why no 396 ???
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Team Owner
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From: S.W. Ohio. . . . . . NRA Life Member
why no 396 ???
I recently compiled data about the entire C3 production run and noticed of all the factory engine choices available on the C3:
* 305ci
* 327ci
* 350ci
* 427ci
* 454ci
the 396 was not listed. Does anyone know the reasoning behind the decision to not use the 396 in the Corvette ?
* 305ci
* 327ci
* 350ci
* 427ci
* 454ci
the 396 was not listed. Does anyone know the reasoning behind the decision to not use the 396 in the Corvette ?
Melting Slicks
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From: Apex NC
The Corvette had the 396 in 1965. It was replaced with the 427 upon its introduction in 1966.
edit - The Corvette was always Chevy's flagship vehicle and had the top of the line engines. Once the 427 was introduced, there was no desire to offer a smaller version of the big block. Instead, multiple flavors of 427 with different cam/carb choices were offered.
edit - The Corvette was always Chevy's flagship vehicle and had the top of the line engines. Once the 427 was introduced, there was no desire to offer a smaller version of the big block. Instead, multiple flavors of 427 with different cam/carb choices were offered.
Last edited by sb69coupe; Mar 4, 2005 at 12:07 PM. Reason: edit to add more specific info on Corvette enging choices
Le Mans Master
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From: Chattanooga TN
I think that in general they offered the biggest small-block and the biggest big-block. In the mid 70s they never offered the 400 SB though, so that kind of shoots my theory. Maybe they didn't want to create additional new engine builds for low volumes of Vette specific parts (distributor, exh manifolds, etc.). Good question.
Burning Brakes
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From: Carlisle PA
Originally Posted by markdtn
I think that in general they offered the biggest small-block and the biggest big-block.
Team Owner
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From: Ontario
Your question triggered another BB question for which I do not have the answer. But it has always intrigued me with respect to the logic of Chevrolet's engine choices:
-the 396 did appear as noted in the 1965 Corvette
-it was replaced by the 427 1966-69, replaced by the 454 in 1970
-the 396 was the BB of choice in the Chevelle 1965-70, replaced by the 454 in 1971
-the 427 was never used in the Chevelle
Anyone know why the 427 did not replace the 396 in the Chevelle as it did with the Corvette?
-the 396 did appear as noted in the 1965 Corvette
-it was replaced by the 427 1966-69, replaced by the 454 in 1970
-the 396 was the BB of choice in the Chevelle 1965-70, replaced by the 454 in 1971
-the 427 was never used in the Chevelle
Anyone know why the 427 did not replace the 396 in the Chevelle as it did with the Corvette?
Le Mans Master
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From: Fremont CA
In 1966 Duntov introduced the 427 as the 65 396 replacement engine. I was said (as a joke) the 427 allowed us to reduce weight of the big block engine with no sacrifice in power output (Heh! Heh!)
Le Mans Master
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From: Chattanooga TN
Originally Posted by paul67
Your question triggered another BB question for which I do not have the answer. But it has always intrigued me with respect to the logic of Chevrolet's engine choices:
-the 396 did appear as noted in the 1965 Corvette
-it was replaced by the 427 1966-69, replaced by the 454 in 1970
-the 396 was the BB of choice in the Chevelle 1965-70, replaced by the 454 in 1971
-the 427 was never used in the Chevelle
Anyone know why the 427 did not replace the 396 in the Chevelle as it did with the Corvette?
-the 396 did appear as noted in the 1965 Corvette
-it was replaced by the 427 1966-69, replaced by the 454 in 1970
-the 396 was the BB of choice in the Chevelle 1965-70, replaced by the 454 in 1971
-the 427 was never used in the Chevelle
Anyone know why the 427 did not replace the 396 in the Chevelle as it did with the Corvette?
I thought that it was no more that 400 CID in an intermediate car rule from GM. Corvette was somehow exempt. Then the rule was lifted and the Chevelle got a 454 (and GTO, 442, and GS got 455s). I think this is also why Camaro didn't have a 427 (except Yenko/COPO) and Firebird didn't get a 428.
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Originally Posted by paul67
Your question triggered another BB question for which I do not have the answer. But it has always intrigued me with respect to the logic of Chevrolet's engine choices:
-the 396 did appear as noted in the 1965 Corvette
-it was replaced by the 427 1966-69, replaced by the 454 in 1970
-the 396 was the BB of choice in the Chevelle 1965-70, replaced by the 454 in 1971
-the 427 was never used in the Chevelle
Anyone know why the 427 did not replace the 396 in the Chevelle as it did with the Corvette?
-the 396 did appear as noted in the 1965 Corvette
-it was replaced by the 427 1966-69, replaced by the 454 in 1970
-the 396 was the BB of choice in the Chevelle 1965-70, replaced by the 454 in 1971
-the 427 was never used in the Chevelle
Anyone know why the 427 did not replace the 396 in the Chevelle as it did with the Corvette?
Team Owner
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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Originally Posted by Mike Mercury
thanks, I didn't know that. So the C2 got the 396 but not the C3..... interesting.
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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Originally Posted by 45ACP
I believe it was because Duntov did not think highly of the 409.
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From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
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Originally Posted by paul67
The 348/409 was a truck engine and very heavy. In an Impala (1958-American Graffiti-Ron Howard) it was fine. But I could not see it in a C1 Corvette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Eastern Connecticut
The 400 sb wasn't offered because it was a 2bbl motor. THey would have had to go through new emissions certification if they added a 4bbl for the vette. The 427 wasn't offered in chevelles because of the 400cube limit for intermediates until 1970, and then the 454 was available. Joe
Race Director
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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
SEE How The Corvette Got The BB on my website.
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/77facts.htm
Duntov did not want to put the BB in the Corvette. The previous 348/409 was not installed because of about 100 lb. weight penalty. The mid size cars were limited to 400 c.i. by GM policy.
Then something happened that forever changed the world.
Duntov immediately enforced the first rule of the CORVETTE
that no one has more power than the Vette & gave the 427 a smaller bore & installed the 396 in the Corvette in 65 model year. The about 150 lbs. additional weight was not an issue any more.
The following year model 66, Duntov exercising all his power & influence got the full 427 displacement.
Duntov cleverly said "This was done primarily to save weight. You must remember that cast iron is very heavy & by removing 30 c.i. of it we have made a significant reduction in weight."
http://ganeys.home.sprynet.com/77facts.htm
Duntov did not want to put the BB in the Corvette. The previous 348/409 was not installed because of about 100 lb. weight penalty. The mid size cars were limited to 400 c.i. by GM policy.
Then something happened that forever changed the world.
Duntov immediately enforced the first rule of the CORVETTE
that no one has more power than the Vette & gave the 427 a smaller bore & installed the 396 in the Corvette in 65 model year. The about 150 lbs. additional weight was not an issue any more.
The following year model 66, Duntov exercising all his power & influence got the full 427 displacement.
Duntov cleverly said "This was done primarily to save weight. You must remember that cast iron is very heavy & by removing 30 c.i. of it we have made a significant reduction in weight."
Last edited by Ganey; Mar 4, 2005 at 05:32 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,612
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From: Phoenix Arizona
Originally Posted by paul67
Your question triggered another BB question for which I do not have the answer. But it has always intrigued me with respect to the logic of Chevrolet's engine choices:
-the 396 did appear as noted in the 1965 Corvette
-it was replaced by the 427 1966-69, replaced by the 454 in 1970
-the 396 was the BB of choice in the Chevelle 1965-70, replaced by the 454 in 1971
-the 427 was never used in the Chevelle
Anyone know why the 427 did not replace the 396 in the Chevelle as it did with the Corvette?
-the 396 did appear as noted in the 1965 Corvette
-it was replaced by the 427 1966-69, replaced by the 454 in 1970
-the 396 was the BB of choice in the Chevelle 1965-70, replaced by the 454 in 1971
-the 427 was never used in the Chevelle
Anyone know why the 427 did not replace the 396 in the Chevelle as it did with the Corvette?
What is also weird is that the 396 was offered as an optional engine for the Camaro in 1972!!!!
Le Mans Master
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From: Bloomington MN
Cruise-In II Veteran
Originally Posted by paul67
The 348/409 was a truck engine and very heavy. In an Impala (1958-American Graffiti-Ron Howard) it was fine. But I could not see it in a C1 Corvette.
Also the heads had limited potential. That's why you almost never see 409 drag cars anymore, but you see 396-427-454's all the time.