Discover what’s new for the 2004 Corvette: Commemorative Editions, C5-R racing success, and Nürburgring testing for the Z06. Plus, Magnetic Selective Ride Control and more!
In this blog we’ll look at what’s new for the 2004 Corvette: Product Information, model year lineup, special editions, 2004 C5 Corvette Specifications, and more.
We are looking at the 2003 Corvette Press Kit for the 50th Anniversary Celebration in Nashville. This is one of the press releases that was included in the media kit. The event took place in Nashville, Tennessee on June 27 and 28, 2003. The kit included fourteen press releases. We will provide links at the bottom of the press releases for you to enjoy.
2004 Corvette Product Information
New for 2004
| • | Commemorative editions of Coupe, Convertible, and Z06 mark racing success |
| • | Exterior colors: Arctic White, Machine Silver, Magnetic Red, and Le Mans Blue (commemoratives only) |
| • | Revised shock valving on Z06 |
| • | Carbon fiber hood on Z06 |
2004 Corvette Model Lineup
| Engines | Transmissions | |||
| 5.7L V-8 LS1 | 5.7L V-8 LS6 | 4-spd auto (Hydra-Matic 4L60-E) | 6-spd man (MM6/M12) | |
| Coupe | s | – | s | o |
| Convertible | s | – | s | o |
| Z06 | – | s | – | s |
Key:
Standard s
Optional o
Not available –
COMMEMORATIVE EDITIONS MARK CORVETTE’S RACING SUCCESS
The Chevrolet Corvette maintains its well-earned status as the automotive and cultural icon that has been admired and sought after for a generation. For the 2004 model year, commemorative editions for each Corvette model are available so enthusiasts can celebrate the racing success of the Chevy flagship
Also, the top-of-the-line Corvette Z06 – already hailed by enthusiast magazines as the best combination of performance, comfort, and value in the automotive world – gets even better for 2004 with revised shock valving based on testing at the legendary Nürburgring race track in Germany.
Corvette also has earned two consecutive quality awards from J.D. Power and Associates and continues to win accolades for its surprising interior room, cargo space, comfort, and fuel economy in a high-performance sports car.
Only a handful of cars in the history of the industry have shown the Corvette’s ability to capture the fancy of so many consumers and hold it for so long. As the golden anniversary celebration continues, it is a testament to the ability of Corvette’s engineers to keep the car as fresh and cutting-edge as it was in 1953.
Corvette has remained relevant because it continued to embrace new designs and technologies such as those featured on the current line: Magnetic Selective Ride Control, Goodyear EMT “run-flat” tires (coupe and convertible), active handling, and a rear transaxle.
Corvette Commemorative Editions
The commemorative editions recognize the success of the C5-R racing program. In 2002, the Corvette C5 continued to dominate the field with nine wins in 10 American Le Mans Series races, also nabbing the 2002 GTS Manufacturer Champion and GTS Team Champion awards. Combined with a second consecutive victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Corvette continued to make history.
The Commemorative Edition Coupe and Convertible include new Le Mans Blue paint with a Shale interior, special badges, and polished wheels. The convertible’s top also is Shale to match the interior.
The Commemorative Edition Z06 also is Le Mans Blue and also includes a C5-R Le Mans stripe scheme, special badges, polished Z06 wheels, and a lightweight carbon fiber hood.
Corvette Z06 ride tempered at Nürburgring
Over the period of a month in 2002, engineers put the Z06 through its paces at Germany’s fabled Nürburgring racetrack to give the definitive street-legal sports car an even better ride. Since it was completed in 1927, the 12.8-mile (20.6 km) Nürburgring circuit has been the ultimate challenge for vehicle dynamics. The course has 177 corners, and in between them is every conceivable combination of radius, camber, and gradient – not to mention altitude that varies by nearly 1,000 feet (305 m). No other track in the world places such extreme demands on a vehicle’s suspension, brakes, and powertrain, which is why Nürburgring is where the world’s finest sports cars are regularly tested.
After a month in Germany, it was back to General Motors Milford Proving Grounds, where new shock absorber valving was “dialed in” and balanced for optimum performance on American roads.
The result is a suspension that feels “more tied down, more glued to the road,” said Harlan Charles, product manager for the Corvette.
Corvette’s Magnetic Selective Ride Control
The suspensions of the 2004 Corvette coupe and convertible continue to feature Magnetic Selective Ride Control, which debuted in 2003. It uses a revolutionary damper design that controls wheel and body motion with magneto-rheological fluid in the shocks. By controlling the current to an electromagnetic coil inside the piston of the damper, the MR fluid’s consistency can be changed, resulting in continuously variable real-time damping. As a result, drivers feel a greater sense of security, a quieter, flatter ride, and more precise, responsive handling, particularly during sudden, high-speed maneuvers.
The system isolates and smoothes the action of each tire, resulting in less bouncing, vibration, and noise. On bumpy or slick surfaces, the system integrates with traction control to assure maximum stability. It also works with ABS to keep the vehicle balanced and poised. It is the only system without electro-mechanical values and no small moving parts. It consists of MR fluid-based, monotube shock absorbers, a sensor set, and an onboard controller.
2004 CORVETTE SPECIFICATIONS
Overview
| Models: | Chevrolet Corvette coupe, convertible, Z06 |
| Body style / driveline: | 2-door hatchback coupe, convertible and hardtop; rear-drive, front-engine |
| Construction: | composite |
| EPA vehicle class: | sports car |
| Manufacturing location: | Bowling Green, Kentucky |
| Key competitors: | Audi TT, BMW Z4, Dodge Viper, Porsche Boxster and Boxster S, Porsche 911 |
2004 Corvette Engines
| 5.7L V-8 (LS1) | 5.7L V-8 (LS6) | |
| Application: | standard on coupe, convertible | standard on Z06 |
| Type: | 5.7L V-8 | 5.7L V-8 |
| Displacement (cu in / cc): | 346 / 5665 | 346 / 5665 |
| Bore & stroke (in / mm): | 3.90 x 3.62 / 99 x 92 | 3.90 x 3.62 / 99 x 92 |
| Block material: | cast aluminum | cast aluminum |
| Cylinder head material: | cast aluminum | cast aluminum |
| Valvetrain: | OHV, 2 valves | OHV, 2 valves |
| per cylinder | per cylinder | |
| Fuel delivery: | sequential fuel injection | sequential fuel injection |
| Compression ratio: | 10.1:1 | 10.5:1 |
| Horsepower (hp / kw @ rpm): | 350 / 261 @ 5200 | 405 / 302 @ 6000 |
| Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm): | manual: 375 / 508 @ 4000 | 400 / 542 @ 4800 |
| automatic: 360 / 489 @ 4000 | ||
| Recommended fuel: | 93 octane | 93 octane |
| Maximum engine speed (rpm): | 6000 | 6500 |
| Emissions controls: | catalytic converter AIR | catalytic converter AIR |
| 4-speed automatic | 6-speed manual | |
| Estimated fuel economy | ||
| (mpg city / hwy / combined): | 19 / 28 / 23 (manual coupe and convertible) | 19 / 28 / 23 (manual Z06) |
| 18 / 25 / 21 (automatic coupe and convertible) |
2004 Corvette Transmissions
| Hydra-Matic 4L60-E | Tremec T56 (MM6) | Tremec T56 (M12) | |
| Type: | 4-speed automatic | 6-speed manual | 6-speed manual |
| Application: | std on coupe and convertible | opt on coupe and convertible | std on Z06 |
| Gear ratios (:1): | |||
| First: | 3.06 | 2.66 | 2.97 |
| Second: | 1.63 | 1.78 | 2.07 |
| Third: | 1.00 | 1.30 | 1.43 |
| Fourth: | 0.70 | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Fifth: | — | 0.74 | 0.84 |
| Sixth: | — | 0.50 | 0.56 |
| Reverse: | 2.29 | 2.90 | 3.28 |
| Final drive ratio: | std: 2.73:1; opt: 3.15:1 | 3.42:1 | 3.42:1 |
2004 Corvette Chassis/Suspension
| Front: | short/long arm (SLA) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber |
| Rear: | short/long arm (SLA) double wishbone, cast aluminum upper & lower control arms, transverse-mounted composite leaf spring, monotube shock absorber |
| Stabilizer bar diameter (in / mm): | |
| Standard: | front: .90 / 23; rear: .75 / 19.1 |
| F55: | front: .90 / 23; rear: .75 / 19.1 |
| Z51: | front: 1.13 / 28.6; rear: 1.13 / 23.6 |
| FE4: | front: 1.18 / 30; rear: 1.13 / 23.6 |
| Traction control: | electronic traction control, active handling |
| Steering type: | speed sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion |
| Steering ratio: | 16.1:1 |
| Steering wheel turns, lock-to-lock: | 2.66 |
| Turning circle, curb-to-curb (ft / m): | 40.2 / 12.1 |
2004 Corvette Brakes
| Type: | power-assisted disc with ABS, front and rear |
| Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm): | front: 12.6 x 1.26 / 325 x 32; rear: 11.8 x 1 / 305 x 26 |
| Swept area (sq in / sq cm): | front: 263 / 1696; rear: 158 / 1018 |
2004 Corvette Wheels/Tires
| Coupe and Convertible | Z06 | |
| Wheel size and type: | cast aluminum | cast spun aluminum |
| optional: forged aluminum high polish | front: 17 x 9.5; rear: 18 x 10.5 | |
| front: 17 x 8.5; rear: 18 x 9.5 | ||
| Tires: | Goodyear Eagle F1 GS | Goodyear Eagle F1 SC |
| Extended Mobility | Asymmetric Tread | |
| front: P245/45ZR17 | front: P265/40ZR17 | |
| rear: P275/40ZR18 | rear: P295/35ZR18 |
2004 Corvette Dimensions
| Exterior | Coupe | Convertible | Z06 |
| Wheelbase (in / mm): | 104.5 / 2656 | 104.5 / 2656 | 104.5 / 2656 |
| Overall length (in / mm): | 179.7 / 4566 | 179.7 / 4566 | 179.7 / 4566 |
| Overall width (in / mm): | 73.6 / 1869 | 73.6 / 1869 | 73.6 / 1869 |
| Overall height (in / mm): | 47.7/ 1212 | 47.8 / 1215 | 47.7 / 1212 |
| Track (in / mm): | front: 61.9 / 1572 | front: 61.9 / 1572 | front: 62.4 / 1585 |
| rear: 62 / 1575 | rear: 62 / 1575 | rear: 62.6 / 1590 | |
| Curb weight (lb / kg): | 3246 / 1458 | 3248 / 1456 | 3118 / 1414 |
| Weight distribution (% front / rear): | 51 / 49 | 51 / 49 | 53 / 47 |
| Interior | Coupe | Convertible | Z06 |
| Seating capacity (front / rear): | 2 / 0 | 2 / 0 | 2 / 0 |
| Head room (in / mm): | 37.9 / 963 | 37.9 / 963 | 37.8 / 960 |
| Leg room (in / mm): | 42.7 / 1085 | 42.7 / 1085 | 42.7 / 1085 |
| Shoulder room (in / mm): | 55.3 / 1405 | 55.3 / 1405 | 55.3 / 1405 |
| Hip room (in / mm): | 54.2 / 1377 | 54.2 / 1377 | 54.2 / 1377 |
2004 Corvette Capacities
| Cargo volume (cu ft / L): | coupe: 24.8 / 702; convertible: 13.9 / 394; Z06: 13.3 / 377 |
| Fuel tank (gal / L): | 18 / 68.1 |
| Engine oil (qt / L): | 6.5 / 6.15 |
| Cooling system (qt / L): | automatic: 11.5 / 10.9; manual: 11.8 / 11.2 |
Note: The information shown is current at the time of publication.
You can also find the best used 2004 Chevrolet Corvette near you in our Corvettes for Sale Classified ads.
Pdf of the 2004 Model Year Final Production Numbers
For a look at the 2003 Corvette Press Kit CLICK HERE
Here are the links to the press releases included in the 2003 Corvette 50th Anniversary Celebration (there were 14 press releases in all)
Corvette 50th Anniversary Celebration in 2003
Racer Andy Pilgrim Lead’s Corvette’s 50th Anniversary in 2003
C5-R Corvette Ready for 24 Hours of Le Mans (2003)
2004 Corvette Product Information
History of Corvette Design Engineering – 50s-90s
Corvette Powertrain History 50-Years of Development
Every month, Vette Vues Magazine covers Corvette owners and Corvette events. Subscriptions are mailed right to your home or office. Stay up to date with all the latest Corvette news by signing up today. SUBSCRIBE TODAY!
While you are here, check out our great selection of Corvette T-shirts, Corvette Hats / Caps for Sale, and assorted Corvette Totes, Coolers, and Bags for Sale, all offering Free United States Shipping.
