Did the Chevy Vega ever come with a V8?
The Chevrolet Vega did not offer a factory V8 option. The Vega series relied on small four-cylinder engines, with a notable high-performance variant based on a four-cylinder rather than a V8.
Launched in the early 1970s as a compact, the Vega was engineered around lightweight construction and fuel efficiency. Its standard powerplant was a 140 cubic inch (about 2.3 liters) inline-four, designed for economical driving. In the mid-1970s, Chevrolet introduced a performance-oriented version developed with Cosworth that used a 2.3-liter DOHC inline-four with a 16-valve head, reaffirming that the Vega line stayed four-cylinder. Throughout its production, Chevrolet did not offer a factory V8 Vega.
Engine lineup and variants
The Vega's base configuration centered on a small inline-four, roughly 2.3 liters in displacement, optimized for efficiency and compact packaging. This engine powered most Vega models, underscoring the car's economy-focused mission.
The Cosworth Vega, a limited-production variant, represented the pinnacle of Vega performance. It paired the same 2.3-liter displacement with a dual overhead camshaft (DOHC) and a 16-valve head, delivering noticeably higher output while retaining the four-cylinder layout. This model did not adopt a V8 and remains a notable example of a four-cylinder performance-focused Vega.
V8 options and aftermarket conversions
Factory status
No Chevrolet Vega model was ever offered with a factory V8 engine. The Vega's development and marketing during the 1970s emphasized affordability, light weight, and efficiency, not larger V8 powertrains.
Aftermarket conversions
There have been aftermarket projects and anecdotal stories of Vega owners installing V8 engines, but these are non-factory conversions. They typically require extensive modification to the chassis and drivetrain and are not representative of Chevrolet’s official Vega lineup.
Summary
Direct answer: no, the Chevy Vega never came with a factory V8. The lineup consisted of small inline-four engines, including the Cosworth Vega’s high-performance DOHC four, with V8 swaps existing only as aftermarket modifications rather than official Chevrolet offerings. The Vega remains notable in automotive history as a compact car built around economy and lightweight design, with its performance variant focusing on four-cylinder engineering rather than V8 power.
