Corvette Tri Power and L88 engines

Q: What was the difference between the Corvette Tri-Power engines in 1967-68-69. Also, a Chevy dealer says the 430-horse, single 4-barrel engine was faster than the 435? How can that be? K. P., e-mail from New Jersey

A: K.P., the 430 horsepower 427 was indeed faster, and I mean way faster.

First, lets discuss the Tri-Power, 3-2 barrel carburetor 427 Corvettes. There were two versions available, at 400 and 435 horses. The 400-horse version had smaller valves in the cylinder heads than the 435 versions. Both offered iron heads as standard and aluminum heads as an option. The 435's came with a 2.18-inch intake valve as opposed to a 2.06 in the 400-horse engine.

However, it was the L-88 430 horsepower 427 engine that was the hot ticket. It would outrun the 435 by a bunch, but very few were produced (only 20 in 1967). A total of only 216 L-88s were built in those three years, as opposed to over 15,600 Tri-Powers. The L-88 had larger intake port aluminum cylinder heads, 12.5-1 compression pistons, big intake and exhaust valves and an 850-Holley carburetor sitting on an aluminum hi-rise manifold. Big 7/16-inch bolt "dimple" rods and a better cam made it a staunch performer. The L-88 was a near $1,000 option, as opposed to only $305 and $437 for the 400 and 435, respectively. In reality, the L-88 produced over 500 horses easy with headers, but it wasn't as drivable on the street, and fouled plugs regularly in stop and go situations.

(Greg Zyla writes regularly for Auto Roundup. He answers reader questions at 116 Main St., Towanda, Pa. 18848 or email him at extramile_2000@yahoo.com).

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