How much horsepower does a 1988 Chevy 1500 have?
The 1988 Chevy 1500's horsepower varied by engine: about 165 hp with the 4.3L V6, roughly 170–180 hp with the 5.0L V8, and about 210–230 hp with the 5.7L V8.
Engine options for the 1988 Chevy 1500
In 1988, the Chevrolet C/K 1500 pickup offered several engine choices. The horsepower figures reflect the SAE net ratings used at the time and can vary slightly by market, emissions configuration, and equipment.
- 4.3L V6 (262 cu in) – approximately 165 hp
- 5.0L V8 (305 cu in) – approximately 170–180 hp
- 5.7L V8 (350 cu in) – approximately 210–230 hp
Note: Exact numbers could vary based on carburetion vs. fuel injection, intake/exhaust setups, and whether emissions controls were installed.
Rating context and performance implications
These horsepower figures come from the era’s SAE net ratings, which reflect the engines’ power output with standard equipment and emissions controls in place. In practice, the older trucks emphasized torque for payload and work performance, with the larger V8s delivering stronger initial acceleration and pulling power compared to the smaller V8 and V6 options.
Why horsepower varies by configuration
The 1988 Chevy 1500’s performance depended heavily on the chosen engine. Families of engines shared blocks but were tuned differently (carbureted vs. fuel-injected, exhaust routing, and intake design). Buyers selecting the 4.3L V6 traded some horsepower for efficiency and maintenance simplicity, while those opting for the 5.7L V8 gained the most top-end power and torque.
Summary
For a 1988 Chevy 1500, horsepower ranged from about 165 hp with the base 4.3L V6 to around 210–230 hp with the top 5.7L V8. Exact figures depended on the engine configuration, market, and emissions equipment, with SAE net horsepower providing the official rating for that model year.
How much horsepower does a 1988 Chevy C1500 have?
Under the hood, the 1988 Chevrolet C1500 offered several engine options. The base engine was the LB4 4.3L V6, which produced 160 horsepower and 230 lb-ft of torque.
How much horsepower does a 1988 5.7 Chevy have?
an 88 350 5.7 is rated at 210 hp with 300 lb-ft or torque.
How much horsepower does a 1998 Chevy 1500 have?
255 horsepower
All 1998 1500 Regular Cab trim variations have 255 horsepower.
What engine is in a 1988 Chevy Silverado?
Base model for the 1500 and 2500 had the 4.3 V6. The 5.0 (305 CID) and 5.7 (350 CID) gas engines and the 6.2 Detroit Diesel were options (the 454 SS model wasn't available until 1991). For the 3500, the 5.7 was standard, with options for the 7.4 V8 (454 CID) and 6.2 diesel.
