L-79 '66 Novas... Viable?
 

Since NHRA knocked fifty horsepower off the factored number for 327/350 HP '66 Novas, I thought they might become at least somewhat popular in D Stock, but so far, I haven't seen any racing.

I have been told that the 560cfm Holley is the bottleneck in their breathing, since the heads are good, the cam has considerable lift, and the intake manifold is an aluminum hi-rise.

These cars would seem to be a "natural" with the HP reduction.

I believe Stocker racer James Schaechter may have run this motor in a '65 Chevelle, with success, back before they knocked the horsepower off it. That was one reason it seemed like a good engine, potentially.

What am I missing here? Is the 275 HP engine that much better, with the 750 Q-jet? It lacks the compression ratio and valve lift (and bigger valves) of the L-79 motor.

Any comments, particularly from Mr. Schaechter, would be very much appreciated.

Bill

Hi Bill. We did run one in out 66 Nova. It was fun, but not particularly fast. Best I think was 10.82 @122 in C stick. I broke a valve racing it at the Joliet Nats a few years ago. (That was at 300hp) Fortunately, Bob Gipson had one done for his Chevelle and we were able to finish the race with his engine. I have not run that combo since the HP reduction to 293.

There are a number of reasons this combo isn't the best and I haven't figured it all out. NHRA took some more off, but it is not an easy combo. I still think that the 275 hp is better. I am sure if a few more people keep working on it, it can be ok. There have been others running it, so keep your eyes open.

My e mail is jimschaechter@earthlink.net. Jim.

Jim, how does it run in '68 configuration with 803 intake and Qjet? Just curious. Joe.

Joe, I never did try that since I can't run it anyway, but it is an interesting thought. I suppose some Corvette or newer Nova guys might try it.

Thanks, Jim! That is exactly the information I was looking for.

I wasn't aware that they took 7 more horsepower off that motor. I think it needed it...

Bill

Is the '68 Chevy II 327 ci 325 hp a stick only combo? NHRA didn't take any additional hp off (compared to the '66 327 ci 350 hp).

Also, curious as to why GM decided to not offer the 327 ci 325 hp in the '68 Camaro? The Chevelle got it.

Don,
From what I understand it might be the same reason Chevy didn't offer the 327/350HP in the 1967 Chevy II, however it's reported they did make 3 or 4 L-79's in 67, they didn't want it upstaging the new Camero from a Horsepower to weight stand point. I'm not an expert like Travis on these cars so you might ask him.
Regarding the 1968 325HP Q-jet engine you have the bigger carb. but now you have the very poor cast iron intake, our Dyno work says it's a trade off.
Now if we could get Carrol Shelby to write us a letter saying he offered the 66 L-79 engine with the 750 CFM holley that would be a winner, Oh,sorry got my Mfg. confused.

I do not know if they are a good race car but back in the day (1966) they were one of the fastest cars ever produced. My brother had one and it was extraordinarily fast for a stock street car. I think it weighed an once (2850 ?) I drove it in non-drag strip races and it beat everthing. (409s, 427 fords, 426 hemis)

I bet there are a few who are going to let me know it would not have beaten them. Too bad we can not have our old toys back and return to yester year.

Yes I did street race 40 years ago. Did I say 40 years ago - ugh

I can only "live on" now through my son..

I loved those '66 Novas and some day I will build a clone.



You can always make more money but you can never make more time - spend your time wisely

Hey Jim,,,,,,, Did you say your Nova was an original L-79 car? I'm curious if you guys ever ran it that way back in the days before you turned it into a SS/O 220 hp 283, which is how I first remember seeing it around '73 at Seattle? Good luck on your upcoming season.
Danny Durham

Hey Danny, yes is was an original L-79 bought it off the show room floor and Andy's dad is correct, it was never beaten on the street or for that matter on the strip as a pure stocker. It wasn't until things evolved and the Hemi's got some good cheater slicks haven't used those words in a long time, that we were out run. It had a great horsepower to weight ratio thus the reason the Grump choose one, don't think he counter on Stahl running the Hemi. sure made for some great racing.

Hows the boys car coming?
Jim Parsons