Chevrolet 302 Engine Specs
Chevrolet
Chevrolet 302 is a 4.9L (4942 cc) petrol engine with 290 HP, 393 Nm, 11.0:1 compression ratio. Fuel consumption: 15-19 L/100km. Typical service life: 220,000+ km with proper maintenance.
Description
The Chevrolet 302 is the high-revving small-block best known for its role in the first-generation Camaro Z/28 and the Trans-Am racing era. Produced in limited factory form from 1967 to 1969, it was not designed as a general-purpose V8 but as a specific homologation-style engine built to meet displacement limits while still delivering real performance.
Chevrolet created the 302 by combining a 327 block with a 283 crankshaft, resulting in a 4.9-liter small-block that could rev freely and produce strong performance within the 5.0-liter class rules of the day. It retained the familiar cast-iron OHV architecture of the small-block family, but its personality was much more aggressive than that of mainstream Chevrolet V8s. Factory output was officially rated at 290 HP, though period enthusiasts have long recognized that the real performance capability was stronger than the advertised number suggested.
In character, the 302 is one of the most distinctive classic small-block variants. It likes RPM, carries real motorsport credibility, and remains one of the most sought-after engines in classic Camaro circles. More than most small-blocks, the 302 is defined by what it was built for - racing influence first, ordinary comfort second.