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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 have the Chevrolet ECR (Engineering Change Recommendation) that authorized the change (on all car lines using big-blocks, not just Corvette); it was written in July, and in the "reason" block, it says, "Management Direction" (GM-speak for "pacify the insurance companies").
Simple answer in my mind, if both cars are factory original I take the 396 every time, light weight flywheel only used with 396 and 67 L88. Allows engine too rev quicker and makes it work better with low gears.
ALL Chevy 65-66 961/962 396 blocks and 942 427 block needs the rear grove in the cam along with the cam barring. the same setup was used in early 55-? SB
of all being equal give me a yellow 66 L72 coupe please
I have the Chevrolet ECR (Engineering Change Recommendation) that authorized the change (on all car lines using big-blocks, not just Corvette); it was written in July, and in the "reason" block, it says, "Management Direction" (GM-speak for "pacify the insurance companies").
thanks john, i had thought the change was made earlier......
I have the Chevrolet ECR (Engineering Change Recommendation) that authorized the change (on all car lines using big-blocks, not just Corvette); it was written in July, and in the "reason" block, it says, "Management Direction" (GM-speak for "pacify the insurance companies").
Interesting, the different terminology used by different engineering departments. The departments that I worked in called ECR's, Engineering Change Release. I've also seen ECO used meaning Engineering Change Order in some other companies.
I'd get the 427 if for nothing else it has a real radiator and is less likely to cause issues when actually driving it.
Plus the 427 will outrun the 396!
JIM
I have not heard this before. I know the '65 big blocks used the same aluminium radiator as the '67 thru '69 L88s as well as a few later hp small blocks. Did these rads cause issues on street driven cars?
Yes. There's a reason they went to the trouble to put the larger radiator in the 66-67's. The 396's didn't have enough cooling capacity for real street use. The L-88's were never designed for real low speed street use. They wanted light weight.
My 871HP 555" uses a stock radiator, shroud, pulleys and a fixed 7 blade fan. It runs cool at all times in traffic or on the highway.
Getting twin turbo's now...we'll see how it does then!
The 396 motor is a LOT easier to blow up, too - ESPECIALLY exciting on the Fourth of July!
The one time that I drove a '65 396/425hp coupe (red/red) was on the Fourth Of July. In a parade. ... I don't remember too much about that engine but I do remember that stiff-as-hell clutch. Didn't blow it up though ...
Ok, I gotta wade into this swamp to protect (my car's) honor.
I bought my silver with black leather L78 convertable after looking at dozens of small block cars. While I knew that for a 51 year old with 7 other old cars, mostly domestic barges, a 327/350 with A/C would be made to order for my mentality, the allure of a 1 year only engine, the first big block car and in the first disk brake car was compelling.
Then I stumbled on a freshly restored silver car with black leather that looked well executed (and turned out to be mostly so). The color combo spoke to me, I didn't want to be a fat middle aged guy in a red or black vette (and I own and am a slave to a black show car, no more of those please).
Then I saw that a nice 327/350 with A/C would run damn near $80,000 and the 396 would probably cost another $20,000. So I figured that the historically more interesting car, the car less likely to park next to me at the shows, would be the L78.
I'm sure the 427 is technically superior. Yet I like the conversations spurred by the 396. People who know what they are come around a lot & it makes me feel as though my car is a tad more special than the next guy's. But in the end, all I really did was spend $20,000 more than I had to.
Ok, I gotta wade into this swamp to protect (my car's) honor.
I bought my silver with black leather L78 convertable after looking at dozens of small block cars. While I knew that for a 51 year old with 7 other old cars, mostly domestic barges, a 327/350 with A/C would be made to order for my mentality, the allure of a 1 year only engine, the first big block car and in the first disk brake car was compelling.
Then I stumbled on a freshly restored silver car with black leather that looked well executed (and turned out to be mostly so). The color combo spoke to me, I didn't want to be a fat middle aged guy in a red or black vette (and I own and am a slave to a black show car, no more of those please).
Then I saw that a nice 327/350 with A/C would run damn near $80,000 and the 396 would probably cost another $20,000. So I figured that the historically more interesting car, the car less likely to park next to me at the shows, would be the L78.
I'm sure the 427 is technically superior. Yet I like the conversations spurred by the 396. People who know what they are come around a lot & it makes me feel as though my car is a tad more special than the next guy's. But in the end, all I really did was spend $20,000 more than I had to.
Dan
imho....you made a great choice!
the L78 is a super car for the items you listed and they took the hi-po scene to the next level back in the 60's.....
have to say the 396, and defiantly Black well it will need to be a convertible. But I never owned or driven a 66 425 hp. But as far as running HOT I have a Dewitt's restoration radiator and 180 thermostat I put some Red Line mixed with the antifreeze also do not run a plate on the front. The day this was shot it was over 90 out and the drive home was over 30 minutes and it ran @ 200. I must admit I did put the defrost on for a short period of time. But was fun explaining to my 12 year old why we had the heat on a 90 degree day
Could you post a nice pic of your interior ?
I'd like to see it, as I am considering the same.
Ok, here are a couple of shots of the interior. If you can find another '65 coupe with this interior, please let me know. I've been told this interior option was pretty rare on the BB coupe. Have seen this on a '65 BB roadster (which I should have bought) and really liked it there as well.
02-04-2013, 03:17 PM
