horsepower is Back

1992 Corvette With New LT! Engine
1992 Corvette: Official GM Photo.
1992 was a very good year for the Corvette.

Starting in the mid 1970s, emissions regulations became a significant part of the performance automotive scene. Power output dropped dramatically; the 1975 Corvette was rated at only 165 hp. Car enthusiasts were concerned. If the present was bad, what would the future, which promised more stringent regulations, be like? It did not look good.

They need not have worried. What happened was a long, slow and sometimes painful return to speedier times. Corvette engines steadily gained about five or fifteen horsepower almost every year. By 1991 the L98 base Corvette engine was rated at 250 hp.

It all changed drastically with the introduction of the LT1 motor in the 1992 Corvette.

Corvette LT1 Engine 5.7 Liter V8 Cutaway Drawing by David Kimble
Cutaway views of the new for 1992 Corvette LT1 engine.
1992 Corvette LT1 Engine cutaway view
1992 Corvette LT1 Engine Cutaway illustration by David Kimble
1992 Corvette LT1 Engine Cutaway illustration by David Kimble
Corvette LT1 engine The LT1 (above and right) was named after the highly regarded solid lifter small block LT-1 (note the hyphen) motor first used in the 1970 Corvette. The horsepower increased by 20% to 300 hp. This was accomplished by using computer controlled ignition timing, a low restriction exhaust system, a more aggressive camshaft profile and free-flow cylinder heads. Max. RPM was 5,700, a whopping 700 RPM more than its L98 predecessor.

Probably the most interesting change in the LT1 was the revised cooling system strategy. Most engines route the coolant from the water pump to the block and through the head(s). In the LT1, coolant took the opposite path, starting in the cylinder heads and then cooling the engine block. Cooling off the heads first enabled the LT1 to reach new horsepower levels.

Also worth noting: All LT1 engines left the factory with Mobil 1, the recommended lubricant. The synthetic 5W-30 engine oil eliminated the need for a separate oil cooler.

1992 Corvette C4 Convertible in Bright Red 1992 Corvette Coupe Dark Red Metallic
1992 Corvette Coupe in Quasar Blue Metallic 1992 Corvette Coupe in Quasar Blue Metallic


1992 Corvette brochure illustration
1992 Corvette - Official GM Photograph

1992 Corvette ASR and ABS Overview
More good news for 1992: The Corvette ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation) created by Bosch was introduced. Standard equipment on all Corvettes, it worked by retarding the engine spark, closing the throttle and brake intervention. The throttle cable relax feature was interesting. It communicated to the driver that the system was "taking over" by giving him/her a gentle push back on the gas pedal. It was designed with the performance oriented driver in mind and could be switched off.

There was a dark side to all the technological progress. The new "Opti-spark" distributor had problems and were recalled early in the production run. According to some sources, given enough time, they would all fail if not replaced.


1992 Corvette Specifications Summary Sheet Scan
Official Specifications, 1989 Chevrolet Corvette. Click on the image to view a larger illustration.

One Millionth Corvette title

Something special happened in 1992: The One Millionth Corvette was built! Click Here for details.


1992 Corvette Options, Prices

RPO Description Production Price
24S Removable Roof Panel, blue tint (coupe) 6,424 (31.37%) $650.00
64S Removable Roof Panel, bronze tint (coupe) 3,005 (14.67%) $650.00
AC1 Power Passenger Seat 16,179 (79.00%) $305.00
AC3 Power Driver Seat 19,378 (94.62%) $305.00
AQ9 Sports Seats, leather 7,973 (38.93%) $1,100.00
AQ9 Sports Seats, white leather 709 (3.46%) $1,180.00
AR9 Base Seats, white leather 752 (3.67%) $555.00
AR9 Base Seats, leather 10,565 (51.59%) $475.00
C2L Dual Removable Roof Panels (coupe) 3,739 (18.26%) $950.00
C68 Electronic Air Conditioning Control 18,460 (90.14%) $205.00
CC2 Auxiliary Hardtop (convertible) 915 (4.47%) $1,995.00
FX3 Selective Ride and Handling, electronic 5,840 (28.52%) $1,695.00
G92 Performance Axle Ratio 2,283 (11.15%) $50.00
MN6 6-Speed Manual Transmission 5,487 (26.79%) n/a
NN5 California Emission Requirements 3,092 (15.10%) $100.00
U1F Stereo System with CD, Delco-Bose 15,199 (74.22%) $1,219.00
UJ6 Low Tire Pressure Warning Indicator 3,416 (16.68%) $325.00
UU8 Stereo System, Delco-Bose 3,241 (15.83%) $823.00
V56 Luggage Rack (for convertible) 845 (4.13%) $140.00
Z07 Adjustable Suspension Package (coupe) 738 (3.60%) $2,045.00
ZR1 Special Performance Package (coupe) 502 (2.45%) $31,683.00

Total Production: 20,479
Coupe: 14,604 (71.31%)
Convertible: 5,875 (28.69%)

Notes: Base Corvette Coupe with 350 cu. in. 300 hp engine and four speed automatic transmission: $33,635.00.
Base Corvette Convertible with 350 cu. in. 300 hp engine and four speed automatic transmission: $40,145.00.

Colors

Code Exterior Quantity Interior Soft Top
10 White 4,101 (20.03%) Black / Light Beige / Light Gray / Red / White Blue / Beige / Black / Wh
35 Yellow 678 (3.31%) Black / Light Beige / Light Green / White Beige / Black / White
41 Black 3,209 (15.67%) Black / Light Beige / Light Gray / Red / White Beige / Black / White
43 Bright Aqua Metallic 1,953 (9.54%) Black / Light Beige / Light Green / White Beige / Black / White
45 Polo Green II Metallic 1,995 (9.74%) Black / Light Beige / White Beige / Black / White
73 Black Rose Metallic 1,886 (9.21%) Black / Light Beige / Light Green / White Beige / Black / White
75 Dark Red Metallic 1,148 (5.61%) Black / Light Beige / Light Green / White Beige / Black / White
80 Quasar Blue Metallic 1,043 (5.09%) Black / Light Beige / Light Green / White Beige / Black / White
81 Bright Red 4,466 (21.81%) Black / Light Beige / Light Green / Red / White Beige / Black / White

Note: Clicking on an image with this symbol (Boxes) will lead to a larger image.


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