The 6.5 Chevy 396 is perhaps one of the most sought-after drag racing and performance engines from the era.
The 396 big block was manufactured before the oil crisis of the 70s forced vehicle manufacturers to cut back on power to increase fuel efficiency.
The 396 was introduced in 1965 as part of the new Mark IV generation of V8 engines. It was based on the big block 409 and 427, including the 1963 Chevrolet “mystery engine” designed for NASCAR.
The 396 included several variants: the L35, L34, L37, L66, L78, L89, and LS-3.