Early Years

• Chevy developed three versions of the 396 in 1965: a four-barrel carburetor model, the Z-16 with a high compression ratio (also produced in 1966) and the L-79, which was only produced for 1965.
  
  

Specifications

• The four-barrel carburetor version had a 4.094-inch bore and 3.76-inch stroke. It had a 10.25:1 compression ratio to wield 325 horsepower and 410 ft.-lbs. of torque. The Z-16, produced only for Chevelles, had a high compression ratio of 11:1. With a four-barrel carb, it produced 375 horsepower and 420 ft.-lbs. of torque. The L-79 396 featured 425 horsepower and 415 ft.-lbs. of torque.
  
  

Later Years

• In 1967, Chevrolet produced two 396 V8s. One generated 350 horsepower with a compression ratio of 10.25:1, and the other was a 375-horsepower engine with an 11:1 compression ratio. In its final year (1969), the 396 received a two-barrel carb and a reduced 9:1 compression ratio, which delivered 265 horsepower.