In 1960, Chevrolet offered 8 different engine options.
235 c.i. Inline 6
The entry level engine for the 1960 Chevrolet full size passenger cars was the 235 Hi Thrift 6 cylinder. It was rated at 135 HP at 4,000 RPM.
283 c.i. V8
The base model V8 was the Economy Turbo Fire, a mild cam version of the 283 two barrel V8 with an 8.5:1 compression ratio. It put out a relatively low 170 HP at 4,200 RPM. The highest horsepower 283 V8 in 1960 was the Super Turbo Fire with a four-barrel. It had a compression ratio of 9.5:1 and made 230 HP at 4,800 RPM. The fuel-injected 283 was no longer available in a passenger car for 1960.
348 c.i. V8
For the performance minded, the 348 V-8 was the way to go. At the low end was the four-barrel equipped Turbo Thrust that turned out 250 HP at 4,400 RPM. The Super Turbo Thrust V8 had three two-barrel carburetors and produced 280 HP at 4,800 RPM. Both of these engines had a compression ratio of 9.5:1. With the addition of a special camshaft and high-speed valve train with mechanical lifters and a 11.25:1 compression ratio, these engines cranked out some serious power. The four-barrel version, called the Turbo Thrust Special put out 305 HP at 5,200 RPM and was combined with a heavy-duty Powerglide transmission. When combined with a three-speed or four-speed manual transmission, the four-barrel Turbo Thrust Special cranked out 320 HP at 5,600 RPM. Topping off the selection was the impressive Super Turbo Thrust Special, equipped with triple two-barrel carburetors. It developed 335 HP at 5,800 RPM.
| Engine & Displacement | Carburetor | Bore & Stroke | Compression Ratio |
Max H.P @ R.P.M. | Max Torque @ R.P.M. |
|
L6-235
|
1 Barrel | 3.5625 x 3.94 | 8.25 | 135 @ 4000 | 217 @ 2000 |
|
V8-283
|
2 Barrel | 3.875 x 3.00 | 8.5 | 170 @ 4200 | 275 @ 2200 |
|
V8-283
|
4 Barrel | 3.875 x 3.00 | 9.5 | 230 @ 4800 | 300 @ 3000 |
|
V8-348
|
4 Barrel | 4.125 x 3.25 | 9.5 | 250 @ 4400 | 355 @ 2800 |
|
V8-348*
|
4 Barrel | 4.125 x 3.25 | 11.25 | 320 @ 5600 | 362 @ 3600 |
|
V8-348 *
|
4 Barrel | 4.125 x 3.25 | 11.0 | 305 @ 5200 | 355 @ 3400 |
|
V8-348
|
3×2 Barrel | 4.125 x 3.25 | 9.5 | 280 @ 4800 | 355 @ 3200 |
|
V8-348 *
|
3×2 Barrel | 4.125 x 3.25 | 11.25 | 335 @ 5800 | 364 @ 3600 |
| * Special Camshaft | |||||