1965 – L78 – 6.5L (396CI) V8 Engine Guide: Specs, Features, & More

For more than a decade after the Corvette’s initial release, the true American sports car was motivated, most notably, by small-block power. In fact, the 265 cubic-inch V8’s 1955 introduction was largely responsible for the Corvette’s validation as a sporty, performance-minded vehicle.

However, by the mid-1960s, those behind the scenes at Chevrolet had begun developing a new powerplant, which would eventually make its way into the Corvette. This engine would become the first big-block V8 to be used in Corvette production, setting a trend that would continue for the following decade.

History of the 396ci L78

The 1960s were a time in which vehicle sales were largely driven by a particular model’s performance attributes. The horsepower wars were raging, and many heavy-footed consumers cared about little more than purchasing the most powerful vehicle available. A number of manufacturers were happy to provide these consumers with the performance that they desired, with General Motors being no exception.