When Did the Corvette 427 Engine Hit the Market?
With the 1966 Corvette, the 427 CID engine made its debut as the largest, most powerful power plant ever offered in the marque. The 427 big block was available in two “flavors”:
- 427ci/390hp Engine
- 427ci/425hp Engine
What Made the 427 Corvette’s Iconic Engine?
The 427 is one of the most powerful engines ever installed in a production Corvette. Boasting well over 435 horsepower in later models, this engine offered serious power, plus versatility. To this day, 1966-1969 427 models remain some of the most coveted Corvettes ever produced.
The History of the Corvette 427 Engine
The Corvette 427 engine is no doubt a collector favorite. Here’s a quick look at every 427 version ever offered. Keep on reading for the full history.
1967 — The 427 Engine Gets a Horsepower Boost
In 1967, GM decided to increase the horsepower options for the 427:
- 427ci/390hp Engine
- 427ci/400hp Engine
- 427ci/430hp Engine
- 427ci/435hp Engine
- 427ci/435hp (aluminum cylinder heads)
While the ’66 Corvette had the 427 Turbo-Jet fender flags, the 1967 Corvette boldly proclaimed what was under the “stinger” engine hood; the message these three numbers sent was that this Corvette was the biggest, baddest kid on the block.
The aluminum-headed 427, while very conservatively rated at 435hp for insurance purposes, was really in the 500+hp range. Due to the option price tag of $368.65, the extra cost for this powerful and scary-fast engine was only ordered by 16 buyers.
1968-69 — The 427 Engine’s Golden Era
The same engine options were available on the 1968 and 1969 Corvettes and for 1969 an additional configuration, the L88/ZL1 was a special-order option priced at $4,718.35 which pretty much explains why only 2 purchasers ordered their Corvettes with this mill. The 427 numerals on the engine hood once again proclaimed that this was not a car to be trifled with. 1969 was the last year the 427s were offered.
Until the C6 Z06 arrived on the scene in 2006.
2006 — The Return of the Legend
A legend in its own time. The LS7 was the standard engine in the Corvette Z06 and its 7.0L displacement (427 cubic inches) made it the largest LS engine offered in a production car. Unlike LS1/LS6, LS2 and LS3 engines, the LS7 uses a Siamese-bore cylinder block design – required for its big, 4.125-inch bores. Competition-proven heads and lightweight components, such as titanium rods and intake valves, made the LS7 a street-tuned racing engine, with 505 horsepower. LS7 engines were built by hand at the GM Performance Build Center in Wixom, MI.
The 427 is, indeed, the stuff legends are made of.
I own a 1968 l-68 all numbers matching, currently having the motor completely rebuilt. its a beast
Could someone help me URGENT.
Did/Does Chevrolet make an EFI system compatable with the 1967 C2, the car is coming to Switzerland and they are absolutely ruthless in NOT approving a car without OEM associated parts or ones that are not Swiss homolgated.
Do later Corvette model parts, shocks, coil overs, sway/torsion bars, brakes etc fit the C2
many thanks.
ps how do you gentleman deal with modern un leaded ethanol gas in these old leaded engines.
Hello,
There is no OEM EFI solution for any C2s. In America, it is common to swap newer LS engines into them, but this obviously wouldn’t fit your criteria. I’m afraid there is not an OEM solution to your problem.
Nate
Hey yes EFI I have a Holley sniper on my 62, and upgraded disc brakes etc, also 66, so yes they have parts that fit our classics. Gas you can buy REC 90 fuel, leaded no ethanol at some gas stations- lot of boat owners use. Also you can us gas treatments to help. Being a high compression engine it likes higher octane so if you use REC 90 nice to add some octane boost.
Does it have to have EFI to be imported? Carbs not allowed?
I restored a 1966 390 hp coupe back in the 80’s. What a nice ride! So much torque. I should never have sold it. Now restoring a 1968 390 hp, all original, sat outside in Western WA for 14 years. Fun retirement project.
During the ’60’s when I was a teenager, my dad was a Service Manager for our local Chevy dealership. I remember well, reading the window sticker on a mid-year 427 convertible that was priced at a little over 5K !! What a deal that would be in today’s world !!
I have a 67 roadster with the L36 390hp, I love ❤️ this car so much! Purchased in 1972 when everyone was in lines waiting for gas!!!
Thanks for fixing your site. Last year you left out the 2013 convert/427 option. The ONLY year the 505 hp went in converts, then they dropped it.
Randy glad here that bit of trivia about the LS7. I own one too! My first Corvette! out of a car collection in Minnesota. Man was I blessed to get this car! Black on Black Herritage Edition! God is it fast and powerful! Epic power from a naturally aspirated engine. Coupled to a 6-speed, it is a supercar… and avg. fuel economy from Minnesota to Upstate NY 24 mpg. We are the lucky few to own this car. Enjoy it!
Kenny
My Mom bought a 1966 427/425hp Corvette from the original owner in 1972. I was nine at the time, but she told me that someday the car would be mine. I didn’t realize then that I would have to wait 31 years and that I would have to restore it, but I did and it is an absolute blast to drive. It’s definitely a time machine and takes me back to when cars had real personality.
I take issue with one of your facts here. I special ordered from my local hi-performance Chevrolet dealer a 1965 396 Corvette rated at 425 hp. Seven months later when the ‘66s came out with a 427 rated at 450 hp I ordered a 450, trading in my ‘65. When my ‘66 came in, it had no decals on the engine at all reflecting the horsepower rating. I asked the hi-performance sales manger what happened and he said that they had to cut the rating back because of insurance company complaints (including their own GMAC). He also said not to worry since it really was a 450 but took the Dyno readings @300 rpm less. I still have the ‘66.
Owning two 1966 Corvettes that have all the 427 options available (a 390HP yellow coupe and 425HP red coupe) and are both NCRS-level restorations, it’s great fun to see how quiet and mannerly the 390 is vs. the take the no prisoners 425 side exhaust car. They have been featured in Corvette magazine and feel amazingly current… not like “old cars” at all.
I have a C6 Z06 LS7. In 68 I had a 427 435.
I have a 1967 , Tri power that I’m starting a full restoration on.