The 1985 Corvette replaced the 205 horsepower L83 engine with the L98 230 horsepower engine with Bosch tuned port fuel injection. Torque also increased from 290 lb-ft of torque to 330 lb-ft. Because of critizism about the harsh ride of the car the spring rates were reduced 26% in front and 25% in the rear. A "Tuned Port Injection" badge appeared on the side of the Vette to go along with the new engine. The red and silver paint colors were changed slightly to make them more attractive. The Z51 handling package now included 9.5-inch wheels all around, with Delco-Bilstein gas-charged shock absorbers, thicker stabilizer bars and a heavy-duty cooling system. The instrument cluster was updated to make it more readable.

The "Vehicle Identification Number" (also VIN or serial number) is stamped on a plate on the inner vertical surface of the left windshield pillar visible through the windshield.

1985 Corvette engines have the last six digits of the VIN stamped on the block after the engine number. The date code the engine was manufactured was also cast into the block. The engine serial number includes a production sequence number starting with 0001001 and one of the suffixes below.

Interior options for exterior colors are suggested by Chevrolet. Any combination could be ordered.