1957 Chevrolet - Engines and Drivetrains

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The 1957 Chevrolet received a major facelift including more performance which was very popular both on and off the track. Much of it's popularity stems from the undeniable performance of the newly enlarged 283 cubic inch V-8 and the historical significance of the top 283 horsepower version with "Ramjet" fuel injection which was an option on all 1957 Chevrolet models and standard on the corvette.

Chevrolet now claimed "1 horsepower per cubic inch" a GM first! Yet you really didn't need fuel injection with the new 283 because it packed more power than the hottest '56 Chevy setup.

The new 283 was created by opening up the 265's bore by 0.11 inch to 3.88 inches, the stroke remained the same at 3.00 inches. The 283 was available in six versions, two with fuel injections and four with carburetors. Increasing engine choices from five in 1956 to eight in 1957.

The familiar two barrel, 162 hp 265 continued as the base V-8 with manual transmission. The 283 was available with a 2 barrel carburetor, 4 barrel carburetor, two 4 barrel carburetors and fuel injection. These combinations of the 283, carburetors and fuel injection plus three speed manual transmission, Powerglide and a new Turboglide automatic transmission produced 162 horsepower to 283 horsepower.

Regardless of the power rating, all 1957 Chevrolets V-8's featured a number of internal changes. Fuel passages and exhaust manifolds ports were tapered, castings were thicker, new fuel filters, wider main bearings, stainless steel expander for piston oil control rings and the choke was relocated to improve hot starting. Updated electrical items included relocating the battery and voltage regulator, multi-plugs on the electrical wiring and a new distributor.

The manual three speed transmission remained the basic transmission for the 1957 Chevrolet, with overdrive as an option since 1955. Also available on both the Blue Flame six cylinder and V-8's was the Powergide that had been around for several years. On the bigger V-8, the new Turboglide was an option. Mechanically, the Turboglide consists of three turbines and two planetary gear sets, combined with a variable pitch stator and conventional torque converter pump, all enclosed in a die cast aluminum housing that was 82 pounds lighter than a Powerglide.

One early performance test of a 270 HP 283 with 2-4 barrel carburetors went from a standing start: 0-45 mph in 6.75 seconds, 0-60 mph in 9.9 seconds and in the quarter mile 17.5 seconds at 77.5 mph.

Engine - Transmission Specifications and Availability for 1957

Six 235ci, 3.56X3.94 bore/stroke, 8.0:1 comp ratio, 140 HP@4200 rpm, 1 bl carb
3 speed transmission, 3 speed overdrive transmission and Powerglide transmission

V-8 265ci, 3.75X3.00 bore/stroke, 8.0:1 comp ratio, 162 HP@4400 rpm, 2bl carb
3 speed transmission, 3 speed overdrive transmission

V-8 283ci, 3.88X3.00 bore/stroke, 8.5:1 comp ratio, 185 HP@4600 rpm, 2bl carb
Powerglide transmission and Turboglide transmission

V-8 283ci, 3.88X3.00 bore/stroke, 9.5:1 comp ratio, 220 HP@4800 rpm, 4bl carb
3 speed transmission, 3 speed overdrive transmission and Powerglide & Turboglide transmission

V-8 283ci, 3.88X3.00 bore/stroke, 9.5:1 comp ratio, 245 HP@5000 rpm, 2-4's
3 speed transmission, Powerglide & Turboglide transmission

V-8 283ci, 3.88X3.00 bore/stroke, 9.5:1 comp ratio, 250 HP@5000 rpm, FI
3 speed transmission, Powerglide & Turboglide transmission

V-8 283ci, 3.88X3.00 bore/stroke, 9.5:1 comp ratio, 270 HP@6000 rpm, 2-4's
3 speed transmission

V-8 283ci, 3.88X3.00 bore/stroke, 10.5:1 comp ratio, 283 HP@6200 rpm, FI
3 speed transmission