Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1978 Camaro.
The 1978 Chevrolet Camaro is the vehicle at the center of this reference entry, a model year whose significance is best read through the broader complaint record rather than isolated headline numbers. That record, covering the model line from 1990 to 2023, peaks in 2010 with 295 complaints and bottoms out in 2022 with 13, a wide spread that reflects reporting patterns across different eras rather than a direct quality comparison. For researchers, the takeaway is that the 1978 Camaro sits near the early end of a long data trail, and its reliability picture should be interpreted with caution when set against the much higher complaint counts logged in later years.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 194.5 in |
| Overall width | 73.2 in |
| Overall height | 48.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3344 lb |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Camaro of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Z28 Coupe 5.7L V8 | 7.30 sec | 16.00 sec | 185 hp | RWD |
| 1977 | Z28 Coupe 5.7L V8 | 8.60 sec | 16.30 sec | 185 hp | RWD |
| 1982 | Z28 Coupe 5.0L V8 | 8.60 sec | 16.40 sec | 145 hp | RWD |
| 1982 | Z28 Coupe 5.0L V8 | 9.70 sec | 17.50 sec | 145 hp | RWD |
| 1983 | Z28 Coupe 5.0L V8 | 6.70 sec | 15.00 sec | 190 hp | RWD |
| 1983 | Z28 Coupe 5.0L V8 | 7.41 sec | 15.55 sec | 190 hp | RWD |
| 1983 | Coupe 5.0L V8 | 9.50 sec | 17.50 sec | 165 hp | RWD |
| 1984 | Berlinetta Coupe 5.0L V8 | 9.30 sec | 17.00 sec | 150 hp | RWD |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
CERTAIN HONEYWELL FRAM RACING BRAND HP4 AND HP8 OIL FILTERS THAT WERE MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 25, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, AND SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR VEHICLES LIST ABOVE. THE AFFECTED FILTERS… Remedy: HONEYWELL WILL REPLACE THE AFFECTED OIL FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING NOVEMBER 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FRAM CUSTOMER SERVICE TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-890-2075.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.