65 396 question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,194
Likes: 27
From: Monroe Twp, NJ
65 396 question
Was the 396 (425 HP ) a Corvette exclusive? I read it was the same engine as offered in the Chevelle in 65 and other Chevelles in later years listed at 375 HP to get by the insurance companies rules on HP in mid size cars.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 573
Likes: 1
From: Pine Grove PA
The Z16 Chevelle engine was kind of an entity of it's own, it was basically the same, but it actually had a hydraulic camshaft, it was NOT an L78. I believe the 65 big car engine was essentially the same, with exception to the exhaust manifolds.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 9,556
Likes: 288
From: Granbury Texas
AND..........the NHRA rates it at 425HP, the same as the 65 Corvette, 'cause it is exactly the same 4-bolt, hipo, rectangular port engine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 5,662
Likes: 2,344
From: Lake Minnetonka, Mn
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
I don't know about other parts, but according to Holley when I talked with their tech department and gave them the list number for the 396 Corvette, 3124, they said it was only used on the Corvette.
Last edited by rgs; Jan 31, 2010 at 05:17 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 92
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
When I worked at Tonawanda in the summer of '69, I asked if the 1969 Chevelle L78 was the same engine as the 1965 Corvette L78. I was told it was the same.
There were detail differences: the 65 Corvette had a choke tube coming from the exhaust manifold, the Chevelle had a choke well in the intake manifold.
Chevrolet considered them the same basic engine.
There were detail differences: the 65 Corvette had a choke tube coming from the exhaust manifold, the Chevelle had a choke well in the intake manifold.
Chevrolet considered them the same basic engine.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
When I worked at Tonawanda in the summer of '69, I asked if the 1969 Chevelle L78 was the same engine as the 1965 Corvette L78. I was told it was the same.
There were detail differences: the 65 Corvette had a choke tube coming from the exhaust manifold, the Chevelle had a choke well in the intake manifold.
Chevrolet considered them the same basic engine.
There were detail differences: the 65 Corvette had a choke tube coming from the exhaust manifold, the Chevelle had a choke well in the intake manifold.
Chevrolet considered them the same basic engine.
Did you know a summertime helper named Paul Foster by any chance?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
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
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,414
Likes: 765
From: Barrington IL
When I worked at Tonawanda in the summer of '69, I asked if the 1969 Chevelle L78 was the same engine as the 1965 Corvette L78. I was told it was the same.
There were detail differences: the 65 Corvette had a choke tube coming from the exhaust manifold, the Chevelle had a choke well in the intake manifold.
Chevrolet considered them the same basic engine.
There were detail differences: the 65 Corvette had a choke tube coming from the exhaust manifold, the Chevelle had a choke well in the intake manifold.
Chevrolet considered them the same basic engine.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
When I worked at Tonawanda in the summer of '69, I asked if the 1969 Chevelle L78 was the same engine as the 1965 Corvette L78. I was told it was the same.
There were detail differences: the 65 Corvette had a choke tube coming from the exhaust manifold, the Chevelle had a choke well in the intake manifold.
Chevrolet considered them the same basic engine.
There were detail differences: the 65 Corvette had a choke tube coming from the exhaust manifold, the Chevelle had a choke well in the intake manifold.
Chevrolet considered them the same basic engine.
Last edited by rgs; Jan 31, 2010 at 08:48 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 92
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
I don't remember Paul Foster by name. I spent the summer of 1969 in the dyno lab. running production engines (including L-88, but not ZL-1...drat) on the 200 hour durability test.
By the way, we ran the engines (except L-88) with production exhaust manifolds, so the Corvette L-78 would be putting out more power (at high rpm) on the dyno test than the Camaro or Chevelle L-78s.
Bill
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 26,118
Likes: 1,874
From: Greenville, Indiana
Mike:
I don't remember Paul Foster by name. I spent the summer of 1969 in the dyno lab. running production engines (including L-88, but not ZL-1...drat) on the 200 hour durability test.
By the way, we ran the engines (except L-88) with production exhaust manifolds, so the Corvette L-78 would be putting out more power (at high rpm) on the dyno test than the Camaro or Chevelle L-78s.
Bill
I don't remember Paul Foster by name. I spent the summer of 1969 in the dyno lab. running production engines (including L-88, but not ZL-1...drat) on the 200 hour durability test.
By the way, we ran the engines (except L-88) with production exhaust manifolds, so the Corvette L-78 would be putting out more power (at high rpm) on the dyno test than the Camaro or Chevelle L-78s.
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 92
From: Rochester Hills Michigan
