ChevroletCorvette1998Overview/chevrolet/corvette/1998/base/

1998 Chevrolet Corvette

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Corvette.

Transmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Chevrolet Corvette is specified with a 6.4-quart 5W-30 API oil capacity, an automatic 4-speed transmission, and EPA fuel economy ratings of 15 city, 23 highway, and 18 combined mpg. In the 1990–2025 Corvette complaint history, the 1998 model generated 407 owner complaints and one recall, with steering standing out as the top complaint area—well below the 2008 peak of 588 yet far above the 1992 low of 8. That placement makes 1998 a middle-ground year for reported issues, neither the most troubled in the range nor among the cleanest.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020191998

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 78 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731172. Note the factory fuel filter is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 78 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-75R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-, 6.5-JJ; 6.5-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731172
Engine air filter25042562
Fuel filter10287788 discontinued
Spark plug12621258
Front wiper blades19120758
Serpentine belt19172680 alt 19244950
Thermostat12561155 alt 12571261

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length179.5 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height47.6 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Curb weight3241 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Corvette of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.7–5.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.70 sec — 1998 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
1998Coupe 5.7L V84.70 sec13.10 sec345 hpRWD
1998Coupe 5.7L V84.80 sec13.20 sec345 hpRWD
1998Convertible 5.7L V84.90 sec13.50 sec345 hpRWD
1998Convertible 5.7L V85.10 sec13.50 sec345 hpRWD
1998Convertible 5.7L V85.10 sec13.50 sec345 hpRWD
1998Convertible 5.7L V85.20 sec13.80 sec345 hpRWD
1997Coupe 5.7L V84.70 sec13.30 sec345 hpRWD
1997Coupe 5.7L V84.80 sec13.30 sec345 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.4 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, SYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear OilSYNTHETIC · 75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3.4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.4 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.4 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)18 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)18 ft-lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)18 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts74 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)15 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug26 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug89 ft-lbs
Driveshaft Flange to Transmission37 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts33 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug20 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub46 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub118 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.060 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.63 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type150
Oil Capacity9.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number78
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum47.0 psi
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)41-47
RPM30.5-44 @ Idle rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11.8-12.6 @ 50-95 degreesF MFI ohms
Engine Compression100

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH DISC
Torque Caliper to Bracket23 ft-lbs / 125 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle125 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 in
Brake ApplicationWITH DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.02 in / 1.26 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep M11 Bolts (1-10):

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
3Bolts 1-890 degrees
122
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6 ft. lbs., step 2: 7.43.6 ft. lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., step 2: 1811 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

At 7,500 miBrake System (inspect)
Every 7,500 miParking Brake Cable (lubricate) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miBrake System (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 100,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Fluid & Filter (replace)
At 150,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 1998 the Corvette recorded 407 complaints, 1 recall, 5 investigations and 136 TSBs. This complaint count is more than double the 167 complaints in 1997 and exceeds the 318 complaints in 1999, marking a local peak in the early‑generation trend. Recall activity was low in 1998 (one) compared with four in 1997 and one in 1999, while investigations remained steady at five. The top complaint areas for 1998 were steering (200), seats (27), electrical system (19) and seat belts (16), with 12 crash‑related and 1 fire‑related complaints reported. Considering the sharp rise in complaints relative to surrounding years and the limited recall response, 1998 represents a less attractive model year for a used purchase unless a detailed pre‑buy inspection is conducted.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
136
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
5
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
407
Owner complaints
12 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 407 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering200
Seats27
Electrical System19
Seat Belts16
Service Brakes, Hydraulic15
Engine & Engine Cooling14
Fuel System, Gasoline10
Power Train9

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

09E025000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT…

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 136 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIC65222023-10-05SteeringThis Preliminary Information communicates diagnostic information to dealership techs to…
PIP4723D2020-01-31Electrical SystemThis Preliminary Information communicates to the dealer the process for downloading or…
PIC4696E2019-11-22EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…
17NA0732019-09-18EquipmentThis warranty administration bulletin provides information regarding the field action…
PIC4696D2019-09-05EquipmentThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician on how…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Corvette. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Corvette take?

6.4 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Corvette have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Corvette get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.