Chevrolet Nova Engine Guide (1962–1979)
From its humble beginnings as the Chevy II Nova in 1962 to the muscle car heights of the late ’60s and its eventual downsizing in the late ’70s, the Nova offered one of the widest ranges of GM engines ever stuffed into a compact/midsize platform. Buyers could spec anything from thrifty inline-fours and six-cylinders to fire-breathing big-block V8s.
1st Generation Nova (1962–1965)
Chevrolet launched the Nova as the Chevy II, a simple compact designed to compete with the Ford Falcon. Early on, the engine lineup was economy-focused, but performance crept in by mid-decade.
Inline Engines
153ci Inline-4 (RPO none): 90 hp — base powerplant, essentially a shortened 194 six.
194ci Inline-6 (RPO none): 120 hp — standard six-cylinder engine.
230ci Inline-6 (1963+, RPO none): 140 hp — added later for more torque.
Small-Block V8s
283ci V8 (RPO none): 195–220 hp, optional in 1964.
327ci V8 (L30): 250 hp (1964–65), the first “performance” V8 offered in the Nova.
Notable RPOs:
L30 – 327/250 hp small-block
M20 – 4-speed manual transmission option
2nd Generation Nova (1966–1967)
The redesigned 1966 Nova was sportier and offered a wider range of engines, including the first high-performance options that made it a sleeper in the muscle car wars.
Inline Engines
194ci I6 – 120 hp
230ci I6 – 140 hp
250ci I6 (L22) – 155 hp
Small-Block V8s
283ci V8 – 195–220 hp
327ci V8 (L30) – 275 hp
327ci V8 (L79) – 350 hp, high-performance solid-lifter engine; rare and highly collectible.
Notable RPOs:
L79 – 327/350 hp high performance small-block
L35 – 396/325 hp
L78 – 396/375 hp
3rd Generation Nova (1968–1974)
The Nova became larger and more aligned with GM’s X-body. This era was the Nova’s muscle car peak, with multiple small-block and big-block options.
Inline Engines
153ci I4 – 90 hp (rare, early ’68–69)
230ci I6 – 140 hp
250ci I6 (L22) – 155–165 hp
292ci I6 (L25) – 170 hp, rare in Nova but available.
Small-Block V8s
307ci V8 (L14) – 200 hp
327ci V8 (L30) – 210–275 hp (phased out after 1969)
350ci V8 (L48, LM1, L65):
L48 – 300 hp (’68–70 high performance small-block)
LM1 – 255–270 hp (’69–70 350 4-bbl)
L65 – 250 hp (350 2-bbl economy)
Big-Block V8s
396ci V8 (L34, L35, L78, L89):
L34 – 350 hp
L35 – 325 hp
L78 – 375 hp
L89 – Aluminum-head L78, extremely rare.
Notable RPOs:
L78 – 396/375 hp high performance (Nova SS 396)
L48 – 350/300 hp (SS 350 package in late ’60s)
LM1 – 350ci 4-bbl small-block
L34 – 396/350 hp
4th Generation Nova (1975–1979)
The mid-’70s brought emissions and insurance crackdowns. Performance declined, but the Nova remained popular, especially as a family car and police/fleet vehicle.
Inline Engines
250ci I6 (L22) – 105–110 hp
292ci I6 (L25) – 120 hp (limited availability)
Small-Block V8s
262ci V8 (L39) – 110 hp (introduced ’75, economy small-block)
305ci V8 (LG3/LG4) – 130–145 hp
350ci V8 (LM1, L48, L65):
L65 – 145–155 hp (2-bbl)
LM1 – 155–170 hp (4-bbl)
L48 – 160–170 hp (revived briefly, then phased out)
Big-Block V8s
400ci V8 (L47) – 175–185 hp (’75–76 option, mostly in heavy-duty or police Novas).
Notable RPOs:
L39 – 262ci economy V8
LG3/LG4 – 305ci V8s
LM1 – 350ci 4-bbl
L65 – 350ci 2-bbl
L47 – 400ci small-block (technically “small-block” architecture, but big-inch option)
Nova Engine Code Summary (1962–1979)
| Engine | RPO Code(s) | Years | HP Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 153ci I4 | – | 1962–70 | ~90 | Rare, base option |
| 194ci I6 | – | 1962–67 | ~120 | Base six |
| 230ci I6 | – | 1963–74 | 140 | Popular six option |
| 250ci I6 | L22 | 1966–79 | 155–165 | Long-running Nova six |
| 292ci I6 | L25 | 1968–79 | 170 | Rare in Nova |
| 283ci V8 | – | 1964–67 | 195–220 | Early small-block |
| 307ci V8 | L14 | 1968–73 | 200 | Economy V8 |
| 327ci V8 | L30, L79 | 1964–69 | 250–350 | L79 = high performance |
| 350ci V8 | L48, LM1, L65 | 1968–79 | 145–300 | Most common small-block |
| 262ci V8 | L39 | 1975–77 | 110 | Economy small-block |
| 305ci V8 | LG3, LG4 | 1976–79 | 130–145 | Late-era Nova V8 |
| 396ci V8 | L34, L35, L78, L89 | 1966–70 | 325–375 | Big-block performance |
| 400ci V8 | L47 | 1975–76 | 175–185 | Large displacement option |
From its start as a compact commuter car to its peak as a legitimate muscle machine, the Chevy Nova offered everything from a 4-cylinder grocery-getter to a 396ci big-block street brawler.
Early Novas (’62–65) were economy cars with modest V8 options.
Mid/late ’60s Novas (’66–74) saw L79 327s and L78 396s, making them formidable drag-strip sleepers.
By the late ’70s, the Nova reflected the industry’s shift toward fuel economy, with 262 and 305 small-blocks replacing the heavy hitters.
When you need parts for your classic Nova, give our friendly techs a call at (203) 235-1200 or hop on SS396.com!
