1957 Fuel Injection Corvette

[Ray C.]

I went to look at a 1957 Fuel Injected Corvette that has been off the road for many, many years. The 57 had been dragged raced in the past and has gone through many changes, but is a restorable 57. I am currently trying to understand the sequencing of the four FI units and their HP ratings. The 7014520 unit that is on this 57 is rated for the 250 HP and 283 HP engines. The 7014960 unit is rated for 283 HP only. Did the increase in HP come from the solid lifters with the Duntov cam and different heads, or were there other factors that caused this HP rating to change?

[Duke W.]

Re: 1957 Flue Injection Corvette

The 250 HP FI engine was a 220 HP long block with the FI system rather than WCFB carb and manifold. Advertised CR was 9.5:1. The 283 HP FI engine was equipped with the Duntov cam and advertised CR was 10.5;1. Those are the primary differences. The 283 HP engine had different head castings than the others. I'm not sure what the differences are, maybe chamber size. I believe he valve size and port geometry was the same as the 997 head used on all other Corvette engines. Maybe someone else can provide more detail.

In a related matter I don't know how the '58 base engine power rating was increased to 230. Maybe someone does.

The different FI systems were due to calibration changes of which I believe there were several in '57.

Duke

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 Flue Injection Corvette

Ray,

There's a FI chart with applicable VIN ranges in the 56-7 Judging Reference Manual.

Gary
....

[Ray C.]

Re: 1957 Flue Injection Corvette

Thanks Duke!

[Ray C.]

Re: 1957 Flue Injection Corvette

Gary,
I looked as this 57 over a year ago with a friend that was thinking of getting it road worthy for the owner. I mentioned to the owner I would be interested if he ever decided to sell. The 57 needed so much work my friend decided to pass on the getting it road worthy. I received a call the other day from my friend that the owner might now be ready to sell and I am doing my 1957 FI research just in case. I only have Noland Adams Vol. one and the Corvette Black Book as reference information.

Thanks for you information!
Ray

[Gary C.]

Re: 1957 Flue Injection Corvette

Ray,

The 56-7 JM has the best and most accurate FI information, based on Rochester and Chevrolet data. Such as VIN ranges for each type of FI unit, Distributor, etc.

Best to order the JM from the NCRS Store https://www.ncrs.org/shop/index.php?...roducts_id=215

Gary
....

[Ray C.]

Re: 1957 Flue Injection Corvette

Thanks Gary,

I went and looked at the 57 the other day and talked to the owner, got the feeling that he still isn’t ready to sell, just fishing for value-information. I will wait to see what develops before investing in a lot of research books.
Thanks to all for any help!

Ray