L-78 engine Birth date

[nuch_ss396]

Hey guys,

This was posted over on the NCRS forum in regards to this topic:

The 1965 Corvette L-78 and the 1966-69 L-78 used for Chevelles and Camaros were, basically, the same engine. All internal parts were exactly the same or, essentially, the same. Ignition and carburetion was different but, essentially, the same (e.g. obviously the Corvette and Chevelle/Camaro applications would use a different distributor since, with just a few very minor exceptions, only Corvette used a tach drive distributor). Intake manifolds were different but, essentially, the same.

The real differences between the applications was, as has already been mentioned by others, the exhaust manifolds AND the RPM that the engines were rated at. The latter was the biggest factor in the horsepower rating difference.

By the way, the 1965 L-78 used in passenger cars was exactly the same as the L-78 used in Corvette EXCEPT for the distributor. The exhaust manifolds were the same and the engines were rated at the same RPM.