Car Model History

Fifth generation · C5 · 1997–2004

1998Chevrolet Corvette

A clean-sheet C5 with the new LS1 V8 and a rear transaxle for balance. The hardcore Z06 returned for 2001 with the LS6, reviving the badge after a 38-year absence.

Fifth generation · C5

1998 Chevrolet Corvette, C5 fifth generation — white coupe, front three-quarter view

Photo: Ssu / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1998 Chevrolet Corvette model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Documented lineup

Find your exact 1998 Corvette

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

4factory configurations
Exact factory pairings documentedHow this lineup was verified

These source-backed records identify published body, engine, and transmission combinations. Exact pairings do not by themselves assert that every factory option or special edition is represented.

4versions shown
Coupe with removable roof panel

Corvette Coupe with removable roof panel — 4-speed automatic

Body
Coupe with removable roof panel
Engine
5.7L LS1 V8
Gearbox
4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Coupe with removable roof panel

Corvette Coupe with removable roof panel — 6-speed manual

Body
Coupe with removable roof panel
Engine
5.7L LS1 V8
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette Convertible — 4-speed automatic

Body
Convertible
Engine
5.7L LS1 V8
Gearbox
4-speed automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Convertible

Corvette Convertible — 6-speed manual

Body
Convertible
Engine
5.7L LS1 V8
Gearbox
6-speed manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1998 model year

Overview

The 1998 Chevrolet Corvette was the C5 model-year specification for the U.S. market. Its documented factory range comprised 5.7L LS1 V8 with 4-speed automatic or 6-speed manual.

Specifications

Engines
  • 5.7L LS1 V8
Transmissions
4-speed automatic, 6-speed manual
Body styles
Coupe with removable roof panel, Convertible

Year over year

What changed

  • The convertible joined the second-year C5 range.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • This page records the U.S. 1998 factory powertrain and body-style range rather than borrowing a nearby model year's specification.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • For a 1998 Corvette, verify the VIN, installed powertrain and service history against the exact-year GM document; age, modifications and deferred maintenance are more useful evidence than generation-wide reputation.
  • Check the NHTSA VIN lookup for unrepaired safety recalls before purchase or road use.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1998 Corvette on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1998 Chevrolet Corvette. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
2
Factory intervals
1
Fitment-scoped
2
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filter

    Sourced interval available

    Follow the GM Oil Life System and change at least once each year even when the message has not appeared.

    Applies to: 1998 · United States

    Published interval: 12 months · Or when the Oil Life System indicates; whichever comes first.

    Source: General Motors Heritage Archive — 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Vehicle Information Kit · Service and Maintenance / Engine Oil Life System · checked

  • Engine oil filter — catalog fitment

    Exact reference available

    Manufacturer-catalog fitment only; use the engine-specific option below and verify the VIN before ordering.

    Baldwin B31 cataloged fitment

    This manufacturer application record establishes replacement-filter fitment only; it does not alter Chevrolet's service interval.

    Applies to: 1998 · 5.7L LS1 V8 · Corvette · United States · Baldwin's exact 1998 Corvette V8-350 5.7L FI, VIN G (LS1) application row assigns B31; verify the VIN and installed filter before ordering.

    Source: Parker/Baldwin Filters — 2025 Automotive Applications catalog · Chevrolet 1998 Corvette V8-350 5.7L FI, VIN G (LS1) application row — Lube — B31 · checked

    Verified ordering references

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. General Motors Heritage Archive — 1998 Chevrolet Corvette Vehicle Information Kit
  2. NHTSA — VIN recall lookup

Other Fifth generation years

Explore the C5 generation →All Fifth generation · C5 years →

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