What engines did the Chevy Vega have?
The Chevrolet Vega was powered by a 2.3-liter (140 cubic inch) inline-four as its standard engine, with a rare Cosworth-tuned variant offering a higher-performance option. This combination defined the Vega’s early- to mid-1970s Shark-nose compact reputation.
Engine lineup
To understand what powered the Vega, it helps to see the two main engine configurations that graced its lineup during its production years.
- Standard 2.3 L inline-4 (140 cu in) engine, typically carbureted, delivering modest horsepower suitable for a small economy car of its era.
- Cosworth Vega: a 2.3 L inline-4 with a dual overhead cam (DOHC) 16-valve head, engineered for higher performance and produced in a limited run during 1975–1976.
Together, these engines defined the Vega’s appeal—an economical daily driver with a rare high-performance variant for enthusiasts.
Cosworth Vega specifics
The Cosworth-tuned Vega represented a factory-backed effort to extract more power from the Vega’s basic 2.3 L block. By adopting a DOHC, 16-valve head and related enhancements, it delivered noticeably more performance than the standard Vega, albeit in limited production and with higher maintenance expectations.
Summary
In short, the Chevrolet Vega was equipped with a standard 2.3-liter inline-4 (140 cu in) and, in a rare and influential variant, a Cosworth-tuned DOHC 2.3-liter inline-4. The base engine provided everyday practicality, while the Cosworth option offered a notable performance upgrade for a limited number of cars.
