Engine Offset
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 124
Likes: 11
From: Lagunitas, CA
Engine Offset
I've started working on a 63 and noticed the engine isn't centerline. It's offset about 3/4 inch to the passenger side. I've searched and found pictures of other C2s and they appear to be offset too.
Is this as designed and if so why are the engines offset?
Is this as designed and if so why are the engines offset?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
My guess. More foot room for pedals and the driver's feet. Better alignment, engine center line to the pinion shaft.
Other guessers may have other guesses.
Last edited by MikeM; Jun 20, 2019 at 12:05 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,655
Likes: 3,665
From: Central Arkansas
My thinking is it all starts out with the rear end which with equal length half-shafts results in the pinion being offset to the right by the ring gear. After that the driver foot box room, weight distribution, steering box room, gear shifter placement, etc are all benefits.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
My thinking is it all starts out with the rear end which with equal length half-shafts results in the pinion being offset to the right by the ring gear. After that the driver foot box room, weight distribution, steering box room, gear shifter placement, etc are all benefits.
That is, until that same American car is built as an export, right hand drive model. The engine is in the same place as left hand drive.
Is it true that Europeans have small feet?
Last edited by MikeM; Jun 20, 2019 at 02:29 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,677
Likes: 646
From: Indiana
2025 c3 ('68-'73) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C1 of the Year Winner - Modified
2023 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods)
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
Welcome to the forum! Let’s see some pictures of your car. 
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 5,358
Likes: 2,872
From: Western Massachusetts
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C2 of Year Finalist (stock)
2015 C2 of the Year Finalist
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 336
Likes: 53
From: Kansas City, MO
Tadge touched on this a while back in an "Ask Tadge". He stated that they offset the drive-line to help with the weight balance once a driver was in the vehicle. He was referring to a C4 if I remember correctly so it may not be for the same reason, but I wouldn't be surprised.
Yep, he was referring to a C4,
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-thread-5.html
Post 85, First Paragraph
Colton @ CSM Performance LLC
www.csmperformance.com
Yep, he was referring to a C4,
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-thread-5.html
Post 85, First Paragraph
Colton @ CSM Performance LLC
www.csmperformance.com
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 1,115
From: Hereford AZ
MikeM's comment not withstanding, I had the understanding that its because of the steering column and box location. Also, I have found that the steering wheel position is a little "canted" to the left hand of the driver (closer to driver at 10 oclock and further at 2)....not sure they're all that way.
I am sure there's an engineer type on the forum who can explain this....
I am sure there's an engineer type on the forum who can explain this....
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
I believe all/most of the rear wheel drive Chevrolet line up of cars (Chevy II, Chevelle, Impala, Corvette, except Corvair of the '60's and '70's had the engine offset to the right. Some where the steering box was nowhere close to the engine.
At least some Pontiacs, Olds and Buicks were the same way. I'm thinking Chevy pickup trucks were the same way.
At least some Pontiacs, Olds and Buicks were the same way. I'm thinking Chevy pickup trucks were the same way.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
https://www.dragzine.com/tech-storie...s-engineering/
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,655
Likes: 3,665
From: Central Arkansas
It was a side benefit if I wasn't clear enough. RH drive exports were probably pretty small in numbers. Not all Europeans drive on the left side of the road. .
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,945
Likes: 1,115
From: Hereford AZ
Nah, you don't need an engineer. Just need to be able to type "Google".
https://www.dragzine.com/tech-storie...s-engineering/
https://www.dragzine.com/tech-storie...s-engineering/
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 141
From: Bornem
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,655
Likes: 3,665
From: Central Arkansas
That's pretty much what I was thinking too, Alexander. I know the Australians have converted some Vettes to RHD but I don't ever remember seeing a factory one. Maybe JohnZ or someone can verify.
Last edited by DansYellow66; Jun 21, 2019 at 08:43 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 12,712
Likes: 2,270
SAE paper 630064 that chronicles the design and development of the 1963 Corvette states that the engine was offset one inch to the right of vehicle centerline in order to provide more room in the driver's footwell.
Duke
Duke