Go Back   The Supercar Registry > General Discussion > Technical & Restoration


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-16-2013, 03:04 PM
Chevy454 Chevy454 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Alton, MO, USA
Posts: 11,923
Thanks: 0
Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts
Default L79 engine differences: 66-67 Nova

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!]
Reply With Quote
Click here to view all the pictures posted in this thread...
  #2  
Old 10-16-2013, 03:55 PM
1969L78Nova 1969L78Nova is offline
Yenko Paid Member
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Toronto
Posts: 364
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Default Re: L79 engine differences: 66-67 Nova

Engines were the same internaly. However the 67 was rated at 325 HP and had an open air cleaner instead of the dual snorkel.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-16-2013, 04:24 PM
RPOLS3's Avatar
RPOLS3 RPOLS3 is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Rockford, IL area
Posts: 3,096
Thanks: 4,187
Thanked 1,678 Times in 726 Posts
Default Re: L79 engine differences: 66-67 Nova

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?
__________________
Jake Dykstra

Dykstra Motorsports
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-16-2013, 05:06 PM
Material_Boy Material_Boy is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Church Road, Va
Posts: 162
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Default Re: L79 engine differences: 66-67 Nova

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
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-16-2013, 06:12 PM
Fast67VelleN2O's Avatar
Fast67VelleN2O Fast67VelleN2O is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Mullica Hill, NJ
Posts: 4,099
Thanks: 7
Thanked 183 Times in 91 Posts
Default Re: L79 engine differences: 66-67 Nova

All 1967 Novas equipped with 275 or more HP got the 12 bolt rear end.
__________________
Day 2 is Life.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-16-2013, 06:23 PM
Chevy454 Chevy454 is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Alton, MO, USA
Posts: 11,923
Thanks: 0
Thanked 8 Times in 8 Posts
Default Re: L79 engine differences: 66-67 Nova

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...?
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-18-2013, 04:46 PM
novadude novadude is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: PA
Posts: 739
Thanks: 3
Thanked 49 Times in 35 Posts
Default Re: L79 engine differences: 66-67 Nova

<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.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-18-2013, 05:03 PM
markjohnson's Avatar
markjohnson markjohnson is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: STL, MO.
Posts: 2,422
Thanks: 193
Thanked 412 Times in 189 Posts
Default Re: L79 engine differences: 66-67 Nova

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.
__________________
1962 Biscayne O-21669 MKIV/M-22
1962 Bel Air Sport Coupe 409/1,000
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-18-2013, 05:29 PM
VintageMusclecar's Avatar
VintageMusclecar VintageMusclecar is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,366
Thanks: 158
Thanked 161 Times in 46 Posts
Default Re: L79 engine differences: 66-67 Nova

QJet was 750 cfm, the Holley was 585.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-18-2013, 05:49 PM
PxTx's Avatar
PxTx PxTx is offline
Yenko Contributing Member
 
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Glenside, PA 19038
Posts: 2,632
Thanks: 30
Thanked 52 Times in 37 Posts
Default Re: L79 engine differences: 66-67 Nova

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.
__________________
Paul III
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 03:00 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.

O Garage vBulletin Plugins by Drive Thru Online, Inc.