ifitgoesfast

If you had to get one, which would you choose in the coupe style:

1965 black coupe 396/425 hp

1966 black coupe 427/425 hp (450 hp)

and why?

I understand there's more torque on the '66, but all around, and including interior, etc... which is the better car?

midyearvette

if you are into prices and correctness and if the cars are correct, the 65 will probably command a better price if all issues are equal as it was the first big block midyear. this is not to say it would be way more and in some venues will bring the same or even less
i know this is a very wide berth but your question is in a general nature and very hard to compare
the two cars are virtually the same except for some minor cosmetics
but the 425 will out run the 396 by a big margin......jmo......

63Corvette

Well the 66 is lighter, minus the weight of 29 cubic inches of cast iron, so it is obviously "better"

TheGanzman

The 396 motor is a LOT easier to blow up, too - ESPECIALLY exciting on the Fourth of July!

66BlkBB

They added more chrome to offset the weight reduction.

Jims66

Everything being equal (birdcage, paint, interior etc...) I'd pick the 427. Best BB Chevy ever made.....

DansYellow66

I'm partial to the 66 427 first, but a 65 396 would probably be second on my list. Don't believe that 425 horses (396) vs 425 horses (427). They aren't the same.

ifitgoesfast

I understand the hp differences (see parenthesis in post #1). 420 hp vs 450 hp. I was curious about preferences. Don't know which is the prefered engine. Compression, hp, torque being different. Some prefer a 383 stroker instead of a 427. Asking out of curiosity mostly.

bb62

The 65 396 has more historical significance (first big block), is rarer, and has a cleaner hood (looks better in my mind than the 66 with the added script). I also prefer the look of the 65 KOs with the chrome cone rather than the brushed steel look of the 66s (assuming both cars have KOs). The interiors are almost identical and either grill looks good to me. The 66 is more powerful, but these days there are plenty of powerful Corvettes. I personally would pick the 65 before the 66.

Ironcross

The 1966 would be my choice..., The horsepower was rated at different RPM`s so the L-78 in the 1965 Vette at 425 HP is the same L-78 available in the 1967 Camaro at 375 HP......the early L-72`s were 450 HP and reduced after a few months production to 425 HP....rated at a different or by a lower RPM.....Same engine except for the cam bearings.....and the same as the L-71 too, except for the tri power.....All are great engines......but the question was which would you like and the reasons for such.....therefore the 1966 with a couple of changes, the 1965`s grill and no bumper....... Tough or weak, hell they are almost bullet proof......

midyearvette

if you turn this thread into a small block- big block debate, you will get many different opinions
everything in the big blocks is identical including the camshaft and compression and heads, the only difference is the bore size...that difference makes a huge gain in performance between the two, both mills were under rated but the 427 is much better.
383's are small blocks, the bb's are much easier to work on and when set up correctly, are very docile on the street with great manners even though they are hi po mills.....

ifitgoesfast

Any idea on the switch, approximately?

midyearvette

there was no "switch"
all they changed were the numbers, the builds stayed the same. rumor has it the numbers were lowered for insurance purposes or some self imposed hp to weight ratio...

i think they started using the lower numbers around late october 65 for the 66??....bwdik?....

ifitgoesfast

What's the difference in the cam bearings?

midyearvette

none from 65-66....where are you going with this?

the cam and brgs. changed in 67

ifitgoesfast

Ironcross mentioned it. I'm just trying to learn something.

Revfan

I dunno... i'd probably take the 65' just cause it was the first production bb corvette. And I am always drawn to one-ofs.

They say that the 66 was the best year for bodies (or at least Nolan does) so that is a feather in the 66 hat.

6 and 1/2 dozen the other. If you are lucky to own either, you are... lucky!

midyearvette

ok i see now, i read his post
as far as i know, the 65-66 were the only engines that had the grooved cams and different rear bearings with the alignment holes, also the front covers had a center bolt at the pan rail and no dowels for the cover
it could be that some early 67's had the early cam bearings but don't quote me on that
the 942 block came in 66 and maybe some early 67's had it too??.....

DansYellow66

As I said - "I'm partial to the 66 427 first". I like the 66 upholstery better. I like how the Coupe roof was cleaned up by deleting the one fake/one functional louvers. I like the 427 emblems on the side. The 65 car has some nice details in the grill and maybe a couple emblem omissions. Engines virtually identical except for bore size and some details like carb number and some part numbers on components that otherwise are nearly identical.

ifitgoesfast

thanks guys