How much horsepower does a 1979 Corvette have?
Across the 1979 Corvette lineup, horsepower depended on engine choice: base 350 V8 around 190 horsepower; optional L82 around 230 horsepower gross (roughly 195–200 horsepower net).
For context, horsepower numbers in 1979 followed the industry shift from gross to net ratings, reflecting drivetrain losses and emission controls. That means the same engine could show higher numbers on a gross spec but lower in the car’s net rating.
Engine options and horsepower in 1979
Here are the primary engine choices offered that year and how their horsepower was reported.
- L48 350 cu in V8 (base): about 180–190 horsepower (net rating).
- L82 350 cu in V8 (optional high-performance): about 230 horsepower gross (roughly 195–200 horsepower net in the car).
These figures reflect the era’s rating practices; real-world performance could vary with options, gearing, and vehicle condition.
Net vs gross horsepower in the 1979 Corvette
In 1979, manufacturers commonly published gross horsepower for performance-oriented engines, while the horsepower actually delivered to the wheels (net) was lower due to emission equipment, exhaust, cooling, and other drivetrain losses. As a result, the L82’s 230 hp gross translates to roughly 195–200 hp under typical street conditions in a Corvette of that era.
Summary
For most buyers, the 1979 Corvette offered a base 350 V8 with about 180–190 hp (net) and an optional L82 350 V8 with about 230 hp gross (roughly 195–200 hp net). The difference between gross and net ratings, plus emissions equipment, explains the commonly cited numbers from that period. In everyday driving terms, performance depended on the engine option and the car’s configuration.
