Corvette Engines

1958 1961 Turbo-Thrust 4 barrel 250 hp (190 kW) engine
1958 1961 Super Turbo-Thrust "Tri-Power" 3x2 barrel 280 hp (210 kW) engine
1958 1961 Special Turbo-Thrust 4 barrel 305 hp (227 kW) engine
1958 1960 Special Super Turbo-Thrust "Tri-Power" 3x2 barrel 315 hp (235 kW) engine
1959 1960 Special Turbo-Thrust 4 barrel 320 hp (240 kW) engine
1959 1961 Special Super Turbo-Thrust "Tri-Power" 3x2 barrel 335 hp (250 kW) engine
1960 1961 Special Turbo-Thrust 4 barrel 340 hp (250 kW) engine
1960 1961 Special Super Turbo-Thrust "Tri-Power" 3x2 barrel 350 hp (260 kW) engine

A 409 cubic inches (6.7 L) version was Chevrolet's top regular production Corvette engine from 1961 to 1964, with a choice of single- or dual-four-barrel carburetors. Bore and stroke were both up from the 348 at 4.312 in (109.5 mm) by 3.50 in (88.9 mm). On December 17, 1960, the 409 Corvette engine was announced along with the Impala SS (Super Sport) model. The initial version of the Corvette engine produced 360 hp (268 kW), with a single-four-barrel Carter AFB carburetor. The same Corvette engine was upped to 380 hp (283 kW) in 1962. A 409 horsepower (305 kW) version of this Corvette engine was also available, developing 1 hp per cubic inch with a dual-four-barrel aluminum intake manifold and two Carter AFB carburetors. In the 1963 model year, output reached 425 hp (317 kW) at 6200 rpm with the 2X4 setup, 11.25:1 compression and a solid lifter camshaft. This Corvette engine was immortalized in the Beach Boys song titled "409". The Corvette engine was available through mid 1965 when it was replaced by the 396 in³ 425 hp (317 kW) Mark IV big-block Corvette engine. In addition, a 340 hp (253 kW) version of the 409 Corvette engine was available from 1963-1965, with a single-four-barrel cast-iron intake mounting a Rochester 4GC carburetor, and a hydraulic-lifter camshaft.

A special 427 cubic inches (7.0 L) version of the Corvette 409 engine was used in the 1963 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe ordered under Chevrolet Corvette Regular Production Option (RPO) Z11. This was a special package created for drag racers, including aluminum Corvette engine and body parts and a cowl-induction air intake system, along with the 427 engine. The aluminum body parts were fabricated in Flint, MI at the facility now known as GM Flint Metal Center[1]. Unlike the later second generation 427, it was based on the W-series 409 engine, but with a longer 3.65 in (92.7 mm) stroke. A high-rise two piece aluminum intake manifold and dual Carter AFB carbs fed a 13.5:1 compression ratio to produce an under-rated 430 hp (321 kW) and 435 ft·lbf (590 N·m). Only 57 Z11s were ever produced.

The first iteration of the "W" Corvette engine was the 1958 "Turbo-Thrust" 348 cubic inches (5.7 L) originally intended for use in Chevrolet trucks, but also introduced in the larger, heavier 1958 passenger car line. Bore was 4.125 in (104.8 mm) and stroke was 3.25 in (82.5 mm), resulting in a substantially oversquare design. This Corvette engine was superseded by the Big block 409 as Chevrolet's top performing Corvette engine in 1961 and went out of production for cars at the end of that year. It was produced through 1964 for use in large Chevrolet trucks.

With a four-barrel carburetor, the base Turbo-Thrust produced 250 hp (186 kW). A special "Tri-Power" triple-two-barrel version, called the "Super Turbo-Thrust" produced 280 hp (209 kW). A "Special Turbo-Thrust" upped the output to 305 hp (227 kW) with a single large four-barrel. Mechanical lifters and the three two-barrel carburetors brought the "Special Super Turbo-Thrust" up to 315 hp (235 kW). For 1959 and 1960 Corvettes, high-output versions of the top two Corvette engines were produced with 320 hp (239 kW) and 335 hp (250 kW) respectively. In 1961, power was again increased to 340 hp (253 kW) for the single four-barrel model, and 350 hp (261 kW) when equipped with three two-barrels.