1997 Chevrolet Express Van G2500 Specs

Engine

• In 1997, Chevy installed a 5.7-liter, 16-valve V-8 as the standard engine in both the base and extended-wheelbase G2500 van. This engine had a tuned port fuel injection system. The engine had a bore of 4.0 inches and a stroke of 3.48 inches. It had a compression ratio of 9.5-to-1. This engine produced 250 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 330 foot-pounds of torque at 2,800 rpm.
  
  Chevy offered a turbocharged diesel for the G2500 for the first time in 1997. This V-8 engine had a displacement of 6.5-liters. It used electronic fuel injection, and each of its cylinders had two valves. The engine's bore measured 4.06 inches and its stroke measured 3.82 inches. It had a compression ratio of 21.5-to-1. This engine generated 190 horsepower at 3,400 rpm and 385 foot-pounds of torque at 1,800 rpm.
  
  

Transmission

• Chevy coupled the standard, as well as the optional engine, to a four-speed automatic transmission. Both wheelbase length and trim levels of the G2500 used rear-wheel drive systems.
  
  

Performance

• Both the base model and extended wheelbase 1997 G2500 with the stock engine earned 13 mpg in the city and 18 mpg during highway driving. Chevy equipped both models with a 31-gallon fuel tank. A Base model G2500 hauled a maximum payload of 3,784 pounds and had a maximum towing capacity of 8,000 pounds. The extended wheelbase models carried up to a 3,603-pound payload and towed up to 8,000 pounds.
  
  

Exterior

• The base model G2500 stretched 218.7 inches in length, with a 135-inch wheelbase, 79.2-inch overall width, a 82.7-inch height and an 8-inch ground clearance. An extended-wheelbase model shared the 8-inch ground clearance and 79.2-inch width and had a 238.7-inch length, a 155-inch wheelbase and a 81.3-inch height. Chevy equipped all four wheels with size 225/75R16 tires in both models.
  
  Both versions featured driver- and passenger-side front doors, with a 60-40 split cargo door on the passenger side, a rear step bumper and a pair of rear doors that opened a full 180-degrees. Chevy offered a sliding cargo door for the 135-inch wheelbase G2500 only.
  
  

Interior

• The base and extended-wheelbase model offered front bucket seats. Both models also included two rows of passenger seating, for up to 12 passengers. Operators could remove both rows of rear seating to give the base G2500 up to 267.3 cubic feet of cargo space, or a maximum of 316.8 cubic feet of cargo space for the extended wheelbase G2500. Chevy offered power and height adjustable front bucket seats as an option for both models.
  
  

Features

• Both G2500 models included antilock front-disc, rear-drum brakes and dual front airbags as standard safety features. An AM/FM stereo and front air conditioning came standard, with rear AC, stereo cassette or CD-players offered as upgrades. The "LS Decor" package equipped the G2500 with carpeting and floor mats, chrome bumpers and grille and color-coordinated side body moldings. Other available options included tilt steering, tinted glass, power windows and doors and remote keyless entry.