1965 396/425 hp -vs- 1966 427/425 hp
#1
Team Owner
Thread Starter
1965 396/425 hp -vs- 1966 427/425 hp
If you had to get one, which would you choose in the coupe style:
1965 black coupe 396/425 hp
1966 black coupe 427/425 hp (450 hp)
and why?
I understand there's more torque on the '66, but all around, and including interior, etc... which is the better car?
1965 black coupe 396/425 hp
1966 black coupe 427/425 hp (450 hp)
and why?
I understand there's more torque on the '66, but all around, and including interior, etc... which is the better car?
#2
Le Mans Master
i know this is a very wide berth but your question is in a general nature and very hard to compare
the two cars are virtually the same except for some minor cosmetics
but the 425 will out run the 396 by a big margin......jmo......
#5
Melting Slicks
#7
Race Director
I'm partial to the 66 427 first, but a 65 396 would probably be second on my list. Don't believe that 425 horses (396) vs 425 horses (427). They aren't the same.
#8
Team Owner
Thread Starter
I understand the hp differences (see parenthesis in post #1). 420 hp vs 450 hp. I was curious about preferences. Don't know which is the prefered engine. Compression, hp, torque being different. Some prefer a 383 stroker instead of a 427. Asking out of curiosity mostly.
#9
The 65 396 has more historical significance (first big block), is rarer, and has a cleaner hood (looks better in my mind than the 66 with the added script). I also prefer the look of the 65 KOs with the chrome cone rather than the brushed steel look of the 66s (assuming both cars have KOs). The interiors are almost identical and either grill looks good to me. The 66 is more powerful, but these days there are plenty of powerful Corvettes. I personally would pick the 65 before the 66.
#10
Race Director
The 1966 would be my choice..., The horsepower was rated at different RPM`s so the L-78 in the 1965 Vette at 425 HP is the same L-78 available in the 1967 Camaro at 375 HP......the early L-72`s were 450 HP and reduced after a few months production to 425 HP....rated at a different or by a lower RPM.....Same engine except for the cam bearings.....and the same as the L-71 too, except for the tri power.....All are great engines......but the question was which would you like and the reasons for such.....therefore the 1966 with a couple of changes, the 1965`s grill and no bumper....... Tough or weak, hell they are almost bullet proof......
#11
Le Mans Master
I understand the hp differences (see parenthesis in post #1). 420 hp vs 450 hp. I was curious about preferences. Don't know which is the prefered engine. Compression, hp, torque being different. Some prefer a 383 stroker instead of a 427. Asking out of curiosity mostly.
everything in the big blocks is identical including the camshaft and compression and heads, the only difference is the bore size...that difference makes a huge gain in performance between the two, both mills were under rated but the 427 is much better.
383's are small blocks, the bb's are much easier to work on and when set up correctly, are very docile on the street with great manners even though they are hi po mills.....
#13
Le Mans Master
there was no "switch"
all they changed were the numbers, the builds stayed the same. rumor has it the numbers were lowered for insurance purposes or some self imposed hp to weight ratio...
i think they started using the lower numbers around late october 65 for the 66??....bwdik?....
all they changed were the numbers, the builds stayed the same. rumor has it the numbers were lowered for insurance purposes or some self imposed hp to weight ratio...
i think they started using the lower numbers around late october 65 for the 66??....bwdik?....
#15
Le Mans Master
#17
Safety Car
I dunno... i'd probably take the 65' just cause it was the first production bb corvette. And I am always drawn to one-ofs.
They say that the 66 was the best year for bodies (or at least Nolan does) so that is a feather in the 66 hat.
6 and 1/2 dozen the other. If you are lucky to own either, you are... lucky!
They say that the 66 was the best year for bodies (or at least Nolan does) so that is a feather in the 66 hat.
6 and 1/2 dozen the other. If you are lucky to own either, you are... lucky!
#18
Le Mans Master
ok i see now, i read his post
as far as i know, the 65-66 were the only engines that had the grooved cams and different rear bearings with the alignment holes, also the front covers had a center bolt at the pan rail and no dowels for the cover
it could be that some early 67's had the early cam bearings but don't quote me on that
the 942 block came in 66 and maybe some early 67's had it too??.....
as far as i know, the 65-66 were the only engines that had the grooved cams and different rear bearings with the alignment holes, also the front covers had a center bolt at the pan rail and no dowels for the cover
it could be that some early 67's had the early cam bearings but don't quote me on that
the 942 block came in 66 and maybe some early 67's had it too??.....
#19
Race Director
I understand the hp differences (see parenthesis in post #1). 420 hp vs 450 hp. I was curious about preferences. Don't know which is the prefered engine. Compression, hp, torque being different. Some prefer a 383 stroker instead of a 427. Asking out of curiosity mostly.