How much horsepower does a 1987 Chevy Nova have?
The 1987 Chevy Nova did not have a single horsepower figure. Depending on the engine, horsepower ranged from roughly 85 horsepower in base four-cylinders up to about 140 horsepower with the optional V6. This article breaks down the main powertrains available for that year and explains why the figure can vary from car to car.
Engine options and horsepower
Different engines under the Nova hood produced different power outputs. The following numbers reflect typical ranges for the 1987 model year across common configurations.
- 2.0-liter inline-four (OHV) — approximately 85–95 horsepower.
- 2.3-liter inline-four — approximately 95–105 horsepower.
- 2.8-liter V6 — about 140 horsepower.
Bottom line: power depends on the chosen engine, with the four-cylinder options offering modest output and the V6 delivering significantly more thrust.
How to confirm the exact horsepower on a specific vehicle
Because horsepower can vary by market, emission controls, and whether the car uses carburetion or fuel injection, the only precise way to know a given Nova’s horsepower is to check the vehicle’s documentation. Look for the window sticker (Monroney label), the VIN-decoded engine code, or a factory build sheet to identify the original engine and its horsepower rating.
Market and drivetrain variations
Beyond the basic engine choices, several factors can cause small differences in horsepower among 1987 Novas.
- Market-specific engines and emission equipment could shift listed horsepower slightly.
- Transmission type (manual vs. automatic) affects drivetrain losses, which can slightly impact wheel horsepower versus engine horsepower.
- Fuel system configuration (carbureted vs. fuel-injected) and tuning can cause small horsepower changes within the same engine family.
In practice, a given 1987 Nova’s power is best understood by identifying its exact engine code and configuration, rather than relying on a single model-year figure.
Summary
For a 1987 Chevy Nova, horsepower ranged from roughly 85–95 hp for the base 2.0L four-cylinder, about 95–105 hp for the 2.3L four-cylinder, up to around 140 hp for the 2.8L V6. Exact numbers depend on the engine choice, market, and configuration. To know the precise horsepower of a specific car, consult the window sticker, build sheet, or VIN decode to identify the exact engine installed.
