1987 CORVETTE

Except for the addition of roller hydraulic lifters to the Corvette's 350-cid (5.7-liter) V-8, little changed this year.

• Horsepower got a boost to 240 thanks to new friction-cutting roller-type valve lifters.
• The 1987 Corvettes also had a higher fuel-economy rating.
• Joining the option list was an electronic tire-pressure monitor that signaled a dashboard light to warn of low pressure in any tire.
• Two four-speed transmissions were available: manual or automatic.
• Standard equipment included power steering; power four-wheel disc brakes (with anti-locking); air conditioning; a theft-deterrent system; tinted glass; twin remote-control mirrors; power windows; intermittent wipers; tilt/telescope steering column; and an AM/FM seek/scan radio.
• Both the centers and slots of the wheels (unpainted in 1986) were now finished in Argent Gray.
• Corvettes colors were
  • Silver Metallic
  • Medium Gray Metallic
  • Medium Blue Metallic
  • Yellow
  • White
  • Black
  • Gold Metallic
  • Silver Beige Metallic
  • Copper Metallic
  • Medium Brown Metallic
  • Dark Red Metallic
  • Bright Red.
• Two-tone combinations were
  • Silver and Gray
  • Gray and Black
  • White and Silver
  • Silver Beige and Medium Brown
• Interior trims came in Blue; Black; Bronze; Graphite; Medium Gray; Red; Saddle; and White.
• A removable body-colored roof panel for hatchbacks or body-colored convertible top were standard, along with cloth-upholstered seats.

V.I.N. NUMBERS

• The serial number [Vehicle Identification Number -- VIN] was stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.
• The Coupe serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY21*2H5100001 to 1G1YY21*2H5130632
• The Convertible serial numbers ranged from 1G1YY31*2H5100001 to 1G1YY31*2H5130632

• Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block just ahead of the cylinder head on the right-hand side combined with a three-letter engine code suffix
• Also cast into the top rear of the block is a four-symbol code indicating when the engine was built
  • The first letter of the date code shows the month the block was cast
  • The one or two numbers shows the month
  • The last digit shows the year
• Engine suffixes:

  Code	Engine	Horsepower	Compression	Transmission	Fuel Supply	Extra features
  ZJN	L98 350-cid	240-hp V-8	9.5:1	THM automatic	tuned port injection
  ZLC	L98 350-cid	240-hp V-8	9.5:1	manual	tuned port injection	engine oil cooler
  ZLB	L98 350-cid	240-hp V-8	9.5:1		tuned port injection	for export
  ZLA	L98 350-cid	240-hp V-8	9.5:1	THM automatic	tuned port injection

• The 1987 Corvette exterior colors were:
  • 13 = Silver Metallic;
  • 18 = Medium Gray Metallic;
  • 20 = Medium Blue Metallic
  • 35 = Yellow
  • 40 = White
  • 41 = Black
  • 53 = Gold Metallic
  • 59 = Silver Beige Metallic;
  • 66 = Copper Metallic
  • 69 = Medium Brown Metallic
  • 74 = Dark Red Metallic
  • 81 = Bright Red
  • 13/18 = Silver and Gray
  • 18/41 = Gray and Black
  • 40/13 = White and Silver
  • 59/69 = Silver Beige and Medium Brown.
• Upholstery Codes

  Color	Cloth Upholstery	Leather Upholstery
  Green	12C
  Medium Gray	15C	152
  Blue	21C	212
  Saddle	62C	622
  Bronze	65C	652
  Graphite		122
  Red		732

IDENTIFICATION

Model	Model No.	Body/Style No.	Body Type	Factory Price	Shipping Weight	Production Total
Coupe	1Y	Y07	2-dr. Hatch Coupe - 2 passenger	$27,999	3216	20,007
Convertible	1Y	Y67	2-dr. Convertible - 2 passenger	$33,172	3279	10,625

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

• Automatic Transmission
  • Four-speed Turbo Hydra-Matic (TMH 700-R4)
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 3.06:1
    • 2nd = 1.63:1
    • 3rd = 1.00:1
    • 4th = 0.70:1
    • Rev = 2.29:1
  • Final drive ratio: 2.59:1 or 3.07:1
• Manual Transmission
  • Four-speed manual with overdrive
  • floor-mounted gear shifter
  • gear ratios
    • 1st = 2.88:1
    • 2nd = 1.91:1
    • 3rd = 1.33:1
    • 4th = 1.00:1
    • overdrive = 0.67:1
    • Rev = 2.78:1
  • Final drive ratio: 3.07:1

CHASSIS

OPTIONS

HISTORICAL NOTES