L79 engine differences: 66-67 Nova

[Chevy454]

To keep from wearing out kwhizz and his inbox, I figured I'd post this out here:

in terms of hard parts, what were the differences between the '66 and the '67 L79 engines in the Novas? [the more specific the better!]

[1969L78Nova]

Engines were the same internaly. However the 67 was rated at 325 HP and had an open air cleaner instead of the dual snorkel.

[RPOLS3]

Didn't the 66's have the 490 aluminum intake like the Corvettes and the 67's have a cast iron unlike the Corvettes until 68?

[Material_Boy]

Rob,

To add to what 69L78Nova replied, yes, the 66 was rated at 350 HP and the 67 was rated at 325.
Both engines internally were the same, IE, they both shared the #151 cam and both were 11-1 compression.
Other differences:
66 L79 came with the 490 aluminum intake. 67 had a cast iron intake.
66 came with a 3245 Holley carb. 67 had a Quadrajet.
66 had the chrome opposing snorkle air cleaner. 67 had an open element with chrome lid.
66 came with a 12 bolt rear. I have been told the 67 came with a 10 bolt but I am not sure if this is the case.
The optional 4 speed in a 66 was a Muncie. I have been told the 4 speed in a 67 was a Saginaw, but again I am not sure if this is the case.
For some strange reason the handful of 67 L-79's that were built were built late in the model year (June 67). I Have never heard a good explanation of why they were not offered in the beggining of the 67 model year, but became available late in the model year. Supposedly only 6 or 7 were built.
Hope this helps.
Dave

[Fast67VelleN2O]

All 1967 Novas equipped with 275 or more HP got the 12 bolt rear end.

[Chevy454]

Thanks so far!

Other than the heat/weight issues, was the cast iron+quadrajet setup negligibly "worse" than the aluminum+holley setup? I would think the open element air cleaner would be better than the closed, chrome version...?

[novadude]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chevy454</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Thanks so far!

Other than the heat/weight issues, was the cast iron+quadrajet setup negligibly &quot;worse&quot; than the aluminum+holley setup? I would think the open element air cleaner would be better than the closed, chrome version...? </div></div>

I would speculate that the Q-jet / Iron Intake / Open Element might actually have a slight edge. More carb CFM, Higher Air Cleaner CFM, and I would <span style="font-style: italic">suspect</span> that the Iron intake isn't far behind the aluminum intake in terms of flow capacity. Those &quot;square corner&quot; winters intakes weren't very good, compared to the 302/LT1 manifold or any modern aluminum intake.

[markjohnson]

I've driven a stock '68 L-79 Corvette and that felt VERY strong with its original Q-Jet and cast iron intake. Truth be told, I think the Q-Jet has a higher CFM rating than the factory Holleys that came on the earlier L-79's.

[VintageMusclecar]

QJet was 750 cfm, the Holley was 585.

[PxTx]

Not to thread jack, but have you ever driven a 1970 Vette with an LT-1 Mark?

My dad's 67 Nova has an LT-1 and my 65 has an L79 and the Nova feels so much stronger/faster. I think the Nova is only 200lbs lighter and we have the same rear gear. I run a 4 speed and he is now an auto.

As for the technical differences between a 66 and 67, it is a real shame my ego leans towards the aluminum intake and Holley to blind me on the actual performance differences.

[markjohnson]

Nope, but I'd sure like too! I know that LT-1's will really scoot along with their solid camshafts, 780 Holley, aluminum intake,etc. A good friend has one in a '69 Camaro (LT-1 from a wreck-when-new '70 Camaro) that runs 12.20's to this day without EVER being freshened up or apart. Just a set of headers, Muncie and 4.11 12-bolt. Granted, he is a pretty good driver and does the whole shifting thing without letting off the long pedal to the far right . . . .

[jasonL78]

I will speak for my 68 L79. Which has had port work done to both the heads and intake, built with 11:1 pistons 30 over and a fully balanced rotating assembly. It sure does have a different powerband than I have ever driven. I will be puting the aftermarket tach in the dash this winter so I can see what Rpm this actually does this; I am going to say around 4-5K once the car gets rolling the power just keeps coming on. Very hard to explain! Looking forward to some more test and tunning in the spring. Maybe even get it to the track. I could see why these are known sleepers back in the day!

[jasonL78]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: VintageMusclecar</div><div class="ubbcode-body">QJet was 750 cfm, the Holley was 585. </div></div>

I thought the Qjet was a 650 CFM carb. Learn something new every day!

[markjohnson]

Yeah, I think we've talked about it before here but it would be very cool to see a shoot-out between a '68 L-79 Nova and a '70 LT-1 Yenko Nova. I'd have to give the nod to the LT-1 of course but I think it'd be a lot closer of a race than many think.

[Plowman]

The 70 LT-1 has 23 more cu. in.,solid camshaft,big aluminum high rise intake, and Holley carb with 30 more cfm. How close are you talking,win/lose,or what.

[WILMASBOYL78]

There were a lot guys running L79 cars at Dover back in the day...some were pretty fast..at least it seemed that way. A few of local guys put solid cams in them...better aluminum intake, bigger Holley, headers and gears...then they were really just LT-1's minus the cubes.

Anxious to see how fast Jason's car is... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

[PxTx]

Stock for stock the LT-1 is top dog for motors. Now a 66/67 Nova with a 4.56 or so gear checked off may have a chance at out running a 1970 Deuce in the 1/4. Can't wait to see the Clary's do it!

[Salvatore]

Love the L79's and also the LT-1's but both motors in the same car no problem with the LT-1's taking charge. The LT-1 to me is the best &quot;street&quot; motor out there. Its a shame that neither motor can compete in a NHRA Stock Eliminator class. Also remember do not ever under estimate a Q-Jet. When set up correctly they go fast and make power.

[67 Nova Boy]

http://youtu.be/F3Zc7QiLdzI

http://youtu.be/CQhmV-saZQI

Dave
67 Nova Boy

Without getting hung up in intake manifold differances and dual snorkel verses open element air cleaners,having experienced cars with these engines back in the day I can tell you they were absolute screamers.

[jasonL78]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: markjohnson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Yeah, I think we've talked about it before here but it would be very cool to see a shoot-out between a '68 L-79 Nova and a '70 LT-1 Yenko Nova. I'd have to give the nod to the LT-1 of course but I think it'd be a lot closer of a race than many think. </div></div>


So are you talking stock to stock? Not many people know in 1968 you could have ordered 4:88 gears? So if one was to race a duece with a 68 L79 what would the rules have to be? Just wondering what the crowd would be expecting?

[Salvatore]

NHRA rules or just street racing rules?

[67 Nova Boy]

Factory fresh Sam <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

Dave
67 Nova Boy

[COPO PETE]

in pure stocks drags. Both L-T1 and L-79 are comparable.


The COPO nova with LT-1 has done a Best of 12:[email protected].

Thomas Pain has done a 12:9-.



Both Cars have 4:56 out back. and 4 gear.

[kwhizz]

Back in 66 my &quot;Stock&quot; L-79 with Headers and slicks ran a best of 13.12 with a 3:73 rear

[Salvatore]

pretty fast!

[Chevy454]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: kwhizz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Back in 66 my &quot;Stock&quot; L-79 with Headers and slicks ran a best of 13.12 with a 3:73 rear </div></div>
Did you ever weigh it?

[WILMASBOYL78]

&quot;Did you ever weigh it?&quot;

I guarantee it would weigh more now <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/rolleyes.gif

[kwhizz]

My Nova that I ran in the NMCA in Drag Radial class weighed 3350 lbs......But I think that was with me in it.......

Heres a link to weights

http://www.novaresource.org/weights.htm

I remember very clearly one day at the drag strip more than 40 years ago. That day a 66 Acadian Sport Deluxe L79 went up against a 69 Z. They had 6or 7 shots that day and every time the Z was at least 6 car lenghts ahead. I was real disappointed as at the time the Acadian was the favored car.