The base 1978 Nova model changed very little from 1977.
While the base car merely had a Chevy Bowtie emblem added to the leading edge of the hood, the Rally Novas got a new front end layout with a diamond-patterned grille, black headlight bezels and horizontal parking lights and new color-keyed Rally wheels and triple body stripes.
The same base L6 and two V8 options remained the same for 1978 models. So too did the three body styles, although the hatchback was significantly outsold by the coupe and sedan models.
1978 Chevy Nova Brochure
1978 Nova Model Options & Information
Body Styles:
- 2-Door Coupe
- 2-Door Hatchback
- 4-Door Sedan
Trim Levels:
- Nova
- Custom
- Nova Rally
Engine Options:
- L22 – Turbo-Thrift 250 | 250ci | 110hp L6
- LG3 – 305ci | 145hp V8
- LM1 – Turbo-Fire 350 | 350ci | 160hp V8
Production Numbers:
- Nova: 288,109
- 2-Door Coupe: 0
- 2-Door Convertible: 0
- 2-Door Hatchback: 12,665
- 2-Door Sedan: 125,811
- 4-Door Sedan: 149,633
- 4-Door Wagon: 0
- Super Sport: 0
Dimensions & Capacities:
- Length: 196.7 in / 16.39 ft
- Width: 72.2 in / 6.01 ft
- Height:
- 2-Door Hatch & 2-Door Sedan: 52.7 in / 4.39 ft
- 4-Door Sedan: 53.6 in / 4.46 ft
- Wheelbase: 111 in / 9.25 ft
1978 Nova Engine Codes & Specs
Available Engine Specifications
|
Type |
Size |
Carb |
RPO |
Horsepower |
Torque |
Bore & Stroke (in.) |
Compression Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
L6 |
250ci |
1x1bbl |
L22 |
110 hp @ 3800 RPM |
190 lb-ft @ 1600 RPM |
3.875 x 3.53 | 8.1:1 |
|
V8 |
305ci |
1x2bbl |
LG3 |
145 hp @ 3800 RPM |
245 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM |
3.736 x 3.48 | 8.4:1 |
|
V8 |
350ci |
1x4bbl |
LM1 |
160 hp @ 3800 RPM |
260 lb-ft @ 2400 RPM |
4.000 x 3.48 | 8.2:1 |
1978 Nova 6 Cylinder Engine Codes
| Code |
Size / Carb |
HP / RPO |
Transmission |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
250 |
||||
| C3Y |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
110 hp L22 |
n/a |
– |
| CCH |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
110 hp L22 |
TH350 |
NB2 California Emissions |
| CCJ |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
110 hp L22 |
3-Speed Manual |
– |
| CCK |
250 cid 1x1bbl |
110 hp L22 |
TH350 |
– |
1978 Nova 8 Cylinder Engine Codes
| Code |
Size / Carb |
HP / RPO |
Transmission |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
305 |
||||
| CPJ |
305 cid 1x2bbl |
145 hp LG3 |
n/a |
– |
| CTH |
305 cid 1x2bbl |
145 hp LG3 |
4-Speed Manual |
– |
| CTJ |
305 cid 1x2bbl |
145 hp LG3 |
n/a |
– |
| CTK |
305 cid 1x2bbl |
145 hp LG3 |
TH350 |
NB2 California Emissions |
|
350 |
||||
|
CHJ |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
160 hp LM1 |
TH350 |
– |
|
CHL |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
160 hp LM1 |
TH350 |
– |
| CUM |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
160 hp LM1 |
n/a |
– |
| CUR |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
160 hp LM1 |
n/a |
– |
| CUS |
350 cid 1x4bbl |
160 hp LM1 |
n/a |
– |
Click here for further engine decoding information
1978 Nova Transmission Codes
|
Code |
Description |
Engines |
Assembly Plant |
|---|---|---|---|
|
UR |
3-Speed |
L6, V8 |
S = Muncie |
|
ZM |
4-Speed |
V8 |
P = Muncie |
|
5WZ |
TH350 |
L6 |
D = Parma |
|
AG |
TH350 |
V8 |
Y = Toledo |
Click here for further transmission decoding information
1978 Nova Rear Axle Codes
| Code | Axle Ratio |
Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PA |
2.73:1 |
Open |
| PC |
3.08:1 |
Open |
| PE |
3.42:1 |
Open |
| PH |
2.56:1 |
Open |
| PJ |
2.41:1 |
Open |
| PS |
2.41:1 |
Positraction |
| PT |
2.56:1 |
Positraction |
| PU |
2.73:1 |
Positraction |
| PW |
3.08:1 |
Positraction |
| PY |
3.42:1 |
Positraction |
| 2PA |
2.73:1 |
Open |
| 2PC |
3.08:1 |
Open |
| 2PU |
2.73:1 |
Positraction |
| 2PW |
3.08:1 |
Positraction |
| 2TV |
2.41:1 |
Open |
| 2TX |
3.08:1 |
Open |
| 2TY |
2.73:1 |
Open |
Click here for further rear axle decoding information
1978 Nova Factory Options
Regular Production Option (RPO)
| RPO | Description | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| AB8 | Formal rear quarter window – Cabriolet roof | 9,352 |
| AK1 | Deluxe belts & harness front | 53,239 |
| AU3 | Power door lock system | 6,477 |
| A01 | Tinted Glass – all windows | 159,067 |
| A02 | Tinted Glass – windshield only | 6,575 |
| A20 | Swing-out rear quarter window | 2,874 |
| A31 | Power windows | 4,097 |
| BW2 | Deluxe body side molding | 24,022 |
| B3W | Advance price sheet | 27,418 |
| B37 | Floor mats | 68,286 |
| B51 | Bright rocker and extension moldings | 11,099 |
| B74 | Wide wheel opening moldings | 12,763 |
| B80 | Roof drip rails | 110,672 |
| B84 | Body side molding | 177,978 |
| B90 | Door and window frame molding | 26,214 |
| B93 | Door edge guards | 34,536 |
| B96 | Wheel opening molding | 34,598 |
| CD4 | Intermittent windshield wiper | 7,435 |
| C50 | Rear window defroster | 78,772 |
| C60 | Air Conditioning – deluxe | 149,397 |
| D31 | Day-night inside rearview mirror | 12,177 |
| D33 | Outside mirror – remote control | 66,063 |
| D35 | Sport mirrors | 41,678 |
| D55 | Front compartment floor console | 5,008 |
| D85 | Body side pin striping | 8,619 |
| F40 | Special heavy duty front & rear suspension | 18,222 |
| F41 | Special performance front & rear suspension | 3,489 |
| G80 | Rear axle – Positraction | 8,169 |
| G92 | Rear axle – 3.08 ratio (Performance / High Altitude) | 3,395 |
| J50 | Vacuum power brake equipment | 220,133 |
| K05 | Engine block heater | 7,442 |
| K30 | Cruise-master speed control | 10,626 |
| LG3 | V8 engine – 305 2-bbl | 92,184 |
| LM1 | V8 engine – 350 regular fuel | 7,646 |
| L22 | L6 engine – 250 | 188,279 |
| MM3 | 3-speed manual transmission | 12,032 |
| MM4 | 4-speed manual transmission | 3,070 |
| M38 | 3-speed automatic transmission – TH350 | 273,007 |
| NA6 | High altitude emission equipment | 2,008 |
| N33 | Comfortilt steering wheel | 29,753 |
| N41 | Variable ratio power steering | 279,265 |
| N65 | Spacesaver spare tire | 1,552 |
| N95 | Simulated wire wheel trim cover | 4,037 |
| P01 | Wheel trim cover | 170,248 |
| QBT | FR78-14/B steel belt radial tires – white letter | 4,053 |
| QDV | FR78-14/B steel belt radial tires – blackwall | 18,631 |
| QDW | FR78-14/B steel belt radial tires – white stripe | 107,766 |
| QEG | E78-14/B Bias belt tires – blackwall | 37,216 |
| QEH | E78-14/B bias belt tires – white stripe | 120,455 |
| UA1 | Heavy duty battery | 18,612 |
| UM1 | Stereo tape system w/AM radio | 2,393 |
| UM2 | Stereo tape & AM/FM stereo radio | 2,150 |
| U05 | Dual horn | 17,937 |
| U14 | Special instrumentation | 3,724 |
| U35 | Electric clock | 20,216 |
| U58 | AM/FM stereo radio | 4,926 |
| U63 | Radio – AM push button | 181,818 |
| U69 | Radio – AM/FM push button | 22,386 |
| U76 | Windshield antenna | 53,512 |
| U80 | Auxiliary speaker | 13,312 |
| V01 | Heavy duty radiator | 12,409 |
| V30 | Front & rear bumper guards | 38,423 |
| YC8 | Demo option drive | 1,241 |
| YF5 | California assembly line emission test | 17,968 |
| YJ7 | Demo drive | 669 |
| ZJ3 | Interior convenience package | 47,085 |
| ZJ7 | Special wheel, hub cap and trim ring (Rally wheel) | 34,778 |
| ZJ9 | Auxiliary lighting group | 24,445 |
| ZN5 | Color keyed Rally wheels | 6,739 |
| Z26 | Rally Nova package | 6,903 |
| Z49 | Canadian base equipment | 25,514 |
| 11L | Antique white | 24,109 |
| 11N | White vinyl bench / black accents | 1,713 |
| 11T | White vinyl roof cover | 4,283 |
| 15L | Silver | 29,388 |
| 15T | Silver vinyl roof cover | 1,484 |
| 19L | Black | 6,246 |
| 19R | Black vinyl buckets | 16,274 |
| 19T | Black vinyl roof cover | 1,764 |
| 19Z | Black vinyl bench | 2,634 |
| 22L | Light blue metallic | 47,831 |
| 22T | Light blue vinyl roof cover | 2,537 |
| 24B | Blue knit cloth bench | 27,166 |
| 24D | Blue knit cloth bench | 9,156 |
| 24L | Medium blue | 19,091 |
| 24R | Blue vinyl buckets | 43,867 |
| 44L | Medium green | 17,061 |
| 44N | Green vinyl bench | 5,766 |
| 44T | Medium green vinyl roof cover | 1,741 |
| 48L | Dark blue-green metallic | 12,786 |
| 51L | Bright yellow | 5,123 |
| 61L | Light buckskin | 19,779 |
| 61T | Light buckskin vinyl roof cover | 6,252 |
| 62B | Camel knit cloth bench | 38,842 |
| 62D | Camel knit cloth bench | 8,762 |
| 62N | Camel vinyl bench | 10,630 |
| 62R | Camel vinyl buckets | 62,263 |
| 62Z | Camel vinyl bench | 3,892 |
| 63L | Light saddle metallic | 31,200 |
| 67L | Medium saddle metallic | 10,879 |
| 69L | Dark brown metallic | 25,929 |
| 74D | Carmine knit cloth bench | 6,244 |
| 74N | Carmine vinyl bench | 8,157 |
| 74R | Carmine vinyl buckets | 42,754 |
| 75L | Light red | 9,199 |
| 77L | Carmine metallic | 25,431 |
| 79T | Dark carmine metallic vinyl roof cover | 1,834 |
1978 Nova Cowl Tag Info
1978 Nova Example Cowl Tag & Breakdown
The Cowl Trim Tag, located on the cowl area identifies significant information about your car.
Click here for further cowl tag decoding information
Line 1: Year, GM Division, Model & Body, Assembly Plant, Sequence Number
|
Year |
GM Division |
Model Series |
Body Code |
Assembly Plant |
Sequence Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
77 = 1977 |
1 = Chevrolet |
XX = Nova |
17 = 2-Door Hatchback |
T = Tarrytown, NY |
Sequence Starts at 100001 |
|
XY = Nova Custom |
27 = 2-Door Sedan |
W = Willow Run, MI |
|||
|
69 = 4-Door Sedan |
|||||
Line 2: Trim and Paint
|
Interior Trim |
Seat Type |
Exterior Paint (Lower/Upper) |
|---|---|---|
|
11N = White Vinyl Bench |
A51 = Bucket Seats |
11 = White |
|
19R = Black Vinyl Bench |
A52 = Bench Seat |
15 = Silver Metallic |
|
24B = Light Blue Cloth Bench |
19 = Black |
|
|
24D = Light Blue Cloth Bench |
22 = Light Blue Metallic |
|
|
24R = Light Blue Vinyl Bench |
24 = Ultramarine Blue Metallic |
|
|
44N = Dark Green Vinyl Bench or Buckets |
44 = Medium Green Metallic |
|
|
62B = Camel Tan Cloth Bench |
48 = Dark Blue-Green Metallic |
|
|
62D = Camel Tan Cloth Bench |
51 = Bright Yellow |
|
|
62N = Camel Tan Cloth Bench |
61 = Camel Beige |
|
|
62R = Camel Tan Vinyl Bench |
63 = Camel Tan Metallic |
|
|
74D = Carmine Cloth Bench |
67 = Saffron Metallic |
|
|
74N = Carmine Vinyl Bench or Buckets |
69 = Dark Camel Metallic |
|
|
74R = Carmine Vinyl Bench |
75 = Medium Red |
|
|
77 = Carmine Metallic |
||
|
Cloth and Vinyl Usage: |
11T = White Vinyl Roof |
|
|
B = Bordeau Woven Sport Cloth |
15T = Silver Vinyl Roof |
|
|
D = Edinburgh Woven Sport Cloth |
19T = Black Vinyl Roof |
|
|
N = Wallaby Vinyl |
22T = Light Blue Vinyl Roof |
|
|
R = Plisse Vinyl |
44T = Light Green Vinyl Roof |
|
|
61T = Light Camel Vinyl Roof |
||
|
79T = Dark Carmine Vinyl Roof |
Line 3: Build Month and Week
|
Month |
Week |
|---|---|
|
01 = January |
A = First Week |
|
02 = February |
B = Second Week |
|
03 = March |
C = Third Week |
|
04 = April |
D = Fourth Week |
|
05 = May |
E = Fifth Week |
|
06 = June |
|
|
07 = July |
|
|
08 = August |
|
|
09 = September |
|
|
10 = October |
|
|
11 = November |
|
|
12 = December |
Disclaimer
*The numbers have been compiled from many sources to make these pages as correct as possible. There is no guarantee that the numbers are complete or accurate, therefore, we cannot accept any liability or responsibility for damages incurred from the use of this information.
