Chevrolet Corvair Engine - 145

145

In 1961, the engine received its first increases in size via a larger bore. The engine was now 145 cubic inches (2.4 L) and the base engine was said to produce the same 80 hp (60 kW). The new high performance engine was rated at 98 hp (73 kW). In 1962 the high performance engine was rated at 102 hp (76 kW). The high compression 102 hp (76 kW) heads were added to the Monza models equipped with Powerglide when the standard engine was ordered, giving an 84 hp (63 kW) engine rating. 1962 engines returned to automatic chokes after a one year only manual choke on 1961 models.

Higher performance was found in the Spyder model, which became available with a turbocharged engine rated at 150 hp (112 kW). The turbocharger was mounted on the right side of the firewall behind the rear seat, fed by both exhaust manifolds; a single side-draft carburetor mounted on the left side of the firewall fed directly into the turbocharger's intake, with a chromed pipe leading from the turbocharger's outlet to what would otherwise be the carburetor mounting pads on the intake manifolds, which were integral parts of the heads. The turbocharged heads received some valve upgrades to improve durability. Exhaust valves on turbocharged engines were made from a non-ferrous material used in jet engine turbine buckets, called "Nimonic 80-A". All other Corvair engines had slight upgrades in valve and valve seat materials as well for 1962.