1965 Impala BBC Stocker Update

[Dwight Southerland]

Yes, he tried it. IIRC the engine came from the Doughty brothers in Baton Rouge. At the time, I'm not sure he was trying to get an engine lined out for the Camaro, but the fact that he had it made the idea of the Camaro more reasonable. Dennis always had wanted a smaller car and I'm glad he finally got one. It's a nice one, too.

[Jerry Terry]

Dwight what does the 327-300 hp look like, I know when I raced stock back in the seventies it was rated to high,but it had the good heads, we ran the 1968 327 250 smog,small valve motor in Msa 68 chevelle wagon and Nsa belair sedan and Osa in a impala convertible and psa in a wagon

[Greg Reimer 7376]

You're putting together a great project car,looks like you are having fun doing it.The '65 327/250 horse engine differs from its predecessors(62-64) by way of having 461 heads as opposed to the 896/520 casting. That gives you a big improvement in valve size on the intake, port size, and maybe a little bit of compression.There's five horsepower there and then some.The 300 horse 327 also had the 459 intake and the AFB carb, but the short block and cam are the same.The 459 intake is OK to use on the 250 horse with the Rochester 4 jet,and those improvements can make a big difference.The 65 engine has an advantage with the heads, the 68 engine with the intake and carb,but gives a lot back with the low compression head, around 9 to 1 compression,The cam is a little different in 68 as well.I do believe,however, the big block is the better way to go,especially since you have a proven motor already.Keep up the good work, and keep up the photos!

[Dwight Southerland]

Greg pretty well covered the makeup of the '65 model 327-250. To put some more perspective on the small block choices in a '65 full size Chevrolet:
1. 283/195 @170 Not totally bad considering you can use a 3-speed automatic now. You would have to want to chase this one because it is not favorable enough to be built cheaply. Obviously, it would be better if it were rated at 162 like in the Chevy II.
283/220 @ 217 auto Not totally bad either. This combo has been beat on a lot which means that to build a fast one will be expensive. Ask Wade Owens.
327/250 @ 251 This would be better at 245 like all the other applications in 1965. The parts are identical to the 327/300 except the carb. This combination has lots of development history.
327/300 @ 265 Like stated above, this engine is identical to the 250 hp version except carburetor. The 4GC will flow ~485-500 cfm while the AFB on the 300 version flows ~585-600 cfm. Is that extra airflow worth 14hp? I don't know. It has been my feeling that the GM AFB combinations need to be looked at again. The MoPar guys have made great strides in the development of the AFB's potential and that should cross directly to the GM engines. Also, you could make a case for using the aftermarket versions - Carter and Edelbrock - that have the same throttle and venturi sizes and pick up an additional 25-40 cfm.


All the 327 high compression engines from 65 thru 68 are basically the same except for carburetors, so you can do some comparisons there and make your own decisions. The 68 327/250 is different because it uses smaller port heads and less compression, but it has a Qjet and that is what attracts attention. Over the years as the combos have been sorted out the small heads have shown to be enough of a disadvantage that the power rating is down in comparison to the others. It's all about airflow, isn't it?


None of these combinations are a decide advantage over the selection of the 396/325 and none offer a cheaper solution. "You pays your money and you takes your choice", as Huckleberry Finn said.

[impstocker]

This is what my 396/325 motor looks like after sitting in a shed behind my brothers house in South Carolina for a bunch of years. Now in Jimi Vignogna's shop. Block is junk, cracked deck from water left in with freezing temps plus cylinders rusty. Will use rotating assembly in new block. Heads good.

Will Lamprecht 65 Impala I/SA in progress.

[impstocker]

I haven't posted any updates on the car car so here are some pics and where I am at. Being financially challenged I knew it was going to be a slower build. As of now I need:

1) Motor - took my 396/325 motor apart, block turned out to be junk with crack but rotating assembly is OK so I got another block which is at Vignogna Performance to be machined. Engine in car is a bare block 454 and heads just to mock up.
I also need a Distributor and want to go with a Holley 600 for this year so need manifold and carb.

2) Driveshaft - the one I had in my 68 is too short plus slip yoke was for the Jerico

3) Front tires - I have some but are older and have some dry rot, don't want to trust that.

Car is all wired with MSD 7AL-2 up on inside firewall passenger side. 2 step wired off a brake pressure switch. Turbo 350 installed with a strut bar I fabricated to clamp back half and have a 4500 stall converter. 4:88's in car now, but have a set of 4:56's . We will see.
Plus i need to cover seats and some other minor details.

I am going to try lettering car myself with gold leaf. I dob't want vinyl on car, want to keep nostalgia theme.

I really can't wait to go racing!
GO YANKEES!

Will Lamprecht 65 Impala I/SA 396/325 Div 1

[Dwight Southerland]

Don't give up!! You have done so much at this point and it is a worthy work you are doing. Good job!

[GTOMayhem]

Looks great! Got to love a red interior.

Rick Thomason
GTOMayhem

[impstocker]

My new 396 Big Block Chevy block being decked at Vignogna Performance First aligned hone, now decked to minimum NHRA specs to keep compression up. Will be bored and honed starting tommorow, .060 to fit the CP pistons. NHRA accepted. Vignogna Performance did my first 396/325 BBC Stock Eliminator motor pushing my 4100 lb 68 Impala to 11.70 This motor will use that rotating assembly and same heads and Bullit Cam.